The Child of Destiny

[Emstar303]

Talia felt a flood of heat at Darian's simple but sincere answer. They stared at each other, the coals of a raging fire reflected in their eyes, especially Talia's. She was never good at hiding her feelings, and she didn't want to. She wanted Darian to know she liked him. She was about to whisper in a soft, sensual voice that she wanted him to lose control, just for a little bit, but then she heard a clunk, the sound of Aubree placing her mug on the table, and thought better of the comment.

Aubree felt the heat between them and suddenly felt like she was interrupting an intimate moment. Luckily, Tarilon and one of his friends entered a moment later and she went to go greet them. They didn't return immediately as the bards began playing a popular song. Aubree said something excitedly to her brother and his friend and then pulled them onto the dance floor.

"What about dancing? Is that allowed?" Talia asked the paladin. She was sitting quite close to him, but she wasn't touching him. She was just close enough for him to smell her earthy, flowery scent and breath her air. She took another long sip of mead as she awaited his answer.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian almost said no. Goddess, he’d almost gotten hard just from the look she’d given him! Dancing? He might lose enough blood in his head to pass out!

Take a deep breath.

She smelled like the best parts of a garden, lush and rich. She was sitting too close. That look in her eyes hadn’t looked like teasing. She was still the Talia he knew, though. She knew his Goddess, and by extension his vow, were important to him. She would be kind. He could dance with her, platonically. Besides, the bard was playing an upbeat jig. They would be dancing as a group.

He swallowed. “I think I could manage dancing…” That hadn’t sounded as confident as he’d wanted it to. It sounded about as confident as he felt.

Darian stood and offered the princess his arm. She took it, and he led her out to the dance floor next to Tarilon, Aubree, and Tari’s friend Craid. Darian had met the man working in the armory, he was apprenticing with Tarsúil. Darian thought hebwas a nice enough elf, if a bit dull. Then again, Darian spent all his time with the twins, and that would make anyone seem dull.

They started dancing, and Darian was again reminded of the natural grace of elves. He hadn’t been a bad dancer back in Terresant, among his fellow humans. Here, though, he seemed clumsy and stiff compared to the swaying, twisting, always-perfectly-on-beat elves. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to mind.

 

[Emstar303]

As soon as Talia stood up she thought perhaps she should slow it down on the mead. She swayed a little on her feet but was not deterred in her quest to get Darian on the dancefloor. She considered his hesitant response to be enthusiastic enough for her and took his big hand in her small, slender one. She pulled him out to where her brother, his friend Craid, and Aubree were dancing. Aubree was an amazing dancer - even Princess Talia couldn't compare. Aubree moved like a gentle leaf on the breeze, but Talia moved more like a gust of wind. She bounced around on her feet wildly, let the music be her guide with no real thought given to her movements. The elves twisted and turned around the dancefloor as Darian did his best to keep up with the frantic beat.

Talia was good and didn't touch Darian... much... as she danced. Every time her shoulder or arm brushed his she felt a minor spark, but she didn't reach out for him or anything. This was a good, wholesome, friendly dance... and Gods was it infuriating!! How could he stand being celibate? Did he just enjoy torturing himself? Because Talia did not. Talia was one to give in to indulgences and devour life's pleasures with a silver spoon. She really should find a handsome elf to dance with and get some of her lust out, but she didn't want to leave her friends or Darian, and she still had a stupid notion in the back of her mind that maybe Darian would be hers, so she didn't want him to see her with someone else. So instead of acting on it, she kept a lid on her sexual energy as best she could.

"Where's Shianni?" Talia asked, projecting her voice over the loud, upbeat music.

"She had to help her mum gather ingredients for her potions - you know how some ingredients can only be harvested at night," Craid explained.

Talia made a small, pouting noise in response to this news. More friends was always preferred to less!

"I know, Tarilon's disappointed too," Aubree explained. She nudged Tarilon in the side then took his hand and used it to twirl around the floor, laughing. She went as fast as she could, but her brother kept up easily. He was agile and deft on his feet both in battle and the dancefloor. When Aubree finally released him and reached out to give Craid a spin, Tarilon looked to his trainer.

"To what do we owe the pleasure of our dear paladin joining us on the dancefloor?" Tarilon asked in a joking tone. "I take it this is the mead and Talia's doing?"

Talia answered for Darian. She came whirling around the pair of men and then winding up between them, an arm over either of their shoulders. "Of course it's my doing!" She beamed, proud of herself. She kicked up her feet in a playful jig in time to the music.

"Watch out, Darian. The girls go feral when they dance," Tarilon explained, grinning. "Especially my sister."

"Oh, hush you!" Talia laughed. She reached for Darian's hand for the first time since pulling him to the dancefloor and used it to make a few twirls, her skirts billowing out around her. She didn't touch him other than that, except on a few of her untamed twirls her ass may have rubbed against him a couple of times... but only for a second! Nothing that anyone should notice anyway...

A look from Aubree told her at least her friend knew the subtitles of what was going on. She shook her head playfully at Talia then reached for her, saving Darian from the princess's torment. She took Talia's hand and bounded with her across the dancefloor, putting a safe distance between the beautiful elven princess and the virtuous paladin.

"Don't torture the poor man, Talia," Aubree said as she twirled Talia across the floor. Her voice was a playful warning. "The Goddess is only so strong. Besides, there are dozens of handsome elves who'd love to dance with you."

"But I don't want any of them," Talia whined. She placed her hands on Aubree's waist and gave her a little lift in time with a crescendo of music. "I want to dance with Darian."

"You're hopeless," Aubree laughed, shaking her head.

Talia groaned. She usually always got what she wanted, but when it came to Darian, she knew she never would. "All right, all right, let's go back. I'll be good. I promise."

Aubree knew her friend well enough to know that was a lie, well, an unintentional one. Talia wholeheartedly believed most of what she said, but sometimes she had trouble following through despite her best intentions.

The girls danced over back to their group of friends like nothing had happened. They were always flitting about anyway, so to Tarilon and Craid, it probably looked like just that. Another upbeat song was starting up, a bit less rambunctious than the first.

Talia stood between Aubree and her brother now, which left her across from Darian at a safe distance. She flashed him a smile, somehow repentant but also terribly enticing all at once. As she danced with her friends her dress fell down just slightly from the movement, making her cleavage stand out more apparently, but she didn't bother to pull it back up, she hardly noticed. Talia couldn't help but look at Darian from time to time, wondering if he was looking at her.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian was in a real mental quandary. He knew, in the back of his mind, that if it weren’t for a combination of the mead and the strange headspace the dark elf had put him into, he would have left the tavern by now. As it was, he was likely to have that pain in his balls that came from experiences that tried his celibacy. He’d had that experience often, especially since moving to Bala Faresha and seeing how little clothing the elves wore in public. He could get past it, though. He always did.

The quandary was how much he was enjoying his time with Talia. She was a joy and a treasure, and he didn’t want the evening to end. And, that feeling had nothing to do with her ass rubbing against his crotch as they danced. Well, almost nothing. But, after all, that was most of the problem. He was both saddened and relieved when Aubree whisked her away.

Fully lost in terms of the dance, Darian just tried to keep his body moving. How much mead had he had? He could’ve sworn it was just a few sips, but he felt halfway drunk already. His eyes were telling him that Talia’s dress had slipped, displaying more of her tantalizing cleavage. Surely that couldn’t be right? They were in the tavern after all. Where had Tarilon gone to? He would know. On second thought, maybe a bit more than halfway.

Was the table close enough for him to reach it? He felt a bit unsteady. He stopped dancing and put his hand on the chair. He had trouble taking his eyes off the princess, and he smiled at her. She really was a wonderful dancer.

 

[Emstar303]

Talia was lost to the dance, swaying her body to the fun elvish beat. She wasn't entirely aware of her movements, but she was entirely aware of the heat of Darian's gaze as he watched her dance. He steadied himself on the chair adjacent to the table, letting Talia and the other elves dance around him. He looked redder than usual. After the current song ended, Aubree and the others went to sit down with Darian, but Talia continued dancing as the bards began performing the next song, a slower number. She swayed to the beat, movements less frantic. She did pull her dress up as she'd finally noticed it slipping, then spread her arms wide as if embracing the music. She smiled at her friends, but her eyes were focused on Darian.

Talia was feeling giddy with his eyes on her, and oddly tipsy for the number of drinks she'd had. They must be spiking the mead with something extra strong tonight! She wanted to pull Darian back to his feet to sway with her, but settled for sitting down beside him at the table. All the dancing had made her thirsty and she took a long sip of mead. Her bare knee brushed Darian's under the table, as her dress had slits up the sides. That slight touch was fire and she had to force herself to jerk away to not shove her thigh right beside his.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian was glad that Talia sat next to him. He really liked looking at her face. It was a really pretty face! She was a really pretty person! Her face was pretty! Her heart? Mind? What did he mean? Her the-way-she-treated-people was pretty! Her body was pretty, too, but he shouldn’t think about that. He wasn’t supposed to. He had a thing that kept him from thinking that kind of thing, or at least it kept him from wanting to think about that kind of thing.

“Hi.”

He smiled at her. Was it a nice smile? Was his face making a good smile? He twisted his face, trying to make the smile better. It must have worked, because she laughed. He liked her laugh. It was a pretty laugh.

“You’re a good laugher.”

That got more laughs, and not just from Talia. Someone said something, but he didn’t want to listen to them. He only wanted to listen to Talia. They weren’t as pretty as her. She said something, though, and he wanted to listen to that. It slipped past his ears, though. He missed it. What if you could grab words you missed and push them back into your ears? Darian would do that if he could, right now with Talia’s words.

How much had he had to drink? He didn’t think he’d ever been this drunk, but he didn’t think he’d had very much. He must have, though. He must’ve had mead after mead after mead. Mead was good. Should he have one more sip? He must’ve had so much that one more sip wouldn’t make a difference. He reached out and lifted his mug, but Talia’s fingers gently pressed his back down to the table. He didn’t fight her at all. Why would he want to fight someone so pretty?

He looked deep into her green eyes. “Thank you.” He wasn’t sure what he was thanking her for, but he knew there was something.

This was a fun night. Darian didn’t think he’d ever let go like this, just to have fun. He looked around the table. The elves were starting to look concerned. What was there to be concerned about, when everything was so nice and the princess was so pretty? He would have to let them know there was nothing to worry about. What was a good way to mention that everything was good?

A toast! People did toasts when they were happy! A toast would be great. It would also let him have more mead. He would toast to his friends, and to the kingdom; to the tavern, and to tonight, sharing mead and dance at a table of wonderful people. He picked up his mug.

“To the table!”

Talia pushed his hand down again, giggling with joy. More people said more things, and some of them didn’t sound as happy as she did, or he felt. Someone moved his mug farther away, but he didn’t mind, because Talia’s fingers stayed on his for a moment.

Someone said something else to him, and he didn’t know what it was but he didn’t want to argue.

“Okay.”

 

[Emstar303]

Talia giggled when Darian said "Hi" to her, and that giggle turned into a full-blown laugh when Darian contorted his smile into various exaggerated expressions, each one more hilarious than the last. Then he complimented her laughter and she was howling, unable to stop herself from laughing, delighted by his openness.

"Well, they're cut off." Talia vaguely heard someone's voice from across the table. She was too busy staring at Darian to know who it was, but she was pretty sure it was a male's voice.

"Don't be silly," Talia said. She snatched her goblet of mead before her brother could pull it away. Her words weren't slurred, but it was true she was feeling tipsy, more than she should given the amount of drink she'd had.

Every sip Talia took made her feel a little funny, but in a delightful, I want more sort of way. She drank from her glass eagerly, enjoying the flavor but more enjoying the way it made her feel.

She was a little worried about Darian though. He seemed to be really drunk... What was he thanking her for? He tried to toast to the table, but she pushed his hand down, still smiling but knowing he'd had enough. She felt like she had too. She felt like she was 6 drinks in, not two. What was happening tonight? Was her lust for Darian so strong she was getting drunk off it? She almost laughed at the absurdity of the thought.

"Let's go home, Talia," she heard Aubree say from some distance.

"Noooo," She protested. She was enjoying her time with Darian too much to leave.

"You too, Darian," she heard Tarilon's voice.

"Well, as long as Darian's coming too..."

She heard Aubree's twinkling laughter and stood from her seat, a bit shakily. "Let's go, Darian!" she sing-songed, grabbing his hand to yank him from the table and up to his feet.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian felt Talia’s soft, smooth fingers wrap around his palm. Her skin felt flush to his touch. She was tugging on him, trying to pull him up from the table. The others seemed to be getting up, as well. Maybe there was going to be more dancing? Darian had liked the dancing, but he wasn’t sure he’d be good at it, now. He was drunk for sure.

With quite a bit of concentration and skill, he was able to stand up, supporting himself with his hips and arms resting against some people’s hands and shoulders. The spinning floor made it significantly difficult. His friends were talking a lot on their walk out. He tried to listen, but it came in garbled, like his hearing was blurry somehow. Haha, blurry ears. Hands and arms kept supporting the heavy human, and he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. He could tell they were worried about him, and he was starting to worry, too.

There was a bit of drama when they reached some stairs, but he was confident his friends would get him through it, and they did. He really was very lucky to have them. He was a bit upset, though, that Talia’s hand seemed to have left his. He liked holding her hand. It was a soft, warm hand.

Getting to his room was a bit of a blur, and Darian would never have made it without help. He collapsed on his bed as soon as they let go of him, and he felt a soft, warm hand brush the hair out of his face.

A voice said, “Sleep well, Darian.” He was pretty sure it was Talia.

There were more words. Whoever it was was pulled away, giggling. They left, and closed the door behind him. Darian wasn’t awake for much longer.

 

[Emstar303]

Talia held Darian's hand in her own for as long as she could, but soon he needed more support than just her hand and her brother and his friend took her place at his sides. They helped him walk in the direction of his lodgings.

She hurried after them with Aubree, even though Tarilon insisted he and Craid had it. Talia wanted to be there, you know, in case Darian fell backward or anything! Nevermind she was a little clumsy on her feet herself. The world was spinning around her a little, but Talia didn't mind so much.

She tripped up the stairs when they reached Darian's lodgings. Aubree pulled her up and tried to tug her back down the stairs, but Talia was insistent in seeing Darian safe off to bed. Drunk Talia was even more stubborn than sober Talia. Aubree just sighed and indulged the princess. She held out her arm to assist her in walking up the stairs but Talia just grinned and sped off without her, not falling but coming close.

"Sleep, weel, Darian," She whispered when they got Darian safely to bed. She leaned in to kiss his forehead and Aubree pulled her back. Both girls giggled as they left the room.

"What is going on, Talia? We had the same amount to drink!" Aubree said as she walked her and Tarilon back to the palace.

"Sis is a lightweight," Tarilon said.

"I am not!" Talia started to protest, but Aubree had already beat her to it. Aubree knew Talia could hold her liquor. Something out of the ordinary was going on here. She said goodnight to Tarilon and then got Talia to bed, helping her out of her elegant dress.

"Are you okay? You must not have eaten enough today," Aubree said, pondering what had caused her fun-loving friend to be so drunk so quickly...

"I'm fine," Talia insisted. She pulled her sleek white shift over her head and crawled under the covers. "G'night, Audrey,"

"Thanks fer bein' such a great friend!" Talia drawled.

Aubree smiled "Love you."

"Love you toooo!" Talia said with as much enthusiasm as she could manage in her tired state. Soon after, she fell asleep. Dreams consumed her quickly.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian opened his eyes in a place he’d never been to before. It was open to the air, and the white marble floor matched the palace. He could see much more of the bright, blue sky than he was used to, though. He walked to the stone railing and looked out at the tops of the trees that enveloped Bala Faresha. The next thing he noticed was that his mind was much more clear. It was still a little fuzzy, but he was capable of walking without assistance, so at least there was that.

If this was a dream it was the most vivid dream he’d ever had. He could feel the stone under his fingertips. He could feel the sunlight on his face. That was one thing he missed, living among the elves: the unfiltered light of the sun. The warmth and light of the sun paled next to his companion in this strange dream, though. Princess Talia walked out onto this unfamiliar terrace with a smile. He met her gaze with a smile of his own, and waited for her to meet him at the railing.

“Talia! Is this real? Am I dreaming? Last I remember, I was stumbling to bed from the tavern…”

His memory of the end of their night was fuzzy, and his smile turned to a nervous grimace. “Was I behaving foolishly?”

 

[Emstar303]

The palace terrace was beautiful this time of year. It was breathtaking any time of year really, but in Fall, it was especially spectacular. The vibrant colored leaves of various shades of red, orange, and yellows looked close enough to touch from this height. It was the highest point of the castle. Not as high as Talia's favorite tree where you could sometimes see the rooftops of the human kingdom, but high enough you could see the entire elvan kingdom, and it was quite a sight. It was made better by the fact Darian was here, and that they were alone. He asked about last night and wondered if this was a dream.

"I don't know." Talia laid her hand over his, felt the warmth of the back of his hand. She gentled interlaced her fingers with his. "It feels real." She smiled at him sweetly.

She was wearing some kind of elvish armor that wasn't practical by any means but was ceremonial in nature. She hadn't remembered putting it on. Her long blonde hair swayed from the breeze.

He asked if he'd been behaving foolishly and she shook her head as soon as her brain processed the question.

"You're never a fool, Darian," she assured him sincerely.

Talia smiled at his handsome face. She leaned into Darian a little, feeling peaceful beside him.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Talia was breathtaking in her ceremonial armor. He looked down, surprised to find himself not wearing armor for once. He was in some strange, formal suit in a style he’d never seen before. The material felt expensive, but the restrictive fit made him uncomfortable.

Talia leaned into his body, and he let her, despite his concern that she was getting too familiar. He told himself that he was comforting his friend in a strange situation, but the truth was that he just enjoyed the close contact with her.

They looked out at the treetops. “This place is stunning! Where are we?”

 

[Emstar303]

"We're on top of the tallest tower of the castle. This terrace is one of my favorite spots," she explained. "You can see all of Bala Faresha from up here." Talia looked out over the kingdom that would be her brother's one day. She didn't want to leave it. She hoped her father wouldn't set her up with a political marriage like he had Tarilon.

Music suddenly began to play, but they could not find the source of it. It was soft at first, but growing louder. It reminded her of the music the bards had played at the tavern, except it was slower, more romantic.

"Maybe this is a dream," pondered Talia. Music playing out of nowhere, their weird clothes, the flower petals strewn about the marble floor of the tower, the romance in the air... it seemed like just the dream her mind would concoct.

She gave his hand a squeeze and stared into his handsome face. If it was a dream, she should lean into it and try not to wake up! "Dance with me?" she requested with an eager smile.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

The music seemed to come from everywhere at once. It was beautiful, but Darian couldn’t shake the feeling that the only thing here that he shouldn’t be scared of was Talia. She was just too pure and guileless. He would need to keep his eyes open, but he couldn’t refuse her. He held out a hand to her.

“Of course, princess.” She took it with a smile, and put her other on his shoulder and his went to her waist. He smiled at her, hoping he would remember this dance more clearly.

They danced above the trees, spinning and gliding, for some time before Darian’s regular missed steps caused both of them to break down in giggles. Her laughter rivalled the music, but Darian couldn’t help but notice her chest rise and fall in the revealing attire.

“The beauty of this terrace, the treetops, the petals on the floor, the music; all of it pales in comparison to you, princess. Another song?”

 

[Emstar303]

Talia beamed when Darian agreed to dance, and to a slower song too! Dancing alongside him at the tavern had been fun and exciting, but this dance felt more meaningful. It felt intimate to dance with him alone like this, up above the rest of the world, to a sweet, slow song. His hand on her waist felt warm and snug; tingles spread from where it touched her and where their hands connected. This was a remarkably vivid dream; she wondered if its potency had to do with the mead she'd drank last night, and how badly she'd wanted to dance more with Darian. She wasn't going to question it. It was nice to be here with him.

Even dancing to a slow song, Darian eventually lost track of the dance, but maybe his missteps also had to do with the intensity of her forest green eyes boring into his as they twirled around the tower top. She'd like to think so. They laughed together at the fumble; she loved how easy it was to make him laugh. He seemed to laugh just from hearing hers. She did really like him, and not only because she could not have him. She respected the swordsman. His skill was unparalleled, and she liked his sense of humor and gentle, comforting way of speaking. She admired his dedication to the goddess, though it did drive her crazy at times. Like now, when his hand rested just shy of her hip.

Talia was pleased by his compliment. Many had told her she was beautiful, she was the princess after all, but it meant more coming from him. It was romantic; she knew he wasn't just being polite. Maybe he really did like her. Ooh this dream was getting better and better!

He asked for another song and she smiled, "Thank you, and yes, another song!" As they danced this time, Talia moved in a little closer so their bodies would brush on occasion. The light touches made her crave him all the more. "Sometimes I wish you weren't a paladin," she murmured softly. "If we kiss in a dream, does it count?"

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian wasn’t sure this was a dream, but his heart broke just a little anyway when Talia asked him about kissing. It was so much easier to say no when he didn’t have to actually say it out loud. Knowing he would have to actually say the words, and see her face when she heard him, made it so much more real. There was somewhere in the back of his mind that hoped there would someday be a way for him to serve Emmaryn and be with Talia. It was silly, though. Talia was an elven princess. Even if he weren’t a paladin, they wouldn’t be able to end up together.

He couldn’t kiss her; not even in a dream. He knew he would remember. Even if he didn’t when he woke, seeing her would remind him. If he kissed her here, it would just make it so much harder. His face fell, and his eyes dimmed. “I can’t, Talia. Not even here. I’m going to have to see you tomorrow, in the real world. I won’t be able to handle having kissed you once, in a dream. It would ruin me.”

He pulled her into his body, holding her tighter than he really needed to. He had no idea which one of them he was comforting.

 

[Emstar303]

Her heart sunk when he said kissing her would ruin him. This was not turning into the romantic dream she'd expected. It wasn't exactly a nightmare but it did leave a cold pit in her stomach. He pulled her into him and she didn't understand it. He was forbidden to kiss her but could hold her like this? She felt resentment towards the goddess he'd chosen to follow.

"This isn't turning out to be a very happy dream," Talia tried to joke in an attempt to lighten the mood, but her voice didn't lilt in the way it did when she joked, so it didn't come out as carefree as she intended. She knew it was foolish, but she was a little hurt at being rejected. She hid the sadness on her face in Darian's chest as he held her close to him.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian just closed his eyes as he held her. They rocked back and forth, not wanting to acknowledge what had just happened, but taking comfort in each other. Darian realized now that she was sincere in all her teases and jokes about him. He had always felt drawn to her, but he thought she was just playing with him, using him as a safe outlet for innocent flirtation. And he was sure that was partly true. The expression he’d just seen on her face was not one of a busted ego, though. It was the face of a broken heart. He knew because that was how he felt at the same moment.

He just couldn’t leave Emmaryn’s service. He’d grown up in the church, orphaned and raised by the bishops. Older men, mostly former paladins, they had taught him everything he knew, and most of that was serving the Goddess. Abandoning Her would mean abandoning his entire way of life, as well as everyone that was important to him, except the twins. That was a big exception, though. Tari and Tali were now his best friends. He would gladly give his life for either one of them. Did that mean he could give his life to them, though? Could Talia remain his friend after they had come so close to taking things further? Did this even happen, or was it just a dream? Either way, he had to be true to himself.

“I’m sorry. I can’t forsake my faith.”

Talia's sadness mixed with some anger the longer Darian held her. Why would his goddess keep him from her? To Talia she sounded like a jealous goddess who wanted her worshippers all for herself! Nonetheless, Talia respected Darian's decision. She sighed "I understand... well, that's a lie. I don't, but I'll get over it, is what I mean." Talia offered him a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry for putting you in an awkward position like that," she said sincerely.

Darian got a clue about where they were sooner than he expected. He opened his eyes, and the bright sunlight was gone. In its place was a dim, red sky pockmarked with black, threatening clouds. Darian pulled his head away from Talia’s. The entire terrace had changed. Gone were the bright fall colors on the leaves. The trees didn’t just look dormant for the winter, now. They looked dead, the life sucked out of them. The stone under their feet was now a black marble, thinly veined in brown. Pieces of hit were broken, floating in the air over their heads. The music was gone as well, replaced by a haunting, howling wind, and a slow, exaggerated string of handclaps.

"Darian Verayne, can’t even let go and relax in a fucking dream. Really boy? You can't forsake your precious goddess for the most beautiful elf on the continent? Even when I've gone out of my way to make it so romantic for you?!?" The blood-chilling voice rose to a fervor by the end, and from the shadows, a figure emerged.

Their heads snapped up to see Cybene walk toward them from further back on the terrace. She was still clothed in what amounted to a few thin strips of cloth, but now she had horns on her head, and her face had a sneer that hadn’t been there before.


“And you, missy.” She squinted her red eyes, crooking a darkly painted fingernail at Talia. “You could’ve tried harder.”

"Cybene," Talia stated as the dark witch turned around. "I knew you were no good the moment I met you." She sneered at the dark elf, but didn't know what else to do. There didn't seem to be anyway down from this tower. She clutched to Darian and looked to see what his reaction would be. Why was Cybene trying to get them together? If she didn't know any better she'd say the dark elf was on her side, if she really had set up this terrace for them, but Talia knew better. The menacing skies and negative magical energy in the air told her that much. This woman had some sort of devious plan beyond innocent romance.

The dark elf shrugged, giggling to herself. “Ah, I was going to have to jump in anyway.” She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. “It would have saved some time if you’d gotten started on your own, though.” Her face darkened and her voice lowered. She spoke slowly, holding eye contact with the human and the elf. “This next part tends to kill the mood…”

Darian gently pushed Talia behind him. “What are you doing here, madame?”

Cybene laughed. “Ah, Darian, ever the gallant knight!” You can’t protect her from me. Or protect yourself.”

He took two steps toward her, not sure what he planned to do once he got to her. He didn’t make it. She snapped her fingers with a smile, and suddenly two bony hands were grabbing his arms. Two more had hold of his legs, and they lifted his entire body into the air. He tried to pull his arms and legs, but they were held fast in the creatures’ skeletal grips.

Cybene twirled her finger. “They’ll need to be looking at each other, boys.”

The skeleton hands carried him through the air to face Talia, similarly captured by what Darian could now see were disembodied arms, devoid of flesh and muscle.

The dark elf walked over and crouched in front of them. She gestured at Darian’s crotch with an open palm and looked up at Talia. “At least you’ve got that to look forward to, princess.” Seeing her confusion, Cybene continued. “Did I not turn off the clothing illusion for you two yet?” She snapped her fingers, and suddenly they were both nude. Darian gasped at the sight of Talia’s smooth, creamy skin and her perfect, round breasts topped with delicate pink nipples. He closed his eyes before his head could snap down between her legs.

He could still hear, though, and he heard the sorceress address him. “Enh enh enh! You’re going to need to open those eyes, boy. Don’t make me use their bony fingers to make you.” He opened his eyes and glared at the sorceress. “That’ll work for now.” She took a step back and waved her arms, hamming it up like a bad player in a theatre troupe. “This would be soooo much easier for all of us if you two would just let go! Have fun! Live a little! Life’s short!” Her shouts turned to a growl. “Of course, I can make it shorter…”

She walked over and whispered in Talia’s ear, playfully bopping her on the nose as she did. Then she stood back and rubbed her hands together. “Alright, lovers, let’s get started, shall we?”

 

[Emstar303]

“This next part tends to kill the mood…”

Talia did not like the sound of that. She also did not like the dark elf’s unsettling laughter or the way she was looking at them. When spectral hands grabbed hold of Darian, Talia screamed and rushed towards him, but didn’t get very far as similar macabre hands took hold of her arms and legs and pulled her up like a ragdoll. The paladin and the wood elf hung across from each other, both struggling to break free from the phantoms’ grasps.

Cybele approached them and crouched down, waist level with Darian. She gestured to his crotch and then suddenly his clothing disappeared - all of it - leaving him completely naked. Talia gasped at the sight. She’d never seen a human male like this before. He had more muscles, a slight dusting of hair upon his chest, and a bigger cock than any elf she’d ever been with.

While Talia couldn’t help but stare at him, Darian closed his eyes, disturbed at the sight of her. The sorceress forced him to open his eyes, but still he would not look at her. Talia knew he was doing it out of a sense of duty, of righteousness, but it still bothered her how quickly he looked away.

“Look at her,” Cybele insisted. She was starting to sound impatient. She conjured another pair of skeletal hands to force his head where she wanted him to look, and that was at Talia.

The young elf maid hung suspended before him completely nude, her only modesty came when the wind blew her long, whitegold hair over her breasts. Her breasts were small for human standards, but big for an elf. Her hips flared out a little on her slender frame. Her legs were long and spread apart by the skeleton’s grasp. The faintest pale blond hair covered her mound and pussy lips.

Cybele approached her then but made direct eye contact with Darian, who was still stubbornly refusing to look at Talia and kept his attention on the sorceress. She leaned down and whispered in Talia’s ear, "He truly loves you, you know. I had to make sure. It's one of the ingredients..." She bopped her on the nose then went over to stand in front of Darian.

Talia didn't trust her, but she did want to believe her.

“Alright, lovers, let’s get started, shall we?” She pointed in Talia’s direction. “Look at her. Isn’t she beautiful?” Cybele asked Darian. She used her willpower and dark magic to force Darian to focus on Talia. She manipulated him, took control of his eyes and made him look the elven princess up and down slowly, really making him take in every detail. The spell she’d placed on their drinks at the tavern earlier in the night had rendered them open to manipulation. “The spoiled little princess could have any elf she wanted, yet she’s hopelessly in love with you! Why don’t you just give the maiden what she wants already? We both know you want it too.”

She placed her hands on Darian’s shoulders, then began to lower them down his torso. “If only the prophecy allowed for it to be a dark elf and a human… ah, the fun we’d have!”

“Don’t you touch him!” Talia cried. She writhed in the grasp of the spectral hands, so much so she gave herself a headache thrashing so much from side to side. She tried to use her magic, light them on fire, give them a jolt, anything, but it felt as if she’d been silenced.

Cybele found Talia’s protective and jealous reaction to be incredibly amusing and she took pity on the poor girl and her unrequited lust.

“As you wish, I'll leave him alone,” Cybele promised. Then in a flash, she appeared next to Talia and began touching her instead. She went behind her so she could look at Darian. She didn’t want to miss any of his reactions. The dark elf pressed her nearly nude form into Talia from behind and cupped her breasts, propping them upward in her palms as if putting them on display. She continued to force Darian to take in every detail.

Talia shivered at the vile touch and scowled, but didn’t protest as she was afraid the sorceress would go after Darian again. She wanted to help him protect his honor - it would be a living nightmare for him to be forced into a sexual situation with a witch of all people. Plus, yes, she was jealous. She wanted to be the one touching him. She longed to touch him now, to comfort him, to comfort herself. If this was a dream it would be great to wake up anytime now!

Cybele twirled Talia’s nipples between her fingers, aiming them in Darian’s direction. “Let’s see…” she mused, letting go of Talia’s perky breasts and letting them jiggle slightly. She moved her hands further down Talia’s lean torso, followed the outline of her curves. “Shift her backward,” she ordered the ghastly hands.

They obeyed, tilting Tali backward so Darian could get a better view of her sex as Cybele’s fingertips spread her open, revealing her delicate pink folds. Her clit was starting to peek out of its hood at being exposed like this to the man she loved.

“Stop. Don’t do this to him!” Talia cried.The spectres nor Cybele listened, and Cybele just spread her wider, letting Darian get a good, long look before sliding her finger down along Talia’s slit, coating it in Talia’s juices.

“Should we feed it to him, girl? I think he'd like the taste. Wood elves are known for tasting like sweet honey, or so they say. You’ve always wanted him to want you, right?” Cybele taunted. She slipped that same glistening finger inside Talia and curled inward. Talia gasped at the swift shock of pleasure her touch evoked.

She couldn’t help it. The fierce, vibrant young woman began to cry as Cybele began teasing her pussy in front of Darian. They were angry, frustrated tears. This was so humiliating. “I’m sorry, Darian. I’ve always wanted you, but never like this,” Talia sobbed.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

When the witch said that Talia loved him, that she was in love with him, that was when Darian knew this had to be a dream. His wish that she would love him was buried so far deep inside that he hadn’t even really known how badly he wanted that until this moment. He hadn’t even dared to think it to himself. There was simply no chance that the scene in front of him was real.

There must be some dark and twisted place deep in Darian’s mind, though, because this didn’t feel like something he wanted. This felt wrong. He was glad Cybene wasn’t touching him anymore, but he definitely didn’t want her touching Talia either.

As frightening as this dream was, he couldn’t help but appreciate Talia’s body, on display for him. She was more beautiful than he’s ever imagined. Well, since this was a dream then he must have imagined her this beautiful at some point. Still, she was breathtaking. Her smooth, flawless skin glistened with her struggles against the bony hands restraining her. Her pink nipples topped round, creamy breasts. Her lower folds opened to him like a flower as the dark elf rubbed her evil fingers over his princess’s body.

Darian strained against the skeletal grip of the disembodied arms holding him. “What are you doing to her, Cybene?! Stop hurting her!”

The dark elf paused her ministrations to look at the paladin. “Hurting her?” She looked back at the princess and laughed. “He has no idea the…sensaaaations you’re feeling right now, dear.” She used her finger, slick with the liquid from between Talia’s legs, to tap her chin in thought. “Do you think he’s EVER…touched himself? Wrapped those thick, strong fingers around that hard shaft? Pumped it back and forth?” Her thoughtful expression turned to a sly grin. “Should we make him do it? I can, you know. I guarantee he would be thinking of you while he did, princess. How would that make you feel?”

Cybene stood up and clapped her hands. “I’ve got a better idea. Neither one of you wants me to touch the other, which is honestly a bit rude if you ask me, but whatever. I mean, I go to all this trouble to get you together and what thanks do I get???” She waved her hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. As much as it makes me ache to miss out, my cum is not necessary for this spell.”

She leaned over Talia’s spread body, and pointed one of those slender fingers in her face. “Yours is, my dear girl, before we go any further.” She straightened and looked at the paladin. “Sir Verayne, I’ll let you choose.” She spread her arms wide with a smile. “After all, I am nothing if not benevolent. So, tell me, paladin. One of us needs to make her squirt.” Cybene ran her fingers down Talia’s slit. “But, she doesn’t like my fingers as much as she would like yours, so whaddaya say, buddy? Help a girl out?”

The witch was asking Darian to use his fingers on Talia’s flower! If this weren’t a dream, that would be a certain betrayal of his faith. Even in a dream, he thought he should say no, but then he saw the pleading on Talia’s face. He saw her fear and disgust at having the sorceress touch her. He knew it wasn’t real, but he couldn’t see her go through that. This dream manifestation of the princess would think it was real, and he would have to look at her face as she was violated. He couldn’t do it.

“If she’ll have me, I will do it.”

“Ooooooooh, hee hee hee! I’ll get the bowl!” The dark elf clapped and giggled like a child, returning with a small wooden bowl that she held under Talia’s crotch. She maneuvered them so that Darian’s hand was close enough to reach out and touch the princess’s most delicate places. He could see the redness and moisture of her intimate folds. Under any other circumstances, the beauty of her would have been the only thought in his brain. These were not normal circumstances, though.

“What’re you waiting for, paladin? Can’t you see how much she wants it? She’s practically dripping!”

Darian’s mind could barely focus on her words. He was overwhelmed. The fear and anger and arousal and shame: all of it was warring within him. He didn't know how to feel or what to do.

“I don't...know what to do.”

Cybene looked at the princess. “Isn't he just so…cute!? Don’t worry, princess.” Her voice got lower, huskier, slinkier. “I’m going to teach him.”

 

[Emstar303]

Talia glared at Cybene when she laughed at Darian's innocence. Even though he was quite naive thinking Talia was in pain from the sorceress' touch, she didn't like anyone laughing at another's expense, especially her friends. Cybene asked if she'd like to have Darian stroke his cock for them, and though the sight would of course be arousing, Talia shook her head fiercely, trying to dislodge the erotic, enticing image from her brain. "Stop it! Just stop it!" she cried.

Talia murmured in disgust and forced pleasure when Cybene went back to rubbing her sex skillfully. Did she hear that right? Her cum was required for this spell? Just what kind of crazy sex ritual were they involved in? Her eyes flashed back and forth from the witch to Darian, from Darian to the witch. Cybene thrust a finger inside her and Talia whined. She looked at Darian pleadingly. She couldn't stand having this vile woman touch her another instant!

“If she’ll have me, I will do it," Darian said. He said it like a vow to the goddess. Talia felt guilty he had to break his vows, but more than that she was grateful. She could hardly stand the thought of Cybene forcing an orgasm from her. Wait.. better than either of them, why not just do it herself?

"Wait! Cybene, please release me. I can make myself cum far faster than either of you can," she said, trying to sound convincing because she wasn't sure if that was entirely true.

The dark witch smiled slyly. "Sorry, my dear, but the instructions are very specific - it has to be elvan squirt from someone else's hand, not your own."

Cybene led her skeletons to position Darian close by Talia. One of the ghastly limbs holding one of Darian's hand released him so he could grab hold of Talia, but he hesitated in touching her.

Cybene told Talia not to worry, that she would teach him. Talia was worried what this meant, but then Cybene actually backed away from the reluctant lovers. She let her barely-there robes fall to the floor then spoke an incantation that left her floating in the air across from them. She spread her legs wide like Talia's, then lazily dragged a hand down to her own glistening folds of her own dark flower. She stared pointedly at Darian as she gently drew circles around her clit, then moaned as she made firmer contact, rubbing her finger against it. "Touch Talia as I touch myself. Touch her clit--" Cybene tapped her own in demonstration gently "--softy at first." She rubbed her fingertip over her clit in a circular motion, pressing downward, pleasuring herself slowly. She was intent with her ministrations, being sure to give Darian a good angle of how to rub his fingers softly over a woman's arousal.

Watching a man like Darian being directed to break his lifelong vows was heartbreaking for Talia. She wanted Darian to want her of his own accord, not at the hand of the witch. She could barely look at the paladin as her body tensed, waiting for him to touch the most intimate part of her.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

Darian hated the part of himself that felt interest and a flickering heat at seeing the intimate folds of Cybene’s sex exposed to him, and her finger rubbing herself vigorously enough to evince a moan. Her duplicitous manner and the flippancy with which she treated the two of them disgusted him, but he was still a man. A man relatively well practiced in denying his own base impulses, but a man nonetheless. He regretted that he needed to pay attention to her pressed and strokes, but he would have had no idea how to give Talia any pleasure otherwise.

He couldn’t believe that he was about to touch a woman between her legs, even in a dream. From the age he’d first felt stirrings between his own legs the thought had been a forbidden thing. For all her grace and mercy, Emmaryn was a jealous Goddess, and knights in service to her were forbidden from any sexual pleasure. In the back of his mind, Darian knew that even though this was a dream, he was breaking that vow right now, because he was going to enjoy this quite a bit.

He found a similar nub of flesh, or “clit,” near the top of Talia’s own flower, a healthier pink than the dark elf’s rich, dark purple. He pressed his thick, rough, warrior’s finger to it, softly at first. As the princess responded, he started rubbing that finger in the same circular motion that the witch was using on herself. His finger glided over her silken wetness, rubbing her own fluids into her skin.

He could feel a subtle cord of flesh under Talia’s skin, and as he rubbed it over the bone underneath he felt her hips buck and heard her breathy moans.

“Haha! It looks like you’re doing well, Darian! Look at her, writhing under your touch. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling, to have someone so under your control? I bet you’ll find it hard to do without the feeling from now on...”

Cybene was right that he would miss this feeling, but it wasn’t the control that he would miss. It was seeing the look of pure bliss on Talia’s face, and knowing that it was his fingers that were giving that to her. He hadn't really been prepared for that aspect of sexuality, but maybe it wasn’t normally so emotionally deep. This wasn’t some random elf, after all. This was Talia, one of his best friends and someone on whom he’d had the closest a paladin of Emmaryn can get to a crush for some time.

Talia’s eyes rolled back, and her moans were getting louder.

“Alright, Darian…”

There was some liquid coming out of her, and it coated Darian’s fingers, making them slide effortlessly across her skin. It felt similar to the wetness on the fingers that roughly grabbed his exposed cock.

“Darian! Oh, this is perfect! You’re lost in each other.” The witch gave his shaft a light pump and an aggressive squeeze. “I need you to focus for now, though, holy knight. We don’t just need her to cum—we need her to squirt.” She put her hand on his, and pulled it back from her clit. Then, she pointed his finger forward and guided him to Talia’s core.

“Now, now, we’re going to put your finger inside her...right...there.” He could feel her muscles grip his finger. Now, he just wanted the sorceress to stop touching him.

“I think I’ve found it now; you can let go.”

With a couple pats on his hand and a quick peck on his cheek, Cybene stepped away. Darian had a part of his body inside a woman! It was amazing how detailed and realistic this dream was! Not that he had any real-life experience to compare it to, but he couldn’t imagine any waking woman would feel as wonderful as this Talia of his dreams.

“Ugh, fine!” She reached down and picked up the bowl to hold it just under Talia’s leaking slit and Darian’s damp face. Then, she gestured with her other hand. “Get two fingers in. That’s it. Slide the second right next to the first. Feel her opening up for you.” Cybene started breathing harder, but not as hard as Talia. “Hmmm, now turn your hand palm up, and curl your fingers up. Engh, yes, just like that. Ooh! Okay. Okay, now rub that spot inside...just...right…”

 

[Emstar303]

Talia whimpered when Darian finally made contact with her clit. Even though his touch was soft, the rough pad of his thumb irritated her a little until Cybene directed him to angle downward, rubbing her clitoral hood over the source of her pleasure so the toughness of his skin wouldn't make direct contact with her sensitive clit. Talia was more sensitive than most. In her fantasies, Talia had always been in control, showing Darian just how to touch her. She couldn't stand that a vile sorceress was having her way with her through the hands of the man she desired. Talia didn't like how she could not move - all her limbs were held so tightly, she couldn't even rub herself against Darian's hand. She wanted more contact; she wanted him to cup her sex and let her grind her body against him. Cybene was in control though, and Darian's attention was on her as she demonstrated to him how to touch Talia.

Talia whined and bucked into Darian's hand the best she could from her restrained position. "Look at me..." she begged. She was leaking all over Darian's palm as he rubbed her clit, her opening dripping in anticipation of him. She hated herself for reacting this way. She knew it must be killing him to betray his Godnesss and it was killing her, as a trusted friend, to be a part of that betrayal. Her moans were that of pleasured anguish as Darian drew her closer to the edge at the behest of Cybene. His thumb circled her clit again and again, filling with her increasing warmth. She felt a small orgasm take her, weakened by the sight of Cybene's grey hand wrapping around Darian's shaft, fondling the hard flesh.

"Don't touch him!" Talia screamed in rage and pleasure as her vaginal walls pulsed lightly from her orgasm. She felt flames prickling her fingertips, but it was as if she were a damp match, unable to light. Her magic ability was severed. She glared at Cybene and cursed her, either in her head or out loud she wasn't sure she was so furious, as she struggled in the grasp of her spectral captors.

The witch just cackled in response to Talia's crazed but pathetic attempts to dislodge the skeletons. She looked to Darian. "She really is a spoiled one, isn't she? She wants you all to herself, Darian..." Cybene gave his cock a hearty squeeze before moving her hand to his and guiding it lower on Talia, aligning his fingertips with her wet opening. "I guess I can't quite blame her for that..."

Talia was glad when Darian told the witch he could take it from here, but she was less than pleased at the kiss she gave to his cheek. Cybene picked up the bowl again, which had several droplets in it already of Talia's essence, just as Darian slipped one of his thick, human fingers inside her.

Talia gasped at how full she felt just from that one finger. It likely had to do with her nerves as well, she wasn't nearly as relaxed as she could be, but Darian's fingers were also thicker and longer than the elvan boys she'd messed about with.

“Get two fingers in," Cybene instructed.

This time Talia cried out at the feeling, as another of his fingers slipped into her velvety sex, but not quite as deep as the first. It hurt a little bit, but it was a pleasant ache, the kind that would quickly fade into pleasurable sensations.

"That's it," Cybene praised, sounded as if she was receiving the same treatment, but Talia realized the dark witch wasn't even touching herself, just watching them intently, holding the bowl to catch her cum in place.

This did not feel sexy in the slightest, but somehow her body was reacting, opening up to the invasion that was Darian's fingers.

"Slide the second right next to the first. Feel her opening up for you," Cybene instructed. She moaned wantonly, her fingers shaking a little on the bowl, which Talia only just recognized as a mortar and pestle. She'd seen them before at Shianni's house since her mom was an alchemist. What kind of sick concoction required her cum?!?!

“Hmmm, now turn your hand palm up, and curl your fingers up," Cybene ordered the paladin.

"Stop…" Talia gasped, "Don't tell him how to touch me! You don't know what I'm feeling!"

The witch's cackling cut her off. "On the contrary my dear I know very well what you're feeling..." She made an exaggerated moan as Darian started to pump his fingers inside Talia. Both women moaned as he went deeper. Cybene seemed to moan whenever Talia did, reacting in time with the princess's reactions.

It was true Talia had felt some sort of magical connection between herself and the sorceress, but she couldn't figure out what it was exactly or how to stop it. Talia soon realized the horrible truth as Cybene reacted to Darian's ministrations as if they were happening to her own body. Cybene had somehow linked herself to Talia so she was feeling the same sensations.

“Engh, yes, just like that. Ooh! Okay. Okay, now rub that spot inside... just... right.."

"Ah!" Talia cried out in response as Darian pressed his fingers upward, hitting her sensitive g-spot. Cybele cried out in turn. Talia hated that Cybene's pleasure was tied to her own. "No - stop, get out of my head!" Talia protested.

Cybene moaned as she felt her own sex tense up just as Talia's did as Darian kept pumping his fingers inside her. But then he stopped abruptly at Talia's plea. Both Talia and Cybene cried out at the loss of contact. "Don't be so selfish, girl!" the dark witch scolded Talia in a high pitched shriek. "Let me share in the sensations. It's the only way to guide him properly!"

"I've never going to cum with you feeling what I'm feeling! Please, let me guide him myself." Talia begged.

 

[Nouh_Bdee]

The witch had been feeling what he did to Talia? That thought filled Darian with disgust. The joy he’d felt at how good he was making Talia feel was now tainted by the knowledge that Cybene had felt the same pleasure at his hand. He started to pull his fingers from the princess’s flower, but a soft, smooth, dark gray hand clasped his wrist firmly.

“Now, Sir Verayne, if you stop then it will have to be my,” she waved her hands in the air dramatically, “somehow offensive fingers…” Cybene leaned in toward Darian’s ear, lowering her voice. “touching her...splitting her open...exploring deep inside her...making her moan in pleasure. You don’t want that, do you?” She stood up, and Darian had an idea. He hoped Talia would forgive him.

He clamped his thumb down on Talia’s clit at the same time that he pushed upward on the spot that Cybene had directed him to. They’d both been so close, it only took a moment for a rush of wetness to flow out of the pale elf’s depths and soak Darian’s hand, running down his wrist to fill the shaking mortar in Cybene’s hand. The witch herself set the bowl down as gently as she could as she lost her balance against the princess’s suspended legs, her own wetness splashing against the black marble below her naked body.

Her eyelids fluttered in pleasure, and Darian used the opportunity to pull his slick fingers out of Talia and grip the evil sorceress by the neck. He could move any part of his body except the one hand and lower arm, but he could squeeze. So, he did, using all of the considerable strength in his fingers to squeeze the life out of the malicious bitch.

Darian had killed many times before. You don’t get as good with a sword as he was without killing some talented warriors. He’d never killed a woman before, though. He hadn’t faced many in battle, and when he had he’d always disarmed them rather than strike a killing blow. Something in him found the idea distasteful. But, for Cybene he would make an exception. Besides, this was only a dream.

Except, she didn’t seem to be dying. Her eyes were wide, her face temporarily frozen in a silent gasp. Liquid continued to seep from her dripping core. Her moan was loud, long, and missing any of the hoarseness of someone currently being strangled. It was a moan of pleasure.

“Oh, Darian,” she said lustily, “that was magnificent! How did you know I like a good, firm hand?”

He squeezed harder.

She grabbed his fingers and started prying them off her neck effortlessly. “Thank you, dear, but that’s enough. I’m not the one you’re supposed to be pleasuring, at least not directly.”

He had failed. He had her in his hands and he failed. Now, she had Darian and Talia trapped, at her mercy, all because he hadn’t been strong enough. He hoped this dream wasn’t prophetic, because even the idea of failing to protect the princess felt devastating. That point was driven home when, with a simple snap of Cybene’s fingers, another skeletal hand grabbed his free wrist, pulling it back from the dark elf and holding it fast. Darian looked up at Talia, unmitigated despair in his eyes. “I’m sorry…”

She hopped up with the bowl in her hand, her dark breasts bouncing in the dim light. “Oh, this is good! Well done, both of you! In fact, princess, I’m pleased enough to forgive that earlier rudeness of yours. Just remember who’s in charge here before you start trying to make any more demands.”

The dark elf giggled and clapped after setting down the bowl.

“Alright, time to mix the other ingredients. Let’s start with a drop of my own juices.” Darian gagged hearing that. “Oh, don’t make a face, prudes! How else would I bind the child to myself? Next, let’s see…”

 

[Emstar303]

Talia's body shook like a leaf as her orgasm overtook her and gushes of clear liquid gushed from her sex, down Darian's hand, and into the mortar. She was still bursting with aftershocks when Darian pulled his fingers from her. Talia mewled softly as some more liquid dripped out of her. She still felt as if in a dreamlike state so was startled but grateful when Darian rushed at Cybene and gripped her neck. He attempted to choke her, but it backfired, and then he was telling Talia he was sorry. Talia hated that he was blaming himself. He'd did his best, all she'd done was cum! She was a little ashamed at how fast it had happened, but she also knew it wasn't her fault. She'd never force Darian to break his vows, okay yes she teased him, but she'd never force him, so this was either just her subconscious turning a nice dream into a nightmare - or worse - it was reality.

She glared at Cybene when she addressed her earlier actions as rude, and not to make any more demands. The princess snapped immediately. "I will make what demands I want! Release us at once!"

Cybene just dismissed her with a brief cackle and a wave of the hand. "Alright, time to mix the other ingredients. Let’s start with a drop of my own juices. Oh, don’t make a face, prudes! How else would I bind the child to myself? Next, let’s see…” She reached inside herself with a long, crooked finger and then withdrew. A single drop of her wicked fluid dotted the tip of her finger. She dropped it into the concoction and stirred it with that same finger as she let her words sink in.

"What did you just say?" Talia asked.

She held out the concoction to them, dangerously close to their bodies so if they had any control they could smash it to the floor but as it were they were helpless to do anything as she taunted them with her potion. It was bright, almost neon pink. "Ahh good. Bright pink," Cybene remarked. "Any other color and it would mean Talia isn't a virgin. The color proves her innocence. You see, there are a lot of complicated requirements for this ritual to work and it all came down to banking on the fact you hadn't had your flower plucked yet. I was a little worried, what with your attitude, but I suppose you did everything but, right?"

Talia forced herself not to react. It was incredibly difficult to stay calm but she ignored Cybene's question and focused on the most shocking of Cybene's comments. "What did you just say about a child?"

"Oh, don't you worry your little heads about it." She bopped them each on the nose in turn. "You won't be the ones taking care of it anyway."

"Now, while the potion settles, I'll give you a choice. The next part involves some... acrobatics if you will. You can either willingly participate..." She had the skeletal spectral hands manipulate their positions, rotating them in circles around each other and pointing their limbs in odd directions. "...or I can force you, and trust me, I'm good at that." Cybene smiled wickedly as she had the spectral hands slam their body together, almost painfully, forcing Talia's lithe, elvan figure against Darian's hard, muscular human one. Talia gasped when she felt his bare cock against her stomach.

"So, what'll it be? Would you like to warm up with a kiss first or get started devouring each other's genitals right away?" She cackled and directed the skeletal hands to spin Talia upside down so her mouth aligned with Darian's semi-hard cock. The princess took a sharp inhale at the smell of him. He smelled so manly and delicious. She didn't dare lick him though, she wasn't going to give in to Cybene's game. She hated that Darian was probably hating every moment of this.

The dark witch dropped them suddenly but kept the skeletal hands in place. She gave them a devasting shock before they could try anything. It sent them to their knees in debilitating pain. "That's just a preview of the pain I can bring you if you don't comply," she said darkly, more menacingly and cold-heartedly than anything she'd said yet. When she was satisfied they wouldn't need any more zapping just yet, she switched her demeanor, smiling manically. "Before you drink the potion and begin the ritual, we've got to ensure your genitals are fully coated in the other's saliva. Now, I will admit this part of the ritual is contested, but I say we do it just to be thorough. So, go on Darian, lick Talia's sweet flower. The potion has got about 10 minutes to settle so take your time, but do make sure you're thorough once you do start to pleasure each other. I won't be connected to Talia this time, I've already got her essence. You'll have to rely on her for what she likes and not my expert advice. As for you, Tala, I can tell you've sucked a cock or five, so go easy. He can't cum yet. If you mess up, we'll just have to start the whole process over again and believe me, I'm more than willing, but I won't be so kind next time... Well, go on then, get on with it!" Cybene declared. The skeletal hands wrapped around their limbs lightly shocked them again to encourage them to move.

Talia looked to Darian with a tortured expression. She took his hand gently, doing her best to ignore the brushing of the spectral hands that were gripping each of them as well. She swallowed hard. Her mouth watered for his cock but she wouldn't help him forsake his vow further. "What should we do?" she asked.

Cybene didn't have the patience for anymore dillydallying; she believed she could make Darian give in if she harmed the princess enough, she just had to be careful not to kill her in the process. Cybene had her skeleton shock them harder now, hard enough to send Talia crashing to her knees writing in pain. An anguished cry slipped past her lips even though she tried to fight it. "You... can't... do... this... to... us!" Talia wailed. Her beautiful naked body writhed in excruciating pain instead of ecstasy now.

"Just touch her, Darian, and all the pain will stop," Cybene said calmly with an evil, knowing smile.