Ilea's Suite

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea walked into her rooms and bypassed the servants working on the front room of her suite as they rearranged it. She crossed instantly into her bathroom and started a bath, setting her bathing oils and towels up before simply stepping into the water. Her bodysuit-golem instantly shed from her on its own to clean up as she got to work with the oils.

The wine cellar had been in atrocious condition and cleaning it was only the start. Thankfully, a couple of the golems had been available to take a couple of the most expensive casks over to the Amber Forge's kitchen.

She ducked under the water to wet her hair so that she could wash the grime from it, finding an almost irrational desire to simply be clean again. The bodysuit/golem shifting to a snake-like form to move around her in the water, giving her the impression that the thing really and truly loved water. Something she'd have to ask Shale about when they met for dinner.

She was arranging for that to be set up in her front room here and hoped that it didn't flop...

Of course, some of her old habits were still in place... She never worried about her safety in her rooms, and still didn't think about it. She'd never had anyone but
Goh or one, maybe two servants in her rooms; though always in the outer room, never past that. Aside from Goh's destruction routine, no one else had ever been in her bedroom or bathroom until Shale.

So it would never occur to Ilea that anyone else would enter her bedroom or bathroom....  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Shale left two of his guards by the entrance to Ilea's suite when he entered and had the others remain at the threshold between the outer chamber and the inner space. The servants were, of course, terrified of his presence but their work was not displeasing and he passed without more than a glance at them. He was far less fickle than their previous master.

He knew that Ilea was bathing and so he entered quietly, standing to one side of the entrance to the bath and observing. He knew that Ilea would realize his presence very quickly, if she hadn't noticed before he arrived. But, he did not wish to stop her from having comforts and pleasures. Besides, considering what she had said before, it seemed likely that there would be a number of dirty jobs ahead for her. So, he simply watched and waited in silence as he enjoyed being in her company.

He did notice the golem suit's behavior. It seemed to be growing more and more every day. Though, much of its developing preferences did seem to be strongly influenced by Ilea's own. Still, that was as intended. It might eventually become something akin to a trustworthy sister, a first in either Ilea or Shale's life.

Furthermore, on his way here, he had noticed a flash of unease as well as a command ripple from Ilea. Something had compelled her to issue a long range command to a large number of undead. And, she seemed to have been unsettled by the incident. It seemed to have been settled for now... but her feelings still seemed disturbed. Well, when her bath ended and her nerves settled would be soon enough to discuss the matter. For now, it was pleasant to enjoy a quiet moment.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea finally had her hair washed and turned to give a small smile to Shale. Partway through washing her hair, she'd picked up on his presence and had simply shifted sideways so that he'd be able to watch her better. She found that she liked his newfound possessive streak and loved it when he simply watched her, finding that it actually made her more aware of him in a way that she liked.

She gestured to her suit swimming in the tub, "It seems to really like water. I'm not sure why, but it's a little surprising," she said softly, simply giving him the observation as she reached for her oil again so that she could clean the rest of herself.

Again, she knew he was watching her and liked it, so she made sure that he had something to watch as she considered how to word the other issue. She finally stepped up out of the tub and picked up a towel to dry the water off, not bothering to drain the tub just yet since the suit was still galavanting in the water.

She'd already sent a Rattle in to clear out her closet, which didn't leave her with much in the way of conventional clothing. But she did have a few items she thought he'd appreciate for now, items meant to entice and tease at the senses. They were things she'd had made but had never gotten the chance to wear. After all, Goh hadn't been interested in her enticing him. Especially near the end...

She finally wrapped her hair in the towel and reached for the gown she had set aside to put it on, "Dinner should be here soon. They'll set it up in the sitting room, under the watchful gazes of your guards, then they'll leave us be for the rest of the evening and collect the dishes in the morning. Those are the instructions I set up with Kirsa. She'd better have paid attention this time," she explained her plans as she dressed, hoping he'd like the gown.

It was deceptively simple in design, like something out of the Roman era. It was two panels of crimson silk held in place by two golden clips at her shoulders and a crimson and gold rope belt at her waist. The silk was a mix of solid and sheer meant to tease at the senses, offering teasing glimpses of skin that differed as she moved. The openings at the sides also opened or closed as she moved, offering further teasing glimpses of pale skin here and there.

If the material had been completely solid, it would have covered her from shoulders to ankles and been more than conservative enough for the most prudish. But she'd given it a taste of enticement and visual pleasure that few could boast of understanding.

Apparently, she'd wanted to add a new dimention to their eventual play...

She finally brushed her hair and put it into yet another surprisingly intricate braid design that raised the waist-length locks off her shoulders but kept a few pieces trailing down her back while still leaving it looking perfectly touchable. Yet another tease for him: something pleasing to look at but something to touch as well, and something to enjoy taking down later.

She finally moved over to move up on her toes so that she could place a light kiss to his cheek then his lips, giving another small smile as she moved back down onto her feet. The smile was for the simple pleasure of being able to give him that kiss without punishment for offering her own intimate touch without being invited or told to do so. Goh had even limited that with her, making sure that he was in charge of every aspect of her life. Shale had shattered all of that and she was slowly starting to come out of her shell with him, each step something she cherished as much as he did.

She moved to lead him into the bedroom and offered the piece of information that was bothering her, "We had someone disturb the dead in the graveyard. I know we have many graveyards here, but that one is... well, to be honest, it's mine. I buried every body there and frequently use the bodies," she started, hoping that he wouldn't judge her for what she was good at. She was good at necromancy, the guards she'd created proved that. She'd actually excelled Gohs skills at it despite his tampering methods to supress those skills within her, a fact that she still didn't know about.

She put her hands together in a nervous gesture and looked down at them with a frown, "I was able to lay every one of the bodies from here. I've never been able to go beyond the distance of within the castle itself, never beyond half-a-mile at most. And I laid them all perfectly, no interruptions, no mistakes, no missing parts, none of them still moving... Again, never from this distance..." she explained to him what was bothering her about it, still not knowing that Goh had been suppressing her abilities all along.

This was just one ability: laying zombies.

When one considered all the abilities that came with basic necromancy... If her progress was not halted or deterred, she'd be a true powerhouse at full power... If Goh'd had her at that level at his side, he would have been almost unbeatable. She would have been the perfect bodyguard as well...

Luckily for Shale, and the population in general, Goh had driven her away on top of suppressing her abilities and powers...

But how to tell her what he'd done... How to explain the newest blow to her past... How to warn her of the expanded progression of her abilities and powers... How to warn her that new ones might crop up as well...

She had to be told. She had to be warned so that she could watch and try to contain anything too excessive. And she had to know so that she could hone the new power levels just as she'd done with her abilities to date... She would have to practice, after all...

And right now, she looked so nervous about the whole thing while looking so enticing as well. She'd certainly tried to set the scene for him this evening. While she waited for his response, the servants were being supervised in the sitting room as they brought in the meal, set up the table, lit the candles, then left to eat at their liesure. And it was a meal meant to entice the senses as well, a lovers meal that she'd planned out and hoped he'd enjoy...  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Shale was finding that these moments of quiet, sharing each other's company, were precious. And, like most precious times, they don't last long enough. But, he was hardly going to silence his lady. That would be... unbearable. He had noticed the golem suit's behavior. It seemed to take to bathing much like its mistress. It's pace of learning was faster than he had expected, especially in terms of behavioral quirks.

Perhaps it was a result of it having to adapt to such severe stresses. Most of his golems were simple. But, it seemed that his work was becoming more complex and... unlimited by convention, day by day. Eventually, he might find himself accidentally creating truly intelligent golems... or even a living thing. Though, he knew all too well that he would be under terrifyingly close watch if he ever set foot in that territory. From what he had learned, the gods had very... firm... views regarding such things.

The present 'view' was far more interesting, however. It seemed that Ilea was more interested in the after meal entertainment than in the repast itself. And her choice of garments was... superb. She was planning to take her time and tease throughout dinner, was she? Well, the Shale who lived now was more than willing to indulge in a bit of teasing himself. But, the timing had to be right. Ilea had put effort into this evening. Shale had no intention of spoiling it with half-thought out improvisation. In spite of the fact that her kisses left him tingling and feeling... rather warm.

Then, as he followed her into the bedroom, she broached a topic that was somewhat at odds with her other preparations. This drew Shale's attention immediately. It seemed that her abilities were already surging ahead, now that Goh's suppression was no longer an obstacle. While Shale had to adapt to leadership and territory management, Ilea was going to have to master her true power. The Baron was not the only one with a steep learning curve to manage.

"Goh is gone." He said simply and softly. His voice was still largely unchanged from when they had first met, but, this time there was almost a purr hidden inside the roughness. "A master's hand can guide and nurture or dominate and suppress." This was a matter that had deep roots in Ilea's heart and mind. He could simply bare his full knowledge about Goh's methods and actions but that would not help. It would merely incite more pain.

He crossed the distance between them and gently let his fingers slide around the lobe of her ear and down her hair before resting at her hip as he whispered in her ear with his eerie grin. "You have much to discover. And we both have much to master. We will both need much... practice." He felt no need to ask her about an incursion that she was clearly able to handle without difficulty, just as he felt no need to explain the implications of his choice of words. Though, she was nervous. That meant that the situation with the graveyard was not permanently resolved. Still, that was a matter for later. If it were urgent then she would have suspended these rather elaborate and delicately chosen plans.

For now, it seemed that the dinner preparations were nearly complete. This was also a good moment for him to do something very subtle through the bond. He knew that Ilea's senses were sharp so, to preserve the essence of surprise, he gradually increased her sensitivity to touch. He did so so subtly that nothing much would change for some minutes at least. However, over the course of dinner, that dress would become... increasingly distracting for his lovely Lady Necromancer.

The best desserts require time to be properly prepared.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea listened to him with a small frown as she tried to piece together what he was trying to say to her about Goh. It seemed out of place for Shale to mention her creator but she knew he hadn't done it without reason, so she thought hard on what he was saying.

Then he distracted her a bit as he approached and moved his hand over her, gently touching the skin under her earlobe before coursing it over her hair and down her back. By the time his hand stopped at her hip, she almost missed his words. But, then again, she was always more than responsive to his touch...

Then someone knocked on the door and actually startled her a bit, pulled a sharp inhale from her as she turned toward the closed bedroom door. She'd clearly forgotten the dinner. And all he'd done was touch her hair...

She turned back to him with a shy smile, "I almost forgot about dinner..." she said softly, her tone a bit shocked but on the humorous side. It showed him just how distracted he could make her, even when he wasn't trying...

She led the way through and nodded at the table and the food laid out for them. She'd gotten a smaller table for them brought in, something much less formal. There were candles lit on the table and around the room, giving a much softer light and making it a little more intimate. She'd gone with a simpler meal suggested by one of the cooks. Demon/dragon/human hybrid. There were demonic dishes, like the spicy meat rolls that Lareth was partial to; roasted boar with vegetables; some smaller fried meat and vegetable roll that she'd never heard of; green beans with garlic and butter; and a few other dishes they were apparently supposed to feed each other... Then there were fresh fruits and dipping sauces for dessert that was supposed to be good.

She moved over to the table and put her bottom lip between her teeth in a nervous gesture as she looked it all over, "I hope it's alright... I've never..." she hesitated there, knowing that she was beginning to repeat herself a lot with him.

In truth, she'd never had a dinner with Goh, romantic or otherwise. Goh's idea of romance leaned towards bloody and screaming....

But some part of her knew that Shale would understand what she meant. Admittedly, she had to work out what he'd said earlier, but she'd get to it eventually. For now, they had a very nice meal and a very nice evening ahead of them...  

[Haeo]

Haeo

The expression and tone that Ilea showed to Shale was quite pleasant. He smiled in answer and followed her to where the diverse and well considered meal was laid out for the two of them. The details were so carefully considered that Ilea's insecurity was obvious. But, that was just one more part of the charming and enticing package she had set before him.

Of course, he hadn't done anything remotely like this before either. But, he knew Ilea well enough to make the most of the opportunities that she had laid out before him. It was a little like looking for openings in an enemy's defenses and taking advantage of them to achieve total control of the battle in terms of both flow and outcome.

Shale used his hands, one on Ilea's hip and the other on her side, to guide her to her seat. His fingers traced the thinner parts of her dress and both her inner arm and hair as he withdrew to his own place and sat down. The meal had many elements to it and a range of flavors and textures. So, Shale fully devoted himself to utilizing each one to compliment the others and the mood. He also took advantage of the moments that the two of them spent feeding each other to use gentle touches, both deliberate and seemingly accidental, to take advantage of the slowly increasing sensitivity that Ilea would certainly be affected by as time went on.

'Dessert' would be... delightful indeed.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

It was a very slow progression of sensitivity for Ilea, something she really didn't notice at first thanks to her nervousness over the meal. She'd intended to make an attempt to seduce him, though seduction wasn't really necessary between them. Still, she'd thought to make an effort to show him a touch of affection in a different way, but was understandably nervous about it.

At first, the sensitivity of the silk against her skin was put down to wearing something she wasn't used to. Then she guessed that portions of the meal acted as aphrodisiacs and enhanced her already sensitive state.

By the time they got to the dessert that had been suggested, she was about to come out of her skin and was even panting softly, though she was doing her best to hide it. It was a failed attempt, though. She was hopeless at hiding her state from Shale, no matter what she was experiencing.

She licked her lips as she got up and moved the tray over where they could both get to it and lifted the cover to reveal simple prepared fruits with various things to dip them into: strawberries, blackberries, peaches, plums, apples, pomegranate, and various citrus'; chocolate sauce, whipped creams in different flavors, caramel sauce, and a few others that she didn't recognize.

"This was suggested for dessert... The cook hinted at more intimate aspects to it, though I still don't understand what he meant," she said in a whisper, not unable to speak any louder thanks to her sensitivity.

She turned to set the cover on a side table then actually stumbled as she turned back to the main table, her hand landing on the back of his chair to keep her from landing on the floor. Her legs had tried to give out when she'd caught him watching her, though she wasn't sure why.

Thanks to Goh's training, she was able to resist alot and for a long time. But with Shale, and this meal, she was fast approaching her limit.

She licked her lips again and got herself steady on her feet then took one of the blackberries and dipped it into the chocolate whipped cream and offered it to him, her eyes suddenly on her fingers as they approached his mouth. In that moment, she knew what he'd done and raised her crimson eyes to meet his, her knowledge of his action there on display. But she didn't protest it. Instead, she simply offered the berry as she gave a small smile through the panting.

She actually shivered when a trail of air moved down her back, showing him just how sensitive she'd become. Still, she wondered how far he was going to push her...  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Shale got to enjoy a lovely dinner. It even came with a show as he watched the effects of his little trick unfold. By the time Ilea whispered her explanation of the dessert, Shale was already thinking of what to do about his own dessert plans. Still, he was determined not to rush. Seeing that she had finally realized his previous move brought a mischievous smile to Shale's face.

He leaned forward and took the berry from Ilea's hand... with his teeth... and he gently grazed her fingertip with them as well. But, that was merely a small distraction. His hand slipped forward and skimmed a single fingertip up the side of Ilea's leg, from below the knee up to mid thigh, before that same hand wandered to the table and took up slice of apple. This he dipped in caramel sauce, twining the trailing strand of sweetness around the fruit to prevent unnecessary dribbles, before presenting it for his lady.

The mingling aromas in the room were blending into each other and maturing like fine wine. Deep, complex, and potent, but subtle and pervasive, the influence of fruits and sweets was pleasant. Combined further with the scents of the two of them and the candlelight, the mood was strengthening like a trap that was closing in slowly. But, it was certain that neither of them were unaware... and neither desired to escape this particular trap.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea shivered as he took the berry from her hand, the nibbling at her fingertips making her draw in her breath sharply. She gasped and panted as he moved his finger along her skin, knowing that he was deliberately teasing her now. Then he was offering her a slice of apple with some caramel on it. She watched his eyes as she took the offered bite and shivered again as she suddenly understood part of the purpose of the dessert.

She suddenly knew that it was meant to tease and entice the senses. Of course, as sensitive as she was now...

She swallowed the bite then hesitated briefly before moving in to kiss him. She kept it light, continuing with the teasing. But she was teasing herself instead. She gave a soft moan at the feeling of their lips meeting, one of her hands moving to gently cup his cheek.

She was at her limit but was still trying to push through it, as she always did...  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Shale's blood was warming quickly. Ilea's kiss sent tingling waves of sensation through him, causing his fingers to twitch and his gaze to become more intense. She was not the only one who was aching for this dessert to reach its climax.

However, Shale's determination was surely no less than hers and he was not so deliciously tormented.

With Ilea so close and so sensitive, it was a simple matter to continue the game. Shale slipped one hand up her back until his fingers entwined with her hair, holding the back of her head, and answered her kiss with one of his own. The kiss was still light as a feather, barely touching lips, but it did not end in a moment. Rather, he continued that tiny and sensitive kiss as his free hand pulled his lady to a more suitable seat on his lap. Then, with her so conveniently placed, he broke off that gentle kiss and began to tease her neck with tiny movements of his tongue and breath.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea gave a soft moan as he pulled her into his lap, her hands sliding over his shoulders and her nails scratching at his shoulders. She closed her eyes as he shifted his attention to her jaw and neck, making her shiver for him as she panted for air. She couldn't concentrate on anything but the sensations he was creating within her, could only give in to the passion he was slowly driving even higher within her.

By now, her skin was so sensitive that the silk she was wearing felt like rough wool and raised goosebumps over her skin as she shifted a bit where she sat. She tilted her head to give him better access to her neck but said nothing about needing the silk off, knowing that he was going to take this as far as he wanted to no matter what she said.

She'd already tried to increase the pace of their evening with her initial kiss, but he'd knocked it down to a simmer instead of a boil. So she knew that she was going to have to wait on his timetable this time.

She knew she would have no reason to complain in the end. But it was hard to convince the rest of her of that right now. Right now she just wanted him to clear the table and take her right there. But, again, she knew that he had something else in mind and would have to wait for it.  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Shale continued teasing her, taking his time and slowly shifting her dress as he did. In this way, he gradually exposed more of her to his teasing caresses while also keeping her very distracted. He hadn't used any magic since the start of dinner.

Now, he subtly shifted a tiny strand of power and caused the contents of the table to silently rise into the air and move to the other surfaces in the room while staying out of Ilea's field of view. After all, they would probably need a snack by the time they were done. With the stage set, he waited for the perfect moment.

It didn't keep him waiting long. The moment that he sensed that subtle sense of resignation take root in Ilea, that was the moment that he stood, keeping her in his arms and her feet off the floor. Now, he put the table to its alternative use as he claimed Ilea all over again, and again, and again.

With fervor, devotion, and a sense of revisited triumph, he took her to peak after peak. Between the table, the walls, and standing free in the middle of the room, he explored his options and voicelessly cried out his possessiveness.

She was his, by his will and hers, by words etched by the blade and gilt in gold and amber, by blood and sweat shed, and graven in the fabric of the universe with the dying scream of a fallen god. His! His Lady of Death. His Ilea.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Wow... Epic!

In the end, he carried her to the bed because he'd left her completely boneless. Thankfully, he finally returned her sensitivity to normal, so she was able to enjoy the silk of the sheets as he helped her between them. She did make a wordless sound of protest when he stopped touching her, but relaxed when he got into the bed behind her and slid his arms around her.

She was his in every way and hid nothing from him.

Still, with the castle now secure, they would need to start looking at the rest of the realm. There were things they still needed to do.

At least their bond was now as secure as it could get, unshakable and firm. But there hadn't been much to challenge their bond. Goh really didn't count, he was dead and his psychological traps eliminated. So far, that had been the only real challenge to their relationship. It would be interesting to see how they both reacted to any kind of challenge...

For now, she shivered as he settled in behind her and ran a possessive hand over her hip and thigh then back up to curl around her waist, still reacting to him even with everything they'd already done. She would never not react to him, her body always sensitive to him. But the good news for him was that she would only react to him... So she truly was his without question.  

[Haeo]

Red Gypsy

Glad you liked it.

Shale set the cleanup in motion in those moments before settling in with Ilea. The castle was as secure as it could be made without dramatic changes. Time would tell if those would be prudent. His mind slid through his knowledge of the area and the kinds of defenses that were already in place, then into the deeper archives of what he could do with his magic.

His hands wandered contentedly, his possessiveness reassured by this evening's activities, as his mind began to construct a plan for the next phase. The castle was not enough. The people, the lands, even the minds of those who lived in this region... all needed to be conquered and subdued. If true loyalty could be achieved then that would be something he would seek, but the corruption in this land ran deep. The only loyalty he might expect from the people here would be one based on the coin of those who tame beasts. On one side, rewards and on the other... punishments.

"Not an example." He murmured, his breath tickling Ilea's ear. "A statement. Benefits for loyalty, horrors for traitors." He shifted his position and lay on his back, pulling her atop him. "Mere examples won't convince them to spy on each other for me. If treachery must be, then it must work for me and my purposes." He murmured with a slight but savage smile before giving his lady another kiss.  

[Red Gypsy]

Haeo

Ilea accepted his kiss readily with a soft pleased sound while her hand moved lightly over his chest, sliding one leg over his to settle herself in a bit tighter at his side. When he pulled back, she had to blink a moment before her brain checked back in. In those moments when he left her dazed like that, she had to rely purely on instinct because he always managed to turn her brain to mush.

When she was able to think again, she shivered in sensual delight at the look on his face. She didn't know what he had in mind, exactly, but did know that they would be making a trip to the village soon. She guessed that from his words easily, but let him keep his rough plan to himself.

"Something memorable, something that will linger in the mind for years to come... Something vicious, but with a special touch that is yours alone..." she whispered to him softly, her voice still a little hoarse from all the screams he'd pulled from her. She knew the village and its inhabitants. She'd gone there regularly to collect 'specimens' for Goh, for experiments and for torture. So she had a unique insight.

She also had a different perspective than he would have liked. She'd always gone to the village without any protection other than her personal abilities and skills. She'd become very unpopular in the village as a result and been forced to defend herself a few times.

For now, though, they had to plan the trip. They were within a day's ride to the village on the beasts he'd created, her previous beasts had taken longer. But she'd always planned her trips there carefully, knowing what she risked if she didn't...