Torgan Wine Ch. 30

"I want to know what happened."

He frowned and pressed his face to hers. "I gave her my desire."

"Did she enjoy your mouth and skilled fingers?" Isonei teased spreading her legs and wrapping them around his waist.

"The thought of an Aran kiss was disgusting to her. She barely allowed me to touch her to be certain she was ready."

Pressing soft kisses to his lips she could imagine what had happened. Lislora was nervous but willing and he hadn't been patient enough. "She isn't very experienced, it takes patience and care."

"Her touch did not stir me as yours does, my Duchess. You are..." Draeseth captured her lips and kissed her deeply, groaning as she yielded to him. "You are perfection."

"I am experienced. I had my sisters to learn from, and I had Gariath." She smiled wryly at him as he narrowed his eyes. "My eldest sister's brother. She asked him to teach me after my first experiences left me confused and unhappy with sex. It didn't feel the way my sisters said it should."

Pressing his face to hers again he grunted. "I would have liked to teach you. To know that you were thinking of my touch alone."

She laughed and earned a scowl from him. "You only say that because you don't know what it's like to be with someone with no experience at all. You've been spoiled rotten in bed, my flower wine."

His eyes glittered and he began to tickle her, keeping her pinned as she writhed and squealed. "Woman, you tease me."

"Why is it you can prod me and I can't prod you?" Isonei nipped at his lips as he began to smirk.

"You lack the means." Adjusting himself he rubbed the head of his cock against her still wet entrance. "A man was made to prod." He grinned wickedly and sent her into a fit of giggles as he pressed more firmly, pushing inside.

Working himself into her snug, wet sex he purred in Torgan and she caught the name Gariath.

"What are you saying?" Deliberately she tightened around him.

Groaning in pleasure he grinned down at her, "He did not teach you that, this Gariath?"

"I didn't laugh with him or enjoy him nearly as much as I do you, but he taught me that there is no man too small or too large to enjoy. It's all a matter of desire and position. And he enjoyed being prodded, I can show you what I mean if you like."

Draeseth's eyes narrowed. "No." He paused for a moment, "You did not enjoy him?"

"He taught me as a favor to his sister. Gariath wasn't fond of inexperienced men or women but he was a patient teacher if a little unhappy with the situation." Shifting her hips beneath him she kissed his throat. "It drove home the lesson my sisters tried to teach me. You need your lover to be comfortable with you to enjoy it. Going slow, kissing," she began to demonstrate with soft lustful kisses up toward his jaw, "touching..." Isonei ran her hands over his back and shoulders as he purred in his beautiful language and began to thrust slowly again.

"Woman, I... I have been with women who spend their lives pleasing men, and none of them ever made me feel as you do. Your touch is the purest joy and your kiss could sustain a man for a hundred years."

"I had to learn it, my flower wine, the same way you did. You took what you learned from those other women and used it, adding to it as you learned to please me. And you do it magnificently." She teased him with some of his own biting kisses before adding, "If I could only teach you a little patience... and maybe a love of bathing."

He barked a laugh. "You enjoy my impatience, woman. How many times have you been giddy over my need?"

"I said a little patience, only a little." She laughed at the smug look on his face. "With a little patience I get to do things like ride your magnificent cock to my release."

"You hate to be on your back, woman."

"Why do you keep putting me there if you remember?"

"I like you on your back." He thrust more powerfully. "You cannot run from me."

"When have I run from you?" Isonei squeezed him deliberately contracting and releasing until he was panting, holding her hip with an iron grip.

"Woman. You have never run from me. I never give you the chance." Draeseth groaned as she tried to draw him deeper using her inner walls. "Woman... you..." He pulled back and turned her over in a quick motion landing a sharp blow to her ass. "Do not try to make me fill you before I wish to."

"I just wanted to be off of my back." Looking over her shoulder with a grin she dissolved into laughter at the sour look on his face.

His muttering didn't sound entirely complimentary as he pulled her to the edge of the bed and put her over his knees. "You require a firm hand, woman." He landed four stinging blows on her cheeks and she squealed, trying to wriggle away. His hand massaged her cheeks before swatting them again. "I should make you apologize."

"Wicked man! Wicked and depraved!" She turned to look at him incredulously; Draeseth was blushing with an indecent grin on his face.

"You enjoy it."

"Lie on your back and I'll show you how much." Isonei's laughter was punctuated by squeals as he gave her another four stinging slaps.

"I will let you ride my cock to your release, woman, and afterward you will be on your back for me without complaint."

She turned her head again to tease him, "That seems very fair, your Highness." The next four smacks felt less playful but his tone as he muttered something at her in Torgan was teasing. Her sulky look as he let her up and lay on his back seemed to amuse him more.

"Come here to me, woman." He looked like he might laugh as she crawled across the bed with an exaggerated pout. When she came close enough he pulled her up to straddle his chest, massaging her thighs. "Let me apologize to you for a moment. You are always so gentle and patient with me. You have not even chided me for taking Lislora to bed."

"If you want to be chided..." Isonei let him pull her up further, kneeling over his face. "The only things I would chide you for are not being patient enough with her and letting her be alone afterward. I like her, she's good for you."

"You would let me take other lovers?" His breath was warm on her skin and she pressed her sex against his mouth, letting him taste her.

"I would let you take Lislora for half of every year. If you start taking many other lovers and still expecting me to be yours alone I will smother you in your sleep."

Draeseth began to laugh loudly, making the bed shake. He held her hips and pulled her back so that he could speak. "You threaten to smother me as you mount my face, woman. I should turn you over my knees again."

"I thought you were going to apologize to me?" She crossed her arms, sulking at him, and he began to laugh again. Isonei slid off of him and began to kiss and nip at his chest, mock growling, until he had laughed himself breathless.

"Woman, when you told me there was more to enjoy than filling you I did not understand." Draeseth caressed her face. "You haven't been this playful since we came to Torga."

"I'm in a very good mood tonight." She kissed his palm and moved between his thighs, stroking his nearly flaccid cock back to hardness. "I entertained children and met some wonderful people... Oh! I even learned a new song!"

"I should have been allowing you out of the Keep if it makes you this happy. Halloc Aurim will be permitted to take you with him as often as you wish." He folded his arms behind his head and rubbed one of his strong legs against her. "Tomorrow I will speak to Krouth and have him choose guards to accompany you both. Each time you come home you will be loving to me."

"I always am, even when I'm trying to explain to you the difference between wants and needs." Teasingly she licked the underside of his dark grey-green cock head, letting her tongue swirl around of the eye of it as she reached the tip.

He purred in Torgan lifting his hips from the bed, "Woman, that feels like a need."

Moaning softly as she took his cock head into her mouth she sucked firmly for a moment and then released it, intending to mount him. The way he growled at her in Torgan made her pause and look at him with profound amusement.

"What did you say to me?"

Draeseth's eyes glittered as he tried to imitate her earlier pout, "You are being cruel to your husband."

"If I am you must have been cruel to me first!" Isonei made a face at him and squealed as he trapped her in his legs.

"You will put those perfect lips back on my cock woman."

"You said I could ride your cock, and I want you to last!" She nipped at his knee.

"I will last, apologize to your husband, woman." He grinned wickedly as she bent to tease him with licks and gentle nibbles along his shaft.

"Why is it when you're supposed to be apologizing to me I end up apologizing to you?" Looking at him over the thick head as she mock pouted and pressed suckling kisses to the underside of it, she kept teasing him, "You are the most wicked-mmph!"

He growled down at her still grinning as he thrust into her mouth, holding her head in place. His Torgan words sounded teasing and exultant at the same time as she sucked and tried to take as much of him as he was insistently offering.

The sudden stop surprised her and she sucked firmly as she drew her head up, but as she lifted her eyes to his face she could see something was wrong. His eyes were glued to the empty doorway.

Krouth's voice spoke coolly from the other room. "The Kurebra is on the table. I will see to her."

"See to whom?" Isonei asked with a frown as the Prince replied to him in Torgan.

Draeseth sounded resigned. "Mount me, wife. I would give you your pleasure."

"Tell me." He gave her a displeased look and she gingerly mounted his large cock, positioning herself sideways to rub against his leg as she had in Leria. "Please?" Glancing at him again she saw he'd closed his eyes.

"Lislora. She..." He took a breath and shifted his hips beneath her. "Let me please you as I could not please her."

Her face flushed and she looked away from him. Small wonder Gariath had come to mind so clearly, Draeseth was bedding her while giving his desire to Lislora, a trick Gariath had used to be able to perform. As it had been so often with Gariath, her desire was now lacking. She'd hated that trick so much she had made a promise to herself. If she ever found herself needing to fantasize about another man while in bed that would be the end of it. It wasn't fair to either of them.

Pressing her face to his knee, she drew in a steadying breath and nodded. It was, however, the only way she could think of to get through this without causing a fight she didn't want to have to endure at the moment. Isonei tried to think of Andnaeuth, but the spark of fire wasn't there in the memory. Zenaethe... remembering his dark grey skin in the bath and the shimmering fire of his green eyes ignited her desire immediately.

Keeping her eyes closed it was so easy to imagine that it was his thigh she was rubbing against, his skin she was breathing on and kissing, his cock beginning to throb inside her as she bore down relentlessly. Her breath caught as she thought she heard his voice for a moment calling out in pleasure instead of Draeseth's. The climax that struck her felt as if every muscle in her body contracted almost beyond bearing before releasing in a rush of relief and tingling ecstasy making her wail.

Slumped against Draeseth's leg she could feel him releasing inside her as her own sex continued to spasm around him.

"Woman... you are a perfect jewel, my Isonei." He didn't seem to be having the same trouble catching his breath as she was.

She let him help her dismount and gave him a weak smile as he kissed her head and gathered his things promising to be right back. After he left her bedroom she unsteadily rose and washed, wishing she could send for fresh hot water but making do with what she had. Somewhat cleaner, she pulled on one of her nightdresses and went to find the Kurebra.

°°°°°°°°°°

Isonei was stirred from dreams of Zenaethe Lothlaerith by Krouth's insistent tapping on her hand.

"Hmm?" Rubbing her eyes she peered up at his frowning face.

"Are you feeling well, your Grace? You seem difficult to wake this morning."

"Just tired, I think." She pushed herself up to sitting and knew from the way the covers still lay that Draeseth hadn't returned to join her in the night. Looking askance at Krouth the man didn't need to speak. The disapproving look on his face told her exactly where he was. "He went to see her after he left my bed?"

Krouth inclined his head wordlessly and she felt a sudden burst of annoyance.

"I hope he at least washed." The words came out sharp enough to make the slim Torgan bow.

"They have a chaperone, your Grace. There is a great deal they need to speak of."

"There is." Isonei took a breath, dropping back down to the pillow. "Would it be possible for you to keep me from having to speak to him today?"

"Your Grace's anger is understandable."

"No, I'm-I'm not angry. Just... very unhappy with him." Seeing Krouth's disbelief she shook her head and explained, "He took me to bed while thinking of her and then he left me alone, knowing how much that bothers me, promising he would be back in a moment. He broke his word, yet again. I don't... I don't want to have to speak to him today."

"He disappointed you. Any other woman would be furious with him, your Grace." The slim servant gave her a speculative look before taking a seat at her vanity. "I overheard him say that I should choose guards and that you were free to leave the Keep."

"You're supposed to come with me." She gave him a rueful smile and sat up again. "I think you're supposed to keep me out of trouble."

"I think one or more of the priests would suffice. I have my own duties to attend to. Lady Lislora gave one of her houses to the priesthood for use as an orphanage and convent. If you wished to spend the day there it can be arranged."

"I'd like that."

"I will make the arrangements for you, your Grace, and I will have your breakfast brought to your rooms."

"Thank you, you always have such wonderful ideas, Krouth." Isonei placed her hand over her heart.

"It is a pleasure to serve you, your Grace." He rose with a faint smile. "I will lay out something more suitable for your plans."

The pale dress with black lace at the foot of her bed was quickly replaced with one more suited to travelling, a simple grey with a few black flowers. After Krouth left, the maids that came to put up her hair brought her breakfast and she found herself in a carriage with Brother Odgar with surprising speed.

She would have tried to converse with him but he looked exhausted and nodded off almost immediately. Staring out of the small window at the passing scenery she realized he must have been the chaperone and the other priests probably had too much to do to escort her to the orphanage. The boon of quiet gave her time to think.

The note from her father and her Daga had been wonderful, but there wasn't any way Isonei could see to obey and make her way home. At least, not immediately. Still, having permission to leave the Keep was a step in the right direction.

Her dreams about Onsh-Lothlaerith had been unanticipated but welcome. She hadn't let herself think about anyone else in that way since she'd left Ara. That she hadn't felt a spark of desire for Andnaeuth when she was trying to think of someone else had been confounding and a little disappointing. But, as disappointing as it was for her it would be more so for him.

But to be dreaming of Zenaethe... going home to Liadith would mean she'd have to consider trying to be exclusive to someone again. Isonei expected the thought to feel as terrifying as it had when she'd realized what it had meant to be exclusive to Draeseth. Instead, she found herself thinking if it were Onsh-Lothlaerith perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. She could go home to her Daga easily if she changed her mind; and even if she didn't, she could go home often.

Home. Would he let her go home to Ara as easily? As much as she needed to be home and sit with her Daga she ached to go home to her father's house too. To be able to visit both homes she might need to remain unmatched. It wouldn't be as pleasant as being with Zenaethe but it wouldn't be wretchedly difficult.

Celibacy was something she'd rarely had to endure since she'd begun taking lovers but her time with Draeseth had forced her into longer periods of it and it hadn't been as awful as her sisters had said it would be. And there might be lovers now and then, especially in Ara. It was something to consider when she made it home.

Watching the grey and brown of the passing scenery she had to amend the thought. It would be something to consider if she ever made it home. It was possible she wouldn't. Being happy here wasn't something that would ever truly happen, but it could be bearable if she were permitted to help others. The children in the village had warmed her heart immensely.

When she spoke to Draeseth and took her leave she would have to find a way to include Ganas in her pantheon of Gods. Perhaps then she would be allowed to-

"Forgive me, I must have fallen asleep, your Grace." Brother Odgar stirred himself and looked at her blearily. "You seem pensive."

"Contemplating what to do now, Brother Odgar. If Draeseth won't return me as he promised I'm uncertain what will happen when I part ways with him."

The priest began to cough and held up a hand as if to quiet her. "Your Grace," he cleared his throat and shifted in his seat, "I think you are being hasty."

"I should have been hasty; if I had been I would have never left my Daga's house with him." Isonei gave him an annoyed look that made him swallow and glance around the carriage as if he expected help to come from one of the empty seats.

"Duchess Isonei, I think perhaps you've been confused. Lady Lislora will be leaving; Prince Draeseth will be faithful, as he intended to be. How can you leave him for taking a lover if you encouraged it?"

"That isn't why, Brother Odgar. He's broken his word to me time after time; he's treated me as if I'm just a vessel for his desires as often as he's treated me with care... He gave Lislora his desire while he bedded me last night and Gods help me, I allowed him to because I knew refusing him would cause a terrible quarrel."

"Ganas. Ganas help you. These are things to discuss with your husband. I am certain that if you are more loving to him he will become more thoughtful toward you. And you should be aware, your Grace, there are many women who would be grateful..." He trailed off and swallowed as he took in the expression on her face.

The icy fury that settled on her made her hands curl into fists for a moment. Isonei narrowed her eyes slightly and he began to stammer in Torgan, rising from his seat to bow awkwardly in the carriage. When he had resumed his seat and fixed his gaze on the floor she relented offering gelidly, "When you take someone into your most intimate of places it is not too much to ask for them to be thinking only of you. Desire is a choice. If Torgan men cannot remain exclusive it should not be asked of them, nor should it be asked of Torgan women."

"It would be a sin-"

"It is a sin to break your word. To an Aran that means something." She snapped, silencing him again. "In Torga you say one thing and do another. Do you know how baffling and exhausting that is? I was told that Torgans are pragmatic, and that is absolutely true. You will drop any promise or sacrifice any decency to get what you want. In Ara that would get you shunned in life and in death Tyhnoth will send you back as a chimaera."

Brother Odgar looked as if he wished to bolt from the carriage as she glowered at him. "Ganas-"

"Cannot do everything on his own! If there are no consequences in life, his punishments have no bite. The priests, the believers, those are a God's teeth. You, priest, tolerate the breaking of promises. You would chide me for letting him have the consequences he's earned?"