Kros Voyeh Ch. 14

Swallowing, she inclined her head, "I love him but I can't bear the thought of entering into an Arrangement. I thought I could, I wanted to try, but I feel so ashamed. " Lislora shook her head "Isonei and I spoke after breakfast. I tried to tell her, but somehow..."

"Somehow she changed your mind?"

She nodded, "She did it without pressing or trying to persuade me. By the end of our conversation, she had me considering..." She trailed off and pressed the back of one hand to her hot cheek as he laughed quietly.

"If you were to enter into the Arrangement, which would be your wisest course, letting her teach you what my brother enjoys would be advisable. If you can inflame him the way she does, he'll fight as hard for you as he does for her."

Narrowing her eyes, she studied the side of his face. The woman must have spoken to him of it. "Why are you concerned?"

"Isonei will be unhappy if my brother is. She says he loves you as much as he loves her." The answer didn't seem entirely truthful.

With a stern look, she stopped walking. "Speak plainly." Remembering her manners as he gave her an incredulous look, she added, "Please, your Highness."

"My bastard brother doesn't share his women. My father on the hand delights in sharing his mistresses with the rest of us. I can't imagine Draeseth would be pleased if you became one of my father's women." Burgath gave her a smug smile, "And you would. Father thought you were lovely in that dress despite your rudeness to his 'little Duchess'. He spoke of missing the way it feels to fuck a pregnant woman and-"

As she turned away from him, he moved closer to speak almost directly into her ear, his hands on her shoulders. "Isonei wants a large family but my brother can't give it to her without risking her health. He'll take in his half brothers and bastard nephews more readily than orphans and Isonei adores children no matter who they belong to."

Lislora thought she might be ill.

"It would upset my brother at first, if he does love you. That would upset dear Isonei."

She stepped forward and spun on her heel, away from his touch. "I would refuse. I would-"

"My father has dealt with recalcitrant women before. The threat of leaving them penniless and landless with ruined reputations is usually effective." His smile was frigid, "I was told you found yourself unsuited to life at the convent. You don't have a great many options left to you."

It took a moment to find her voice again as her head swam. "Isonei told you to press me?"

"No, she doesn't press. She merely expressed her concern that you might choose not to enter the Arrangement. I believe she may truly think of you in a sisterly way." He offered his arm again and she didn't take it. "Laying out one's options bluntly tends to help decisions become clear."

"It does." Lislora shuddered and turned, trying not to run as she headed back to her cousin's rooms.

The walk did little to calm her and she pressed her back to the door, holding it closed for a long moment once she reached relative safety.

For a moment she'd fooled herself into thinking there might be an honorable way out of this terrible situation. The Arrangement was the only safe option. She needed her cousin to fight for her inclusion and to keep her away from his father.

Glancing around, she saw no sign of the maid, Lislora risked opening the bedroom door.

"The strange little man-" Mes looked up from the book in surprise and then glanced to the Duchess who seemed to be soundly asleep.

Beckoning for the Munian woman to come out, Lislora took a deep breath trying to steady herself. It didn't seem that Prince Burgath had decided to follow her back. She needed to calm and try to ready herself for whatever the Duchess had in mind.

It took the maid a moment to follow her out and Lislora had begun to think Isonei had woken. When she finally came out carrying a mostly empty tray, she wore a mildly concerned expression.

"Is something-"

"I need to change out of this dress, I never want to wear it again." Lislora eyed the woman nervously, "Did she say anything after I left?"

"We spoke but not of you or Prince Burgath. Our conversations often turn to home." Mes' brow furrowed, "Why do you ask?"

"Help me out of this."

She turned and went into the study. After the hateful dress had been removed and the dress Krouth had sent for her in the morning had been donned, she felt more herself. Smoothing the skirt she worked up the courage to ask, "What has the Duchess done to prepare for... for later?"

"She had something to eat and drink and she's resting." The maid looked at her curiously.

"I'll do the same. What else?"

"Nothing else. She may wash when the water is brought-"

"I need something to settle my nerves, wine or..." Lislora shook her head and blurted out, "She invited me to learn what she does for him. If I don't Prince Burgath says I'll-I'll be pressed into being a royal mistress."

"King Orgath has so many women, it's not as taxing as you would think." Mes tilted her head.

"I love my cousin. I would rather marry him but I'll accept this imitation of marriage to be able to raise my child and to keep some semblance of dignity."

The maid offered a shallow curtsy. "What do you require, my Lady?"

"I don't know. I'm not..." Sinking onto the bed she buried her face in her hands.

"Wine or liquor would be a poor choice to settle your nerves. I would ask Master Krouth what he suggests but he isn't here."

"Merciful breath, perhaps," Lislora sighed and then waved her hand remembering that servants weren't permitted to keep such things. It would require summoning a healer.

Mes frowned thoughtfully, "There was veorola in the kitchen. They baked it into the buns for the Duchess before they knew how it affected her. Would that do?"

"It may. I've never heard of anyone having the same reaction Duchess Isonei had to it."

"I have." The woman looked almost grim, "In Phaethia. It isn't uncommon for Sons of Mun to react that way to it."

"Is she part Munian?" Lislora sat up seizing on something to distract her.

"I don't know. At least one of the noble Houses has kin on the islands. It's possible."

"Bring me something to eat with veorola."

°°°°°°°°°°

Sipping the tea made with veorola blossoms that the maid had brought had helped calm her nerves immensely. Lislora had eaten a small meal of lamb kidneys and thickly sliced dark bread as well. Still, the thought of getting into bed with her cousin and his wife seemed wrong.

She was sitting at the table sipping her tea as a servant hurried in to relay the message that Prince would be returning and the water should be drawn. Mes went to wake the Duchess at once. Lislora rose from her seat and followed with a frown.

"Let them draw the water first."

"Her Grace was clear."

"She needs her rest. She looked so exhausted earlier."

"Her Grace needs time to wake properly, she can be sour-"

"Let the woman sleep! If you can't order the bath without her I can have it done."

"I was told-"

The Duchess made a peculiar sound as she stretched and rubbed her eyes peering at them with a sullen frown.

"I wanted to wake you, your Grace. The servant arrived saying Prince Draeseth would be returning to the rooms shortly." The maid offered her a sour look reminiscent of Draeseth's servant as she spoke to the Duchess.

Lislora scowled back at the woman, that would not be allowed to stand. "Krouth is a poor influence on your servant, Isonei-"

Before she could say more Isonei sat up and clapped her hands sharply, "Lislora! Mes was asked to wake me. She has every right to be unhappy that you were preventing her from fulfilling her task.

"Mes, Lady Lislora should not be looked at so sharply. If she interferes with you again, tell me and I will give her sharp looks." The Aran looked at both of them with deep displeasure and for a moment Lislora felt like a servant herself. "And Krouth is not a poor influence on anyone."

The Munian bobbed a curtsy immediately, "Forgive me, your Grace." She turned her head slightly to whisper in Torgan, "I told you she can be sour."

"What did you say?"

"That you do not wake well." Lislora offered a shallow curtsy as well. "I would have allowed you to be woken after the water was drawn."

"I need time to wake and gather myself, Lislora. Mes knows how things should be done." The tiny woman climbed out of bed and yawned. Her breath was eye-watering.

The maid broached the subject with a wrinkled nose. "Your breath, your Grace. Should I fetch a dress while you wash your mouth?"

"No, I'll want to stay in a robe. One of my Aran chemises would be good, though. He enjoys those."

"Yes, your Grace."

Flushing, Lislora glanced to the door. "What should I wear?" It wasn't as if she had a great deal to choose from. Lounging around in a chemise waiting for her cousin seemed somehow worse than the prospect of getting into bed with him and his wife.

"You've decided to join us? Are you sure?" The Aran seemed genuinely surprised.

"I..." Lislora took a deep breath and told her a small part of the truth, "I spoke to Prince Burgath. He pointed out that I need Draeseth to have a reason to want two Duchesses. I am unsuited to life at the convent, and I do not wish to become one of the royal mistresses."

For some reason, the answer didn't seem to please Isonei. "It won't be pleasant for anyone if you're uncomfortable. You might wait-"

The thought of having made the hard choice to do this and having it taken from her, to be forced into being a royal mistress, made her furious. "You offered, Isonei!" Her hands curled into fists as she watched the woman's face for any trace of deceit or smugness.

Instead, she saw only concern and earnestness, "I need you to be sure, and I need you to be relaxed and willing. If you're doing this because you feel forced it will have the opposite effect than the one we want. Think about it. If you're calm and sure and feel comfortable when he arrives, come join us in the bedroom. I think the bath would be too much for you."

With effort, she unclenched her hands and offer a tentative nod. Being spared the bath might make it easier. "If I do... what should I wear?"

"Something you feel comfortable in. You can be fully dressed at first if you're more comfortable that way." Isonei gave her a reassuring smile. "The most attractive thing for him would be your happiness and affection for now. I can have an Aran chemise or two made for you if you want something a little more adventurous later."

Somehow the woman's gentle teasing made her feel more at ease and she was able to offer a small smile, "I will find something if I choose to join you." Spending time looking through her clothes would be a welcome distraction.

"Your chemise, your Grace." Mes came back with a scandalously short, silky silver garment. "Silver looks prettiest on you."

"Andnaeuth said the same." For a moment she wore the same sad look on her face as she had at the breakfast table in the Kroscur when Draeseth had said she'd never become Queen. "Draeseth tends to look at fabric as an annoyance. I tried to show him it can be more fun to undress slowly but he gets so impatient. Patience is something he desperately needs." Isonei turned back to Lislora and seemed to brighten. "It will be easier to teach him with two of us."

Mes made a dubious face that the Duchess didn't see. As the Aran turned back around she inquired, "The tub is being filled. You said the cool side of warm, your Grace?"

"Yes, Mes." Isonei ran her tongue over her teeth. "I'll clean my teeth and change."

Lislora slipped out of the room giving her privacy. She took what was left of her tea to her own room and began looking through her few dresses and chemises. Nothing looked alluring in comparison to the silky thing Isonei would be wearing.

Finishing her tea, she took a deep breath. Isonei had said she needed to be sure. It seemed wrong to pray, but surely Ganas would understand her dilemma. If this wasn't the right path she could pray to have Ganas lay it out in front of her without a doubt. She needed some kind of certainty.

Kneeling in front of her bed she couldn't find words. After a time she gave up and rose to make the bed. She'd forgotten to tell Mes to do it and the woman hadn't done it of her own accord. Krouth would have. Lislora frowned to herself, the man might be sour but he kept himself busy and nothing was left undone in his presence.

Outside the door, she thought she heard the sound of voices. The thought that her cousin might have returned made her mouth feel dry. She still had no idea what she was expected to do. Perhaps... the sound of her cousin's laughter came through the door. Isonei was certainly putting him in a good mood.

How long would it take to help him remove his armor and help him wash? Gathering her courage to risk a peek, she opened the door slightly to see how far they'd gotten. She didn't need to open it wide enough to see, however.

Isonei's curious voice came to her clearly, "And now?"

"My helm." The sound of someone heavily armored settling onto the sofa was clear.

Silently, Lislora closed the door again. Going back to kneel beside her bed with a sigh, she had plenty of time to try to find words. She stared at the bed. Eventually, she rose and fetched the Book of Truths, turning to the selections that held a few prayers reading them and reciting them silently made her feel some better.

A soft knock on the door made her lurch to her feet. It was time. Laying the book aside she ran a hand over her braids. No one was waiting outside the door and she stepped out wincing at the smell of the armor filling the main room.

Mes hurried past carrying wood for the bedroom fireplace, murmuring, "They're in the bath."

Lislora followed, keeping her voice low, "It took her that long to remove his armor?"

"Removing the armor wasn't the point of it. She made him feel powerful and," the maid shivered, "he looked as hard as a stone as he carried her into the washing room. When she said she didn't know men could be that large I thought she was just used to Aran men. He's large for a Torgan. I understand why she was bleeding when he was bedding her."

"Is he really..." Lislora glanced at the doorway.

"You went to bed with him." Mes gave her a peculiar look dusting herself off after putting the wood on the fire. "You should know."

"He's the only one I've-I've seen when it was..." She rolled her hand, "On my wedding night, the lamps were covered as my husband came to bed."

The maid nodded slowly. "He's very large. It's impressive to look at but all I can think about is that it must hurt if he gets too enthusiastic."

"It did." Lislora took a breath.

"Her Grace spoke of enjoying his size, she may know some Aran tricks to make it more bearable."

Licking her lips, Lislora inclined her head, "That may be why she was so insistent on teaching me. But I..."

Mes looked at her curiously. "But?"

"But I still don't know what to do. Do I wait here? Should I change? The tea helped but I still feel lost." Her heart felt like it was trying to beat out of her chest.

"This room still smells better than the main room, I would probably wait here." The woman smiled faintly. "As for what to wear, men enjoy the sight of pretty, silky little things like the Duchess wore, but they strip them off quickly. What they usually want is a naked woman in front of them."

She'd need more tea or perhaps some wine to become that comfortable. Before she could ask for it the maid was shaking her head, "He blocked the door so he wouldn't be interrupted. I can't fetch any more tea."

"And we have no wine?"

"Master Krouth has a bottle tucked away in case there are guests but I'm not permitted to go into his things to fetch it."

Oddly enough, her next thoughts were practical instead of disappointed. "You might open a window to let the room air if they won't be using it. Even the one in my room may be a help." Lislora perched on the edge of the bed, noticing it had been remade. Hesitantly, she began to unfasten her overdress and then she stopped, shaking her head. It still felt wrong. She fastened it again and sat to wait patiently.

After a time the heat in the room became unbearable and she rose to see what the maid was doing. It seemed that Mes had tried to straighten the armor and covered the linen nofoltsuotst with a spare blanket trying to reduce the smell. She'd also opened the window in Lislora's room and had the door open wide.

"Do you need something?" The woman peered out of a doorway where she'd been hiding.

"How long do you think they'll be? It shouldn't take so long to wash someone."

Mes dimpled and looked to the floor. "It isn't the washing that takes time. Though, she may do that twice, first, with the way he smelled."

Lislora's face flushed and she couldn't bring herself to ask what else Isonei could be doing, she thought she might already know. Wandering back into her room she took a few deep breaths of the cooler air coming in from the window. It would be best if she went back to the Duchess' room to wait.

Making her way back she could hear the sound of water moving, coming from the washing room. There was no way to guess how long they would be. She took a seat on the bed once more and began to open the throat of her overdress. There was no way to maintain modesty in this wretchedly hot room.

Draeseth came into the room at a quick pace, dripping water with Isonei over his shoulder. As he stopped and looked at her in startlement the Aran lifted herself enough to see why he'd done so, wriggling, naked, until he put her down.

"I told you he gets impatient. I think he has an aversion to towels."

Flushing slightly and making a loud sound of amusement in his throat, he gave the woman a playful command, "Go back and fetch the towels then, woman."

He jumped and turned to look after her incredulously when the tiny woman ducked under his arm and slapped him on the bottom as she went.

"That woman..."

She could hear his grin before she looked up and saw it.

"Should I-should I go?"

"No." Draeseth turned back to her and seemed suddenly unsure of how he should be standing. The monstrously large cock that had been bobbing between his legs had begun to wilt slightly. "I was surprised when she..." He glanced to the door but Isonei seemed to be taking her time.

"When she?" Lislora moved down on the bed and gestured for him to sit.

Instead, he followed her and remained standing. "When she said you wanted to reward me and that you've cared for me for years. I thought you'd decided..." He glanced to the door again.

"This... this imitation of marriage makes me feel so ashamed." She looked down at her hands avoiding the cock trying to look her in the eye. "They don't treat me as if I were going to be your wife. And I have-have cared for you. I thought you would-" She stopped as he tilted her face up.

"Thought I would?"

"Look to me when you wanted a wife, someday."

To her surprise, he bent and pressed his face to hers. "I didn't know you would consider me."

"I love you, cousin but I..." She took a deep breath and he drew his face away for a moment. "I don't know how to do this. I can't even afford to get you a knife even if you could wear two, and how would any of this..."