A Question of Counsel

by Archer Kay Leah

  Coddling Lira was no help, either. It was more important that she learn to defend herself, especially if their relationship became permanent. "Go on," Aeley said.

  She watched Lira's body rise and fall with a deep breath before she leaned forward and released the knife. This time, the blade sank into the target enough to keep from falling.

  "Well, then. Either that's luck or I'm really not that bad," Lira said. Without moving out of her stance, she peered over her shoulder. "Just to make sure I have this right, show me again without the knife?"

  "If you want," Aeley said, stepping into Lira again. "Here." Her hand followed Lira's arm back, her empty fist near Aeley's face, warm and loosely clenched inside Aeley's hand. "From here. You'll get used to it."

  Lira turned her head, her fist still poised above her shoulder. She said nothing, her gaze locked on Aeley's. Arching back, she kissed Aeley hungrily.

  Aeley returned the kiss hard on Lira's lips. Unfurling her fist from Lira, she cupped her hand around Lira's cheek and pulled her closer, aware of Lira's body turning into her. Lira's hip pressed into her belly and Aeley broke the kiss with a growl. She ached, the warmth between her legs growing. Don't say a thing. Her hands wrapped around Lira's neck and pulled her in for another kiss. Lira slipped a leg between both of Aeley's and gave her a gentle push. Aeley stumbled back into the table, the edge hitting her low in the back.

  When fingertips touched her hardened nipples, Aeley moaned and drew her mouth away to take a shallow breath. Lira's fingers circled one nipple before pinching. Aeley arched against the table, gripping the edge when Lira pressed her mouth to Aeley's neck. Her lips moved slowly, tongue circling over the skin before moving down Aeley's chest and working over the neckline of her tunic.

  While she wanted Lira's lips to continue their travels, Aeley wanted to taste her again—and more than just her lips. If Lira was willing, she wanted to know all of her.

  Aeley spun them around and pushed Lira into the table, pleased by the hint of surprise on Lira's face. With both hands on the table, Aeley kissed a path across Lira's cheek and down her neck. Lira's hands ran through her hair, moaning as she tugged. Aeley pressed harder, nipping the crook of Lira's neck before sucking her skin in between her teeth.

  "Wait," Lira whispered. "The table. Let me—"

  Before she could finish, Aeley hoisted her onto the table, her hands remaining firm on Lira's hips in wait for another instruction.

  "That works." Lira pulled her close with both hands, demanding another kiss.

  Aeley leaned into the table as Lira shuffled back. Hands slid down her chest and wrapped around the curve of her breasts. She lost herself in the sound of their laboured breaths, moaning when Lira's hands scaled across her ribs to her stomach. There was a gentle pressure when Lira's curved hand slid under the belt around Aeley's waist. The questing fingers slid further. When they traveled into the tangle of hair between Aeley's legs, Aeley tore her lips away.

  "Is that where this is going?" Aeley asked. I want to hear you say it.

  "Considering we've been working our way to it. Unless…" Lira stopped. She pulled up her skirt. The more skin she exposed, the more Aeley felt the knot in her belly twist.

  When the skirt passed over Lira's knees and continued, Aeley could no longer wait. Kissing Lira again, she untied the laces. She felt Lira's hands on her again, unbuckling her belt and throwing it away. With small yanks, Aeley pulled the laces from the top grommets, only stopping when Lira pulled up her tunic and slid her hands across Aeley's chest. Lira's touch was soft, her hands cupping around Aeley's breasts tenderly. Her thumbs caressed Aeley's nipples, her fingers brushing the thin skin over Aeley's ribs.

  Aeley shivered and yanked at the laces harder. Just keep going. When Lira's dress felt loose, Aeley pulled back. Quickly, she pulled her own tunic over her head and tossed it to the floor. She guided the sleeves of Lira's gown down her arms, exposing her neck first, and then her chest. The dress pooled around Lira's stomach, revealing high and supple breasts. They fit well in her hands, Aeley discovered, her fingers following the curves of Lira's chest. Drawing one nipple into her mouth, she suckled until Lira moaned and clenched her close. She licked the darkened skin of Lira's breast, lashing at the nipple with the tip of her tongue. Lira's nails dragged across Aeley's naked back. Tracing a wet path across Lira's chest with her tongue, Aeley tasted the sweat on Lira's skin, sweet like the pink berries used in Lira's perfume. When she turned to nip at Lira's dry nipple, Lira barked in surprise. Aeley couldn't help but smile.

  "Just for that," Lira whispered, her hands fumbling around Aeley's stomach. Aeley's pants came undone after a tug on the string, and Lira pushed the fabric down her hips. With a twist of her wrist, Lira slipped her hand between Aeley's legs.

  Aeley gasped at Lira's hot touch, at Lira's fingers moving with ease through the fluid pooled inside her nether lips. A fingertip pressured the nub within, circling it before pushing again. For a moment, it felt like lightning surged from her groin to her heart.

  She slammed her hand on the table, trying to fight the shudder when Lira's fingers slid further, one fingertip creeping inside her. Lira's moistened palm cupped around Aeley as she worked her fingers, twisting and turning, pressing against Aeley's insides before rubbing the entrance with a second finger.

  "Yes, there," Aeley cried out, slamming the table again. She lowered herself on Lira's hand before pulling upwards.

  Seeming to understanding the intent, Lira drew out her finger to the tip before pushing up again. She repeated the movements, quicker each time. Aeley wanted to scream, even more when Lira slipped two fingers inside and continued to move in and out, stretching the skin.

  They needed to even it out. She could not be the only one getting something, and not this fast. If she did not stop Lira now, she would come before she wanted. After the day she'd had, this was one thing she wanted to go slowly.

  Aeley pulled Lira's hand away. "Hold on. Just let me do something first." Cursing for interrupting, she discarded her boots and pants. She slid her hands up Lira and worked them underneath Lira's bottom, squeezing the cheeks before going higher. With the skirt clutched in her hands, she pulled the dress up Lira's body and tossed it away.

  Lira leaned back on her elbows, her stomach flat as Aeley took in her nakedness. Other than the bruises on her neck from where Aeley had bitten her, the only mark on Lira's body was a dark patch of skin on her thigh. All else was pale skin and dark hair, including the curled mass between her legs.

  "Like what you see?" Lira asked. She hooked one leg over Aeley's shoulder, baring herself to Aeley.

  Familiarity struck Aeley. Images of the men she had slept with came to mind. With Lira, she felt more than she had with those men, almost as if she had to know what it felt like to touch another woman, or she would lose her mind. Part of it was exploring the unknown but the rest… It was like she could understand more and be understood better. Men had come and gone, leaving her with little. But Lira made Aeley want to ravage her, to know every part of her. With one look, more emotion burst through her and left her salivating for more than any orgasm.

  "Well, if we're going to play it this way, let me start…"

  Lira's voice broke through Aeley's thoughts. She had stared too long without doing anything, Aeley realized, watching Lira stroke herself. The inviting gaze returned as Lira moaned and shifted her hips.

  It was time to follow through on her curiosity and feed her desire.

  Leaning over, Aeley pressed her lips to Lira's stomach and worked her way downwards, the tip of her tongue swirling the moist curls and dancing on the warm skin beneath. When Lira's hand started to move away, Aeley caught her fingers with her mouth, drawing them in with her teeth and lips. She sucked on the tips and raked her tongue over the sharp nails. Lira moaned for more. Her free hand played with Aeley's hair and her hips wiggled, making the table rock.

  She could smell Lira's need, the salty taste of her fingers a small sample of what awaited. Aeley
dipped her head further and held open Lira's legs. Taking a breath, she dove in, drawing her tongue through the slick lips. When Lira cried out, she drove deeper, seeking the opening and slipping her tongue inside Lira's warmth. Tight and hot, Aeley pushed gently, pulling back to lap at the skin with long, careful strokes. Beyond her shallow breaths, she could hear Lira pant as her body tensed, the muscles of her stomach and legs strained. Aeley urged the swollen nub into her mouth and carefully clenched it between her teeth before sucking in a breath.

  Lira's hips rose and she shook. "By the Four!" She slapped the table. "If you're just going to keep biting me, maybe you should come up here so I can do something about it!"

  "Fine." Aeley stood and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. It was a journey she would finish later. Maybe when we're on a bed. Something soft. I can barely stand right now.

  Lira shuffled across the table, knocking the rags and all but one of the arrow shafts to the floor. Aeley lifted herself onto the table and crawled towards Lira, thankful for the thick wood and strong build.

  Holding the last arrow shaft, Lira toyed with the feathered end while she waited for Aeley to position herself between her legs.

  "And what do you expect to do with that?" Aeley inquired, sitting up on her knees. She slid a hand down Lira's knee to her hip, enjoying how Lira trembled.

  Lira answered by holding out the feathered end to Aeley's neck and drawing it downwards. The sleek, wooden shaft was cold, making Aeley shiver as the black feather brushed across her skin. Lira moved it down further, teasing Aeley's nipple with the tip. Pressing gently, she used the tip to trace a path between Aeley's breasts down to her belly, continuing down until the rod lay prone between them.

  Without warning, she held the horizontal rod beneath Aeley and drew the shaft between Aeley's lips.

  "Lira," Aeley whined, writhing when the feathered end raked across her swollen sex. How could she have thought Lira was modest and not trouble?

  "Mixing pleasure with pleasure. Weapons and sex—sounds exactly like you." Lira tossed it over her shoulder. Before Aeley could react, Lira grasped Aeley's neck lightly, with just enough pressure to affect Aeley's breathing. For a moment, their gazes met, their parted lips close, but not touching.

  It was over in an instant, broken by Lira's lips crushing Aeley's. Almost throwing herself, Aeley guided Lira back and pinned her. She felt Lira's hands moving over her back and ribs, pulling and pushing their bodies together to grind their hips and rub their groins. When Lira slipped a hand between Aeley's legs, Aeley returned the gesture, bucking as Lira's fingers slid into her.

  A low growl sounded in her throat and she jammed two fingers inside Lira, yanking back before pushing in again, over and over. Lira's cries urged her to continue, despite how difficult it was to focus as Lira's fingers did the same to her.

  Aeley tugged Lira's mouth into a sloppy kiss. She felt another finger slip into her and stroke hard, making her gasp for a breath.

  "Yes," she whispered and pushed harder, listening to the quick breaths Lira managed between moans. When she felt like wildfire burned through her, Aeley bit her lip and tried to fight the gnashing pain of need. Her muscles tensed and relaxed, caught between reaching for pleasure and not wanting it to end. Each time Lira's fingers flitted across her throbbing clit, Aeley wanted to scream and cry, her emotions tangled among fractured thoughts. She could not stop, anticipating what was to come.

  The table rocked with their rhythm. Lira's body tensed around Aeley's fingers, almost pushing them out. She pushed and Lira shot up, grabbing Aeley's back to dig her nails into her skin. When she pushed again, Lira ripped her hand away from Aeley and slammed it on the table. Pulling out and driving even harder, Aeley felt Lira's body strain to a stop. Her release came in a milky rush.

  Lira trembled when Aeley started to pull away. "Wait," she begged and clutched Aeley's shoulders tighter. "Let me." She slipped her fingers into Aeley again, stroking to relieve the pulsing ache.

  Aeley's knees buckled again and the muscles in her lower back strained. Leaning against Lira, she rode her fingers. The end was coming. She felt it, like a ball of energy spinning out of control and taking her sanity with it, or teeth gnawing at her insides and pulling every nerve. Breathing was difficult and she moaned louder with each jolt. Lira's thumb circled and pressed down.

  Her body gave in, her release crashing through her. "Yes," she hissed, clutching Lira's head with both hands and burying her face in her hair. She rocked as she came, the warmth gushing from her and taking her strength with it. Lira's fingers moved in her and she bit down to keep from screaming.

  The surge faded slowly, leaving her mind foggy. While she calmed, she realized Lira rocked her gently.

  "What do you think? There's hitting the target and then there's hitting the target. Which one do you think I'm better at?" Lira murmured against Aeley's temple.

  Blinking, Aeley could do nothing but laugh and pray the table did not fall out from beneath them.

  *~*~*

  They burst into the study, still laughing. Aeley slammed the door shut as Lira ran to the desk. If they had timed it right, Haydin would search for them shortly to announce dinner. Leaning back, she bit her lip and watched Lira spin around, the shoulder of her gown slipping down her shoulder.

  "I don't think I tied it right." Aeley crossed the room, arms outstretched.

  "I thought something felt off." Lira turned into the desk and pulled her tangled hair over her shoulder. When Aeley tugged on the laces, she chuckled. "Too much in a hurry to get things cleaned up."

  "We were in a… questionable position," Aeley argued, pulling out the laces. Able to focus without worrying about being caught, she found the missed holes. Only three. Not a bad count. As she rethreaded the laces, she yanked back gently. "We were lucky as is with the door wide open. It would've been a perfect time to get caught."

  "Wouldn't have been the first time," Lira murmured.

  "What?"

  "I wouldn't have cared, I said."

  With a final pull, Aeley tied the laces before resting her chin on Lira's shoulder. "I heard what you said," she whispered, "I just wanted clarification. The fact is, I don't know as much about you as you apparently do me. I try, but you keep pushing me away. Except for once, when I cornered you, and I hated doing it. While I'm in for whatever this is, I'm just curious why we don't talk about you."

  "There's not much to talk about."

  Lira pulled away, but did not struggle when Aeley pulled her back. "And that's a lie. What happened to all that honesty you wanted from me? That only goes one way?" Slipping an arm around Lira's waist, Aeley pressed her mouth to Lira's ear. "Or maybe I should ask if you want a relationship or just someone to sleep with."

  "And that's playing dirty," Lira mumbled, her body growing tense. "Nice to know you were listening to me."

  "Fair question."

  "With a not-so-fair answer."

  "All the more reason to talk about it. You can’t just say one thing and give another. Or give nothing. Sometimes that’s how it feels. Every time, you evade. Every secret, you keep; which seems to be everything about you."

  When Lira pulled away again, Aeley let her go, her gaze following Lira to the window. "You're about as favourable to your family as I am Allon. I'm curious as to why. And I know you’ve already told me some of it but there’s more. Every time you change the subject, I know there are things you don’t want to tell me. Maybe you’re scared. Maybe you think it’s worthless. But I want to hear them." She crossed her arms. "Call me intrusive, but considering I'm supposed to marry into your family, I'm interested to know everything about what I'm getting into."

  Lira fell into the chair in the corner, her elbows resting on the chair arms. Her hands hung limp in her lap. Anger flashed across her face before her lips twisted with sarcasm. "Run, that's all I have to say."

  "From who? You? Or them?"

  "Your choice. It depends who you think is more trouble." Sighing, Lira tilted her he
ad back. "I've been here before. And I got caught, except it wasn't funny, not like this would've been. More of a fight, really."

  "Meaning?" Aeley asked, leaning against the desk.

  "Meaning my mother found me and a servant, both of us sixteen and curious, messing around in bed. We'd known each other since we were girls—her mother worked for my mother. We thought we'd get to know each other even better. She said I was cute," Lira said, and looked out the window with a smile.

  The moment passed and she faced Aeley again, the smile gone. "My mother didn't think it was so sweet. She sent all of our female servants away and brought in men. That was after she kicked me screaming from bed and threw Mara into the hall with her clothes and called her a tramp. Said if I wanted the pleasure, servants' hands were too filthy. I should save it for a woman of a Grand Family or a Councilman. And then—then—she kept trying to correct it."

  "Correct it?"

  "She forced me to meet with boys my age and insisted I play nice to make friends. And when I say play nice, I mean it in every sense of the word. Be willing, she said. Show them my worth. I can't remember the number of times I'd walk into a gala hosted by her where the guests were mostly men. She'd dress me up in the best dresses we could afford, just to make sure they saw me, baring what parts of me were socially acceptable. Practically threw me at them when I didn't want to be there. I never wanted those parties and I never wanted them," Lira whispered.

  "I guess it's an understatement to say that you didn't get along."

  "We fought all the time. I almost ran away a couple times, but I was persuaded to stay—my father, mostly, though Emon and Ryler had their moments. Then, when I was nineteen, she thought she'd play harder to make me listen. She had me meet with a younger son in one of the more prominent Grands. We had a nice time until he tried to get under my skirt. I told him to tuck in his privates before I battered them until he barely recognized them, and I'd spread the word, including a letter posted in public, a trip to the Tract Steward—your father—and I'd tell the girl he liked. He couldn't run fast enough."