Author's Note:
If any of you are interested, I made a short, lazy YouTube playlist for this fic that can be found via AO3 since FF hates links, lol. Username is the same.

XIV.

Triss' mouth opened as she exhaled a silent scream, her breasts flushed and bouncing as she rode the phallus strapped to Keira's hips. Her brow was littered with sweat, her chest heaving, and when she tensed and came she grasped onto the other woman's abdomen, pitching forward and digging her nails into the blonde's soft flesh. Keira hissed, but as she enjoyed a little pain with her fucking, did not reprimand her for it. Not that Triss would have listened anyway. She had already gotten what she wanted and so she rolled off of her, the sweat of her back sticking to Keira's silken sheets as she struggled to breathe.

"He really got under your skin, didn't he?" Keira noted in amusement, sliding the phallus off of her and tossing it to the side. This was more for Triss' benefit than her own, but as Triss indulged her whenever she demanded it, Keira did not mind returning the favor. Triss hated being frustrated though, and had found that channeling her aggression in other ways did wonders for her sanity.

"How does he not get under yours?" Triss asked, speaking of the newest addition to the Temerian Royal Court. An archpriest, and one that was very plain about his dislike of mages – female mages, in particular. "Willemer speaks to us like we're incompetent and untrustworthy. I'm tired of it. It's racist and misogynistic, and worst of all it's rubbing off on Foltest. He barely listens to us anymore, even though we've been in his court longer. This needs to stop, otherwise you and I will find ourselves stripped of our position."

"What do you propose?" Keira asked, rolling on her side to look at her colleague. Her brow quirked in excitement. "Treason?"

"We can't get him hanged, Keira."

"Why not?"

"Because I won't be that kind of person," Triss told her strongly. Although things had changed over the last few years, there were some lines Triss refused to cross. "I agree something needs to be done, but let's scale it back a little." Keira looked terribly disappointed by being told no, but she listened to Triss because, out of the two of them, they both knew that she was the level-headed one. When it came to enjoying themselves, the younger woman had no qualms following Keira's lead, but otherwise it was Triss usually who led the charge.

Triss thought for a moment, then glanced over at the woman in bed with her. "You're still bedding Ermellia?" she asked, curious. Keira nodded. "How devoted is she to you?"

"I'd say she's eating out of the palm of my hand, but I tend to have her mouth busy elsewhere," Keira responded, smirking. "Why?"

"Could you convince her to tell her husband that Willemer was making unwanted advances on her?" Triss quired, trying to think of a solution that was permanent, yet preferably less fatal than any of Keira's suggestions. "Hereward and Foltest are close; should the duke get angry enough at the idea, he may just have Foltest throw the archpriest from court. That would solve our problem without any bloodshed at least."

"I still stand by the fact that bloodshed is far more entertaining, but I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, speaking of pets, you need to toss the Prince of Kerack. His brother's mage is getting suspicious, and we can't have their King wondering what ours is up to. They're meant to be allies."

"Coral doesn't know anything," Triss dismissed, unconcerned.

"Either way, what information have you really gotten from him?" Keira countered, and Triss sighed heavily. She was right, which was unfortunate. That man did know how to please, but that was never the point of him. As it turned out, he was less involved with King Belohun's affairs than they would have hoped. "Besides, I have a suggestion you might find far more appealing."

Triss' gaze caught Keira's, her interest piqued. "I overheard Foltest tell Bronibor that he is growing concerned over Redania's growing army," the blonde revealed. "If our plan to unseat Willemer fails, we will need a stronger reason for Foltest to keep us in his circle. Information about Redania's sudden interest in military growth might just be the sway we need, and you happen to have once been very close to someone who has always known the ins and outs of that kingdom."

Triss stared at her, certain that Keira must have lost her mind. "Please don't tell me you're suggesting I bed Philippa Eilhart for information. Just— tell me you're joking."

"Why not? You've bedded her before, haven't you?"

"A very long time ago!" Triss exclaimed, pushing herself to a seated position on her colleague's bed. The mere mention of Philippa gave her anxiety, and it was strange, as their little affair had been so very long ago. For awhile, Triss hated that the other woman never returned to her after she ascended, but eventually that small paranoid feeling of unworthiness just turned to anger as Triss chose to be insulted by Philippa's sudden lack of interest. She was a damn good apprentice, and she was an even better mage now. In the end, Triss decided that Philippa wasn't worthy of her talents anyway, and moved on. It had been years, and despite both of them being sorceresses, they had yet to run in the same circles. Triss was building a name for herself, but she was still nowhere near being invited to the kind of mage gatherings that Philippa was. Triss doubted the Brotherhood or the Council even knew her name.

"Besides, what we do is child's play compared to Philippa," Triss admitted, a little loathed to do so. She respected Philippa enough to admit that they were playing a game that the other woman practically invented. "There is no way I could seduce her enough that it blinds her to my true intentions."

"You give yourself too little credit, Merigold. Besides, it's not like you have anything better to do right now," Keira told her, which was true. Until they got rid of Willemer, it wasn't like her voice was getting heard here. Still, this felt like a suicide mission, and Triss did not like that feeling. "What's the worst that could happen?"

The younger woman side-eyed her exasperatedly. "Philippa could catch on, inform Vizimir that Foltest is sending spies, war breaks out between Temeria and Redania, we die," Triss listed off on her fingers. Keira rolled her eyes.

"Don't be dramatic."

"I'm being entirely serious."

"You honestly think your former mentor would expose you as a spy? Vizimir would have your head on his floor the second he heard a mere rumor of it; you really think she'd orchestrate that? That Philippa could actually have a hand in your death?"

Well, now that she put it that way… no. However, again, it had been a very long time since they had seen one another. "I don't know who she is anymore," Triss answered, conflicted. She didn't know if a part of her could ever accept that Philippa had it in her to do such a thing, but she also didn't want to be blinded by her again either. "And she certainly does not know who I am."

"Exactly, so use it to your advantage. Be that giggling, bubbly schoolgirl that she enjoyed corrupting, and she won't ever suspect a thing."

Triss shot her a disgusted look. "That was in no way what our affair was like, but I do get your point. Admittedly, I did fawn over her, although not in an innocent, unsuspecting way that she took advantage of because that is gross, Keira."

The blonde just snickered. Triss ignored her though, chewing on her thumbnail in anxiety. "I can't go to Redania," she said finally, turning the scenario over in her mind. "Vizimir never trusted me because I was Temerian, and he will trust me even less now that I'm in Foltest's court. If I do this, it needs to be on neutral ground."

This was… madness, honestly, but the longer Triss thought about it, the more she felt the need to prove to Philippa how stupid she was to toss her aside. She wanted her to regret it. What better way to do that then for the student to become the master?

"Yennefer is on the Council," Keira reminded her, beginning to look excited now that Triss was considering her idea. She always enjoyed playing with fire. "Have her bring you to one of their gatherings."

"Yennefer will kill me if she knows what I'm planning."

"So lie," Keira responded flippantly. "Tell her you wish to one day join the Council, and need to be seen as having the potential to do so, even if you're aware they might not choose you for a very long time. Yennefer has always supported furthering your efforts, hasn't she?"

She had. But the problem was that Yennefer knew her better than anyone, and the second Triss told her that she wished to accompany her, she would know something was up. She had always seen through her, and true to her suspicions, that was exactly what happened.

"You're lying to me."

Triss immediately got flustered. Yennefer's image in the megascope looked at her sternly, and Triss pursed her lips in guilt. She did hate lying to her. It felt disrespectful, given everything Yennefer had done for her. "Fine. What if I told you I just wished to see Philippa again?" That, at least, was closer to the truth.

"I'd tell you that you're an idiot, and remind you that you're supposed to be moving forwards, not backwards."

"It's not what you think," Triss assured her, not wanting Yennefer to think that she was still hung up on Philippa Eilhart. It had been years, and she wasn't that pathetic. "I don't want her back. I promise."

"No, you just want to show her how far you've come and what she's been missing, because hanging that over her will give you some cheap thrill," Yennefer accused, and Triss' face soured. That was, to some degree, part of it, but she didn't have to call her out like that. It made her feel petty. "Don't allow your bitterness to make you foolish, Triss."

"I'm not bitter."

She was absolutely a little bitter, but that was beside the point.

"Please, Yenna. This is important to me."

"Why?" Yennefer pressed, just knowing there was more to it. For a long time, Triss loved that Yennefer had always known her better than any other. Now, however, that knowledge was in no way working in her favor. Triss pursed her lips, refusing to tell her the truth of it yet not wanting to lie, but in the end it didn't matter, as Yennefer had always had an uncanny way of seeing right through her.

The older woman's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, you are an idiot."

"Yenna—"

"Have you lost you mind?" Yennefer snapped and, alright, perhaps she had, but Triss needed to give Foltest a reason to keep her in his Council. She was desperate. "Get your information about Redania through someone else. Your social finesse may have improved over the years, but Philippa will tear you apart when it comes to espionage."

Well. That was in no way comforting.

"I have to try," Triss told her strongly, needing Yennefer to realize the extent of her situation. "Foltest's Council has grown, and among his trusted is an archpriest who despises mages. If I don't do something, Keira and I will be out of his court and I will not let the last few years of my life be for nothing! I damn well deserve to have a place here and if I have to do something drastic to defend it, then so be it. Foltest is concerned about Redania's growing army; if I bring him back information regarding their plans for it, I'm still useful. I need this, Yenna."

"What you need is to get your information through someone else."

"Who?" Triss countered, angry and exasperated. "I don't have time to build up a relationship with anyone else and even if I did, Philippa would suspect something and see an end to it. Don't forget who taught me that this was an effective way to get information from people; she'd see right through my affair with anyone predominant in the Redanian court."

"And yet you believe she'd be blind to you trying to manipulate her," Yennefer countered, equally exasperated. "Philippa is not stupid, Triss. If you do this, she will eat you alive."

"I know she's not stupid, but I also know her weaknesses and can play to them. I have the advantage here."

"And what of your bond with her?" Yennefer countered, reminding Triss that she wasn't as independent in this as she'd like. "She never dissolved your leashing. You may be able to lie, but she could end up feeling the truth of your intentions if you're not careful."

"Then I'll be careful. Please, Yenna, you have to trust me. I can do this."

Yennefer pursed her lips, staring at her friend's image through the megascope. Triss begged her with her eyes, and finally the older woman sighed heavily. "This is going to blow up in your face," Yennefer told her. Despite how bad of an idea she believed this was, she was still resigned to help Triss keep her station, as she was aware how important Triss' placement in Temeria's court was to her. "Do not say that I didn't warn you."

"I appreciate your confidence in me."

Yennefer exhaled another resigned sigh, and Triss' stomach tightened in anticipation. She was going to do this. Yennefer might not think she could, but Triss knew herself, and she knew what she was capable of. She was going to do this.

[x]

"I was thinking of something a little more formal than a birthday banquet."

"You are lucky I'm bringing you in the first place," Yennefer told her, still wary about Triss' plan as they entered the Oxenfurt banquet hall. Her arm was linked with her friend's, and their contrasting black and red outfits complimented one another quite nicely. "Besides, you are not a member of the Council. I can't just bring you to one of our meetings. This is casual enough for me to bring a date, and Philippa had always respected Radcliffe, which is why I'm certain that she'll attend. Be grateful for what you are getting and stop complaining."

"I am," Triss insisted. She just had a different scenario in her mind, and now she had to adjust her plan of action. She side-eyed Yennefer as they approached the man of the hour, a small smirk gracing the corners of her lips. "Your date," she teased in a low tone. "Philippa is going to love that."

"And that is exactly why I am presenting you as such. You're welcome."

"Radcliffe," Yennefer greeted once they found the mage near the minstrels. As with most mages he looked very young despite this being his two hundredth birthday, and Triss found him to be incredibly attractive. "I'd like for you to meet my date, Triss Merigold of Maribor."

"One of Foltest's mages," Radcliffe noted, and Triss inclined her head in acknowledgment. "I've heard good things. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

Triss was surprised he had heard of her and turned to Yennefer, wondering if that was her doing. Yennefer did not acknowledge her silent question though, and the three were caught up in a brief bout of small talk.

It did not take long for Triss to feel the shift in the air. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, a small shiver of anticipation washing over her as she had no doubt in her mind who was staring at her. She could feel her. It had been so very long, but their bond seemed to have lasted. Philippa seemed to realize that rather quickly, and as soon as Triss felt her presence it was ripped away from her, no doubt due to Philippa warding herself. After they had parted, Triss had spent some time researching how to do that herself as empathetic telepathy was becoming more talked about, and more practiced. Triss did not want to find herself at a disadvantage and so found a way to protect herself. It seemed Philippa had done the same.

"She's here," Triss told her friend in a hushed tone as they parted from Radcliffe, seeking out a wine servant. One passed by momentarily and both women grabbed a glass. To her credit, Yennefer did not turn around and start looking for Philippa through the small crowd of guests, and instead casually took a sip of her wine before she relinked arms with her friend, pulling her closer.

"You have a plan, I assume."

"Yes, and it largely centers around ignoring her."

Yennefer side-eyed her.

"Keira suggested I pretend to be the woman I once was, as she believed that Philippa would assume I was still incapable of such deceit should I act naive, but Philippa didn't want me naive," Triss reminded her softly, careful to make sure that they were not being overheard. " She wanted me to come back to her 'hardened', so hardened I will be. If I don't fawn all over her, or act as though I want her back, she's more likely to find bedding me a challenge, and she could never resist a good one."

"If you say so."

Triss tried very hard to not roll her eyes at that. "Can you just, for once, act supportive?"

"My act of support was bringing you here, but that is where it ends. I still think this is foolish, but it's your life, and I'd rather Philippa be the one to teach you a little humility than find that you attempted this with the wrong person, and got yourself killed."

Triss scoffed. "Right, because Philippa is so humble." Triss could think of a hundred other words to describe the Sorceress of Tretogor, but humble was certainly not one them. If anything, she was quite the opposite.

"She doesn't have to be, because she has the experience and talent to back up her never-ending wave of arrogance. You, on the other hand, may be powerful but are still very young. You need to learn your limits," Yennefer told her plainly. "So go. Learn them. I'll be here when you come back defeated, and perhaps that will teach you to listen to me next time."

Triss exhaled a hard breath. She leaned down, gently placing her lips against her friend's cheek. "You are so entirely frustrating at times," she breathed, and she could feel Yennefer's lips quirk in amusement.

"Likewise."

Triss pulled away from her, allowing their fingers to stay linked for a long moment before Triss went off to mingle. While she was here, and while she was actively ignoring Philippa, it wouldn't hurt to make connections. She still had her future to think about, after all.

Philippa made a point to never approach her, but Triss could feel the other woman's eyes on her from time to time. Triss made certain their gaze never connected however, and continued introducing herself to the right people in between spending time with Yennefer. Whenever she was with her friend she always made sure she was touching her. Even if it wasn't blatant, she wanted Philippa to think that there might be something between them, as she was sure that would irritate her on multiple levels. One, because she had never liked Triss' attachment to Yennefer, and two, because if Yennefer did start dating a woman, that would imply she was finally reciprocating in bed, and Philippa would not be pleased to realize Yennefer had chosen someone else to do that with when their own relationship fell to pieces for that very reason.

In short, Philippa's ego had the potential to be her downfall, and Triss wanted to capitalize on that.

The evening dragged onward, and only when it was nearing a close did Philippa break their stalemate. To be honest, it took every ounce of willpower that Triss had not to do it herself, as a part of her was afraid she'd leave there without ever having talked to Philippa at all, but just as she was about to cave Triss found that she didn't have to after all, as Philippa finally approached her.

"King Foltest's finest," she greeted, allowing her gaze to linger a little too long as she drank her up with her eyes. Triss was standing by herself near the banquet table, everyone already having picked it nearly clean. Triss placed the slice of bread she was about to eat back down, turning to face her former mentor. Her stomach rolled over in her gut when she laid eyes on her. She had almost forgotten how beautiful Philippa was up close. "You look well, Triss."

"As do you. It's been a long time."

Triss did not want that to come out sounding bitter, yet some of her emotion slipped between her words regardless. Maybe Yennefer was right, maybe she couldn't do this. She had been conversing with Philippa for all of five seconds, and already she was revealing more than she would have liked.

"It was for the best," Philippa told her in lieu of an apology, but the corners of her eyes crinkled in recognition of the pain she caused the other woman. "But look at you now," she continued, sounding proud. Triss hated it. She didn't want Philippa taking credit for the things that she had accomplished, even though it may have been the other woman who had taught her most of what she knew. "You've become quite the sorceress, Triss Merigold. People are beginning to know your name."

"For good reason," Triss responded, not much caring how arrogant that sounded. Regardless, her answer seemed to amuse Philippa. Her lips quirked. Most people were beginning to leave the party, drunk or tired or both, and Triss wished she had adjusted her plan and approached the other woman sooner. Now she might not even have time to accomplish what she set out to do, and she was internally kicking herself for it.

"I'm surprised to see you here," Philippa noted after taking a sip of her wine. "I wasn't aware you knew Radcliffe."

"I don't. I'm Yennefer's date for the evening."

Philippa's brow quirked. Triss knew that would bother her, and she was not wrong about that. "How terribly unfulfilling that must be for you."

Triss chuckled. "You'd be surprised how things can change," she answered noncommittally. She couldn't tell how Philippa felt about that due to her wards and the fact that the other woman had trained herself never to show emotion on her face, but if Triss didn't know better, she would say that Philippa's eyes had clouded over. Maybe Triss was better at this than she thought.

"As lovely as this reunion was, it seems our night is coming to a close," Triss reminded her, trying to sound regrettable, yet ultimately rather dismissive. It was a delicate balance she had yet to master. "However, now that our paths have finally crossed again, I need to ask a favor of you."

Philippa's brow rose, her interest piqued.

"Remove the leash around my neck," Triss requested. She didn't want Philippa to leave without an excuse to see her again and besides, she was certain their bond would not work in her favor when the time came for her to actually finesse her way back into Philippa's bed. She was already at enough of a disadvantage. "Keeping wards up is exhausting and I know neither of us want to remove them now that the trust is gone. Besides, I'm sure you aren't fond of having a weakness in the form of a mage in a neighboring kingdom, and neither am I. I am no longer your apprentice, Philippa. I want to be set free."

Philippa did not give any indication about what she was thinking. She just looked at her for a long time before she finally spoke. "If that is what you wish, pet." Triss' expression darkened at the nickname that she had not heard for a very long time, but she said nothing. "I will need a few days to prepare. I trust you will have no qualms with my contacting you when I do?"

"Send a raven. I hate when people drop in through my megascope unannounced," Triss responded, trying to keep some control over the situation. Philippa looked a little amused by her demand, yet acknowledged it with a nod.

"I'll be in touch then," Philippa told her, still looking at Triss like she was very intrigued by this new version of the woman she once knew. Triss, in turn, tried to look disinterested, but the way Philippa was looking at her was reminding her of the past and it was… doing stuff to her. Honestly, Triss hated how the other woman could just be effortlessly attractive; it wasn't fair. "If you aren't opposed, I'd like an evening to… catch up. As you said, it has been a terribly long time; I'd like to hear how you're faring on your own."

"If I have time, perhaps. Unfortunately, I've been kept awfully busy these days. I'll let you know."

It was meant to sound dismissive, yet her words seemed to only amuse Philippa and it frustrated Triss so badly that she wanted to scream. Philippa knew she was being intentionally dismissive, although she probably believed it was because Triss was afraid to let her get close to her again. It was in fact the opposite and was meant to draw Philippa in, but still, it did not feel good that the woman could already somewhat see through her.

Philippa leaned in then, gently kissing the younger woman's cheek in parting. The gesture bothered Triss because it wasn't as though Philippa had the right to do that anymore, but as she didn't want Philippa knowing that she actually cared, she allowed her to do so. "You were my best apprentice, pet," Philippa breathed against her skin, and Triss involuntarily shivered at the sound of the voice. Every time Philippa dropped to a lower octave, she sounded so terribly sexy. "I'm very proud of you."

Triss couldn't help herself. "So is Yennefer, and at least she stuck around." She stepped away from her then, internally kicking herself for showing how bitter she truly was. But what was done was done, and she couldn't take the words back.

"We live for a very long time, Triss. When you're older, our parting will seem like the blink of an eye, but I'm here now. Is that not what's important?"

"You didn't come back for me, Phil. You just happened to end up in the same place I am. That is not the same thing," Triss reminded her, trying not to allow her emotions to get the best of her, but finding it difficult. She took another step backwards, needing to establish distance, because she wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready for this at all.

"Sever our bond," Triss demanded, a sudden, desperate need to be rid of Philippa clutching her chest. "Do not contact me for anything other than that, because I will not answer. You have a fortnight."

And that was how Triss left the woman she once called her mentor, her heart beating erratically in her chest before she did what she had always done, and fled back to Yennefer's arms. She should have listened to her. Now, Triss had no idea whether she had just started something she was unable to finish, and that felt worse than the possibility of being driven from Temeria's court because this time, the fault lied entirely within her own hands.

Maybe she really was an idiot, but it didn't matter. Now, all Triss could do was trying to make the best of her mistake, and hope that in the end, Philippa didn't come back to bite her.

TBC…