Chapter 28

The party went well into the early hours of the next day and with Tal and Milla refusing to drink to the excess that a few others were, they managed to navigate what they dreaded was Milla's trial by fire. It was almost anti climatic when Milla managed to come through unscathed. Milla had wished to retire early and Tal was inclined to agree. With the party winding down, Milla and the Emperor made their way back to their quarters for a small celebration of their own.

"That was a battle well fought Ambassador," Tal said closing the door.

"I would have preferred a more suspecting enemy than the good natured subjects of your court. However I believe I heard a rumour that the ones who truly wish our demise were not present this evening. You would not have any idea about that would you my dear Emperor?" Milla asked as she removed her hair binding and letting her hair fall free.

Tal coyly moved to her side and embraced her from behind and took a deep breath of her perfumed scent. He knew he couldn't fool her however it had been worth a try.

"No I would not Ambassador. However you sound as if you suspect me of some conspiracy to protect you from them," Tal said in mock innocence as he busied himself by kissing her neck.

Milla unconsciously leaned her neck to the side to let Tal access her neck more. Tal took the invitation and took his time keeping Milla in the moment rather than letting her mind wander to the possibility that he had kept certain members of his court from making an appearance.

Milla knew he was trying to distract her. From his behaviour she could tell he was guilty of keeping her from the real prejudice he constantly referred to. His intentions were endearing and she was thankful but she was prepared to face it head on as if it were a charging merwin. Much like when Tal had to face the animosity of the Far Raiders clan, Milla had wanted to face her demons here. Tal was simply not letting her. Milla knew it was because of his love for her so she could not fault his kind gesture but she knew it would cripple her in the long run.

"Tal..." Milla sighed through involuntary moans of pleasure as Tal's efforts were making her lose sight `of her determination.

"Yes...Milla..." he replied between kisses which started off as feather light touches but were progressively becoming urgent.

Milla was losing her warrior sense to the maiden within. She knew that Tal was trying to occupy her thoughts with pleasure so she would not have to talk about the real matter at hand. To her shame, it was working.

"Tal stop please just give me a few moments to talk..." Milla pleaded before her lips were covered by his.

Their passion was taking over and Milla tried hard to summon every inch of her warrior sense to the front of her mind but it wasn't an easy task. Perhaps it was going to be easier to talk once they had sated their ardour. Tal was already removing her clothes with practiced ease and Milla was half naked before she could object further. Tal eased her backwards towards the bed and he was shirtless and on top of her before she could grasp what was happening.

His hands were everywhere igniting her sensitive places. His lips played over her exposed skin and left wet traces as his tongue lashed out to taste her sweet skin. He halted his advance for a moment to rest his head on her chest to listen to her heart racing from his tentative caress. Milla's breathing was ragged and came in short breaths as she felt the beginnings of ecstasy well up from within her. She was gnawing her bottom lip as Tal made sure his presence was known to her as he recommenced his distractions.

Her mind barely held any trace of rational thought and it would have been so easy to give into her carnal needs if it weren't for the nagging feeling of leaving something unsaid. Her mind started to slowly clear and her warrior sense finally broke through. Tal was breathing heavily now and Milla could see the strain in his eyes. The strain of holding back his ardour to make sure Milla climaxed first.

Milla took a moment to caress his eager face. His gentle and pleasure tortured eyes were such an endearing sight, that she almost gave into him...Almost... Milla knew that if she didn't voice her thoughts now, that she would forever be a slave to Tal's protective nature and his obvious distractive skills. So she traded a moment of pleasure for the longevity of their relationship. A choice she knew was the right one but was reluctant to follow through with.

Milla's hands cupped his face and held it at arm's length. Tal's body weight was pinning her to the bed and she knew she couldn't have a serious discussion let alone a clear train of thought in that position so she spread her legs apart and pulled her knees up only to wrap them around Tal's hips. Tal couldn't resist such an open invitation so he let his lust take over. He tore Milla's hands away and closed the distance between their lips only to have Milla reverse their positions.

Milla skilfully rolled Tal's body over until she was on top and reversed her grip on her arms until she had Tal pinned under her. Tal acted on his lust and struggled to free himself but Milla had him down and flush against the bed and her whole weight was on him now. He had no choice but to listen to her now.

"Tal, please, listen to me. If we are to see each other as equals you need to respect me as an equal. I cannot let you fight my battles for me. You swore an oath to prove yourself to me and you have kept it. It is now my turn to prove my worth to you,"

"You have Milla, tonight you have sho..." Tal began before Milla gently pressed her fingers to his lips to silence him.

Her resolve was weakening and she couldn't have him speaking his sweet words to her before she had her say.

"No." she said simply.

With a single word she managed to convey everything. It was clear that she wouldn't let Tal fight her battles. Tal's passion was halted and while Milla could feel the intimate moments ebb away, she knew it was for the greater good that Tal truly understood her determination in this matter.

She cupped his face once again and brought her forehead to his, trying in vain to rekindle the passion she had reluctantly extinguished. Her sweet scented locks of hair fell around their heads as if it would help shield them from the serious air that was threatening to choke their intimacy. Tal's eyes betrayed a feverish cascade of conflicting emotions. He was torn between his rational thoughts and his burning desire for her. Milla could see his pain but she was determined to fight their lust until he agreed.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Tal's mind forced him to abandon his lust and his ardour slowly faded. His eyes were starting to convey a new set of conflicting emotions. Milla's all consuming glare gradually softened as she eased her pressure on his torso allowing him room to breathe and consider her unsaid feelings.

After focusing his mind, he sighed at length and moved to push himself to his elbows. He would not let her suffer the Chosen's prejudice. He would sooner let her face a hundred free spirit shadows before he willing fed her to his people to tear her down with lies and deceit. However, she did have a point. He couldn't be with her at all times. Knowing Milla as he did, even if he did manage to shield her from the ugly discrimination floating about the castle, he knew she would find a way to break free of his protection.

"Milla..." he said taking a deep breath as he sat upright.

"How about we come to a compromise?"

Milla held his steady gaze and spoke in a gentle yet unflinching way.

"I can tell that you won't promise me anything," Milla whispered "I will not make you do so either. I just want you to understand that my mind is made up in this matter."

He nodded his gratitude but swallowed before he went on. Her unflinching but gentle tone was like a vice that tightened around his resolve. He found it quite unnerving. Milla was completing her transition from brash Icecarl to calm Chosen with alarming efficiency.

"...I won't feed you to those monsters when I know I can easily see to silencing anyone who wishes you ill. However, I know I have no power in silencing your actions so I propose a deal. If you insist on doing things your way, then I will not hinder you."

"In exchange?"

"In exchange, you will seek my counsel before doing anything that might upset or endanger the peace I have worked hard to maintain between the many factions in the Castle," Tal said steadily regaining his regal aura.

"That sounds reasonable..." Milla mused.

"Also, to ensure you keep your word I will have someone check on you at regular intervals if I cannot do so myself. These are my terms. Do we have a deal?"

"You seek to have me on a much shorter leash than you let on," Milla pouted.

"These are my terms," Tal said relaxing into an easy smile.

After a moments silence, Milla leaned over him as she gently pushed him back onto the bed.

"We have a deal, Emperor,"

She whispered the last words in his ear and let out a small victorious peal of laughter. Tal couldn't help feel a shiver go down his spine. She really was turning into quite the Chosen seductress. He didn't know if that was a good thing. Slowly Milla brushed her lips over Tal's neck and sent his blood flowing again. Her hands travelled his body and found his ticklish areas. She teased his ribs while her other hand ventured down his trousers and started to stroke his manhood.

After finding the right balance of teasing, she managed to arouse her lover. Tal's lust had returned and Milla secretly enjoyed the power she had over him. She felt his hands start to roam over her body. He kissed her ardently and finally managed to free her of all of her under clothes. He wouldn't let her have her way completely and his efforts to get her heart racing were doubled. His lips found spots that made her breathe in sharply. His hands gently massaged her breast while his fingers teased her nipples until they awoke to his fondling.

Gasping in erratic breaths as his attention went south of her breasts; Milla broke free from his embrace before she completely lost her mind. In one fluid movement she managed to strip him from his pants and return to his waiting arms. Tal's erection was throbbing now and Milla felt the heat of his shaft eagerly rub against the inside of her moistened thigh. Tal had been denied enough for one night so Milla graciously rolled onto her back into his favourite position.

Tal slowly eased down on his elbows until his nose was touching hers. Milla smiled her trade mark secret smile from her eyes. Tal took a moment to admire her natural beauty before he kissed her deeply and lowered himself into her. Milla let out a soft moan as she felt his hot shaft enter her. A moment passed before he slowly picked up a stroking rhythm. With each stroke Milla felt the waves start. The pleasure bubbling up within her welcomed the maiden within her with open arms to the familiar plateau of ecstasy. She revelled and writhed as the pleasure intensified as Tal gripped her into a tight embrace as his strokes became hard thrusts. He never lost his slow pounding rhythm but somehow he managed to make Milla ache and hold her breath for more. He grunted from exertion as his pace quickened causing Milla to grimace on the verge of a big climax.

It was like her mind was trying to hold back an imminent flood of pleasure while her body was screaming to release the pent up dam. Tal was nearing the end of his control and he signalled Milla with a quick smothering kiss. Milla hungrily kissed him back with more passion than she intended to. Their teeth mashed accidently but they paid the pain no heed for at that moment Milla's dam broke just as Tal climaxed.

Milla uncontrollably shook with endless waves of pleasure while Tal shuddered and collapsed in Milla's tight embrace. He could feel her nails digging into his back as she moaned and tried to gulp in air. Tal looked at her pleasure filled face and couldn't help but feel pride well up in him as he watched her eyes tear slightly and her face redden. Tal watched on as she slowly calmed and steadied her breathing. When she came to some sort of focus she noticed that Tal was watching her with a smile on his face.

No words needed to be spoken as she saw the pride shine through his eyes. Pride that was well deserved in Milla's opinion. She had lain with him several times and while each time was satisfying in the conventional sense, this time was different. It was special. Milla couldn't describe it in words. It was just right in all possible ways. Perhaps it was because she finally felt like Tal's equal in this area in their relationship. Perhaps it was because of the thrill of her victory. Or perhaps it was all these things. All she knew was that she couldn't have felt this 'right' without Tal.

"I love you Milla," Tal said stroking her face with one of his warm large hands.

Love. It was such a foreign word but not a completely mystery to her. It was a word she had not had any real use for in her life up until now. Perhaps this is what love felt like.

"I love you Tal," she whispered back as her eyes fluttered shut.