The devil said, There no use lying to the dead.
They have no more need for beauty. But I need. I lie.
— Traci Brimhall, Requiem for the Firstborn
When the sun rose high, Nami went to the gardens with Tama. Her daughter had found a basket somewhere and lugged it behind her while her head turned back and forth in search. Tama stopped by a fountain with a frown before she beamed and nodded.
"This is the spot!" She waved a hand toward the flowering trees, and Nami raised a brow.
"Is that so?"
Tama grinned so brightly that Nami had to smile back though. "It's a surprise picnic!"
The basket hadn't made it much of a surprise, but Nami giggled, covering her mouth. "Oh, wow! Thank you, Tama!"
Robin had only dropped her off, so she had had no chance to talk to her about what the Lord Conqueror had promised her. Nami wasn't even certain that she believed any of it despite his so-called promise. Also, she didn't know how Robin might see the interaction either. He hadn't taken the journal though. Nami fiddled with the book in her pocket before she glanced at Tama.
She rolled out a blanket for them and set out several nice dishes that Nami thought for certain that the cooks didn't know Tama took. Had they been meant for the delegates? Or had Tama asked for them and not told them they were for a picnic? Either way, Nami knew they would have to be careful with the plates so as not to break them.
Finally, she pulled the journal out. Tama would not fuss about reading while eating. And there were some passages that she might be able to read and not scar her.
As if on command, Tama spotted the book and cried out in joy. "Nami! Nami, read to me!"
Smiling, Nami flipped to find a page before she cleared her throat. "'I went walking by the coast where he lived long ago. It's a ruin now. Archeology finds here are thought to be rubbish. He claims his heart is in Ruskaina, so people think it is his homeland now, contradicting our reports.'" Nami paused here, tilting her head. Yet she didn't believe it was any innuendo. All the other passages talked about how to kill him via physical means. The words 'The thing will die if stabbed through the heart.' were meant to be literal.
However, these apostles apparently thought it interesting to note that he originally came from a different location. So if the Lord Conqueror's doctrine said that his heart was in Ruskaina, what was this heart of his?
I'm becoming more philosophical as I grow older and closer to death, she thought with an inner snort.
Tama finished setting the places before she turned to Nami and asked, "What's arkeon?"
"Archeology," Nami said. "It's when you study very old things."
"Like the Lord Conqueror?"
She laughed. "That's right. He's as old as they come."
Tama nodded as if that were a wise quote. "So is that book about him?"
Hesitating, Nami glanced over the pages.
'What could we find here to kill the beast for good?'
Nami had omitted all references to monsters and creatures during her read-through. There was no way she would read the rest of the page to Tama, but she nodded. "It is."
Lifting a plate toward Nami, Tama said, "Read the rest!"
She glanced around, but the garden was empty besides them, so she searched for another clean passage. "'We will never discover the whole truth of his betrayal.'" Nami paused there, sucking her lips in before she smiled at the wide eyes of Tama. "This part is about someone else," she lied.
"Ooh! Okay!"
This passage, out of the rest of them, made the least amount of sense to Nami, and she made an effort to understand it more as she read it to Tama. Whatever betrayal that the Lord Conqueror had done was not explained in the pages. It didn't seem to be about any deaths at least. Whoever else he had killed weren't in these pages. "'His devotion has become something despicable. That which he used to protect now lays in his hands instead.'" Nami frowned.
And Tama gasped. "It's about the World Eater! I know it!"
Nami smiled tightly. "Ah, yes, right. I bet that's it."
"The World Eater made all the monsters in the world, and the Lord Conqueror chop! Chop! Chop! Killed them all! Then the World Eater fell and the Lord Conqueror conquered everything!" Tama slashed at the monsters in front of her with her fork, smiling in satisfaction.
She hummed at that, tilting her head. "Everyone knows that." But Nami glanced at the journal. After a moment, she cleared her throat. "'One day, we will defeat him though it seems nigh impossible now.'"
Tama jumped to her feet and bolted across the garden. Nami glanced over only to sigh when she saw the Lord Conqueror, and the journal disappeared into her skirt pocket. She put a smile on for Tama when she turned around and rose. After that dinner party, she would have to be more careful. She didn't think anyone would say anything since it was only a child's tantrum, but a repeat might get tongues wagging.
Her eyes widened as he took her hand, and, rather than kiss her fingertips as always, he yanked her against his hard chest. Nami squawked, but he kissed it away, smiling to her lips when Tama laughed.
"Gross!" She giggled as Nami pressed away with a flush.
"Your gift is being made now."
Breath catching, she glanced at Tama, but she apparently hadn't heard or understood, running over to the picnic blanket. When her eyes met his again, she whispered, "Unless you're lying."
"I told you. I'm a terrible liar."
She quirked a brow, but she said, "I've been reading some very interesting things, as you know."
"All true, I think," he said with a laugh.
Nami's other brow rose before she raised her eyes to squint at the sun overhead. "All of it?"
He glanced up before he turned to watch Tama, lips pursed. "Hm, well, I got over that."
Scoffing, she pinched his cheek, and he grinned. "You got over … whatever it was." It still made no sense to her anyway. How could the sun kill anything? What did it do, give him a huge sunburn? Her eyes trailed over his skin, but he was not much different from her own shade if maybe darker.
He shrugged before he looked down. Below, Tama tugged on his fingers. "Nami was telling me a story!"
She pursed her lips, but the Lord Conqueror only seemed amused. "What's it about?"
"The World Eater!"
The Lord Conqueror flinched, and Nami blinked. She tried to remember the quote, biting her lip before she ventured, "'His devotion is now something despicable …'"
Tama booed. "The World Eater took everything from everyone!"
"That's why I defeated him," he said.
Eyes wide, Tama tugged at his fingers again, peering up. "You chopped off his head, right? He won't ever come back?"
Stiffening, Nami tried not to look at him when he kneeled. "Never. I banished him from this world. Only something as dark as him could bring him back, and I killed the rest of the monsters he made too. Nothing will ever be as terrible as he was."
'The most common method of eliminating the creature appeared to be to decapitate and burn the body.'
Nami fidgeted. She eyed his neck.
Had she guessed wrong?
About everything?
Caught up in her study, Nami didn't hear Usopp until he must have cleared his throat the tenth or so time. She paled. If the Lord Conqueror had come inside, she would have never heard him. But the Lord Conqueror didn't seem to care about what she wrote, or about the book. Was it possible he had even come in to watch her a while and left before she noticed?
Usopp frowned, head tilting. "Lady Conqueror? If you're not well, I can call for the doctor. The Lord Conqueror said—"
She shook out of her stupor. "I feel fine."
Nami did not. She was exhausted after a sleepless night.
Giving in to the monster had been easy before when she told herself that she protected her family. Even when she had wavered and considered letting herself just be his Lady Conqueror in brief fantasies, Nami knew he wasn't human. A child of his body was impossible. The idea of it terrified her to the bone.
Worst of all, possibly worse than anything else was the idea that she didn't lie with the savior of mankind, but the World Eater itself. Perhaps he had sensed her apprehension, and that was why he hadn't called on her? She didn't know why that would make him hesitate. It seemed to her that nothing could stop him. After the night and morning before though, she welcomed the reprieve. She had needed to regain her strength after everything he had done to entice and infuriate her.
"What is it, Usopp?" She closed her book with a sigh, slipping it and her notes into her pocket.
"The Lord Conqueror wishes for you to join him with the delegation. It seems an agreement has been made."
She flicked a paper's corner on her desk before she said, "When?"
"It's set for an hour before lunch in the conference room, my lady."
Taking a deep breath, Nami checked the clock before she rose with a shake of her head. Fine time for them to agree to something finally. She slipped around her desk. "Would you get my maid? I might be there for lunch if not the signing at least."
Usopp frowned again, but he bowed. "Right away." But he paused with a flush, and she knew what he would say before he said it. "Ah, and he wishes to see you tonight."
"You can tell him I'll think about it."
He sent her a withering glance, but went on his way. Usopp's least favorite task: telling the Lord Conqueror that his coquetry with his wife might not happen. A deal with the World Eater?
Nami shuddered before she went to her bed chambers to work on what she knew was frazzled hair. Creams and powders would do for the bags under her eyes, but she figured that she needed to look much more grand than a simple reading gown in dark browns.
She left her apartments in pearls and emeralds, and her dark viridian gown waved with her stride down the hall. For a time, she could become the Lady Conqueror and face the World Eater. Though now she worried whether she could strike him down.
Who had failed so long ago?
Had he made everything up to trick the entire world to believe that he died? She chewed her lip, worry creasing her brow. Where were all the monsters if he still lived? Had he stopped making them or …?
When she reached the conference room, not looking too hard at the place where she had kneeled, Nami found the delegates and others of their own court part for her. She peeked at the desk where Luffy sat with that little frown that he wore at times like this. He never seemed to enjoy working, but he was there every day.
That had to amount to something. At least he hadn't destroyed the people. Her mind slowed to a crawl there as she considered him. Why would he go through all this effort if he didn't like to do this sort of work? What was the point?
His goal?
Why ask that now? I can't still be doubting myself.
As he raised his head, his smile at the sight of her stole her breath.
Men were beautiful.
Nami held still while all at once he relaxed. His brow no longer furrowed so hard, hand gliding over the paper as he signed at the bottom. Someone beside her released a sigh, and she realized they had held their breath for some reason. She glanced over, but the scarred, blond man eyed her, but why would—?
When his eyes darted to the Lord Conqueror and back to her, blood crept to her cheeks at the insinuation. He thought that — and they saw that grin too! She squirmed as she felt more eyes on her again. The delegates from the northern territories had acted the same way!
She fought the burn, but she was a little girl all over again with her hand caught in the basket of oranges meant for market. Nami turned to stare straight ahead at nothing.
At him.
How could she be so blind as to not realize until that moment? That smile he had for her alone? Four dozen memories seemed to rush at her at once. Hadn't even Conis mentioned something? Shared a smile with another maid with a giggle? That was her smile. The smile he gave to her and no one else.
He was unhappy without her.
She clutched fists in her skirts, holding still as if he might not see her. Luffy stood. He shook hands with Princess Vivi, going around the room as they all congratulated themselves for words on paper and names scrawled at the bottom. Nami stared at her skirt, knowing she picked at ruffles that didn't need fixing. The pearls were placed just so. Emeralds sparkled. The little girl in her memory shared a look with a cross Bellemere, hand frozen around an orange.
And he headed for her.
She couldn't run. She knew it was impossible at this point. So she felt for her pocket where the book laid inside, taking a deeper breath. What else could she do, but move forward?
Whether he was her savior or her monster, what did it matter if he smiled at her like the sun? What sun could take him out? A stupid thought.
The Lord Conqueror finally reached her — his goal — and took her hand to kiss her fingertips. "You came."
"I …" Nami swallowed and tried again. "I wanted to see Vivi. Tama's having lunch with her maids."
An echo in the back of her mind wondered if the dinner had anything to do with this choice on the delegates' behalf, but a tantrum seemed a silly thing to help decide. Yet, Vivi no longer seemed to think she and Tama were false in any way. If an insignificant victory like that was all it took to rule, then the murder of a god might be a tiny thing in retrospect. She couldn't believe that this would be everything, however.
Did Robin truly think that Nami could take over just like that or were all those Apostles of the Three Brothers deluded? Nami didn't think she wanted to know the answer as she gazed at the Lord Conqueror's contented expression.
She had ducked out of the festivities early. If drinking could be called a festival with no dancing or music. Yet even though she walked the halls, away from everyone else, Nami saw too many people. A guard at this corner. The maids in a gaggle near the servants' stairs as they met between duties. Nami couldn't think to see even Tama while in such a ragged state.
So she went searching out the one place she knew that no other would disturb her. But she found Usopp at her door, and he perked as if happy to see her. "Ah, my lady! The Lord Conqueror said some of your gifts are ready now."
She scowled, ready to tear into him before she paused. "Some?"
"There's one he wants to give to you himself," Usopp said, cheeks coloring.
But she thought she knew what gift that actually was, and it had not come with such innuendo. She tilted her head, lips pursing before she said, "Thank you, Usopp. That will be all."
He bowed and left with some relief. But in her apartments, she realized she had been incorrect on one front. This was not the place where she would be undisturbed. But she knew another. One place where no one else but one would bother her.
And the Lord Conqueror would not be back for at least another hour.
When she reached the door between their chambers, there, she hesitated inside the archway, inspecting the fresh white and black sheets and the piles of stylishly tousled pillows. Heavy black curtains were still tied back with their thick golden cords, and that's where she started, by undoing them all. She stared, still considering this place — this cave — until she pulled at ribbons and ties so that her gown rushed off to leave her in those raunchy lacy underthings that had made all the maids blush. That made his claws come out.
Finally, she climbed into the Lord Conqueror's bed. Would she need a reason to be there? Nami flushed though. He had already summoned her earlier in the day.
All she needed to do was scam him. She fiddled with a ruffle on her drawers before she reached back to unclasp pearls and emeralds from her throat. Nami loosened her hair from its bun before she laid on the bed, closing her eyes.
If he wanted to give her this gift in person, that had to mean he would not kill her with it. He could have ended her in any way he so chose. Just lie and say she had fallen or died of a disease. Some sickness that killed slowly while he held her hand. Would he say she was ill from the start? That her heart beat until it burst? Whatever he would give her surely couldn't kill him anyway. It was just another lie to tell her.
Like all the others.
Like that smile.
The book had no answer. Not an easy one at any rate. What knife could cut so deep and keep him pinned so he couldn't strike back when she went for his neck?
With the light of the sun dying outside, Nami laid in darkness. She clutched a fist to her chest, taking another deep breath. The curtains enshrouded all but the tiniest ray. She hadn't touched the lights in his foyer.
Nami frowned as a hinge squealed. Was someone in there despite her idea of privacy? Surely, the maids would have finished cleaning for the day. She rolled onto her side, peeking through the tiny crack. But the thump of doors opening and closing weren't coming from his foyer. She craned her head out to look at the door that led to her chambers, and she gaped, pausing before she crept back into the middle of the bed. Who was in her room?
She reminded herself that the book and her notes were safe in her pocket still, but those skirts lay on the floor by the bed. Nami considered dragging it out to hide in his bed, but thought better of it. Besides, they were the one intruding! Once they saw her, they would either bolt or it was just some maid that would apologize and leave.
Or it should be.
Nami chewed on that, frowning before she wondered if the Lord Conqueror had any protection in the room for her to grab. Not that she had ever heard of any assassinations of the Lady Conqueror, but there could certainly be a first thing for everything.
When the door opened into his room though, she jumped.
"That's a surprise," he murmured. Her body went still, tensing as the Lord Conqueror parted the curtains. He smiled before he undid the top button of his vest and worked his way down. "There you are."
Blood warmed in her veins, arteries pulsing as her heart throbbed. The Lord Conqueror tossed his vest and shirt, licking his lips when she reclined back, breasts heaving.
How can he still do this to me even knowing what he is?
It had to matter that he wasn't human.
He pressed his trousers down, kicking stockings and shoes off before he crawled inside. For a moment, she saw a beast, but she liked it. Lord Conqueror, save me, but I love it.
Nami waited before him as her legs parted, and he eased in between her thighs.
"I was supposed to give you something, but they didn't believe me." She blinked and tried to pay attention to what he had said. "They actually sent me a letter asking if I was joking."
She gaped at the scowl on his face before it relaxed when he gazed down at her under him.
"Then you better make it up to me," she whispered.
The creature above her smiled. The monster licked his lips before he descended upon her. The thing crashed like a wave over her form. He caught her breath and lips, pulling her hips to lift her against his abs. Nami had to fling her arms around him to hold on.
"I want to make love to you before you kill me."
Nami had to start out of her reverie, staring at him again. What was going on? She frowned before she shook her head. "You're not really going to give me anything useful. I know that already."
"They'll send it now. They have to. Or else I'll ask for heads next."
As he ground against her through drawers and frills, Nami shivered, eyes growing wide before she asked, "Why give me something that would kill you? Why would you let me kill you?"
One hand rested on her lower back, his other cupped her cheek, and his smile warmed. "Because it's you. I trust you."
Chills ran through her as he tugged at her corset, loosening it so he could toss it aside. And Nami whimpered when he grasped her breast, nipple already hard before he tweaked it. She teared up as he twisted and tugged, dark eyes never leaving hers. Her form arched to his, and his smile turned her head in circles.
"How can you trust someone that will kill—?"
The Lord Conqueror's smile softened. She was interrupted by her own squeal when he lowered her hips to stroke her clitoris. His fingers slipped into wetness, and she shuddered when she tightened without thought. "You're always so wanton now. You might actually tire me out this time if I'm not careful."
He thrust, and Nami sobbed, gaping as he added fingers until she was stuffed. His smile widened. "Do you remember what you told me before?"
Nami moaned, darkening as his fingers worked inside. Her body wanted to burst already, thrumming with energy. He really could have just twitched his finger and she would have cum on command. "Luffy, I — I can't take that much …!"
"You said you were a slut, didn't you?" He smirked when she squeezed his fingers with a quiver. "You can be my slut now. Would you like that? We don't even have to pretend."
Her vision blurred as she writhed to his touch. An insistent pinch and twist on her nipple while he tried to shove his fingers inside as deep as they could go alone, and she snapped with a wail, her hips bucking hard for his hand.
When she could see again, she panted, watching him lick his fingers. He sucked them clean. Something about him seemed bestial like this, nude over her wearing lace and frills. She sweated, and he grinned. "Nami with the sharp tongue. Nami, my slut."
She squeezed around nothing until his cock spread her soiled, throbbing lips. With a hard arch of his hips, the Lord Conqueror planted himself inside, and her squeal split the air until he pulled back to ram. He grabbed her hips in a brace, and Nami tore into the sheets while her toes curled behind him. She didn't remember throwing her legs around him, but she tried to thrust with him, sobbing.
His love? She whimpered, and he growled. "I've missed you. I hated losing you last time! It was too soon!"
Nami writhed when he grasped her hand, wet fingers lacing, and she realized with horror that tears were streaming down her cheeks. Pleasurable joy. She couldn't be feeling this way!
Scam him! Nami writhed as her body tightened in a vice, but his cock made a piston inside anyway. Or perhaps because of that. Every tendon in her body wanted to spring into action. She had to thrust. Her body had to run. But her pussy throbbed around him.
He squeezed her hand, and all thought flew out through the curtains when he leaned down to whisper, "Let me love you for a bit longer. Then you can end me finally."
Nami sobbed, eyes rolling back as she hung on that edge and clung to it. If she came now, she didn't know what she would do. An orgasm to a promise like that? She tried to hold her breath only to shudder as he smiled.
"Not yet, huh?" The Lord Conqueror turned onto his back, bringing her with him, and Nami twitched above him, moaning brokenly as her hips moved on their own.
She rocked to him with a gasp. A curse. "You can't tell a woman those things! You're an old damned pervert, Luffy!"
"Nami, move those hips a little faster," he murmured, and her face burned while she did as commanded, mouth drying from the sensations in her. "You really are a slut … a good slut though."
"Pervert! Luffy!" But she tightened, wavering over his form as his hands guided her hips.
"My love." He tugged her down to him, lips melding together while her body couldn't stop moving. Thus he whispered to her lips, "If you think it's time for me to go, I will. For only you though. My goddess."
Nami choked on a moan, eyes bulging before she sobbed, and her hips jerked harder. A rush of seed burst inside while she ground on his lap. When he turned her onto her side, she realized that she had been bucking on him for some time before she could come back to her senses.
His lips coated her forehead, eyes, ears, and she moaned against his shoulder until his fingers traced over her hip.
"Did you like riding me so much?"
She flushed before burying her face into the sheets with a shudder. Something inside still ached as if she could still needed a filling. And she wanted that. An outpouring of his seed until all she could smell was him. He could do that for her, cock pulsing inside still. But that was dangerous — stupid even. If she couldn't stop this madness now, what would become of her?
When their eyes met again, Nami was struck with a sense of desire. He tugged on her wrist, drawing her, and she resisted only so she could shove him onto his back. His eyes widened, but when she straddled his chest, he relaxed with a smile. "Do you need something?"
She twitched. "I should smother you!"
"Use your fat thighs, slut."
Her jaw dropped. She should have left. Nami had every intention of turning around and leaving the bed and chambers and even out of the apartments. He was mad if nothing else! Instead, Nami climbed to straddle his head. "Put that tongue to better use!"
So he buried it inside.
Toes curling, she rocked onto his face, an eye shutting to the feverish high that ran through her. She would fuck his face for a change and she wanted it? Nami thrust, and he hummed in what sounded like adoration. Peeking down at him between her thighs and thick frills, he seemed drunk on her.
And she moaned, grinding onto his tongue. As he gripped her thighs, his tug reminded her to squeeze both head and tongue tight. He moaned to her, tongue tip vibrating inside as his eyes rolled back in his delight.
Her hips trembled, still remembering what he had told her. She tried to picture the idea in her head — of the monster taking those other women. Holding a sick woman's hand.
Nami grasped his hair, and his dark eyes peered back from between her legs as she hissed. "If I'm a slut … what about your other wives?"
He raised a brow when she refused to let him move his mouth from her pussy.
"Suck out your dirty juices if they're all sluts like me or lick my clit if they aren't." She had smiled, so confidently. As if she knew. Except the hard suction around her entrance had her jaw unhinging in a shriek. Nami's pussy pulsed in her ecstasy as he slurped and moaned, tongue laving circles inside like he could clean her.
So while she squished his head in her thighs, Nami wobbled into her next end, gaping at the dirty face beneath.
The Lord Conqueror freed his tongue with a hum, running it over his lips before he chuckled. "I wish I could eat you like this instead. Your cunt is still tasty though. Can I taste you while my cock is in your mouth? I'll give you another necklace."
Nami fell forward to one hand, her hips numb as she tried to situate herself only to roll onto her back in a heap, and he sat over her head with his cock pressed to her cheek.
"Do you need a break first?"
Entire body aching, she stared at the shaft against her cheek before she shivered. "You're just a dirty old man who likes fucking young women."
"I've fucked some raunchy older women too. When you know what you're doing, Nami … oh, fuck, I love it when you know." His hand laid lightly on her neck, and her lips parted in shock, but his cock slid along her cheek in a thrust. "I can please you so much better when you know. And then I have such a good meal."
"Pervert," she whispered. "What was all that about me killing you then?"
"Either I fuck you senseless or you kill me." He grinned. "That's it." The gentlest squeeze on her throat made her mouth dry. "So I want to make love to you before I go. I want to die in your arms."
Her jaw dropped, flush forming before she averted her eyes to stare at that ridiculous cock instead. It made a lot more sense. Didn't he know he would make himself vulnerable to attack like that? She didn't have to lie with him again. Besides, it had to be a distracting technique. Just one last time to make love? It was a joke!
As he thrust his cockhead along her cheek, she wetted her lips before planting kisses over his shaft. "You're an idiot, but at least, you have an amazing cock."
He smiled. "Mm, thanks?" With a shift, he leaned over, his cock now hanging above her mouth. "So you don't mind if I'm selfish? And fuck your pretty lips? I want to see what your pussy does when my cock is lodged down your throat."
Eyes bulging, Nami squirmed before her lips parted. "Fuck my face."
His cock pressed inside, widening her mouth as he thrust down to the back of her throat already. She gagged for a moment before he began a rocking motion inside. With a tiny catch of breath, she suckled around him, thighs squeezing together until the Lord Conqueror tried to part them. For a moment, she fought against him only to whimper as he finally yanked them open with a moan. "Give me a taste!"
Tongue inside, his cock pressing for her throat, Nami trembled beneath him once more. Her hips arched for him, tilting so her legs were no longer at risk of blocking his glorious mouth. As he circled both entrance and clitoris in a dance as if a gliding pen, Nami gargled on a drizzling tip. When she could, she lapped at his cockhead for his bitter salt, but more often than not, it slipped past her throat in a slow slide.
"This cunt is dripping. You must love my cock," he said, and she burned to tell him about the seed halfway to her stomach, but she could only tighten as he thrust his tongue back inside, his cock jamming her throat as well.
Nami jerked against his face, thrumming with energy as his lips melded with those below as if he kissed her own lips above. His bottom lip flicked and rubbed over her clitoris while he made a lurid swirl inside. So the pleasure cascading over her was more of a gentle shove into the abyss while he ground circles on the back of her throat, gagging and shuddering.
She wasn't surprised that he shifted to straddle her stomach, turning so he could pump his cock toward her face. However, he grasped her neck too, and Nami flushed when he licked his lips.
"You're such a dirtier slut than I thought, Nami. I still shouldn't bite you … but I can feel your pulse against my thumb." She gasped when he pressed it deeper, though she still breathed easy. "Your jugular in my grasp instead of in my mouth. It has a different desire in it, I think."
When her lips parted, he leaned in to stroke them with his cockhead, a drop forming on her top lip that he smeared in circles. Her tongue laved over his slit with a moan, and his grip relaxed.
"I changed my mind. I don't want to give you a necklace."
She blinked as he shifted between her thighs, hand still on her neck. Swallowing eyes pulled at her, and the Lord Conqueror's fingers clenched briefly.
"I think I'm addicted to fucking you like this. I want to squeeze this time. I want to feel your body get so tight I explode inside of you." Nami gaped, but her body pulsed. She constricted around him already, gasping as he filled her in one stroke. His body shuddered over her while his thumb stroked over her jugular. "Tell me you want it."
When he licked his lips, Nami ached, but she bit her lip in worry. "What — what if I pass out again?"
He grunted, her concern reflected a thousandfold in his black eyes suddenly before he said, "Just a little squeeze. A little bit and I'll stop if you close your eyes too long. So look into mine."
Her eyes bulged, mouth drying from the vision. The monster strangling her throat above her while he fucked her senseless.
I'm already senseless, she thought before she said, "Crush me."
His thumb pushed in first, and a light-headed thrill rushed through her as his hips rocked into her. He began slow, testing his weight distribution before his hips finally set a harder pace. Nami's legs splayed out, her tongue out as she panted. But it was his dark eyes she stared into, luring her into pleasure. The Lord Conqueror or the World Eater?
She tightened with his fist, a soft cry escaping her throat before his fingers clenched it off with a twitch. He relaxed the next moment, but his groan with her let her see a ripple through his chest. Nami clutched at his wrists, his other hand by her head for her to grip it. And he smiled.
He could kill me right now. She squeezed, and his thumb followed suit which had her throbbing around him in a vice. He could kill me at any time! I'll never find this again!
The danger drew her back, the sense of physical prowess in every motion. His fingers clenched, and Nami drooled, panting while his hips pounded. Each thrust pushed her slowly higher on the bed though she tried to match the power of his hips.
The Lord Conqueror ran his tongue over his lips with a moan, and she stared at that roguish tongue before he leaned in, other hand shifting to clutch her hair as his hips ground her into the headboard. She realized she was pinned into a tiny corner of his bed, surrounded by his naked body. Fist tight around her throat as her head grew hazy in her lust, and his cock tenderized her into submission.
"I love it," she squeaked when his tongue laved around her lips. His thumb pushed into her jugular, and she twitched, gasping. "Love it!"
When her eyelids drooped, she shuddered as a slow rush of blood returned to her head, and Nami sobbed as her body clamped onto him while, true to his word, an eruption of his seed filled her.
"Fuck, I love you." His chest heaved, and Nami blinked as she realized her neck was free of his grasp. She tugged it back with a whimper, but he chuckled. "You little slut. You love my hand? My cock?"
Nami paled, but she squirmed, still in the corner of his bed where all there could be was him. As he pulled out, she whimpered from the loss. "Don't go … I want it back …"
Grinning, he stroked her inner thighs, his head tilting as he hummed. "What will you do without me? My little wicked slut."
She whimpered but said, "Rule."
He nodded. "It will go to you once I'm dead." But he brushed her hair back. "But I was talking about your hungry pussy. You need something to fuck you like an animal to keep you satisfied."
Her cheeks heated. "Excuse you! I'm not a pervert!"
The Lord Conqueror quirked a brow before he closed his hand around her throat again. To her shame, she tightened around nothing until he thrust his other fingers inside. "Mm, maybe I am a pervert."
"Luffy!" He smiled at that and added more fingers. Though his hand didn't tighten, she did, moaning as he struck for her front wall for those delightful nerves that had her toes curling over his shoulders.
"After all, all I see in my dreams is you. Moaning and begging for more. Squirming on my fingers. Am I dreaming now?"
Nami writhed, panting harder. "Pervert! Bastard!"
His fist convulsed around her throat as he smiled, knowing, while her hips bucked wildly. "You're right. I am a pervert. You can't imagine what I'm dreaming about right now. I'm finger fucking you into a puddle while I choke your tasty little throat. I'm getting so hard thinking about you under me."
"Luffy …!" She clutched at his wrist, a hot flush on her cheeks, but he pressed no more even though his fingers worked at her pussy into a mess.
Above her, he twitched before he glanced at her, eyes dark and unreadable. "I never want you to leave me again."
As he hooked his fingers inside, Nami's hips jolted to the sensations, drowning in his eyes before she squeezed her eyes shut. His hand left her throat to thread into her hair instead, caressing with his fingertips over her scalp, and she hiccuped. Her lips parted, and his were there to suck the bottom, his tongue a lazy stroke against hers. And his fingers inside curled again.
Played her until she unfurled to make music to his lips.
She deflated into a heap below him, panting while he smiled and kissed her brow. He murmured something soft to her temple, a hum out of her reach as she blinked out of her stupor. As she raised her eyes to him, Nami darkened when his forehead touched hers, noses tapping while he smiled.
"You're the worst," she whispered.
"I know," he whispered back.
"You're making women choose between a slow death with this or your death without it."
He pouted, forehead pressing harder. "I'm not killing you."
"What else are you doing when you bite me?"
Humming, Luffy studied her, brow pinching. "Feeding. If you hate it that much, I'll stop."
She snorted even as her hands gripped his shoulders. Hands were traitorous things. "I just don't want to die."
"You won't." When she scowled, he smiled. "Don't you remember when you fainted before?"
Nami's mind cast back to that point, frowning while he only appeared amused. "Because you were biting me, idiot. Of course, I'd faint."
"Because I was greedy. You think I'm fattening you up? Fine. It's for your health though. I want you to eat and regain strength again. This has been the best way so I can keep biting you." He whispered to her ear, "Since you like it so much."
Jaw dropping, she shoved him back, face hot enough to melt glass. "That — that's hardly the only issue here!" Besides, she didn't know if she believed it. Just because he made sense for once. "I mean, all your other wives too! You watch them die. Why? How can you stand it?"
"I hate it. Every time you leave me, I want to tear the palace down."
Her brow furrowed, going still as she turned that over in her head. She searched his face. "I come and go as I please though."
"Don't I know it." The Lord Conqueror snorted.
Nami's heart pounded. "What do you mean?"
His eyes grabbed hold of her, nearly shaking her. "When you died."
Gaping, she shifted as if she might break away, but he never budged, and Nami shivered under his stare. "That's not funny."
"I didn't laugh."
Nami stared at him incomprehensibly, licking her lips as a new, awful thought came to her — worse than what she knew now. But how could something be worse than if he were the World Eater? Yet, she thought she might know, and a horrible pit grew in her stomach. Nami opened her mouth, but his gaze stilled her.
"You're my first love. The only woman I've ever loved." She tensed under him, gaping as he pulled her to his chest. Nami attempted to make sense of it even while he cupped her cheeks, and she shivered when he kissed her forehead. "You're the only one I'd trust with the weapon."
Nami startled. "The …?" He couldn't mean that he would actually give her whatever 'went through the heart', but what else was it? Did he mean to say it would work? Would he lay his head on the block if she so asked? What kind of man or god would willingly die so? Her eyes pricked, but she couldn't think of that now. Not how he looked at her sometimes, so tired and ancient.
Tama, she thought. Suddenly, she could see it. The tears when she had to tell her daughter that the Lord Conqueror — her god — had died like her parents. But if I do nothing, he'll murder more innocents. It's not just about Tama and me any longer. Right?
"I'm sorry your gift is late, but they won't deny me again. The high priests have always been informed this might happen."
Biting her lip, she searched his face for any hesitation or of any sort of misgivings, but his gaze was resolute and firm. She said, "What about your promise?"
Luffy smiled. "Which one? Tama's or yours?"
Her heart thumped, and it took her a moment to scowl at him. "You know I mean Tama! I don't give a damn about myself!"
"And you wonder how I know it's you," he whispered, closing his eyes. "It's you — has been all along."
He stroked the hair from her face as time stretched, and she tried to shake her head. Wasn't there some sort of affinity with reincarnation? Some sensation or feeling that they were meant to be together forever? Like how it felt to be within his arms when the music swelled or how he held her hand? How his eyes drew on her from across the room? Stories had things like that. Weren't any of them real? This sounded like a dream. Like she heard it outside of herself and looked down at a scene.
"I will cherish your eternal vows and love you yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever."
It had always bothered her — that yesterday. What could it be but that he had always known and loved her? But that didn't make sense. This didn't make sense. Not unless a piece of doctrine she had always held in her heart despite not worshiping was somehow real and tangible.
"What are you talking about? What is wrong with you!?" She shoved at his shoulder, scowling. "I've never died before, and you can't die either!"
"You can tell Tama that I'm sorry, right?"
I would have to apologize first for doing it, idiot. His nonchalance about his own death had her grinding her teeth, but wasn't an immortal being just waiting for the end?
"I'm not going to tell her how you lied to her," she said.
He laughed. "That might be the nicest thing you'll ever do for me."
When he smiled, Nami wilted into the headboard, shivering as he took her hand to kiss her fingertips. The wan turn of his lips spoke of long ages, and a yearning held in his glimmering black eyes pulled on her.
He closed those eyes and said, "Remember to burn my body."
Wrenching her hand away, Nami crawled out from under him, fighting the tremors in her limbs before she clutched at the blankets. She had become used to the dark in his curtained bed, and Nami had a sudden impulse to throw open the curtains to submit him to the light, but the sun had set already, and it had never worked before. So she sat in the middle of the bed and stared at velvet curtains.
Nami spun to gape at him, realizing she was panting, but she couldn't stop. "This is ridiculous!" She tried to reason it all out. He thought she was some long-lost lover of his? Reborn again? And he wanted her to kill him? "You're a liar. I'm not your love!"
"No?"
Growling, she said, "You're a fool."
"You're the only one that ever calls me that anymore. Everyone used to, I think. Now it's just you." Fingertips grazed her cheeks, and Nami flushed as if they drew her blood to his touch. His eyes shimmered before they closed, and he leaned closer, nose to nose with her. "You're my love. My only one. Nami, you've come back to me to keep your promise. This time, you will."
Her jaw dropped, and she pulled back. "That can't be—"
"You are the only one I've ever loved, Nami. No one else. You come to me reborn again and again."
Flushing, hot with sticky lust, Nami pressed her hand to his chest to keep him back, but he had already stopped, his head tilting as he watched her. She tried to make her mouth work, but her brain had already skidded to a stop. What did she say to that? What could she?
"I can't be your love …" she finally said. Lamely.
"It's you. That tongue. The boldness."
"Your last wife was sickly!"
"Didn't stop her sharp tongue from nearly slicing me in two." He grinned, fond and nostalgic, but gazing at her like it had come from her mouth. "I've found you again, Nami. That's all."
When he closed his eyes, forehead against hers, she shivered, drawing back, just gobsmacked while he waited beside her. "What the hell is wrong with you!? You can't just spring that on a woman like that and expect her to believe it! That's so much bullshit!"
"You know about reincarnations, don't you?" The Lord Conqueror tilted his head.
"That's just — well. So what if I know about them?"
"So you believe?" He smiled when she turned away her gaze.
She rubbed her shoulder, feeling those eyes. "Just because I — it's just a belief. Lots of stuff can be proved wrong anyway. How can you prove this is right?"
"Because it's you."
When she looked back, he stuck his tongue out at her.
Nami twitched before she swept the curtains aside. "I'm out of here! Like hell I'll let a false god tell me who I am!"
"I never said it like that," he said, grabbing her wrist when she tried to step off the bed.
"That's exactly what it means! You think I'm your one true love! Based on what?" When she yanked for her hand back, Nami paled as he leaned toward her, an arm looping around her back to press her against him.
"You'll have what you want now. Your promise will be fulfilled. When I die, I'll find you again though. I promise that."
"If this is fate," Nami said, face crumpling, "I don't want it. I don't want you or any of this. I hate all of this! Why can't I just live with my family somewhere safe and undisturbed? I want Tama with me. I want—"
But she bit her tongue, staring at the man before her, his smile so wide and peaceful. He accepted it all.
"If you want to retire, that's in your power too. The priests will care for the people when I'm gone if you wish, and they'll make sure you want for nothing."
Nami drooped, blinking away the stinging in her eyes as she laid her head on his chest. She couldn't do anything else. Exhaustion took her while dread flooded her form. Everything she had ever wanted laid out on a platter before her. Her family safe — her own daughter, healthy and happy. They could live out their lives wherever and however they wished with no worry for money.
All she had to do was kill him.
Nothing? You aren't nothing.