The Long Road to Ruin Ch. 37-39

She left the Mayor's bedroom and cautiously crept back across the hall to the library and replaced the ring of keys where she found them. Then she sneaked back to the stairway, as she descended the stairs she winked at the guard who'd let her pass and headed back to Lord Tendenberry's room. She crept back inside and found him still asleep on the bed. She grabbed up her dress and put it back on.

Shiloh left the room and never looked back as she headed out the way she came in. This time the Majordomo was nowhere to be found so she let herself out and dashed back across the bridge, making her way back to Stan's. She entered the ruined house and shook herself dry. Cold rain clung to her skin, causing a shiver to course through her. She smiled at Stan and grabbed her belongings out of the dresser drawer. Pulling her cloak, she wrapped it around her body to dry and warm her chilled flesh. Underneath the cloak she wriggled out of the flimsy dress and back into her red and gold armor. Once she was fully dressed, she removed the cloak and left the house via the sewer grate built into the floor.

She descended the stairs and headed to the section of the sewer she'd last encountered Essex. The corridor was still darkened and allowed her to make use of the darkvision Bastian granted her. She smiled as she noticed his dark form leaning against the wall. Creeping through the shadows over to him, she boldly presented herself before him as her hands slid around his shoulders. "Miss me," she purred.

He chuckled softly, "Absolutely, but I already knew you were near. Flowers should shrink with jealousy over your scent."

Shiloh flashed a glorious smile and nuzzled against him. "Sweet talker," she quipped before pulling back. "I have something to drop off to Mando, but after, we can pick up where we left off."

He nodded, "Let's go then."

Shiloh led him to the hideout and over to Mando. She smiled widely at him and unfolded the black scrap of cloth. She tossed it to the floor, allowing the portable hole to open, and pulled out the golden statue he charged her with recovering. "Here's the statue, Mando."

"Excellent work, Shiloh," Mando beamed at her. "Did you have any trouble?"

She shook her head, "No, not really. I had to hide under a bed once to avoid being caught, but nothing that I couldn't have handled. Maybe I went into this job a little naively because I thought what went on at that party was illegal. The dancers weren't there really to dance. I mean we did, but it was a front for a sex party. Not that I mind..."

"Given that, have you figured out why this statue is so valuable?" Mando asked her as he cocked an eyebrow.

She closely examined the statue depicting a beautiful human female and shook her head thoughtfully. "What does it do?"

"It summons a succubus, if properly used; do you know what that is... a succubus?" Mando replied with a lazy grin on his handsome face.

Essex whispered something in her ear. Instantly realization dawned on Shiloh, "I see. A succubus is a beautiful female demon who lures men astray with their wiles."

"Yes, this piece will fetch an excellent price on the black market. Let me give you your share for completing the mission." He handed her a good sized bag of coins. "And by the way, Shiloh, if I must say so, that was one hell of a fight earlier. I made a lot of money betting on you."

Shiloh grinned. "I thought there was some betting going on. I bet you your winnings that no one thought I'd win."

Mando chuckled, "And you'd be right. Few of us saw that coming. You managed to put Vico out of action for a while and he's not happy about it."

Shiloh pouted mockingly, "That's a good thing for me. Maybe now the asshole will stay the hell out of my business. I've got to run. Thanks for the payment." She turned on her heel and walked out with Essex close behind. Once outside the hideout, she stopped, "So where to?"

"Come with me," Essex grinned and stroked her hand softly. He led Shiloh back out of the sewers and through the southern ward of the city to a small apartment near the ranger guild. "I claimed this place for my own. No one was living here, so for now it's mine."

Shiloh glanced around at the snug room. A few feet from the fireplace, where a warm fire burned, stood two captain's chairs. A small table and a pair of chairs were placed in the middle of the room. A good-sized bed and an armoire finished out the contents of the room. She smiled at him and set her pack down on the table. "Do you mind if I wash up?"

He motioned to a bowl and pitcher on the table before he reached into a cupboard attached to the wall. Shiloh quickly poured some water from the pitcher into a bowl and used a scrap of cloth to remove the remains of the cosmetics Evana had applied to her face. After dipping the cloth back in, she washed other more intimate areas of her body.

Shiloh could feel his eyes upon her, could feel how he watched her with hooded eyes. Her gaze slid slowly down his body, from the eyes dark with desire to his shallow breathing, then down to the arousal that thrust against the confines of his pants. Need started to kindle low in her gut as she admired him and she allowed it to grow and spread through her body. She flashed him a 'come hither' look.

"Would you like some wine?" He pulled forth a bottle and two glasses. He poured one and handed it to her before seeing to his.

"Do you intend on getting me drunk and having your way with me?" Shiloh winked and teased before accepting the proffered glass. She took a sip before setting the glass upon the table then closed the distance between them. Delicious tension crackled between them. Her eyes devoured him. "I need none of this seduction. You gave me a taste of what the night had in store for me, I'm ready for more."

Essex grinned, caressed her arms, leaning in to kiss her gently. She parted her lips, giving into a slow gentle kiss that ignited the lust that ached deep inside her body. His hands smoothed up her back and into her hair, tangling within as he cupped the back of her head and angled it to take the kiss deeper. Her tongue slipped past his lips and curled around his. Her hands gently massaged his shoulders as she allowed his taste to permeate her mouth. When he gave a low moan, she slowly drew away. Then she brushed her lips against his briefly, and nibbled at the side of his mouth, then down his jaw and neck to his shoulder. She shifted down slightly, heard his breath catch seconds before she removed his tunic and allowed her lips to surround his nipple and began to suckle. The low moan of pure need he made reverberated through the room, it'd been the exact response she'd wanted. She swept her tongue over his nipple, teasing it to an erect peak. She closed her teeth lightly over it and he gasped, the ache in the lower part of his body growing so strong that he wasn't quite sure he would maintain control. With slow, teasing licks, she moved to his other nipple and did the same to it.

Interrupting her, he drew her back up and settled his lips over hers once more while he wiggled out of his pants. He could tell by the way she took control that she liked it, but he had something else in mind. He took her into his arms and held her close for a long while, softly touching her. Each of his kisses became more intense. She tasted so good. He wanted more of her. His touch heated her up. Everywhere his fingers grazed, everywhere he kissed her ignited passion. Shiloh burned with desire. His touch held unspoken promises of pleasure. His kisses made her tremble. He reached up and touched her face, pushing away a strand of hair. She grinned wickedly and moaned beneath his caress. Whispered words slipped from parted lips before tangling in a fusion of lips and tongues.

His hands stroked the contours of her body while her hands blazed a path up his back, feeling his muscles tighten beneath her fingers. She touched his chest and felt his heart pounding. She ran her fingers though his hair, kissed his neck, and nibbled on his ear. It was now his turn to moan with pleasure. She felt herself growing wet with desire. He removed her skimpy breastplate exposing her bare breasts. He cupped them, gently squeezing them in his hands, rubbing her hard nipples under his thumbs as he bent to kiss and suck each one, sending shivers of delight up and down her body, driving her crazy with want. He slid his hand inside the groin protector of her armor to her wet softness underneath. He moaned aloud as he felt the silky smoothness of her flesh and the evidence of her desire. His dexterous fingers quickly found her swollen clitoris and she squealed with delight. Her nails dug into his back, as she arched to give him more access. He raised his eyes to watch her face as he explored the very depths of her most intimate part; plunging his eager fingers deep inside her channel. His face showed how he wanted to please her. His stormy eyes simmered with passion.

Essex led her to the nearby bed, and then patted her ass, urging her on to it. She grinned, obliging him, giving him a teasing glance as she parted her thighs. He slid beside her and pressed himself against her. His hands explored her softness before he dipped his head low. He began to kiss her thighs, teasing her as she ran her fingers through his hair. The delicate scent of her sex wafted to his nostrils and he took a moment to savor the scent. Finally, he parted her nether lips with his tongue and fingers then plunged into her wetness, licking her with a thirst that couldn't be quenched. Shiloh thought she had died and gone to heaven as his expert tongue plied her moist depths finding the treasure within. He flicked his tongue over her swollen clitoris, driving her insane with pleasure. Her hands tightened in his hair, pulling his face closer to her.

Her body thrummed as he worked his masterful tongue across her slit. He moved his fingers and tongue faster as she tensed, feeling an orgasm growing near. Like a flash of lightning zinging through her, she exploded as an incredible orgasm ripped through her body. She screamed with delight while ripples of pleasure consumed her senses. As she lay there on the bed, trembling, he gently pulled her into his arms and held her close while grinning wickedly. He kissed her passionately. She could taste herself on him and reveled in the way she tasted.

Their hands roamed, touching everywhere possible, unable to get enough. His hands stroked her supple flesh while he dragged his lips lower to devour her breasts. She moaned loudly as he nibbled on her taut nipples. Shiloh gently grabbed handfuls of his thick hair and pulled him closer. She relished the way he looked at her, the way he kissed her, the way he touched her. He rose up to kiss her mouth again, rolling his tongue around hers as if seeking something deeper inside her. Then he whispered sweet words in her ear.

Shiloh grinned and rose up from where she rested intent on taking control, if only for a little while. Once again she worked her way down his chest, nibbling at his nipples, placing teasing kisses down the center of his chest. She made her way slowly, excruciatingly down his abdomen. Shudders rippled through his body with each sweep of her tongue. He moaned as her hand came teasingly close to his aching erection. Her fingers tickled the hair at the top of his groin. His hips jerked slightly, hoping to convey his wants.

Shiloh licked her lips as her eyes zeroed in on the angry swollen purple tip. Her hand slipped down and lightly whispered over the shaft of his cock. "Mmmmmmh," she purred when he gave a lusty moan and thrust against her. "Do you taste as good as you look?" She lifted her hand and skimmed his tip, the flat of her hand just barely hovering over the skin and the moisture that leaked from it. "Shall I find out?" Then her hand was gone, he groaned from the loss of contact.

Shiloh wasted very little time. Her hot breath wafted over his erection, torturing him in a pleasurable insanity as she lightly blew on him. Then her mouth closed over him. His head rolled back, his legs spreading wide as she slowly wrapped her lips around his aching head of his shaft. Her tongue swept over the tip and he moaned loudly as the heat of her mouth engulfed his length. His need swelled and the only thing he could do was moan brokenly and rock violently against her as she slowly drew him in as far as she could, then back out. Her deft hands fisted the base of his erection and jacked him, eliciting another throaty moan from him.

It was driving him mad. His control was within a hair's breath of shattering; he was quite sure that she was driving him insane. He desired to shove her on her back, push her hips high and slam into her until they were both screaming. The pressure built at the base of his spine and his hips rapidly jerked, his mouth falling open in a soundless scream as an orgasm shot through him. His body moved in short, rapid thrusts, his lungs screaming for oxygen and all he could feel, taste and smell was her.

She knew he'd been close, but the orgasm caught her a bit by surprise. When his body stilled, and limply fell back onto the mattress, she lifted her head and licked her lips. His sweat-soaked hair was plastered to his head and he gulped in a deep breath of air as the world started to come back into focus.

As his mind cleared, Essex drew her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her. His hand lazily drifted up and down her back in a soft caress that made her feel incredibly content. "Stay with me," he whispered as his lips swept up her jaw to her ear.

"I wouldn't dream of leaving just yet," she purred in response and snuggled into his warmth. "I want so much more."

"I aim to give you so much more," he grinned wickedly and placed a kiss on the tip of her pert nose. His sex swelled again and poked the curve of her belly. Shiloh let out a throaty moan and massaged his shoulders.

Gods, she wanted him. She needed to feel him.

Without so much a word, his body covered hers then slipped his hardening length between her folds. He rubbed it up and down, brushing the tip against her clitoris, then her opening. She wrapped her legs around his hips, feeling him as he surged into her, riding her for what seemed like forever. She moved her hand between their joined bodies, to see what it was like when she touched herself at the same time he was inside her. She moaned, the back of her head bouncing against the mattress while her legs tightened further around his waist.

Oh gods, this feels so sweet...

Essex dropped his head to the crook of her shoulder as he continued thrusting deeply, letting himself go when he heard her scream out his name and her inner walls spasmed around him. She bucked against him so hard that if he hadn't had such a good grip on her churning hips, she may have rocketed to the stars.

Then there was complete silence, the clock on the wall ticking away the seconds as they struggled to breathe. Her breath hitched as her body's shuddering finally stilled and her senses came back to her in a bright clarity. Her mind was clear; the room seemed to be a bit brighter. Her muscles were as fluid as water, she felt like she could sleep for a week. Above her, Shiloh felt Essex's body tense and release, dimly heard his cry before he collapsed.

Then there was nothing left but the sound of their labored breathing.

O.O

Shiloh awoke with a start, momentarily unaware of whose bed she slept. She rose ever so slightly and blinked her eyes to focus on her surroundings. It was dark. The candles had burned to short nubs. She could feel Essex's heat pressing so intimately into her and shifted ever so slightly to allow herself to stand up. She padded on silent feet to the small covered window and surreptitiously peeked out. Darkness engulfed the street. Utter silence beyond the pitter patter of the rain assailed her. She knew it had to be sometime before dawn.

Returning to the bed, she gathered the pieces of her armor before rousing Essex from his sleep. He grumbled incoherently and pulled her back into the bed with him. She chuckled softly and nibbled at his ear before she softly spoke, "Come, sleepyhead. We have a job to do and this is a good time to do it while the city sleeps. Once we're done, we can come back and have some more fun."

He yawned sleepily as he wrapped his arms around her. "Shouldn't we let Nathan know we're headed into the castle first?"

Shiloh shook her head and gave him a questioning look. "Why? We won't get caught. I think I remember where the vault is and it doesn't involve going into the main part of the castle. We need to head to the cellars and I believe there's a hidden door that connects to a passageway leading to the vault in question."

"I'd prefer if someone knows where we're going, plus it'd give us more time for other more pleasurable pursuits."

"And robbing the most secret vault isn't extremely pleasurable?" Shiloh quipped and cocked an eyebrow.

"Oh it is, but not as pleasurable as you." A wicked grin crossed his face as he skimmed his hands down her back to cup her toned ass. Shiloh giggled then straddled him.

"Keep talking and you just might convince me," she purred and dipped her head to nibble at one slightly pointy ear. Essex lifted her, fisted his hard cock and slid it into her moist, honeyed depths. Mutual groans slipped from their lips. Shiloh rocked her hips slowly, setting a sensual pace while he thrust up from below. Each piercing thrust of his hips brought him in direct contact with her sensitive pleasure spot nestled inside her dripping channel. Shiloh's cries of delight filled the room and urged her towards fulfillment. She quickened her pace, rocking her hips more frantically. His upward thrusts intensified, slamming harder and deeper with each upward thrust. He held his rhythm, hitting her pleasure spot over and over again until she screamed and exploded. Her wet walls clenched around his cock, urging his climax. Flipping her onto her back, he pumped his hips hard as his breath came out in short panting gasps before he went rigid, huskily groaning his release. He rested his head against her sweat soaked skin, breathing hard. When he had recovered, he snuggled her against him and closed his eye.

It was the perfect beginning to the day, which set the pace for the next few to come.

O.O

The dank corridors around them were eerily silent, not even a rat could be heard. Shiloh moved at a good pace, Essex quick on her heels. They crossed the sewers quickly and made it to the bowels of the castle. They navigated through the lowest level of cellars until they reached the one she believed the hidden door to be in. The room was bare, void of anything but a thick layer of dust on the floor. She hugged the wall, walking along the perimeter and searched until she found the outline of a hidden door. Her hand slid along the jamb, searching for the trigger to open the door. When she found nothing, she searched for the presence of a keyhole and again found nothing. Cocking one finely shaped eyebrow, she nodded at Essex, "Any ideas?"

"Pressure plate perhaps?" He suggested and began his search. The perimeter in front the door and along the walls yielded nothing. She broadened her search, checking the flagstones that covered the floor. One towards the center gave ever so slightly as she depressed it, but sent out several pea sized balls of flame that shot from tiny valves hidden at intervals in the wall. Shiloh and Essex hit the floor, evading the fireballs as they exploded around them.

"Holy hells," she gasped and climbed to her feet. "I don't remember my father and his advisors ever talking about the vault being trapped." She coughed and dusted herself off, scanning the room carefully. "We'll just have to keep searching. Hopefully the blasts haven't alerted the Dhorn. The last thing we need is to be discovered."