Heir, page 8
part #5 of Ressaline Series
“You really beat a man.”
“A big man.”
“With your bare hands?”
“Hell, no. I grabbed the nearest weapon at hand. As I recall, that time it was an ax, but I made sure not to use the sharp end of the blade. He got the head in the stomach once or twice, though.” She shrugged. “That little spat was nothing.”
“You could have been killed.”
“Yes. Or I could have pulled my knife and ended it at any time and called it self-defense besides, but that’s not really the best way to deal with it.”
“Well. I had no idea. Should I have?”
“It’s in a report somewhere, but probably not. I presume your father knows, but it’s the sort of detail that wouldn’t normally rise to his level. A minor disciplinary problem.”
“What happened to him?”
“He doesn’t work for the Ministry of Transportation, and I haven’t seen him since. I imagine he blames me for that. If I ever see him, you can imagine I’ll be exceedingly leery.”
I stared into her eyes for a minute. “What do I need to know between now and tonight?”
“You need to trust me.”
“I am.”
“To dress you. That, by the way, may be a colossal mistake.”
I laughed.
“Tonight is dinner and your date with Gionna. You should wear a simple gown. I don’t know what you brought. Tomorrow is formal, with dancing, but their style is close, so I hope you have something fitting that doesn’t include a hoop skirt.”
“I do. Darfelsa helped me pick what to bring, and I almost brought the wrong dresses. We did talk, just not as much as we should have. She actually stood up to Mother, which was surprising, and then explained. Mother relented.”
“That’s something,” she replied. “Let’s see. I’m not sure who Olivia is bringing. You might meet the people on her list, or you might not. I am the host, but we tend to co-host most events here. We’ll dress the table once we see how many she brings. It won’t be more than 12.”
“All right.”
“Gionna may attempt to invite herself to your bed, or you to hers. The rules from home do not apply here. I can’t advise you on whether you should follow the rules from home, but no one here will think twice if you accept.”
“Seriously?”
“In several days, you’re going to be a pleasure slave.” She said it quite casually. “Sharing a bed is nothing. You realize this, don’t you?”
“It hasn’t fully sunk in.”
“They’re quite debauched.”
“And you love it.”
“Yes, I do.”
I laughed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. What would you do?”
“Now? I’d accept. Prior to coming here? I was quite reserved. I’m fairly certain your attitudes on this are going to take a shift.”
“I wouldn’t know what to do.”
“She knows that and is probably hoping you let her teach you.” I began to blush. Allium pretended not to notice. “Anyway. I wanted you to have a chance to be prepared. Please don’t let her feel you’re offended. She is, after all, the daughter to the queen of Ressaline, and we’d rather not offend her.”
“I’ll be cool and aloof and quite enigmatic.”
“Perfect.”
“And entirely nervous.”
“Even better.”
“Right.”
* * * *
I dressed in a red gown with ruffles along one side and at my wrists. It showed just the perfect amount of my assets, not too much, but not too little, and when Allium had finished helping me dress, I thought I looked darned good.
She stood behind me, her hands on my bare shoulders. “You look amazingly lovely, Ahlianna.”
“Thank you. Allium, have you always been attracted to women?”
“Yes, but it’s not something I would have pursued.”
“Another reason you want to stay here?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she said. I didn’t think it was.
“Am I an attractive woman? To other women?”
“Yes. I think you know that. Are my hands offending you?”
“No. Have you thought about kissing me?”
“I’ve thought about kissing you here,” she said, brushing a finger near the back of my neck. “It would be horribly inappropriate. I may not know the rules of court, but even I know that.
“I think you should do it.”
“Please don’t tease.”
“I’m not.”
We locked gazes in the mirror, and then she took me at face value. I watched as she bent her neck and pressed lips to my neck, just where it meets my shoulder. She lingered about it. I gave a little shiver but closed my eyes.
“That was nice,” I whispered. I opened my eyes. She was watching me again. “Allium, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing.”
“Not that you’re offering,” she replied. “But it would be a mistake for me to try to teach you.”
“You want Gionna to do it.”
She smiled. “You’re going to get some pretty intense lessons, but that part is different. It’s this.” She brushed her fingers against my skin again. “Has no one done this to you before?”
“No.”
She brushed her lips again, and then she said, “Princess, I can be your friend, but I don’t believe I should do that again.”
“We’ll see,” I said. I smiled. “My sister has a total girl crush on you.”
“Ahlianna! I do not think that’s something you should tell me.”
“Oops.”
“Oops,” she echoed. “Right.”
“My sister is a very good judge of character,” I declared. “Someone has to teach me of these things, someone older. Someone wiser.”
“Now you’re definitely teasing.”
“Only half teasing,” I said. “Because you’re too afraid of Mother.”
“I am not afraid of your mother. I value our relationship,” she replied. Then she smiled. “If I want to ensure you don’t value me as an advisor, I should take you seriously.”
“That makes no sense.”
“A former lover in your inner circle?” she said. “Very, very bad idea.”
I snorted. “Seems like a great idea to me.”
She dropped her hands and took two steps directly away from me, then dropped into a curtsey. “Do you require anything else, Princess?”
I spun. “What are you doing?”
“Putting the formality back into our relationship.”
“Over a little teasing?”
“Over teasing that I’m not sure was teasing,” she replied.
“Allium, get up,” I said. “I’m sorry. I was teasing.”
“I think you were serious,” she said, her gaze down.
I stepped forward and pulled up on her arms. She let me, and we looked each other in the eyes. “Tell me why you’re acting this way.”
“Because you’re standing in front of me in an amazing gown, looking quite stunning, suggesting a liaison. And I’m a woman who likes women. Do you think I am immune to something like that?”
“Would it really be so bad?”
“I could never look your mother in the eye again, Ahlianna, and I’m not sure I could be the person you would need me to be, down the road. If I were Ressaline, I’d think nothing of it, and while I have adopted Ressaline styles, at the same time, I am very much Flarvorian, especially when it comes to you and your sister.”
“Do you hate the idea of touching me?”
“You really don’t understand. It is the opposite of hate, Ahlianna.”
“Oh. I-” I turned around but found myself looking into the mirror again. But I stood there. “Allium, this is the first time I’ve been out from my parents’ watchful eyes.”
“Ever?”
“Yes. They don’t even have any guards watching me. I imagine you found independence somewhat younger.”
“Yes.”
“I’m making mistakes. I never would have planned something like that. I was feeling comfortable, and playful.”
“I think you were trying the idea on for size.”
“I’m not necessarily agreeing, but I’m not denying it, either. But you’re right.” I lifted my eyes so we could see each other in the mirror. “Can you please put your hands back where they were?”
“I think that’s a poor idea.”
“I think I need to know we can be comfortable with each other. As friends.”
“As friends,” she said. She stepped closer and set her hands on my shoulders.
“Have I hurt you?”
“No. I’m fine. If you need lessons in this, Ahlianna, it isn’t hard to find someone to provide them. If you need me to continue to behave as a chaperone, I can. I did for your sister, although I gave her more freedom than your mother may have chosen for her.”
“If she got kisses, you definitely gave her more freedom than mother would prefer, but no more than I could have taught her to arrange for herself.” She snorted about that. “Ambassador, is it a mistake to allow Gionna to offer a portion of these lessons?”
“Not for any reason I see. The danger is you could both lose your hearts, and your respective parents could say ‘no’ to a permanent arrangement. Be careful with your heart.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t think.”
“It will be fine,” she said. And then she brushed my shoulder with her lips one more time, although she watched me in the mirror. “Seducing you would be quite delightful, but a horrible mistake, only because of who we both are. I am quite jealous of Gionna right now.”
And then she stepped away. “I am going to get ready myself. I’ll send someone in to keep you company.”
“Thank you.”
* * * *
I stood beside Allium. She was in an amazing, green gown and looked stunning. “Who is your dress-maker?”
“Someone here,” she replied. “Based on a design of one of my few gowns from home, but more suited to the climate here. It’s not sufficiently formal for the palace.”
“No, but it’s perfect for an evening out,” she replied. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
In front of us, two of Allium’s staff opened the embassy doors. And then Gionna and Olivia strode through, Gionna in a gown and Olivia in leather. They paused, smiled, and then stepped forward to offer greetings.
“If you didn’t bring Bee and Dee, I’m sending someone to collect them,” Allium said to Olivia.
“They’re here,” Olivia replied. “Ambassador, I will warn you if I don’t think they should come. How does that sound?”
“Thank you, Olivia,” Allium replied.
“I know how you feel about them, and I enjoy bringing them.”
“Thank you,” Allium said again. Then Olivia moved to me, and I received a Ressaline-style greeting while Allium greeted Gionna.
“I’m so pleased you have come, Ahlianna,” Olivia whispered to me. “I don’t think I could possibly express how pleased I am.”
“Thank you, Olivia,” I replied. “I’m nervous. I’ve never been this far from my parents and their watchful eyes.”
“Allium and I wouldn’t let you make mistakes that are too terrible.” She stepped away. “You look absolutely ravishing.”
“Thank you.” I eyed her. “Your leather is quite dashing.”
“I am considering a gown for tomorrow,” she said. “I haven’t decided. I may ask what Allium thinks. But here is Gionna.”
She stepped away, and when next I noticed, she was on Allium’s arm. But I turned to Gionna. She was in her own gown and looked, I felt, twice as stunning as I thought I might appear. We smiled at each other, and then she offered the Ressaline greeting. “Hello, my date.”
“Is this why you greet in this fashion? To whisper?”
“Yes,” she said. “Do you like it?”
“I do,” I admitted. “Gionna, I want to talk to you about something, but the simple version is this: I’m nervous.”
“Of me?”
“No. Yes, but no. Because I don’t know anything.”
“Ah.” She gave my cheek an extra brush, and I felt her breath on my ear. “We’re all friends here, Ahlianna. You and I are already friends. You’ll make mistakes. I’ll make mistakes. We’ll forgive each other, and our friends are not going to judge, either. If you make mistakes, please don’t run from them. Let us confront them together.”
“Thank you,” I told her. “That’s a good plan.”
“Good.” She gave me one more little kiss, right in front of my ear, but then stepped to my side. “You are now mine for the remainder of the evening. I believe that is our agreement.”
“That is entirely our agreement.”
“I will release you for other greetings, but then this is mine.” And she took my hand. “Ahlianna, you are a crown princess. I am also a princess, but not a crown princess. Socially, you hold greater standing than I do. However, I have experience you do not. Will you allow me to lead us tonight?”
“I hoped you would.”
“Then we are agreed.” She squeezed my hand and then shifted so we were also wrapped, my arm in hers. “Flarvorian customs will work for the remaining introductions, until the end. But you probably do not know the protocol for the slaves.”
“No, I don’t.”
“It is actually quite unusual to bring them.”
“Allium explained a little.”
“Bee and Dee are special. They will offer Allium an exceedingly warm greeting, and then Olivia will bring them to you. They will want to offer you a warm greeting as well, but they are forbidden unless they receive permission.”
“Is that some sort of euphemism?”
“No.”
“What should I do?”
“I’ll guide you,” she said.
“Thank you.”
At that, I think there was a signal, as more women stepped in. They were dressed in leather, similar to Olivia’s. I met an elderly woman introduced as Judge Jessla, then, together, Claary and Gigi. “We met in Barrish,” Claary said. “But you may not remember.”
“A pleasure,” I declared.
And then I saw Allium holding quite tightly to one woman with the most amazing red hair. “Her First,” Gionna whispered. Eventually Allium wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist and brought her to me. “Princess Ahlianna, I want to introduce someone very important to me. This is Lisolte.”
Like the others had, Lisolte greeted me in the Ressaline fashion, whispering how pleased she was to meet me. “Your hair is stunning.”
She offered a laugh. “My most notable feature.”
“I bet everyone comments.”
“Almost,” she admitted. “I don’t at all mind or I’d find ways to hide it. You can touch it if you want.” I laughed, but I took her at her word and stroked. It felt like, well, like hair, but there was something special about it at the same time. “Did Gionna tell you who I am?”
“Allium’s First. You want to be mine, too.”
“We’ll give you choices, but tonight, you have a date. You’ll meet a few others tomorrow. No one will hurt you. I only wished to highlight how long she held me. That may tell you something.”
“She’s in love.”
“We love each other, but our ways of love are different than you’re accustomed.” Then she separated from me, and I dropped my hand from her hair. “Welcome to Charth, Ahlianna. I do hope you enjoy your very confusing stay.”
I laughed. “I believe I might.”
“Good.”
And then I turned, and I knew who the next people were. A woman, perhaps a little older than my sister, stood before me, an older woman beside her. I smiled. “I believe you are Gretchena.”
“I am,” she said. She stepped forward and offered a greeting. “Did your sister arrive home safely?”
“She did, and with fond words of you.”
“Will she be back?”
“That is the promise,” I replied. “Gretchena, I would like to get to know you better. Could we have lunch together some time in the next few days?”
“I’d like that. Tomorrow? I can retrieve you.”
“Perfect. I’ll be here.”
“Let me introduce my mother.” She stepped away, and I got a better look at the woman Allium thought might suit for my First. She offered her own Ressaline greeting, and I held her there.
“You are very lovely,” she whispered to me.
“My sister had very kind words of you.”
“I am glad. Your sister impressed and pleased me.
And then we parted, but I looked into her eyes, and I wondered if I could belong to this woman for a month. I decided the idea wasn’t at all unpleasant.
And then Gionna reclaimed my arm and blew into my ear. “Making dates with other women, and so freshly into your own date with me?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ahlianna, I don’t mind if you make other dates, but I do mind if you lie to me about it.”
“Gionna, I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.”
“You just invited Gretchena to lunch tomorrow. You weren’t loud, but I’m standing right here.”
“That’s not a date! Her name came up repeatedly, and I want to know what has my sister so fascinated.” I could tell she still didn’t understand. “I’m being a protective big sister.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s so cute.”
“Cute?”
“Cute,” she echoed. She brushed our cheeks. “You’re sweet.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Not at all. Two more.”
I turned, and standing before me were two red-clad slaves, twin sisters, or so I thought. They were both smiling broadly.
“Ahlianna,” Allium said, “These are Bee and Dee, two very, very magical people.”
“May we greet her properly?” one of them asked.
“Yes, if she allows.”
“She’s dying to,” the woman said. She stepped closer to me. “I’m Dee. Do I have permission?”
“Yes.”
She brushed our cheeks. “You may touch,” she whispered. “Everyone wants to. It feels good.”
I stroked her back, the material quite smooth and slick.
