Omnixius
patreon
DKP 7-11 Dance with me
🕑 Added 2021-11-09 21:15:19 +0000 UTCThayle smiled as Lilly spun with her in the dance, the two women locking eyes as well as arms. Lilly so loved to dance, and her aura glowed with pleasure as they stepped around one another. Thayle could feel Lilly over the bind as she relished the moment, especially the music. It was one of those human things that Lilly had no concept of until she first heard it all those weeks ago. Thayle began to wonder what Lilly would do if she heard a proper orchestra causing Lilly to look confused.
“What is an orchestra?” Lilly whispered as they came in close.
“It’s hard to explain,” Thayle answered. “Do you ever stop listening to our thoughts?”
Lilly shook her head with a teasing smile and turned in the dance as they returned to spiraling around with locked arms. The music came to an end, and Lilly bounced on her feet while running a hand along one of Thayle's wings.
“You are so pretty like this,” she said and tapped at one of the silver chains. “And these look good on you.”
Thayle wanted to pull her in, but her eye caught the motion of people closing in. With the dance over, people took an opportunity to see her up close, and before they could react, they were surrounded by gawkers.
“She is covered in scales!” one woman gasped.
“The horns are not part of the crown. They are real!” another whispered.
People began to call out her various features as if she was on display and unable to answer. They came in closer as Lilly took her hand and squeezed firmly for assurance, not sure what she was supposed to do.
“People, give me some space,” Thayle said when there was a firm tug on a wing causing her to whirl about. It was impossible to know who had done it, so she spoke commandingly to the group to get her point across. “I am not here to be handled! My wings are a part of my body like any other part. So unless you have permission to touch me, I suggest you do not.”
Lilly frowned and stepped between them and the crowd, her hands clenched into fists. “Nobody touches my Thayle. She's mine,” she barked as her eyes searched the crowd.
It was at this moment Thayle realized just how tense Lilly was at suddenly being surrounded. She was not comfortable with the crowd and even more unhappy at how they were speaking about her.
“Lilly, please calm down, “ Thayle urged and retook one of her hands.
“I should kill one of them to make sure they understand,” Lilly replied with a tone that sounded all too serious. It spurred a sudden burst of whispers from the gathered crowd, who didn't seem to take the warning and disperse. Instead, they pointed and commented in hushed voices that the two women were improper.
Thayle put an arm over Lilly’s shoulder and gave her a firm rub. “Let it go, sweetheart. They don't understand yet.”
“Tell us then, did you have to drink their blood to get their powers?” A tall woman in red asked.
“What?” Thayle said incredulously. “I have their powers because they love me. Their aura travels to me and gives me their gifts.”
“But how does that explain how you look?” A man with a pointed beard asked.
“It’s part of the dragon gifts,” Thayle replied. “It’s all part of being loved by dragons.”
“But you must have imbibed something of them? A potion made of their scales perhaps?” another asked.
“Are you people fools?” Lilly asked. “I am a dragon, and I stand here before you as a human. Why do you not question my form? Do you assume I ate so many humans I could take their shape? We dragons have a spark of the divine. It is why we don't age as you do. It is why we slowly get bigger and grow in power. I love Thayle, so a portion of my power travels to her like it would if you worshiped and loved a divine. This is just one of the ways she can use my power.”
“So anybody who is loved by a dragon could do this?” another woman asked.
Lilly pondered it a moment as she tried to understand it herself. “Yes, I think they could.”
A few whispers spread around, and the same man with the pointed beard spoke up. “So you can fly like the dragon's can?”
Thayle nodded, grateful the questions had become more civil. “Yes, I can fly. That is what we were doing this morning. Lilly and Sarah were teaching me how to fly.”
“She can fly!” some people gasped, and others remarked they wished they could fly.
“Tell us, can your disciples take this form?” An older man with a firm belly asked.
Lilly looked at Thayle and puzzled it out. “I do not think my disciples can do this specifically. But I have not yet seen the full range of Balisha’s gifts.”
“So Lady Thayle is a disciple of yours then?” they asked.
“I am not. I am an arch priestess of Ulustrah,” Thayle asserted to make sure that particular belief was squashed now.
“It must offend your Goddess to see you are mingling with dragons,” a woman said.
This brought out a series of whispers and mumbles, and eventually, somebody said. “It explains the marks on her face.”
Thayle twitched her tail in irritation and spoke out. “I have not offended my Goddess at all. She told me she wanted me to love them both. She has blessed this relationship in every way.”
“She has a tail!” a man yelled, causing a wave of gasps to spread around the gathered crowd.
“Of course, she has a tail,” Lilly said. “She would not be able to fly stable without it.”
“It is a hideous form,” a woman said with a shaking scowl.
Lilly's eyes still glowed with light, but they suddenly brightened. “Never call my Thayle hideous again! She is absolutely beautiful, and in this form, I find her even more beautiful!”
“I agree,” a man said, causing those in the crowd to turn and look at him. He stood tall in black over green with golden bands on her shirt. He wore a shaven face with straight brown hair that went down his back to his shoulder blades. He was as tall as Gersius and had a broad frame like his. His features were sharp with a strong, prominent chin. “The Lady Thayle was always beautiful, but now she is stunning.”
Thayle smiled at him as his eyes fixed on hers, and he stepped forward. “A woman of your character deserves such a gift born of love.”
“Thank you. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?” Thayle asked.
He bowed as he spoke. “Lord Nerivar of Sabledowns.”
Thayle nodded to him. “I am pleased to meet you, Lord Nerivar.”
He stood tall and looked her in her eyes. “Oh, the pleasure of meeting is all mine. I have wanted to speak with you for some time, but you are always so busy.”
“Well, I see no reason we can't speak now. I am done speaking to these people.” She emphasized her point by waiving the people away.
“Can I pour you a drink?” he asked as he turned and motioned her to the tables where the jugs of wine rested.
Thayle nodded and allowed him to lead her and Lilly to the table. There were a few protests, but Lilly hissed at the crowd and finally gave them cause to stop.
Thayle took up one of Lilly's hands to reassure her and followed the man to the wine table, where he took up a pitcher with a smile. He poured a drink for Lilly and Thayle, handing them to the women with a bow.
“So what brings you so far west?” Thayle asked. “Sabledowns is outside the empire in the common lands.”
“My lands suffer from the scars left by the conflict between your order and the order of Astikar. We were thoroughly purged of the priestesses of Ulustrah. Very few of them have returned since this conflict has ended.”
Thayle took a sip and studied him over her glass. “Once the fighting in the west is done, I am sure they will find their way home.”
He nodded as he took up a drink of his own. “Yes, of course. But our lands are currently suffering a bit of a drought. We are very heavily dependent on the grain harvest, and there has been no rain in weeks.”
Thayle raised a brow at his mention of grain. The common lands were not exactly on good terms with the new empire, and many of them have ceased trading. This put a terrible strain on needed materials for the war, in particular grains for bread. Gersius was already trying to negotiate arrangements with several kingdoms, but receptions had been chilly at best. Thayle sipped her wine and looked him I the eyes with a slight nod as he explained the severity of the drought.
“What you are saying is, you need the women of Ulustrah back now, not later,” she surmised.
“I fear that our lands will suffer economic collapse, and since we trade much of our grain to your empire for the war effort, it will affect your ability to wage war.”
“Do you still trade with the empire?” Thayle asked. “Most of your neighbors see us as an illegitimate power.” She watched his aura as he sighed and explained that his lands had always traded to the various kingdoms that made up the empire. While the war had been terrible, he saw no reason to stop now. His light proved it all to be true, but there was more at play. When she pressed, he explained that feeding his people was his primary concern. However, if there was grain left to trade, he would certainly offer it.
Thayle took another sip. “So you flattered me so you could ask for aid for your lands?”
He smiled and shook his head. “I flattered you because you are truly beautiful. I could have gone to the temple here in the city with my request for aid. But I wanted a chance to meet you.”
Thayle watched his aura dance with truth, and she could see the pleasure in it. It also danced to her, flowing in tiny sparkles that blended with her light. It was a clear sign that he was attracted to her, and this conversation was more than a simple call for aid.
“Oh, I almost forgot I have something for you,” he said as he reached into his bag at his side. He produced a small pouch and held it out.
“What is this?” Thayle asked as she held out her hand.
“These are seeds to the midnight rose flower. It is the most beautiful flower in all our lands and is only grown in our private gardens. It is the only thing I have to give you that can compare to your beauty.”
Thayle wrapped her fingers around the bag as a smile spread over her face. “I am honored by such a gift. I have heard stories of how beautiful these flowers are. Deep purple in color, if I am correct?”
He nodded his head. “The base of the flower is black, but they fade to a deep purple as the petals grow upward.”
Thayle felt her heart race as the man flirted with her, and she had to remind herself where she was. She quickly set her wine down to free a hand and used it to grab at Lilly's once again, desperate for her own reassurance.
He seemed to notice the motion, and he bowed slightly. “I have taken up enough of your time. I am very glad to have finally met you, and I do hope you consider the plight of our lands.”
Thayle bowed slightly in return. “I will see to it that enough priestesses to work a weather ceremony are sent to your lands, and the rain falls for your crops.”
“You are as kind as you are beautiful,” he said, bowing again as he stepped away.
Lilly leaned in close to her and whispered at her. “Was he trying to make you like him?”
“He was flirting with me, Lilly,” Thayle replied.
“What is flirting?”
Thayle smiled as she realized Lilly’s explanation had been the simplest. “He was trying to make me like him.”
“That’s what I just said. You felt very strange about it. Like you were confused about what to do,” Lilly added.
Thayle let out a sigh and asked Lilly if she had noticed the light. Lilly nodded innocently, so Thayle asked why she wasn't upset. To her surprise, Lilly admitted that there were lots of people whose light flowed to her. Thayle asked who, and Lilly rattled off a list of guards, priests, and some of her followers as if it meant nothing.
“I’m sorry I asked,” Thayle said as she looked a the bag of seeds.
“Why did he give you a gift?” Lilly asked as she took looked at the bag.
“He wanted to make sure he made an impression on me,” Thayle answered honestly. “He may be hoping to gain my favor in more ways than one.” Thayle took another sip watching the man as he walked away. “I suspect there is more to this man than meets the eye.”
“His aura said he was telling the truth every time he said you were beautiful,” Lilly pointed out.
“Yes, it did. I do hope he understands I am devoted to my family,” Thayle said dryly.
Lilly considered the thought, and then her eyes went wide. “Do you think he wanted to bed you?”
Thayle took another sip of her wine. “I suspect he wanted that and more.”
Thayle felt a spike of anger from Lilly over the bind, and her hand gripped hers tightly.
“You are mine! I will not share you with him!” Lilly stated loudly enough to draw stares.
Thayle smiled at Lilly’s jealousy. She loved how protective Lilly was and enjoyed the moment as Lilly clung to her like a valued possession. “Come, sweetheart, I want to get something to eat.”
Lilly followed along in her wake, people stopping to stare as she walked down the wall to the food. Thayle studied the food until she spotted a tray of sugared plums and went to pick one up only to discover her long clawed fingers made it difficult to do. She rolled a plum around the tray a moment, her frustration growing until she got angry and stabbed the fruit with a claw. With a smile of triumph, she took a tiny bite of her prize.
A huff to her right alerted the both of them to several women who were watching with frowns. Thayle realized these were the women who had accused her and Lilly the other week of being women of opportunity. With a wicked glare, she looked directly at them and stuck out her forked tongue. The women covered mouths and turned away, hurrying off.
Thayle looked back at the table and speared another plum, and took bites off of each of them. She was delighted at how sharp her teeth were when she stabbed a cut of meat and bit into it. She savored the flavor and looked up at Lilly, who stood beside her with a small loaf of bread that had been split open and heavily buttered.
“Why are you smiling?” Lilly asked.
“This meat tastes fabulous. I don’t recall meat ever tasting so good.”
“Meat always tastes good,” Lilly teased. “I could eat meat and bread forever.”
Thayle took another bite and considered the flavor. “I wonder if it tastes better because of the dragon form?”
Lilly nibbled at her bread, getting butter on the tip of her nose. “You do have a pretty tongue now. Maybe you can taste things better.”
Thayle smiled at her. “So now my tongue is pretty? You never complained about my tongue before.”
Lilly blushed as she wiped the butter off her nose. “Usually, I only feel your tongue. I can't see it.”
Thayle smiled at her and flashed her tongue out. “Would it please you to kiss this mouth with this tongue?”
Lilly blushed a little more and nodded her head. “You will be able to reach so much further than I will.”
Thayle leaned back a little. “What do you mean I can reach farther?”
Lilly shrugged as she nibbled some more bread. “I assume you can extend your tongue like we dragons can.”
Thayle looked around to see if anybody was watching and stuck her tongue out. To her amazement, she discovered she had several more inches of reach and could tap the bridge of her nose. She smiled broadly and looked at Lilly.
“Why do you feel all warm and happy?” Lilly asked.
Thayle brushed off her nails on a cloth and smiled at Lilly. She sauntered in close to her and wrapped her arms around Lilly's waist. “Lilly, sweetheart, how would you like to make love to me like this?”
Lilly looked into her blazing blue eyes and smiled gently. “I would love to.” She reached up and brushed the side of her head as those blue eyes looked longingly back. “I like my little dragon priestess.”
“Good,” Thayle said. “I want to see what I can do with this,” she said as she reached out with her tongue and licked Lilly's cheek.
Lilly blushed now and looked around to see if anybody was watching. “You are a bad woman.”
Thayle laughed. “And you are a naughty girl because you can’t wait.”
“What has my daughters both glowing with excitement over here?” Sarah asked as she came up behind them.
Lilly blushed some more, and Thayle smiled. “I was just asking Lilly if she would like me to stay in this form when we go to bed tonight.”
Sarah scowled. “This is hardly appropriate conversation for a formal event.”
Lilly squirmed but held on firmly to Thayle’s hand as the light flowed between them. “I am sorry, mother, but Thayle thought of something I hadn't considered.”
Sarah looked from Lilly to Thayle. “What is she talking about?”
Thayle laughed and made a toothy smile. “Do you remember what I showed you the first night I took you to bed?”
Sarah looked around. “This is not the place for that conversation!” she whispered loudly.
“So you don’t want to know my secret?” Thayle asked.
Sarah looked angry, and her mouth narrowed. “Very well spit it out.”
Thayle spit out her tongue and curled it upwards before Sarah’s shocked face.
“Yes, I see,” Sarah said in a shocked voice. “Perhaps I should get a drink. I feel rather faint.”
Lilly and Thayle giggled, and Sarah shook her head. “No more about this from you two. We will talk more of it tonight when we are alone.” She looked squarely at Thayle. “I may keep you in this form from now on. I find it rather pleasing,” she said with a smile as she turned to walk off.
Lilly squeezed Thayles hand and leaned in to whisper. “Was she flirting with you?”
Thayle smiled as she watched the tall red-haired woman's hips sway as she walked. “She most certainly was.”
Music began to play, and Lilly looked across the room to the corner where the musicians sat. She started to sway gently with the notes as an airy song of strings and horns began to fill the hall.
Thayle shook her hand and got her attention. “When was the last time you danced with Gersius?”
Lilly looked up and thought about it. “Not for a while.”
“Go ask him. I love to watch you two dance.” Thayle urged.
Lilly looked uncertain as she glanced across the room. “He is always so busy speaking to people. Everybody wants to talk to him.”
Thayle shook her head and pulled Lilly along by the hand, carefully navigating the crowd that often turned to stare at her. She arrived at the far steps as Gersius addressed several men in Grey coats with yellow bands on their shoulders.
“Husband, your wife desires a dance,” Thayle said as she arrived with Lilly in tow.
All of them turned to look at Thayle, and several of the men in Grey stared at her appearance.
Gersius smiled when he realized Thayle was referring to Lilly. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, duty calls.”
He took Lilly's hand and led her out into the open area of the floor, and began to carry her through a dance as she beamed with a wide smile.
“Very poor show to just walk away from us like that,” one of the men said.
Thayle raised an eyebrow and turned to consider them. “Forgive me, but what province are you gentlemen from?”
A tall man with a white mustache and hair saluted Thayle with an arm over his chest. “Westonthal,” he said proudly.
“Does Westonthal not have women?” Thayle asked.
The four men glanced around each other, and the man answered. “We have fine sturdy women of good manners and grace.”
Thayle nodded. “Are any of them here?”
The man seemed to bristle at the remark and stood a bit taller. “I do hope you will pardon me, but this is not a function for women.”
Thayle felt profound irritation crawl up her spine at the way he spoke. It was as if the very notion of bringing a woman with would sour the event. “This is a social function for people to meet and see the new empire is not a threat to them.”
The man nodded. “Yes, and we men have come to meet the emperor and discuss matters of great importance to that effect.”
Thayle crossed her arms and glared at the man with her glowing blue eyes. “You do realize the empire has but one emperor and three empresses. You may want to get used to speaking of important matters when we are around.”
“I mean no insult, my lady. I just feel certain matters are best discussed with those most suited to speak of them.”
Thayle decided she had had enough and immediately reached out across the bind. “Sarah, there are four gentlemen here who have some matter of such importance to discuss; they refuse to discuss it with a woman.”
“What?” Sarah echoed in her mind. “Where are these men?” Thayle smiled as she waited for Sarah to spot her. “I see you. I will be there in a moment.”
“I have to agree with you, gentlemen. Some matters require a certain type of person to speak to them about,” Thayle said, her smile still growing as she saw Sarah stalking up behind them.
“Please do not kill any of them,” Gersius laughed across the bind as he danced with Lilly.
“I am glad you understand,” the man said.
“Oh, I understand perfectly well. Please let me introduce you to Sarah, the red dragon and Empress of the Dragon Empire,” Thayle said with a gesture for them to turn around.
They all turned to look into Sarah’s frowning face as she towered over them like a giant. Her eyes were red hot, and wisps of what looked like flames danced over her brows.
“What manner of foolishness do you men bring into my banquet hall?” Sarah snapped.
The men stepped away from Sarah as her hands curled over her hips in an obvious display of irritation.
“Well?” she demanded.
Thayle laughed. “I will leave you, gentlemen, now. I believe you have found the right person to speak with.”
She struggled to hold in her giggles as she heard Sarah tearing them to shreds over their attitude about women. The music ended, and Gersius stepped back from Lilly as they both smiled at one another.
“You are so beautiful,” he told her.
She closed her eyes and tilted her head down. “I am so grateful you saved me.”
“I am grateful to Balisha, Ulustrah, and Astikar for setting in motion the plan to bring me to you.”
Lilly nodded as another song began to play. “Would you like another dance?” Gersius asked her.
Lilly tipped her head to the side and saw a very animated Sarah pointing in the face of a man on the far steps.
“I think your attention might be needed elsewhere,” Lilly said with a nod.
Gersius turned around and laughed. “I am sure she can handle them.”
Lilly pushed him. “She is more likely to kill them than I am. Maybe I can get Thayle to dance with me.”
Gersius nodded. “I will go save those men. You enjoy your dancing with Thayle.”
Gersius parted with her holding her hand until the last moment and watching her eyes as he drifted away. Thayle passed him with a smile. “Lilly wants to dance with you,” he said as he went by.
Thayle turned and put a hand to his arm, bringing him to a halt as she looked deep into his eyes.
“Lilly treasures you. You need to find more time for her,” Thayle pleaded. “Surely you can spare her another dance?” Even as she said it, the voices around Sarah raised enough to draw even her attention. With a sigh, she let him go and bid him save the fools before Sarah killed them all. She turned to see Lilly standing all alone on the dance floor, looking back with pleading eyes. Thayle walked up to the blue-haired dragon and casually wrapped an arm around her waist.
“I will lead my silly little dragon,” she said as she carried Lilly away with the music.
“I don't care what your traditions are! You are part of the empire, and you will acknowledge my wives as your betters!” Sarah growled, her eyes blazing.
Gersius arrived with a sour look on his face. “I do not like the sound of what I am hearing,” he said as he looked over the men. “Sarah is a dragon of ancient age, great wisdom, and intellect. She is more fit to rule this empire than I will ever be. You will show her proper respect.”
The man with the white mustache bowed deeply. I mean no disrespect. It is just the matter is of great importance and sensitivity.”
“If you have a matter of such importance, you can do no better than coming to Sarah with it. She is the one I go to when I need to make an important decision. I value her wisdom in all things.”
The man looked flustered and finally turned, bowing to Sarah. “We wish to tighten the laws on property in the region.”
Sarah firmed up her chin and tilted her head back slightly. “How do you wish to tighten them?”
The man sighed but held his head firm as he spoke. “Many men of our province have died in the wars. Under the current law, the property falls to the ownership of his wife provided she has a son of suitable age to maintain the land.”
Gersius felt Sarah’s anger begin to blaze, and he knew what was coming next.
“We wish to remove the protection and have all lands become the property of the province.”
“So you wish to steal the land from the women whose husbands have died to keep you safe?” Sarah said in a dry tone.
“You can't see it from a logical point of view. As a woman, your view is clouded,” one of them said.
Gersius tensed by reflex. If this had been Lilly, the man would already be dead. Thayle would still be killing him, but there would be some chance to save his life. Sarah stood tall and impassive as his words washed over her.
“Then help me see your point of view!” Sarah hissed.
The man twitched nervously and looked to Gersius for guidance, but Gersius offered him only a stony expression. A younger man beside him spoke up and answered for him.
“The province has poor soil, and the farms in the region are vital. I mean no disrespect, but the farms are often large and tend to go into disrepair in the hands of women. This puts a terrible strain on our economy and our ability to feed our people. We cannot afford for what little farmland we have to go unproductive. It has always been better to strip the land from the women and sell them to a man who has the strength to keep the farm running.”
Gersius admired the man's boldness in being so frank, and he admired more the serious calculating look on Sarah's face.
“Yes, you humans are not like dragons. Your men and women are very different in size and strength. So tell me, why do the women not sell the farms themselves?”
The younger man looked at, the older one making it clear he did not want to answer the question.
“The farms can only be owned by a man; thus, they can only be sold by a man.”
“But you just told me the land passes to the woman?” Sarah pressed.
“Yes, but only to maintain until her son comes of age. She has to remarry or pass the land to a son if it is to be sold.”
Sarah held strong as her lips curled tightly. Gersius could feel the storm of rage burning behind those eyes that did little to hide the fact.
“What kind of stupid law passes the land to another then forbids them to sell it?” Sarah demanded.
The men bristled and tried to explain that all large sales and purchases could only be made by men. Sarah sighed in deep irritation as she took it all in. Still, to her credit, she never broke her regal expression or betrayed her great anger.
“When you sell these farms out from under these women, do you give them any of the money?”
The white mustached man twisted in discomfort. “Errr, no.”
Sarah took a deep breath, and her head tipped back so she could look down her nose at him. “So you take the man a woman deeply loves from her and send him to war. Then when he dies, you repay her by stealing the land and sending her penniless into the streets?”
“You have to understand the need to keep the farms productive,” the man argued.
Sarah glared at him with contempt. “I assume you keep records.”
The man stumbled on his words at her sudden change of topic. “Records? Yes, we keep records.”
“I want a complete list of every farm sold from under a woman in this war. I want the women found and given enough compensation that they can live comfortably for the next six weeks.”
“But we do not have the resources to pay so many!”
“The empire will pay it!” she barked. “How can you not see what you are doing? You are a man. Why do you march to war?”
All of the men glanced between one another, uncertain of how to answer.
Sarah huffed. “You men march to war for many reasons, but chief among them is your desire to protect the ones you love. You fight to protect your wives and your children. You fight to keep your homes safe so your loved ones can be secure. Do you realize what damage you will do to morale when the men at the front learn that if they die, the people they are fighting to protect will lose everything?!”
“But the farms!”
“I do not care what you think about the farms. There are many more ways to keep the farms productive without dooming a grieving wife to starvation or worse!”
“How?” a man dared to ask. “How would you keep them productive?”
Sarah glared at him calmly. “Are your towns and cities not overrun with refugees? Do you not have an overwhelming abundance of manpower? How easy would it be to organize some of these people into work crews and put them on these farms? Not only on the farms where a man has died but on the farms where he is away to keep them productive. You can trade them shelter and food for labor, and when the war is over, the empire will look into providing them with some measure of pay.”
“It would lessen the load on the cities. Clampton is near busting at the seams with people fleeing the borders.” The younger man said.
“We could put them to work on the farms along the shady brook where the fire burned those fields. Get them turned over and back to work.”
Sarah interrupted. “I want every farm that can be managed restored to the woman to whom it belongs. She will henceforth own the land properly and may sell the land or pass it to her son or daughter.”
“But that is unheard of!” they protested.
Sarah was unmoved as she dictated her terms, ending the debate. “She will decide when and if she wants to sell her land. All of the other women are to be given an offer. They can come here to Calathen, and I will arrange lands to be given to them from my holdings. They can work for me, and I will arrange labor until they find a new husband. If they choose to take one.”
The men stood by silently a moment and then bowed. “I will get you that list of farms and women as soon as I get back.”
“Do not keep me waiting. This will irritate me until I know the situation has been rectified. I will come to your province and get the information myself if I have to.”
“You have my word I will not delay. Their leader said with a solemn nod.
They turned and walked off as Sarah crossed her arms over her chest.
“I am very impressed,” Gersius said, coming up behind her and pulling her to his chest.
“Why do human men treat their women so poorly?” she asked.
“Most do not. The men fighting the war to protect them treat them very well. But these men often have no desire for power or position. So the men who do mistreat them take the positions of power and authority because they are the ones that crave it.”
“Thayle will be very distressed when she learns of this,” Sarah said as she leaned her head to his.
“Thayle has been struggling to help women for many years now. She will be upset, but she will also be delighted to hear what you did about it. I have to admit you are a good empress. I am honored to call you my wife.”
Sarah smiled. “You have one outstanding quality that makes you perfect to be emperor.”
“And what is that?” he whispered in her ear.
“You have excellent taste in women,” Sarah teased.
Gersius kissed her exposed neck and tightened his grip on her waist. “I have excellent taste in dragons.”
Sarah’s smile curled at the side of her mouth. “Yes. You do indeed.”
The mood was broken by a change in the music and a murmuring across the gathered people. Sarah and Gersius looked across the room to see Lilly and Thayle standing side by side on the steps as Thayle gestured something to the musicians.
“What are they doing?” Sarah asked.
“I have no idea,” Gersius replied and stared at the two intently.
The music soared into a series of long, drawn-out notes on the strings that echoed across the room in a haunting melody. Lilly smiled and clutched Thayle's hand as the two began to glow with light only the aura sight could see. All eyes were turned to the pair as the notes carried on, and the two took deep breaths.
“They are going to sing,” Gersius exclaimed, and Sarah stood tall to see them both clearly.
The music picked up, and in an instant, Thayle's harmonic voice issued out, washing the listeners in a soft melody that carried with it the weight of sadness. Moments later, Lilly's higher voice joined her, and the two women carried the song in harmony with one another as the musicians wove a song of sadness and loss.
“It is Hansen's third symphony,” Gersius said.
Sarah nodded. “The end of love,” Sarah added, her heart carried away by the beautiful voices.
The two women held hands as they sang, each carrying the tone higher and higher until at the peak of the song, they both dipped into the dragon voice, and suddenly the room was awash in the power of four voices singing. The impact was evident as women teared up and men looked down, unable to hold the image of the two singing. Their voices echoed with strength, power, and overwhelming beauty as they stirred every heart in the room.
“We have beautiful wives,” Sarah said to him.
“I thought they were our daughters?” he teased.
Sarah smiled. “They are when they want to be. I enjoy the honor they give me by seeing me as a mother to them. But they are our wives, and I love them both dearly.”
“Everybody in this room now loves them,” Gersius said, sweeping his hand to encompass the room. “They will talk of this night for years to come.”
Sarah nodded. “I will remember this moment forever.”
The song ended moments later, and the room was silent until finally, the guests began to cheer. People pulled flower petals off the arrangements on the tables to shower them with, and Lilly and Thayle bowed graciously to the applause.
They walked through the crowd with people stopping them to praise their efforts. When they finally reached Sarah, and Gersius Sarah stood tall and proud with a tight smile on her face.
“That was very beautiful,” Gersius said.
“It was Lilly's idea,” Thayle said with a sideways glance to Lilly, who was looking rather bashful.
“I didn’t think people would like it that much,” Lilly said.
“You both have beautiful voices,” Sarah replied and reached up to brush Lilly’s cheek. “I was impressed at how you used the dragon voice to amplify the change in the song.”
“That was Thayle’s idea,” Lilly said using the woman’s words.
Thayle looked at them both. “So you liked it then?”
Sarah nodded gently and then rushed forward and embraced them both in a firm hug pressing them tightly to her. “You two are my greatest joy in all the world,” she said and then planted a kiss firmly on Lilly’s forehead. “I will always treasure you both for how beautiful your solus is,” she added before planting a kiss on Thayle’s head.
Thayle and Lilly relaxed and surrendered to the warm embrace. Gersius finally cleared his throat to remind them they were still at the banquet. Sarah released them and resumed her tall, regal pose as Lilly and Thayle smiled broadly.
“I look forward to tonight,” she said to Thayle.
Thayle teased her with a bat of her eyes. “Is that appropriate conversation for the party?”
Sarah smiled and took a tall, firm stance, her face the perfect image of a stern woman. “I will not be mocked, young lady. Now take your sister and mingle. I am willing to bet many more people want to talk to you both after your song.”
Thayle’s smile never faded as she bowed gently, “Yes, mother,” she said in a gentle voice.
Gerius watched Lilly and Thayle blend back into the crowds that swarmed about them with praise and questions.
“So what was that all about?” he asked.
“Our daughter was being petulant,” Sarah replied as she watched the pair go.
He laughed and shook his head as he pressed the question. “What was she being petulant about?”
Sarah turned her head and smiled at him. “It’s a surprise, one I suspect you are going to like.”
Gersius let it go. He knew he would find out soon enough, and he didn't need any more surprises here at the party.
When the night grew long and the guests began to filter out, he discovered all three of his wives were already missing. He could feel them all in the same direction back toward their private rooms. When he finally arrived, he found Lilly and Sarah naked as they kissed and stripped Thayle out of her dress. The silver ornaments were already removed from her wings and piled neatly on the table.
“What has gotten into you three?” he asked as he shut the door behind him.
Sarah smiled even as she held Thayles chin to kiss her. “Thayle has an extra gift in this form.”
Lilly laughed as she pulled Thayles dress down her legs.
“What kind of a gift?” he said as he crossed the room.
Sarah released Thayle and turned her to face him. Thayle batted her eyes and then stuck her tongue out, causing him to flinch.
“So this is the secret you have been keeping all night,” he said to Sarah.
She smiled and ran a hand down Thayles face. “I am very interested in seeing how skillful she is with it.”
Thayle leaned forward to kiss her as the two women embraced firmly.
“You three are terrible for each other,” Gersius said as he unbuttoned his shirt.
Lilly suddenly warmed over the bind as she turned to look at him with a broad grin. “Your tongue should be even longer than Thayles.”
Gersius didn’t even look up at the remark as his hands worked at the belt at his waist. “Why would my tongue be longer?”
“You grow much taller than she does. So your head and thus your tongue should be larger,” Lilly insisted.
He nodded his agreement. “I guess that makes sense. My entire body is larger.”
All three women froze and glanced between one another.
“His entire body is larger,” Sarah whispered.
Thayle turned to regard him with lusting eyes. “Every part of him is larger.”
Lilly swallowed audibly. “Do you think that means?”
All three women glared at him with broad smiles on their faces. He looked up and saw the stares and stopped removing his shirt.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.
Lilly rose and began to stalk him. “My love would you change forms for us,” She said as she arrived just before him. “I want to see your dragon form again.”
Gersius looked around their faces. “Why? You have Thayle to meet your needs. She is far more skilled at that than I am.”’
“It isn't your tongue we are interested in,” Sarah said, still smiling.
“Then what do you want?” he asked. He watched as all three women’s eyes looked down at his waist.
“No,” he protested with a shake of his head.
All three women began to circle him with lusting eyes giving him little room to step away.
“I am not doing it,” he protested again as they surrounded him.
Gentle hands came to his body, and lips nibbled at his neck as they descended on him with hunger.
“Won’t you do it for us?” Sarah asked as Thayle and Lilly began to undress him.
“I am a man. I don’t want to make love to you as a dragon,” he protested.
Sarah ran a finger over his lips. “Your form is still very much a man. It only has dragon features.”
“I am not comfortable doing this,” he replied as his clothing began to peel away.
“Not even for us?” Sarah asked softly. “We find your dragon form so enticing.”
Gersius let out a deep sigh and looked her firmly in the eyes as she smiled back with glowing red orbs. “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked.
Sarah looked into his eyes, her smile never fading as she answered his question. “Must I make it a command?”
Comments
Let me know if this is a little to steamy at the end and I will edit it to tone it down.
