Torgan Wine Ch. 29

PUBLIC BETA

Note: You can change font size, font face, and turn on dark mode by clicking the "A" icon tab in the Story Info Box.

You can temporarily switch back to a Classic Literotica® experience during our ongoing public Beta testing. Please consider leaving feedback on issues you experience or suggest improvements.

Click here
Isemay
Isemay
209 Followers

The thought that this was as close as she would ever get to them again made her eyes well. She hadn't realized she'd sunk to her knees until Draeseth knelt in front of her looking pained and wiping at her tears with his thumbs.

"I thought it would cheer you."

"I miss my home and my family, Draeseth." The need to walk in her father's fields was as strong as the need to curl on the elder Daga's warm sarg.

"Krouth, take the bottle out-"

"Don't you dare!" Isonei felt a hard ball of fury unfurling in her belly. "I will break this glass and cut you with it if you have that wine taken away, Draeseth."

The Torgans both looked at her in surprise, and then Draeseth began to laugh, standing and pulling her to her feet. "It gives you fire if not joy. Fire is something you have lacked, my Duchess."

Krouth closed the bottle and placed it on the table before leaving the room and she moved to the sofa to sip it thinking about his words. Fire. The Torgan moved to the bedroom leaving her alone for a moment and she closed her eyes again to murmur, "Fearsome Teth, I need your fierceness and your strength. Please help a foolish child keep some fire after the wine has gone and lend her the wit to know what do with it."

Opening her eyes she took another sip and felt it warm her. The certainty she could find her way home settled on her shoulders and she let herself smile for a moment. It wasn't long before Draeseth returned to the room in nothing but a thin robe.

"Krouth has been sent to fetch the large basin you have been washing in and hot water. I considered having him draw a bath but you had one two days ago and I cannot risk you falling ill from bathing too much, my soap loving wife."

"Thank you." Still sipping the wine she took in his vaguely disappointed expression, the slight hunch to his shoulders and the set of his mouth as he frowned at the wine. "It isn't the wine's fault."

Draeseth gave one of his growling grunts and shifted his gaze back to her. "You were more content before you drank it."

"No. I was sleepy and stuffed, ready to curl in bed and go to sleep. I'm more awake now even though I'm still not in the mood for what you want."

His lips twitched and he came to sit next to her. "To have you asleep in my bed will be better than knowing you are close but cannot be touched."

"Since you brought me here, I've been learning the bitter lesson of how to be alone. Now that I have Krouth and Lislora for company it's been more bearable than when I was kept in the winter garden. I'm not utterly alone but I still feel it.

"Tonight you will be close to me. I will hold you and you will feel less alone, my sweet wife." He began to unpin her hair. "Will you let me wash you?"

"I-"

Krouth returned with servants trailing behind carrying the basin and several steaming pitchers of water to the bedroom. Her soaps and an Aran chemise were brought in as well. Draeseth spoke coolly to the slim servant who then bowed and answered in a calm, unrepentant tone.

"Is something wrong?"

"I asked why your chemise was brought; he suggests moving more slowly and not asking you to sleep next to me completely bare."

Isonei gave Krouth a grateful look and inclined her head, "Another thing I've learned since coming here is that when Krouth makes a suggestion it should be considered at the very least, and probably followed."

He muttered something in Torgan that made Krouth's jaw clench before the man bowed and left the room.

"What did you say to him?"

"It should be your husband you trust that way, my jewel."

"I somehow doubt that's what you said to him." Isonei rose taking her glass toward the bedroom, thinking better of it she turned to take the bottle as well. Draeseth sat much as he had the first night they'd met in Ara, with his head in his hands. "What did you say?"

"That if he was not already castrated I would do it myself."

"Why would you say such a thing to someone who has served you so well and so loyally? And has whoever harmed him been punished?" She stared at him in horrified bafflement.

"I bought him in Phaethia and set him free. He had been castrated as a child that he could be a safe servant; it isn't uncommon for Phaethians... No one was punished." He lifted his head, "To hear you speak with such trust, my Duchess, I desire that trust from you."

"He has earned it. You broke my trust and you expect it to be just... given over again. You can't buy it any more than you can buy forgiveness. I like the gifts, but..." Isonei shook her head with a frown.

"How can I earn it? You barely speak to me." His eyes were hard and his mouth set into a scowl.

"Apologize to Krouth and ask him. He's taken the time to get to know me, perhaps, because I'm not simply an outlet for his desires." She turned and went into the bedroom hoping he wouldn't follow.

Placing her cup and the bottle on a long table near his window, she stripped herself of her layers to wash in the basin. When she'd finished, she dried herself and slipped into the surprisingly loose Aran chemise, contemplating a return to her rooms. A tentative glance through the doorway showed Draeseth and Krouth speaking quietly. As she watched, the men clasped arms and Krouth fetched the book of prayers. Sleeping here would be better than disturbing them.

Climbing into the bed and curling under the covers, she began to think about the coming visit to Court and the ambitious Queen. If Draeseth wouldn't get word to her family or her King perhaps the Queen could be persuaded to...

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei was woken by an insistent Torgan murmuring and Draeseth rubbing against her. For a moment she was furious, and then she realized he was rubbing against her in his sleep. It was Lislora's name on his lips. Wriggling out of his sleeping grip, she rose and poured herself a half glass of wine.

Her absence was enough to wake him. She returned to the bedside and uncovered the lamp as he muttered in Torgan. He blinked in surprise when he saw her.

"You were dreaming of Lislora." Isonei gave him a rueful smile. "Why you can't admit you love her and put me aside is baffling."

Sitting up, he rubbed his face. "Forgive me."

"I might if you can explain it to me."

He shot her an annoyed look as she took another sip of wine. "I have taken you for my wife. We are bound until death."

"I have not married you, and an Arrangement can be undone."

"You have lived with me as my wife; I have taken you to bed." Draeseth scowled at her.

"If taking someone to bed was the requirement I'd have a dozen husbands. You and Lislora-"

Draeseth struck the bed and snarled something at her in Torgan before calming himself. "Isonei... wife. I love you. I have spent so much time and effort-"

"Denying that the one you want and the one you need are two different people?" Isonei watched as he toppled back raking his hands through his black hair and glared up at the ceiling. He might start to understand if he could get past his hurt and anger. She set down her glass and climbed onto the bed, straddling his chest. The large Torgan looked up at her in bafflement.

"Aulla and Obris look a great deal alike. Getting them confused isn't embarrassing." She offered him a small smile and let her fingers idly curl in the dark hair of his chest. "I know you love me, as I love you. It isn't the way I need, just as I can't love you the way you need. If you insist on this we will both be miserable, and so will Lislora."

His hands began to rub her thighs as he exhaled and made a peculiar grumbling noise in his throat. "Did you try to be happy here?"

"I did. But there is a hole in my heart where something has been ripped away. It aches, Draeseth. Can you... can you even imagine what it's like to be told you will never see your home again?"

Curling up from the bed he raised a hand and cupped her face drawing her down with him as he laid back. "I cannot fill that hole with my affection?"

"No, and not with your lovely gifts either." Isonei pressed her face to his.

"You would condemn me to a life without the one woman who makes me burn with her touch?"

"I can promise you that Lislora will do the same. She's longed for your touch the way that I have. You will have to show her patience, she lacks my experience, but she is willing."

Draeseth's groan as his hands moved over her back made her wonder if he'd heard her words. He cupped her ass cheeks and squeezed. "She is willing to be touched?"

"She'll make you marry her to do it, I think, but yes. The pain on her face when you're openly affectionate to me, when you wanted to take me to bed and not her..."

"I," he licked his lips and released her gently pushing her back, "I would take her to bed if I could."

Isonei smiled down at him, "I noticed. She's the woman you've been trying to make me more like, and have you seen her hips?" She squealed as Draeseth rolled her and pinned her.

"I will turn you over my knees, woman. The two of you could not be more opposite."

"True, she is less likely to tease you until you feel compelled to apply your hand to her bottom." Isonei smiled brightly up at him, "But I might be able to teach her that."

"You baffle me. That you care for me and would share me..." He pressed his face to hers.

"You baffle me more, Draeseth. How can you be so eager to bind yourself to the wrong woman when the right one is under your roof pining for you? I care for you deeply and I want you to be happy. Didn't I tell you this before?"

"You did." Draeseth exhaled and smiled faintly, "You would see me happy even if it meant parting ways with me. I will give your words more consideration."

"Good. Because I'm fond of both of you and I insist on seeing you both happy."

He snorted a soft laugh. "How can you tell she would make me happy? How can you tell she desires me? Lislora is... a fine and proper Lady. I have not seen her be inappropriate; the only times she has been in a compromising position I have put her there."

"Look into her eyes. A person will show you all that they are if you look long enough. She has fire to match yours inside her but she keeps it hidden. If you need to see it to believe it, look her in the eyes and give her one of your magnificent biting kisses on the soft part of her hand." Isonei almost laughed at his skeptical look. "And don't think for a moment a woman as strong and clever as she is couldn't evade those compromising positions if she wanted to. Unlike me, I think she could actually hurt you if she chose to kick you."

His lips curved in a pleased smile and his eyes began to glitter. "True. And she would give me large sons."

She narrowed her eyes feigning offense as she poked him in both sides at once. "From me you might get a very pretty one."

Draeseth's fingers dug into her as he tickled her viciously, making her writhe and squeal beneath him. "You would give me a daughter as beautiful and mischievous as you are, she would drive the men of Torga mad with desire."

"Name her after Krouth to repay his kindness and he'll help you keep them at bay."

Barking a laugh he rolled and pulled her back on top of himself. "He would. But I cannot imagine his name as a woman's name, you should reconsider. I think you may have charmed him to the point he would treat her as his own whether you named her after him or not."

Lying on his chest, she folded her hands under her chin. "Nonsense! Let's see... uhhmm Kothei? Krosei? Kithei, Kothesei?"

A surprise grunt came from his throat. "Kothesei is a good name. It sounds Torgan, and rich."

"If you choose to marry Lislora instead you can consider it a gift." She dug her toes into his legs and he writhed before rolling onto his side and turning her forcibly so that he could curl against her from behind.

"Go back to sleep, Isonei. We have a long day tomorrow." The kisses he pressed to the back of her neck made her wonder if she'd softened her words with too much affection.

°°°°°°°°°°

The morning brought Krouth bustling into the room, waking her from a dream of wandering aimlessly through her father's house. The flowers in the vases were beginning to wilt.

"Good morning, your Grace. His Highness has already risen." The slim servant began laying out a dress for the day as she realized he was right. She hadn't even noticed Draeseth getting out of bed.

Sitting up she rubbed her eyes and stretched. "He didn't wake me?"

"He said you were sleeping deeply and did not wish to disturb you."

"That was very thoughtful of him." Isonei noticed the faint smile that flashed across Krouth's face. "Last night he said we would have a long day today?"

The man blinked and then inclined his head, "Preparations must be made before we leave for the Court. Some of your dresses need to be taken in before we leave, and there are many things that must be seen to. Unless he intends to have you by his side I doubt you will be needed for much of it."

"I see. Perhaps I could go into town to keep out from under foot?" At his frown she hurriedly suggested, "I know you'll be too busy, but perhaps one of the priests would like to walk with me?"

"I will inquire. Halloc Aurim has been spending larger parts of his days tending the sick since the work of cleansing the house has been coming to a close. He might allow you to keep him company."

"Perhaps I could even find a way to be useful." Isonei teased him. "I've been sick often enough I may have learned how to help care for someone just by watching you and Lislora."

His lips twitched. "Perhaps, your Grace. But care would have to be taken that you do not fall ill again."

"Of course. I could wash and have some Kurebra when I come back."

"I will consult Halloc Aurim. He disapproves of strong liquors. Too many Torgans enjoy them often."

"I certainly wouldn't be drinking it for pleasure." She made a face and he gave her a mildly annoyed look.

"The Duchess of Kroscur should not make faces like a child. The basin has fresh cool water and a maid will be here momentarily, your Grace, you may dress at your leisure."

"Thank you, Krouth." During her stay she had learned quite a few things, and 'at your leisure' always meant promptly.

Rising from the bed she rinsed and began to dress, taking off the Aran chemise with regret. It had been the first time since her arrival she'd been given anything Aran to wear. The maid was there moments after Krouth left to help her finish dressing and put up her hair in silence.

Making her way to breakfast, Isonei noticed the sun streaming into the windows cheerfully. That was, however, the only cheerful thing in the dining room as she entered. Draeseth sat scowling at the table and Lislora's eyes were glued to the hands in her lap.

Looking askance at Draeseth, she took her seat next to Lislora and tried to take the woman's hand. She jerked away so violently Isonei's hand hit the table with a sharp smack, drawing a hiss from her as she brought her hand to cradle at her chest. "What's wrong?"

"Lady Lislora wishes to leave. She feels she has overstayed her welcome."

"Nonsense!" Looking at the woman, Isonei knew that wasn't it at all. "Lislora? Come with me a moment?" She stood and beckoned back toward the hall.

The much larger Torgan woman rose stiffly. "As your Grace wishes."

"This should wait until after breakfast." Draeseth turned his scowl on them both.

"No, I don't think it should, your Highness. Don't feel as though you need to hold it on our account. We may be a few moments." She offered him a bright smile and moved toward the doorway.

The loud noise he made in his throat prompted her to turn and look at him again. "In my home my wishes should be respected."

"I thought you said this was my home?" Isonei gave him a knifelike smile and spoke in a tone like frosted honey, "If I misunderstood you I'll take a seat immediately."

"We will discuss this after breakfast." The Torgan Prince made a gesture of dismissal.

Taking Lislora's hand she walked purposefully out of the dining room, stopping once they had gone several paces from the door. "Lislora-"

"Are you mad?! You just defied a Prince of Torga!" Lislora hissed incredulously.

"I'm more concerned about why you want to leave. Has someone made you feel unwelcome? You and Krouth are the only friends I have."

"Isonei, you have a husband. He can be your friend; I cannot bear to watch..." The Torgan woman turned away and moved to one of the windows lining the hall.

"He's in a sour mood this morning because he didn't get the relief he was looking for." Isonei came to stand close to her.

"You refused him?"

"I might have considered bedding him if he hadn't spoken your name instead of mine."

Lislora's face flushed and she looked almost relieved. "He..."

"We had a discussion rather than sex. I insisted to him he should marry you instead. But you know how well that man listens." Isonei sighed and frowned out of the window for a moment before looking back up at Lislora.

The Torgan woman was staring at her incredulously. "You would give up..."

"A beautiful man who loves us both? Yes. He doesn't understand the difference between wants and needs. He wants me, but needs you. You would make him much happier and I want that for him." She laid a hand on Lislora's arm. "I want that for you both."

"If he marries me I'll name my first daughter after you." Lislora smiled wryly.

"Oh! Kothesei! After Krouth too, I insist. He's family and he should feel like it."

A soft sound made them both turn. Krouth had managed to come quite close but he was simply standing looking baffled. "Koth..."

"Kothesei." Isonei gave him a warm smile.

"I was thinking more like Draesonei." Lislora sounded amused and Krouth's face slipped back into its usual dispassionate expression.

"If you need a reason, other than the fact that the name is lovely, he will probably have as much to do with you marrying Draeseth as I would. Possibly more." At her cool tone and sharp look, Lislora inclined her head.

"Prince Draeseth does not wish to take his breakfast alone. When you are done speaking..."

"I think we are." Lislora smiled faintly. "Will you give me a moment to apologize, Isonei?"

"Of course." Isonei stood and watched Lislora go back into the dining room with an eager step.

"Your Grace has a generous soul." Krouth murmured. "There are moments I wish I had encouraged you both more."

"My unhappiness here isn't your fault and no amount of encouragement would make Draeseth and I better suited to one another." She gave him a small smile. "Did you have a chance to speak to Halloc Aurim?"

taken

"Yes, your Grace. He will take you with him after lunch. You will have dress fittings and be choosing what you wish to take to Court until then."

"Do you have any advice on what to take? If the Torgan Court is anything like the Aran Court there will be colors to avoid and all sorts of tedious little things to pay attention to as far as my dresses are concerned."

He inclined his head, "That is why I had a dressmaker brought when his Highness received the letter from his father requesting your company. It took him two days to decide to ask you."

Isonei laughed and shook her head. "He's so stubborn! It's an admirable quality but I've never met anyone quite as-"

The door to the dining room opened and Lislora peered out with a flushed face, "Isonei?"

"Yes?"

"Please come to the table?"

"Certainly." She gave Krouth a warm smile and ventured back inside.

Draeseth looked much less sour and it was difficult not to notice how flushed Lislora became each time she glanced at him. Breakfast was mostly quiet with a few words exchanged about the preparations that they would be getting underway until Lislora turned to her with a speculative look.

"What will you be doing today?"

Isemay
Isemay
209 Followers