Chapter 27:Shanxi
"So, long story short..." Janelle ate from a plate of red and green grapes that were offered by one of the other guards who placed it on top of what seemed to be a spherical smooth stone well stacked with big chunks of ice that were imported to Shanxi, and just above the top they chipped and broke at the ice until they were smaller pieces.
After the introduction of Hou Yao, the first eldest cousin of the Yao Clan, they were led under a satin tent big enough to fit nearly half of their party, "Hou is your cousin born from your mother's sister, and you two, among other brothers and cousins trained in the palace way back when, but he's a part of the Imperial Guard now, sent to take us back to Luliang." Hou was, by the look of it, twice the age of Ling, with a long black raven braid that divided into two parts thay traveled down his back and his features were just as handsome when he didn't look so fierce. His shinobi resembled that of Lan Fan's but with more decorative patterns that ran from both of his shoulders, and if Jan didn't know any better, she could see the resemblance in the smile he wore. It was the Yao smile, no doubt about it.
"That's right. We trained in the same yard of the palace for five years, until I was nine years old and then he came here to train for a bit at the Boarder with the Line Watch, and from there he worked his way up from the last time I saw him. Now he's a Commander, that sure is something!" Ling turned to Hou who guffawed at the mention of it, "I had to fight my way to get it, but I promise you the Line has never looked so narrow!"
"Well, you've done a damn good job obviously, considering the way you stepped right over my men to get to the Prince." Captain Nygus spoke up as he began packing his cigarettes in his hands, of course he meant it in half a jest, "I do apologize for that Captain, I got carried away. It's been hectic since the Prince left to Amestris and the Emperor's health is rapidly fading. I had to make sure it was him."
"So, he's still alive? That's good to hear." Ling looked relieved and that made Jan feel the same in response. After all it was his father, "Should I even ask how bad the clashing has gotten?"
"No, but I'm sure you'll want to know all the same."
"Of course." The Prince awaited of the news. It took Hou a moment to gather his thoughts, but his thin brows furrowed and a frown took his face as he looked down at his hands, "It's worse, as we feared. Four of your brothers are dead, thirteen cousins, and his Highness's chiefs are insisting more than ever that the Emperor cave. Many have said that you would never return, or that you've died crossing the desert. But many, as well as the Emperor have refused to hear such rumors. His Imperial Highness has been very resilient, and wishes to know if the story of the philosopher stone is true. Now that you're back, I can only hope everything went well."
"It...There were alot of casualities and many honorable people lost their lives during a great battle in the capital of Amestris, but it was not in vain. At least I hope not." Ling replied sadly.
"Sob does that mean...?" Hou had this fierce air about him, even when he stared back unable to finish his sentence, for if he did the hope felt may have diminished. Instead Ling smiled sitting up and nodded, "We have it, well, them."
"There's..." Hou appeared to want to ask more about what he meant by that, but Ling pressed an index finger to his lips, "I'd tell you more, but loose lips sink ships." He quipped.
"No, I agree. We can talk later, in private. Still, you've arrived just in time. I'll make sure to have some better attire brought to your guests before we leave for the capital," Suddenly he noticed how Ling had placed his hand in Janelle's lap, and smiled homely at his cousin. "How rude of me, I drag you all the way here only to forget my manners. Would the young woman like some water? Or maybe some ginger iced tea?"
"I'm sorry?" It became apparent he had caught her off guard, so he clarified, "My wet nurse would give it my mother and aunts when they had morning sickness. It's mixed with lemon and honey to help wash it down, if you like."
"Oh, yes, p-please. Thank you." He smiled at her timid response and then spoke to a woman dressed in pink and white. He had spoken to her in Xingese so Janelle couldn't understand what he had told her, but she took her leave with a curtesy and exit the tent.
Janelle had completely forgotten the fact that Ling, Lan Fan, Fu and May were not the only ones from Xing who had that oh so special sensing ability but most of their people did as well. This is something she should've already known, and she felt slightly embarrassed by it.
"I hope my cousin here has mentioned our ability to sense chi?" Hou asked with humorous concern behind his question, his gaze shifted to Ling as if he could not believe his own words with widen eyes.
"Yes sir. Many times." She replied unable to help a smile as she began to reply the memory of how he helped Greed track her down after Father and the other homunculi had tried to seperate them. The thought of it warmed her heart.
"Sure does come in handy!" The prince spoke up, chipper.
"A little too handy. No one can hide anything from you." She grabbed his chin shaking his face in an accusing manner which made Ling smile widely and laugh. His laugh was contagious, even Jan started to giggle before she patted his cheek lovingly.
"He was constantly reminding me as if I forgot about it. That's all I remember from it." Greed jabbed before taking a sly sip of the latest white clear alcohol that was sent in from another city further east.
"You did." Ling chimed, smirking, "I was being a good friend in reminding you is all."
"You want a cookie for it?" Greed was obviously sardonic but Ling just put out his hand to the avarice, confusing him, "What?"
"I'm waiting for my cookie." The gesture of his hand and the smirk he returned earned him a snort that came warranted from Janelle as Greed lazily punched his arm, "Oh you two stop it." She was in no way malicious but slapped both of their arms to get their attention. It seemed to work.
"It's a good thing to have, I'll admit, after all, it'll be easier to monitor the baby." Instinctively Janelle put her hand to her tummy, smiling warmly down at her unborn child until she looked up to see eyes were all on her, "How many weeks?"
"The doctor in Amestris says a month already." She replied softly, her voice airy and sweet, she almost sounded unlike herself, "Well, congratulations, Miss. I can assure you my cousin will treat you most kindly." The words made her blush a bit and smile at the Commander, "Thank you, sir." He smiled even wider "Please, the pleasure is mine. Anything for his concubine."
"Oh, um-," She felt a cold sweat take skin, unsure on how to respond. She attempted to find the words, but she ended up stumbling over her own words, nervous. It didn't take Ling long to see the concern written all over her face and was quick to clear it up, "She's not my concubine, cousin. She's more than that." He corrected. He felt his hand tighten when she saw the way Hou shifted his eyes back and forth between them, "Ling?" He started carefully, "Hou, Ms. Jenny is to be the new Lady of the court." Ling said it just as smooth, and smiled proudly as he looked to her, but Janelle could feel her entire face flaring up like it was on fire. She widen her gaze to him and then turned her head so stiffly back to Hou that she thought her neck would snap off. Her face paled at the sight of his worried gaze, "N-not that I'm not happy for you, cousin. I am, truly." He looked down to choose his next words carefully, "If I may say, with all due respect...She isn't exactly qualified, in xingese terms."
"Well I guess there'll be some changes, won't there?" A second of silence was more than enough for Janelle's blood to run cold, "I know you don't understand right now, but trust me on this, please? She's not only my girlfriend, Hou. Like I said, to me, to us, she's more than that. For all we know she could help in our war with the clans. If I'm to become Emperor, I need your support as well as your trust."
"You have it my Lord, always, I just hope you know what you're doing. She is a foreigner after all."
"For now. But she'll show you she's capable, I can promise you that." Even though Ling was speaking so highly of her, all Janelle could do was look on horrified. If this is how his cousin reacted, she could just imagine his mother and father doing far worse. It was a dynasty they needed to secure and here Ling comes back with a foreign woman carrying his child. The fear of being thought of less than a human being almost caused Jen to lose face, but she held strong and brave as long as she could. She even smiled and thanked the woman who had returned to bring her the tea. It was refreshing and by the time the liquid had reached her stomach her nasea slowly dissipated. It was a relief to her, and even helped her regain a bit of an appetite, not just for nibbles either.
During the time she enjoyed the drink she over heard the two cousins moving on to the next topic at hand, "So, what about your brothers? All in good spirits I hope?"
"All ready to take you home. I'll take it you'll want a bath before you go to meet your father? It'll be a three day ride, but we'll have a carriage and few wagons to get you there
. Captain Nygus, whenever you and your men are ready, I have a few guards who will see to it that you are safely back over the boarder."
"Well, thank you. But my soldiers may need a couple of hours to rest and restock, if that's alright."
"Of course. Anything you need just let us know. You assisted my cousin and his friends through the desert and brought him home, it's the least we can do."
"So, does that mean we can bathe now? This cloak is getting itching the hell out of places I don't want to discuss." Greed intruded peeking over Ling's shoulder with an annoyed feature covering his face. Ling appeared to wear thr same expression except towards the homunculus and his bluntness, "Greed, be patient."
"Say no more!" Hou insisted giving another hearty laugh, "These men will lead you all to The Pools. They're more appropriate this time of year. After we'll head to the markets to get the necessities we need for the trip and head to Luliang by first light tomorrow."
"That's perfect. That'll give us plenty of time to site-see, wouldn't you agree?" Ling looked over to the others and no one seemed to object.
"Alright then, just follow this fellow out of the tent and I will send some servants to fetch the clothing. By the time you're finished they should be there outside the doors."
"Thank you so much. This is too generous of you." Was all Janelle could find to say. The commander gave her a welcoming smile before he bowed in respect, "Anything for my cousin's Lady." His words meant well, but she could see the stiffness in his features. It passed quickly as he gave an order to his men Xingese. Some men left, but two stayed behind to lead Ling and the rest to The Pools.
At first Jan had assumed The Pools were another word for the bath house but it turned out she was quite wrong. The Pools were as big as a water park surrounded by high green and golden walls that stretch far and wide with the entrance leading into six different tunnels. Two of them had to be for men and women, but the other few left the brunette curious as to where they could go, "This way," One of the men that still wore their mask spoke with his hand leading to the center tunnel, "My Lady." He said looking to her. She looked to Ling almost unsure, but he nodded to her in reassurance and sent her forward, "B-by myself?" She asked.
"It's for the maternal women." The guard replied. It seemed odd to have one way for pregnant women, but it seemed even odder that she had to do something like this so soon. She wasn't showing so why have her go alone? Couldn't Lan Fan go with her to keep her company? She wanted to ask so badly but instead she slowly moved forward into the sconce lit entrance and followed it winding path down the small walk way before she stood in front of a pink veil, and a wooden door that stood just beyond that. She took one last look back from where she came from and then walked pass the veil to open the door, slowly. She stared at the magnificent lotus carving on the door and it's scattered lily pads around it before she continued onward.
She expected to see someone else or other pregnant women there, but she came to find out that she was alone, and in the most flourishing grotto she had ever seen, "Oh my-," She stopped in mid sentence gasp softly in awe as an abrupt smile graced her face.
From where she stood the first thing she notice was bed in the center of the grotto made of bright pink jade that was shaped into a lotus, the stained glass window in the cieling above cascaded beautiful assortment of colors onto it's sheets and pillows. The frame of the bed was made of white jade while water flowed from underneath it like a small fountain and it's petals were outward with molded flat tops to hold platters around the pink petals itself. One row was nothing but oils, and lotions, the next platter was of breads, hydrated meats, nuts and fresh fruits, a third were of unmelted ice chips to chew on, a forth was towels folded neatly on top of one another, and so much more. The waters flowed around the bed and out to the actual pools ahead, the sound of rushing water hit Jan's ears as she continued to look at the pink lotus. Both sides of the lotus had small bridges to walk across. One led around from the side of the bed to the stairs that touched the waters below and another led to the short clothed tables holding even more platters of fresh food and what seemed to look like creams and odd looking cocktails and more of the like that sat to the far side of the grotto. It was surrounded by pink, gold and light green cushions to sit and lay on, more than enough for a woman of nine months to be happily comfortable. Janelle knew she was nowhere near that, but the thought of laying on something so comfy sounded delightful.
Just to the furtherst part of the wall, Janelle could see where she could grab more fresh towels and robes near the stairs. The sight had her relieving herself of her dirty cloak and the clothes that she had wore underneath. The cloak was stiff and moist with old and new sweat, her clothes were twice as bad, but she carefully discarded them to the side and then made her way into the pools.
The jade steps would've been slippery if not for the fact that they had structured rough patches into the rock, and with a bar for support Janelle was able to submerge into the water with a sigh. As she fully sunk into the pools she began to swim out a little more near where the sun touched the waters and hummed with content when she sunk deeper into it's clutches. The moment she was in the sun Jan released all of the air from her lungs, sinking as far as the floor, and opened her eyes to see the blurry vision of all the dirt and sand on her body wash away. When she could no longer hold her breath she came back up for air and wiped her face. She dipped her hair back into the water, scrunching and rinsing it out before she swam over to a platter of essential oils and soaps that she had spotted, natural as they could come. The assortment of soaps looked as if they were made from flowers, herbs, and spices, and the one she had picked, smelled of chamomile and oranges. She lathered her hair and rinsed it, then grabbed a folded cloth from the platter and lathered it as well before she headed for the suitable size water fall rushing around the corner, so softly. From the grotto she could see how the walls were covered in shrubbery and vines with little yellow and pink flowers, the ground covered in even more flowers that Janelle had never seen before. She swam her way out, further and further until she came upon some steps that led to the gentle waters, the fall high enough for a shower but not too high as to throw you back into the pool, which was a relief to her, considering the pool didn't get any deeper than five feet.
She walked into the falls, her hands brushing against its light force. She welcomed the feel of its gentleness and let it wash over her as it pushed away the stuffy hot air she had to endure for a brief moment. She sighed contently scrubbing at her skin until she was raw. When she was finished all she could do was watch as the suds flowed down the stream and back into the pool below. Absentmindedly she had noticed the source of water had appeared to come from an actually river source just outside the wall. It filtered through and came back in clean, it's waters crisp and clear. To Janelle, this place reminded her of a secret garden, yet she wondered if Luliang's baths were this close to the water. Did it look like a garden as well? Was it indoor or outdoors? Or both!
After the relaxing shower Janelle headed back down the tiny path again to head to the lotus but before she could she heard a noise of rustling in the bushes near a wall. Thinking it was a bird or a lizard she slowly continued down into the pool with her eyes gazing about her. By the time she had made her way around the corner of the grotto the rustling had gotten louder, causing Jan to jump towards the noise and cover her breast as she scanned the brushes, "Ling, if that's you, I'm not in the mood for games!" She exclaimed with authority trying not to let her voice shake, but it was difficult. Jan prayed it was him, or Greed. Thankfully, from behind, she heard a chuckle from the entrance and turned with a splash to see Ling with a towel wrapped around his waist, his dark hair cascading over his shoulders, "Greed's the one that climbed the wall, not me. The man has no patience, I swear." She couldn't help but sigh with relief, "Oh thank god! I thought it was something else." When she turned around again she saw Greed stand from the shrubs, completely stark naked leaving Janelle speechless, "I wanted to make sure she was alone before I made myself known. I don't exactly want a bunch of women drowning me." The thought caused Janelle to cover her mouth of the smile that was about to slip. She bit her lip to hide it better and rolled her eyes over to the Prince again, "You two are very naughty for being in here. Didn't you hear? This is only for maternal women." She said playfully before dunking her body into the water, keeping an eye on both of the men who were closing in to the edge of the pool from both sides, "Sure, but why would that stop us? You know a simple guard isn't going to keep us from you. I mean, look at you." His eyes scanned her up and down and back up again, along every curve he could find and licked his lips, "Mm, you're fuckin' gorgeous."
"Greed..." Janelle couldn't help but blush to his words, especially when he looked at her like that. Just then she heard Ling jump into the water behind her, no longer with a towel around him but just as naked as the avarice. She looked between both of the boys, stopping on Ling even though the two of them were now walking in the pool with a languid motion, "You both were pretty quick to wash yourselves." She said almost unevenly, "We could've just came in together if that was the case." She was trying not to think of what these two had up their sleeves, although it was very apparent. Her body was beginning to shake at the idea, her nervousness and excitement nearly getting the best of her. And by the way Ling was smirking, he was quite aware.
"Well we didn't want to come to you unwashed, how rude would that be?" When he was close enough to touch her, he gently took her hands in his, his own expression starting to show hints of need, "You look tired, love. Have you rested yet? Or tried the foods at all?"
"I just finished my shower, so I haven't had a chance to I'm afraid." She said as he kissed her fingers, stopping at her palms. She couldn't help but cup his face when he did and felt an urge to kiss him herself. But he merely look up from her hand and hummed, "Then let's go feed you." Her loins were aching when she felt Greed's hands snake around her waist, his warm wet lips finding her tummy and following up with every hot breath while one of his free hands began to squeeze at her thigh beneathe the water, "Goodness, how can I say no?" She was breathless already, and nothing had even started, but the way the two had pinned her to them had her panting by the time Ling leaned in to take her in a chaste kiss. Greed had stood up from the water, leaving a trail with his warm tongue up the side of her, from her hips to her arm causing her to moan in the lip lock.
When the avarice came up to the side of her neck he stopped just above the crook and gave a slow taste of her skin there, licking and sucking until she couldn't help but whimper. Ling was still working on her mouth accumulating all sorts of delicious noises from the both of them while the avarice's hands snuck around her other side to pull her close to him, letting her feel the instant hard muscle against her kissing and suckling her neck until a red-pink appeared. Greed flicked his eyes up at Ling watching the two deepen their kiss with tongues never knowing when they had made it in front of the edge of the bed. There the boys lifted her up onto the soft sheets, and followed behind her as she scooted back against the mattress, watching as Greed lifted himself out of the water with his upper body and followed suit with his eyes watching them. Ling crawled onto one side of her, cupping her cheek to immediately continue kissing her deeply. Soon his hand was sliding down her slender neck and collarbone, humming when he opened one eye to see her chest respiring with fully hard nipples, "That trip left us with no room for privacy, didn't it?" Janelle shook her head as she pressed into the feel of his hand cupping her breast, squeezing the mound before he brushed the tip of her bud with his thumb making her arch into it with a hiss.
"And now we do." Greed replied getting comfortable on the other side of the girl while he continued to eye the Prince's hands and where they roamed. The avarice bit his lip when Janelle whined at the sensation of Ling sucking her nipple into his mouth, and he moaned when she laced her fingers in their hair and pressed the Prince into her chest. Her body was pulsing, needing the feel of some relief, so she attempted to sneak a hand between her legs, but when she came close to brushing against her clit Greed ceased her wrist with a roguish smile and shook his head, "Uh-uh, not yet doll." His voice was low and husky, his own hands almost starting to decieve the fact that he was holding back. He was more than eager, she could tell by how hard he was resisting not to just shove the Prince out of the way and have his way with her. But he was ever so patient mimicking Ling as he started to caress the other breast and pinched the bud between his fingers to hear the sound of a breathy moan escape her lips, "Such a pretty sound..." He softly moaned. Ling had agreed by moaning and rolling his tongue around her nipple, faster and harder.
"You both are just so cruel~!" Her eyes shut close to the feel of both of their hands running up and down her body, touching between the valley of her breast, her thighs, curves and creases that had her hands scratching their skin, crawling up and over both of the men's torso's to cause them both to make noises of their own.
Ling had used one of his knees to widen her legs with the heat of his length stiff against her thigh. Greed's was so hard he had precum pooling on the sheets. She felt a sudden fear envelope her but made no reaction to show it, not now. It was in the pit of her stomach and stuck in her chest when Ling straddled himself over her leg and took the other bud into his mouth, "Mm, and I thought I was impatient." The avarice couldn't help but chuckle when Ling had put his hand over his, forcing Greed to feel the vibration of his tongue when he sucked and flicked and rolled the bud in his mouth, his cock throbbing and twitching against her eagerly.
Ling gave the nipple a hungry kiss and he continued down the valley of her breast, every inch causing new moans and sighs and pants to release from Jan as he led his mouth down her naval like a starved man. And Greed was more than enjoying the view, "Mm you ready for some relief baby?" His hands cupped both sides of her face and rubbed at them as he nuzzled the side of her face with his.
God her walls her clenching mercilessly around nothing, but the ache it left had caused her to tear up as she responded with a meek, "Yes."
"Yeah? You want to feel his tongue inside you?"
"Yes. Please!" His chuckle darkened as he hummed against her ear, grinning. One of his hands squeezed at one of her breast again, egging her on, "Then look down at him and ask real nicely." She whined at him, feeling Ling already planting hot kisses across her pelvic, on his knees and looking up at her through lustfilled eyes. She could feel herself wetting the sheets beneathe her, the teasing too much for her to bare, "P-Please..." She started to say but suddenly she sucked in some air when Greed pinched both of her nipples while rolling her mounds in his hands, his face still press against her to take in a deep inhale of her scent. She moaned louder than she meant to, "Please Ling, please taste me!" Her heart sored at the carnal look he gave her, Ling usually didn't look so dangerous but as his mouth hovered over her heat, she nearly lost it when he wrapped his arms around her legs and possesively pulled her towards him with a grunt, his greedy tongue quick to have her. He leaned in ever so closely, and took a fast lick up her slit causing her to gasp breathless. Greed groaned. Then the prince took another, longer and slower pressing his tongue flat against her from the bottom to the top, until he latched on to her clit rolling the tip of his muscle softly and haste to get her to tremble hard against the mattress and cry out in that long awaited relief. Greed covered her mouth hushing her gently while he watched between her and Ling with focus, "Fuck, what a sight! I got to admit, I'm kind of jealous." Janelle moaned at him, but kept her eyes on Ling through half lidded eyes, sighing and moaning while her hands needed something to hold onto as she writhed against his tongue. The avarice growled and laced his hand with hers, kissing her lips before pulling away to murmur against her lips. She could barely understand what he said but his words were so full of sultry that she agreed to it all the same, nearly about to cum by the Prince's talents alone, but he pulled away a bit, kissing her entrance over and over again before he brushed his fingers against her clit. Barely pressing against it her legs began to gyrate and her back couldn't stop the arch it made when he made circles. "Look at you, shaking all over..." He was catching his breath against her thigh when suddenly two of his fingers stroked at her slit, pressing every so often against the entrance, "You're soaking through the sheets...It makes me want to fuck you senseless." Ling was close to moaning, she could hear the pain in his voice, his cock ticking and dripping from the wait, "I...I want to taste you too...Both of you..." She didn't know if she was just bold or too lost to care but the thought of having both of them in her mouth was enough to make her mouth water.
Both of the men looked at each other, almost considering it before Ling chuckled, and smiled, kissing her slit, darting his tongue in and out to get a rise out of her, "Oh God Liiing~" She gave out a surprised gasp dipping her head onto Greed's shoulder, "Maybe next time, unfortunately we're running out of time love." He mumbled hearing her whimper sadly in response, but when Greed forced his mouth onto hers he murmured his words sloppily against her lips, "We'll get plenty of time for that, promise." She could only moan in response letting him swallow it whole before another erupted from her throat when she felt a finger slide into her with ease, every inch easier than the last.
Before long Ling was pumping in and out of her until she was a whining mess moving her hips to his rhythm. When Janelle attempted to take a breath of air from the lip lock the avarice had her in the man merely brought her back into another one, hooking his tongue around hers as Ling added another digit. Janelle moaned deeply against Greed's mouth, the Prince filling her core wonderfully. Her body was over stimulated and edging on release, "My word, you're lovely." Ling murmured before swirling his tongue around her clit vigorously, his fingers curling to hit that special spot inside her to make her sing for him, her hands clawing at their scalps as she pulled them close, "I...I'm gonna cum!"
"That's right beautiful, nice and hard." Ling eyes were glazed over with full blown lust moaning eagerly into her cunt never letting up, not even when she peaked and she hit her crescando spilling in to his mouth with a cry. Greed growled a curse into the side of her cheek and nipped it with his teeth. It was so intense that her knees almost buckled on him, trembling as she began to slowly come down from the high. She was panting, her eyes trying to find anything to hold find any of the boys to look to, and when she saw Ling hovering over her with heavy breaths, her eyes made their way down his face, chest, and abs, only to land on his very hard and throbbing member. She whimpered up at him wiggling her bottom before he scooped it up and rolled the head of his cock against her clit causing her shiver at the contact, "Like that?" His sultry voice made her nearly weep, panting, begging as he pressed his chest against hers, "In...Inside! Put it inside!"
"You better do as she says Ling." Greed began to play with the base of his own cock and pump it slowly. Ling didn't oppose, instead he tap her pearl with his length getting her to jerk twice and hum impatient, eyes watering. He could hardly take it and positioned himself with haste and slipped into her soft core, feeling her hands grab at his shoulders as they hissed and moaned the deeper he went. Every time he pulled back to fill her half way, they would moan again when he filled her to the base. She cried out his name scratching down his chest and down his abs causing him to clench his teeth sucking in air before he sat up on his heels to grab her by the waist and thrust Into her with a growl, "Mm Yes, just like that..." Greed purred as he reached forward to sneak a hand down Jan's body and spread open her wet folds with two of his fingers to get an even better view of Ling driving his cock into her sex. "Fuck that's hot." She heard him moan feeling him shake against her, knowing he was stroking himself as he watched her from above. She twitched and whined when she felt his thumb swipe against her pearl her body arching to the men assaulting her so wonderfully. She was hardly aware of the fact that she grabbed onto Ling and Greed's arms for support, moaning louder as the Prince quickened his pace, "God you feel so good...I won't last." He said, his voice shaky.
"M-me neither...Please, do it...Fill me up." She begged him with no sign of shame, only desire, want, and need. At first he shook his head as if hesitant, but then her legs wrapped around his waist and she pulled him deeper causing both of the men to chuckle and hum and moan in unison. Ling shortened his thrusts but kept his pace powerful causing both of their thighs to smack against each other until it was echoing off the grotto walls all mixed in with the sound of their moans. Janelle could feel the tip of his strands dancing against her nipples, oddly causing her more pleasure as she squeezed around her lover getting him to groan and curse in Xingese. He pulled her in by her hips with both hands and a strong grip, arched his back a little and moaned loudly as he gave his last three thrusts and shot his essence deep into her sleeve with a restrained growl seeping through his bitten lip. She rubbed her hands up and down his chest to make him twitch and shiver, "Damn..." Was all the avarice could say through half lidded eyes hearing the two respires dissipate little by little. Ling leaned down to capture her lips in a chaste kiss while he rocked his hips into her.
When he pulled away they whispered, 'I love you's' to one another, his hand brushing her damp hair away from her face as he cascaded kisses down her neck and breast, both of them finally finding the chance to breath in the air around them. Yet, all Janelle could smell was the heavy scent of sweat, and cum. And she loved it.
Suddenly the feel of Ling leaving her became apparent and she couldn't help but hum as he slung over to the side of her, turning on his side and propping up his elbow and he gazed down at Janelle's form, etching every curve and expression into his mind as he smiled softly, rubbing her arm in a sensual manner as they laid there together side by side, "I hope you got enough energy for me, doll." The sultry pur Greed gave sent her pulsing at the utterance, and her body shivering with chills. Her eyes looked over to him, seeing the tip of his cock nearly purple as she licked her lips, wishing she could lick the bead of precum that was running down his shaft. In fact, for the first time today, she took matters into her own hands and grip the base of his cock. She looked up as he clenched his teeth and hissed before she pumped him a few times and quickly licked the precum before he could protest. This time he groaned and grabbed Janelle by the back of her head, her strands tangled in his fingers as he pulled her away from him, grinning and chuckling.
"Oh, you are so naughty..." Ling remarked just as amused as he watched Janelle pull away with her eyes never leaving Greed's. Ling's eyes shifted to the sound of the rumble that released from Greed's chest. Suddenly he released her hair, grabbed her ankles and dragged her to his direction, causing her to give a surprised giggle as he mounted her, his eyes full of a hunger she scarcely wanted to taunt, not with how long he's been wanting her. She could see the need nearly glazing his eyes before he wasted no time in pulling her up off the bed with nothing but his strength. She gasped at his girth sliding in with little struggle, Ling's essence lubricating her walls while it dribbled onto the bed below them. He began a slow, precise pace, his head dipping forward as he peaked down to see the width of his cock sliding her open. She attempted to hide a moan, but it quickly came out perverted when he trailed his thumb over her sensitive pearl and rubbed it letting her mixed juices wet his finger pad. She sighed out his name, feeling him pick up the pace and begin to pound into her until she was crying out for him.
Ling was kind enough to lace his fingers with hers and squeeze them letting her know he was there for her, smiling down at her lovingly even though she was a moaning mess, her hair in disarray and throat dry from nearing another orgasm, "Oh God!" She cried when he slowed his hips with his cock buried to the base inside her, bucking with such a fluent motion that she could feel every inch filling her walls, his tip hitting that one spot yet again to drive her crazy. He knelt on his heels more, like Ling had done prior, and grabbed her by her hips to set a cogent pace, "Mm you feel amazing baby-doll. So hot and tight around my cock, fuck!" He watched her breast bounce to his rhythm with a lascivious look on his face taking both legs over his shoulder and lifting her up off the lotus into his arms, "Greed! Greed!" Instinctively her arms wrapped around him feeling his length go deeper as he leaned her against his chest, moving her to his will, his hips bucking furiously until her ass was jiggling against him, all on display for Ling to see.
Greed thrusted upward groaning, slapping a hand down onto her bottom before he vigoursly squeezed it, moaning into the girl's mouth, chasing their orgasm, "Tell me what you want." His words were laced with a hot heavy breath, a sound that made Janelle moan sweetly against his mouth, "I want you." She said as he bit her bottom lip, giving a short thrust to get her to gasp out loud, "You want me to what?"
"Fill me..." She looked into his eyes like a quenched woman, thirsty for him.
"You want me to fill you up too?" He teased.
"Yes! Please Greed, I'm begging you!" He muffled her name against her lips smothering them until both of their lips were bruised, his chest puffing out as his muscles buldge from all the effort as he wrapped an arm around her back and cupped her face with the other, never losing rhythm, whispering 'I love you' over and over again into her mouth until she was saying it back with just as much earnest.
She was so close, but Ling gave her the final push she needed when he cupped both sides of her bottom with his warm hands and caressed her cheeks firmly. A hot tongue left a cold trail of spit behind on one side, and then planted soft kisses across her back side, sending shivers through her loins. Her face flushed at the contact, but it didn't take from the indescribeable pleasure she was enveloped in. Her voice was on the brink of cracking when Greed finally slammed home and pushed his cock so deep into her core that all she could do was cry out his and Ling's name. He moved his hand from her face to her clit to send her crescendo crashing down with his. She heard a deep animalistic growl erupt from him, his teeth grinding together as he filled her with his seed. They had parted from the kiss for air only for Janelle to lick and kiss his collar bone to finding whatever else she could reach with her hungry mouth, hearing him pant hard against her and slowly brought her back down to the matress. He hadn't left her warmth just yet. He laid on top of her, making sure not to crush her under his weight as he brushed her tangled hair back, his hands craddling the back of her head with one hand lovingly and protectively, showering her temple, nose, cheek and jaw with softly planted kisses.
Both men began brushing their fingers and palms down her heated limbs, all of their eyes meeting and their lips forming into smiles as they took their breaths to return to normal.
Once Janelle was in a composure to think straight, she ran her fingers through both of their hairs, Ling's long strands soft and thick between her finger tips. She hummed as her other hand skimmed through short (if not just as soft), freshly cut strands, the avarice's bangs long enough for her to brush through them, "You know, when you said you were going to feed me, I was not expecting this." Was the first thing she thought to say still, slightly out of breath. Both Greed and Ling laughed, and so did she before she suddenly gasped and whimpered at the sensation of Greed sliding out of her, spilling his essence onto the sheets and leaving her empty wanting to be filled all over again. "Sorry. Had to."
"I know." She lifted herself up to bring him into a kiss, and followed suit with Ling with a passionate fury that almost ignited another session, yet Ling gently grabbed her waist and a wrist and nipped at her neck as he chuckled, "Sweet heart, you should eat something. For real this time." She heard what Ling was saying, but she instead muffled back something inaudible against his jaw, and sucked on the skin there to cause him to chuckle and hold her to him while she continuely clinged her body to his, entangling her legs with his own limbs as if she'd never let him go. Greed couldn't help but give a laugh from his chest, crawling over the two and stretched to grab that said food from one of the platters. He grabbed a piece of strawberry and orange that were sliced in half and put together with a drop of fresh cream on top to make for a sweet and tangy treat. He then laid himself behind Janelle and kissed up her shoulder blades until he was at the crook of her neck, both men now simultaneously attacking both sides of her with little mercy, "Y-you guys! Wai-,' Her words were quickly extinguished and her mouth was instantly filled with the sweet taste of fruits, cream and the tips of Greed's fingers.
He enjoyed the way she sucked the cream off of them watching as she looked back up at him and kissed his fingers when she was finished.
He continued to feed her little bite size pieces of meats, breads, and even bits of grilled yam to keep her strong for the road. It was like this until she was beckoning him to her arms, telling him she wanted to spend a few more minutes with them before they had to clean up. It wouldn't matter though, whoever would have to clean these sheets would surely know.
They all had closed their eyes, letting the colorful patterns of the window pain above paint their bodies, the sweat only making the colors look more intense, but little by little the feel of the Prince scratching her back so intimately had made it hard to keep her eyes open, "Janelle?" Immediately her eyes fluttered open to Ling who was looking up at the ceiling so seriously. Almost worried.
"What is it?" He was quiet for a moment, pursing his lips together as he turned himself to her, embracing her by the hips so she could look into his eyes, his forehead close to touching hers, "I know my cousin made a great assumption earlier today-, uh-, about the whole concubine thing?"
"Oh. Yeah. H-he didn't know Ling, it's okay. Alot of people will make assumptions simply by accident. I appreciate you standing up for me though."
"But that bothers you. So, it bothers us." He replied. She didn't want to let it bother her already having this conversation once before and accepting the fact that it was bound to happen. But she knew Ling had caught her discomfort, yet again, and even though she didn't wish to discuss it here after such a beautiful moment she knew he wouldn't leave it be until it was resolved. So she looked him straight in the eyes and smiled, "I promise I'm okay right now. If it bothers me too much, I'll let you know."
"Okay. I'm glad...But know that I'll keep correcting this. I'll make sure the whole empire knows it." He said it with such promise that Janelle couldn't help but feel flattered and embarrassed at the same time, "That's alot of people." She warned playfully to get the Prince to smirk and cup her face, admiring her features before he nuzzled her nose to his, "Sure is. I won't let anyone dishonor you. You're to be more than what you think you are. So, if you need a hand to hold, Greed and I are always here." Then he shifted a bit, "And don't sell yourself short. You've saved alot of lives back in Amestris. Lan Fan, Bido, Greed...You deserve alot more credit than you think." This was Ling telling her this, and something about his words made her heart throb, and her lips pull into a smile, "Thank you, Ling. Both of you, really." She looked back to see Greed laid back with his eyes locked on the two, smirking at them before he kissed her cheek and sat up with a stretch of his muscles, "You don't need to thank us for protecting what's ours, doll." He yawned.
"But I am thankful. For the both of you. I must be one lucky gal to have been blessed with such greedy, yet selfless gentlemen." There was no response but the expressions on their faces seemed as if they were surprised by her words. When she didn't get a reply her eyes looked over to the pools, "You two should wash up and go before someone sees you. Isn't this a public place?" She looked to Ling as if he had the answer, to which he did, and shrugged, "Absolutely, but when you're the son of the Emperor, there are ways to persuade a guard to keep watch." She couldn't help but smile and shake her head, imagining the scenario.
"Still, we shouldn't be here too long. We still have a whole day to pack and three days to the palace." She giggled and slid her way off the bed giving a little splash as she sank into the water to clean away the film of sweat and other things of that nature.
Greed appeared the think she had the right idea and jumped in after her with a bar of soap already in his hand. He dunk his head under water and came back up to shake his hair of the droplets. Ling still had a smile plastered on his lips when he was the last one in, more than happy to join the two. They didn't waste time washing themselves and once they were ready to go the boys were the first to exit.
Ling had handed Janelle the clothing that the servants had generously left behind. It was neatly folded, the lavendar fabric as soft as -what resembled- Pima or Egyptian cotton. There was a kingfisher hair pin in assortment of colored beads and jade that laid upon it, and underneath it was a pair of black slippered shoes with gold trim placed underneath.
He kissed her in a chaste kiss and then hurried off. Greed stayed behind as to not make anything look too conspicuous, and waited until it was clear, but took a side ways glance towards Jan, who was staring back at him, eyes widening, "You okay?"
"I'm just debating if we could get away with a quickie." He sounded as if he was truly pondering it, yet Janelle couldn't help but giggle and lean him down low enough to kiss him, immediately feeling him smirk against her lips and deepen it in an instant. He took his time pulling away and when he did she felt a smile take her face, "Go on you big lug." He chuckled giving her bottom a small squeeze and a light tap to make her squeak, and like that he left, with one last glance as she closed the door.
Janelle sighed dreamily, unable to remove the smile from her face as she looked at the attire in her arms. She unfolded it and laid it out on the edge of the bed to get a better look. It was a knee high lavendar cheongsam with a small oval opening in the center of the chest. The trimming was in gold and the printed patterns were of silver and blue floral. To Jan it was too beautiful for words. She unbutton the back of it as if it was made of the most delicate of fabrics and slipped it on with ease. At first, she assumed the dress would be too short, but as she buttoned it back up she was relieved to find that it went eligently pass the knees. She then slipped on the shoes and brushed out her hair with a silver comb that the place had laid out on a dish near a polished mirror. She braided it, twisted it and rolled it into a decent looking bun, pulling some strands to give it a bit of style, and then placed the pin through the back of it. She looked from side to side, checking for any stray hairs, but after finding none Janelle gave a pleased smile at her relfection and wrapped the indigo sash around her waist. She had never wrapped one of these around herself before, and when the three attempts failed to secure it, she sighed. She felt the need to snatch an apple from a silver bowl and walked out of The Pools, hoping maybe one day she could return again after her child was born.
The tunnel seemed darker in comparison to earlier. It felt as if she would end up somewhere else entirely but when she'd exited its walls the girl had found the entire area bustling with life. The carriages and wagons had arrived and at it's entrant merchants were moving cargo in and around it. They were loading barrels of things Jan was unsure of, assuming something close to wine, or fish, and there were chests of clothing and supplies for emergencies. The guards of the Line were closer to the entrance which meant it was almost time to leave Shanxi all together.
I'm a little disappointed. I wonder if we'll still have time for the markets.
As she was gazing about the crowd she came to find the boys at the front of the wagons discussing what looked to be serious matters with Hou while the group seemed to be listening in intently. She made her way to them attempting to work the garment around her waist, but it seemed to be no avail.
Both Ling and Greed were listening to the Commander and Captain Nygus speak amongst themselves when Greed shifted his eyes over to Janelle fiddling with her sash, huffing. He smiled as his eyes immediately went to her outfit and back up to her face, then he smacked the Prince's shoulder to get his attention and pointed to the the woman who caught his eye. Ling had just replied to Hou and a few of his men when he looked to what Greed had been distracted by, for a mere second, only to do a double take.
Of course Hou had noticed this and followed his cousin's gaze to the absentminded girl biting her lip now, and watched on curious, "You having a problem there, doll?" The avarice laughed out loud. It was then she gazed up to everyone's eyes on her and felt her cheeks instantly turn hot, "Sorry. I-I've never done this before." Ling couldn't help chuckle when she lifted up the vibrant fabric in her hands, and beckoned Lan Fan over for assistance.
The woman smiled with a nod and came over to Janelle's side, gently taking the silk.
"Thank you." Janelle said bashfully.
"Never wore a sash before, my Lady?" Lan Fan mumbled meaning it all in good fun getting Jan to give a coy smile and giggle, "No, unfortunately. Nothing like this." She lifted her arms up feeling the body guard wrapped it snug across her belly and torso. She didn't realize that the sash had push up her breast, causing her cleveage to show more prominent. She looked behind her the best she could to watch as Lan Fan tied it off in a big bow and fluffed it out when she was finished, "Alright, I'm done. It's not too tight is it?"
"No that's perfect Lan Fan, thank you!" She flattened out the front and fixed the Mandarin collar around her neck before turning to the men who had gone back to conversating about the safest routes to Luliang. She should have been listening in, but her attention seemed to be at everything else around them. The Amestris soldiers had been escorted to one side of the place the other were what looked like citizens that lived in the city gathering around to see what was amidst.
She didn't know why but the sight of it caused her stomach to do a summersalt, especially when plenty of civilians were looking and pointing in her direction. She must've been being paranoid. No one cared who she was. Before Jan had even got a chance to look back at the crowd she felt a hand at her shoulder. She turned to be face to face with Captain Nygus, "Oh, Captain! Hello. It's nice to see you again!"
"Like wise my Lady. I know we've just met and all, but I wanted to wish you a safe trip the rest of the way! And congratulations on the baby! May you and your husbandhave a long and happy life." At first she thought she might have misheard him, and of course she did. Right? Wven if she didn't, Janelle didn't feel the need to correct him, not wanting to appear rude and merely gave a titter, "Thank you, sir. You and your men stay safe making it back to Amestris."
"That we can do, my Lady." She paused this time, unable to hide the fact that he was no longer calling her Miss, but my Lady.
Captain Nygus noticed her pause and looked at her worriedly, "Are you alright?" She blinked when he heard him call to her, and shook her head to shake her bombarding thoughts away, "I guess I'm still getting use to being called 'My Lady'. To be honest, I've always been of low class, if you know what I mean...so, being part of something as big as this is..."
"Overwhelming?"
"Yes." She replied just above a whisper. She felt ashamed, she wasn't trying to be ungrateful, "I'm just afraid I guess...I feel like I haven't deserved my place." Nygus hummed as if pondering her words and studying her body language. When she couldn't read his expression she felt even more ashamed, "And...I don't want to let them down."
"I see." He scratched his rugid chin with his lavendar eyes looking up at nothing, seeming to find words, "Do you want my opinion, my Lady? Or are you just venting."
"Any advice is appreciated." She pleaded. He chuckled at her, for what she did not know until he explained, "You remind me of myself, do you know that?"
"Really?"
"Yep! The day my superiors named me Captain, I could hardly believe it. I felt as you did. I felt ill-prepared, and felt as if someone was more deserving that myself because I had doubted my own skills to lead." His features turned strong, and confident, "Do you know what changed?" She shook her head, "My resolve. My will to take on my duties with honor and pride. I had to look within myself to find the strength to lead. And so, I took up the title with my head held high, and pushed all other thoughts aside. When friends and family are so precious, we do everything we can to keep them safe and happy. My duties are to protect Amestris and the people around it if I can." His words, amazingly enough, touched her and filled her with a pride and determination that he had spoke of. She hoped to be like him, a strong willed person determined to protect the people she loved, "I understand. Thank you Captain, I do appreciate your advice."
"The pleasure is all mine. Take care of yourself."
"You too." He gave her a friendly wink with a soldier's salute and walked toward his calvary awaiting him. She considered all that he said walking back to the carriage and decided she would attempt his advice. A Captain was much different from what she was expected to be, but never the less the roles were very dutiful all the same.
What she needed to do was take charge, and stop doubting herself, as he said. That was going to be easier said than done, but Janelle was willing to try. For her boys. For her child. For herself. She finally came up to the carriage again, this time getting a better look at the dragon faces craved upon the wood of it, yet she was fast to have her attention brought to May who squealed when she saw her, "My gosh you look so pretty!"
"O-oh, thank you, May. You're too kind." Janelle could feel her face heating up at the compliment, but had noticed her own attire. Aside from Lan Fan who seemed to keen with just wearing a clean shinobi, everyone else was wearing just as vibrant clothing as her. May was in a red outfit similar to the same fashion as Janelle's -minus the sash and hair pin- with her hair in the style she always liked it, with her trusty panda at her shoulder once again, "I'm loving the color on you too. It looks beautiful."
"Ah shucks, you flatter me." The little girl cupped both of her cheeks looking away bashfully. It was adorable to say the least. Janelle then looked Ling and Greed who were assisting the merchants in setting a few books inside of the carriage, and had taken the moment to enjoy the view of their Mao suits.
Greed's was a dark grey with embroidered silver trimming throughout it. It was stitched at the shoulders to ease the incessive heat here, while Ling had worn a dark red suit that was trimmed with golden swirling clouds. She had to admit, if it wasn't for the crowd around her she would've made a sly comment to get their bloods boiling, but she resisted with a smile, "You two are looking handsome as well. All dressed and propper."
"Shut up." She giggled at the way Greed rolled his eyes and smirked, chuckling, "I mean it though, you guys look good. What are those for?" She suddenly asked curious of a book her eyes seemed to catch as Ling was handing it off to Greed. He froze though and turned the book over before letting a wide smile pull at his lips. "Oh this?" His eyes suddenly opened to her watching her reaction, "It's a book on our language." Her eyes widening with awe said it all and it made his smile grow, "And you're going to read it."
Next- Chapter 28: Yuan
