"Run!"
Asami commanded as dark ghoulish figures drew nearer with increasing speed. Asami led the escape, finding the cleared path they were just on. They could move faster without the obstruction of the crop but the maze was well thought out. Vampiric ghouls broke into their path, howling and running towards them at an inhuman pace. Korra couldn't believe her eyes as Asami twisted, weaved and slashed off each ghoul's head with amazing precision. The way she moved was nothing Korra had ever witnessed before. The way Asami twirled and dipped as she fought was that of like a dancer.
But now wasn't the time to be admiring. A bloodthirsty corpse sprang out of the corn just in front of her, separating her from the noblewoman in an instant. Ducking under swiping claws, Korra's hand sparked with flames and pressed into the ghouls body in a surging inferno. Magic was her best fighting chance right now since she did not have her trusty bow with her and her knife was too much of a close up offense. One slip up, and she could become one of the ghouls herself if any of them was successful with a toxic bite. The ghoul before her flailed and screamed in pain as the fire engulfed him, giving Korra a chance to catch up to Asami's flank. They ran side by side, twisting around corners until they met a dead end. Stopping only for a moment to gauge the next move.
"How big do you think this field is?" Korra asked, huffing from running so hard. Screams of bloodthrist echoed from behind them, signalling the need to move soon.
"I think our best bet is to just run straight through the crop," Asami suggested. "But there is no knowing how many of these things are out there. And I can't use my sword very well with such obstruction." She twisted with furrowed brows. "I'd hate to leave any of them alive. This is way too close to the city."
Korra raised a hand, flicking her wrist to spark a torching flame to Asami's surprise. "Well, they certainly don't like fire… Let's burn this field to the ground then pick off the survivors."
"Good idea," Asami said with suspicion in her voice. It seems Korra failed to tell her about her ability to wield the element of fire. It didn't make sense since one would need to have fire nation blood to do such a thing. Given the situation, Asami would need to wait to ask about it later. "We can find our way out of the maze if we stick to turning one direction each time. You think you can light the left side while I man the right?"
"No problem," Korra nodded with a grin. "Just don't get killed." They turned around and started the operation. Korra blasted the left side of the pathway, leaving a trail of burning corn in the wake of a fire throwing stream. Four ghouls met them in the front but they had a weak formation. It was easy for Asami to cut them down with one swing after another. They were unorganized, unintelligent and only had one goal in mind independently. The only way for these monsters to have any bearing was to attack in a mass amount of numbers. She made sure to decapitate each ghoul that sprang out of the corn in front. Ten, eleven, fifteen… she counted each one they came across and the numbers kept rising.
This must be Amon's plan, to turn as many as he can to overrun the Republic. Asami thought to herself. He must have had other ghouls turning people for him. Ghouls were mindless on their own, but if they had their master leading them they would be more of a challenge with an intelligence guiding them. Turning down a longer path, Asami and Korra both shouted in surprise at the end of the junction. A small army of bloodsuckers… but they were young, too young. Children.
"This is worse than I thought," Asami said turning her attention to her housecarl with a painful expression. "Korra… I can't show any mercy."
"Do what you have to do," Korra mumbled with understanding. "They deserve a restful end." Asami nodded and shot out ahead, blade gleaming in Korra's firelight behind her. The heiress's teeth gritted together, wincing as she approached the hungry little beasts of undead. She lanced her sword through three little bodies in one motion, creating a morbid flaying kabob of her victims. With a cry of strength, Asami twisted her sword to the left side and used her boot to kick the little ghouls off her steel and into the cornstalks in the fire's path. Shrilling screams echoed in the night as they burned and it was killing slayers inside. Two leaped at the swordsmen, howling with hunger only for them to be slashed in half. Asami made sure to decapitate them as soon as they toppled to the ground.
Asami cried out as she plunged forth slicing off little heads one by one. She was struggling a little against the numbers around her. There were too many of them. Korra halted her fire throw and swing downward, her aura sank into the ground created a wall of earth that forced it's way in the middle of the army, slitting the forces in half before sending a blaze of fire to the left side. Asami's eyes flashed in surprise, but didn't lose focus. With the army split like this, she was able to easy slash off the heads of the remaining ghoul children on her side. When the last swing was swung, Asami paused for a moment to catch her breath. Her eyes darted over when Korra rejoined her side just as winded.
"Fire and Earth?" Asami huffed. "If anything I'd figured you would be a water elemental…"
"Uhh.. I am a water elemental too…" Korra nervously chuckled. "Raava seems to think I need all the elements to keep from draining the beast energy from her with every fight." Asami didn't like the sound of that. Korra was gaining too much power which only meant one thing. She would be destined to live a life of constant battle and danger. Now that things have progressed between them, Asami would be heartbroken if she wasn't there to keep an eye on her. Korra will need allies to keep her safe and Asami knew in the future that she wouldn't be able to be there for her.
"We should keep moving," Asami announced to change the subject. She whipped her sword to flick the blood off the shiney steel before engaging in the hunt again. Korra followed closely by her side, igniting the corn in flames once again.
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Mako rolled his stiff shoulder, groaning at the soreness that burned in his rotator cuff. Slaying ghouls had left him weary and spent, but the farmer's family was saved save for a few cows and farm workers who fell in the clutches of blood drinkers. Only half of the swad of guardsmen he joined survived the battle. And the captain was irrate at the situation. Some of the monsters they had encountered were once on her forces which brought her great pain to have to kill them herself.
"Amon is stealing our men," Lin observed. "There must be a way to keep them from turning when they are slain."
"Maybe we should burn the bodies," Mako suggested with a wince. "I know that goes against a proper burial… but it should do the job."
"That's sacrilege!" Lin spat with rage but a sigh followed after. Spiritual mages have outlawed the practice long ago. Spirits can turn dark when their bodies isn't naturally decomposed, or so that is what they were told. Given the situation, she knew that Mako was be right. They can't just let their fallen comrades turn prey to Vlad Zar's power. Reluctantly, she nodded her head. "It's the best thing for now, I suppose… do it."
Mako lead the operation, commanding the other soldiers and to drag the fallen soldiers and farmhands over to a clearing in a heap. After saying a few words of respect, Mako flayed his palm out and blasted the pile of the dead with a heavy flame. When the deed was completed, the band of soldiers took their leave to return to the city on horseback.
"Mako," Lin turned her attention to him as she rode beside him. "You have proven to be a great asset to my team. I'd like to offer you a permanent position on the force if you are interested."
"Thank you, Captain!" Mako curved his lips up in excitement. "I would love to join the force."
"I know you have your loyalty to Lady Asami," Lin stated blankly. "But I think your talent would be best used in the force and I hope she agrees."
"She would understand, Captain," Mako assured. "However, I'd like to make sure she finds a suitable replacement for me."
"Understandable," Lin nodded, turning her attention back to the path before them. In the distance, she saw an orange glow flickering a few miles in the distance. "What the hell?" Her relaxed composure was broken into a new feet of alertness. "Is that a fire?"
Mako caught the spectacle and stiffened. "That's the corn field hosting the maze for the festival!"
"Guess this night isn't over just yet," Lin mumbled sourly. "Let's go!"
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Asami and Korra stood outside the burning cornfield, free from the maze and onslaught of monsters that contained it. They both hunched over huffing and panting to catch their breath from running and fighting so hard. Korra looked over to her with a grin on her face. "We make a pretty good team," she said, earning a soft smile from her companion.
"Yeah," Asami huffed, flipping the loose strands of her hair out of her face then sheathed her sword back to her waist. "Those things didn't stand a chance." She turned to watch the blazing cornfield with a hand on her hip. "This was way too close to the city. I'm going to get a good word in with the council tomorrow."
Korra's head perked up in response. "You're going to the council meeting?"
Asami nodded in response. "When my father is out on business I usually fill in for him at government meetings… why do you ask?"
"I'm going to be there too…" Korra mumbled. She knew what will be discussed in the meeting. Asami's relocation. "We are putting together a task force to find where Amon is hiding and some safety protocols that need to be in place…" She was reluctant to tell Asami about the plans fully and inwardly cursed at herself for her cowardness. She figured it would be best to let the leaders of the city break the news to her. It's not like Asami would listen to her anyways.
"What is going on here?!" Lin rode up with Mako and the other soldiers closely behind. "Who are you?!" Asami and Korra looked at each other then back at the captain when she slid down off her horse. "Take off those masks!"
Both ladies sighed and reluctantly pulled the black masks off their faces with remorse. Asami's eyes failed to make eye contact, but Korra stepped up to the gaping faces of the guards.
"I can explain," Korra said with a groan when Lin's face showed nothing but ire. "I convinced Lady Asami to ditch the party to check out the festival and… well… when we came to tour the maze we found out a bunch of ghouls were in it. We had to fight to escape and I burned the field down. We didn't have a choice!"
Lin stared at them with an unreadable expression before she moved to pinch the bridge of her nose. Letting out a long sigh, the captain snapped over to Mako. "Take Lady Asami back to her home." Then she whipped around to the southerner. "And you! You go back to the island where you belong! I don't want to find either of you doing something like this again, do you hear me? The last thing I need is to worry about two elites getting themselves into trouble!"
"Yes, Captain," Asami murmured and moved over to Mako's horse, jumping up and mounting it behind him. She darted her gaze over to Korra, sprouting a small smile in her direction. Korra's lips couldn't help but curve upward in response as she watched Mako and Asami rode off to the Sato Estate.
"Get going, Princess…" Lin grunted out and folded her arms over her chest. "Or do I need to escort you myself?"
"No that's not necessary," Korra grinned and held her hands up in surrender. "See you at the meeting, Captain." She spun on her boots then trotted off back towards the city and when she was sure that the captain couldn't see her anymore, she changed direction…
...towards the Sato Estate.
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"Just what do you think you were doing?" Mako growled his disapproval as he steered the horse into the Sato's stables. Asami hopped off the steed landing softly on the ground with a smug smirk on her lips.
"Just having a little fun," she shrugged and padded her way out of the stable, but Mako was close behind her.
"You know that the captain is going to tell your father about this…" he declared with a frown but Asami just shrugged again.
"Let her, I don't care…" she said with her chin raised high as they bustled into the front entrance of the manor. "He made the mistake in marrying me off to a royal… He won't have any power over me when I'm queen."
"I thought you didn't want to be queen," Mako mumbled.
"Well being royalty can have some perks, I suppose…" Asami chidded. "And you can't blame me for wanting to have some thrills before I'm shipped off to the Fire Nation. Korra has been very accommodating. It seems like we can actually be friends after all… She even wants to stay in my service."
"Just don't let her get you into any more trouble," Mako sighed out as they stopped at Asami's bedchamber door. Asami turned to him with a soft smile then leaned in to kiss his cheek affectionately earning a blush on his cheeks.
"Thanks for caring about me, Mako," She said with a pat on his shoulder, turning to her door. "Good night."
"Umm… Lady Asami?" The noblewoman paused and twisted back to his direction at attention. "You… may want to wear a scarf tomorrow." He said as he tapped a spot on his own neck in indication. Her brow furrowed at him for a moment before descending into the privacy of her chambers without another word.
When the door closed shut, Asami moved quickly over to her vanity, eyes widening as she saw the bruise on her neck. "Fuck." She blushed madly rubbing at the spot Korra had marked her with. She had been careless it seems. Within the haze of desire, Asami had let Korra mark her. And Mako had seen it… Anxiety slammed into her chest as she started to panic.
Mako knows I am being unfaithful to my betrothed. And Jinora… and possibly Bolin. They aren't stupid… they probably know it was Korra. She marked me like a fucking animal…
The thought sent a pulsation in between her legs, radiating through her core with flickering heat. Korra's affect on her was getting worse. She ducked in her breath, closing her eyes to calculate quietly.
Okay, this is fine. They won't tell anyone I trust them to keep it a secret. But this is getting out of hand, I need to stay in control. Spirits… she's so amazing. I think I'm...
She couldn't let herself complete that thought. Instead, she grew angry. Angry at herself for letting it happen. She was even angry at Korra for initiating it. The hunter is fully aware on the reasons why they shouldn't be together and instead of respectfully keeping her distance, she dove into the opportunity when her guard was down. But it wasn't like Asami didn't want it to happen… and she couldn't blame Korra for that. If anyone was to blame it would be herself.
Letting out a sigh of despair, Asami decided that she needed to bathe to calm herself, and to wash off the soot and blood from her body. She shredded her clothing on the way to the bathroom then drew herself a bath. The water was searing hot, just how she likes it. A pleasant moan escaped her lips when her naked body slipped into the water. Laying in the cocoon of warmth, Asami relaxed back on the edge of the pool. Her mind drifted a little, thinking about her responsibility to the Fire Nation's throne.
The Fire Nation was a proud country. A culture of honor and tradition. They were a bit behind on technological advancements for their people but had invested a lot of coin in their military. The Sato Estate is the reason for that. Her father made most of their financial success built on war machines for them. Besides rebel battalions against the government, the nation was at peace with the rest of the world. A long time ago, the Fire Nation was drunk on power to invade the rest of the world until a monk changed the way they viewed things. Asami wondered why the Fire Nation chose to invest in military more than improving the lives of their people in today's time. She hoped that Prince Iroh and her will change that in the near future.
"Hey." The voice snapped Asami pit of her thoughts, startling her. Asami jolted to cover herself despite the cloud of suds that his everything. She found Korra leaning against the doorway of the bathroom with a smug grin.
"What are you doing here?!" Asami implored, blushing madly sinking in the water further. Korra padded over to her, pulling her white tunic off.
"I thought… maybe we can continue where we left off?" Korra's voice rang with hopefulness while kicking off her boots disgracefully. She then turned slightly as she pulled her slacks down, revealing the luscious lump of her backside with a lip bite. "Unless… you changed your mind?" she said seductively.
Asami's mouth went dry at the sight of Korra's display of sculpted curvy form and couldn't move to speak instead watching Korra join her in the hot water with a hiss against the heat with her mocha nipples stiffening with the change of sensation. The dark woman's body drifted closer as those piercing blue eyes piercing with determination. Korra's strong hand started sliding up Asami's left thigh. Before she could advance any further, Asami scowled at her and pressed her foot between Korra's beautiful breasts, halting any further advancement.
"You think you can just sneak in here and expect me to submit to you?" Asami raised a brow. "I think your ego is too big for your own good."
Korra smirked at her while grasping onto the foot the held her at bay. Her fingers dug into the soul of her foot in a gentle massage. Asami let out a moan in approval at the impromptu action. "Mmm, my lady… you should learn how to relax… I only wish to serve you." Korra brought the foot up to her lips to tenderly kiss at her toes. "You didn't seem to protest earlier…"
"That… mnnn... was a moment of weakness on my part," she confessed following a gasp of pleasure when Korra's lips sucked on her big toe, her tongue swirled lovingly on the appendage. Asami's foot yanked away from Korra's grasp only to be pressed on the side of the hunter's face. Asami's smoldering stare bore into her icy blues in a moment of what seemed to be a silent struggle.
"I'm not ready to lose my virginity…" Asami declared. "So don't think I will let you have it so easily. You touched me without my permission." She craned her long neck to expose the mark. "And look what happened… Do you know what will happen to me if word got out? I can be killed for treason against the Fire Nation's crown if my virtue is ever questioned."
She watched Korra's face flood with guilt, the hunter drifted backwards to gain some distance. Her head hung low with her eyes twinkling in sadness. "I'm sorry, Lady Asami… I didn't mean to put you in danger…"
"Well, you did… and now Mako knows… he saw the mark," Asami pursed her lips as Korra's eyes widened. "I can trust him to remain silent on this matter... But if this is going to continue, Princess…" Asami started as she raised her chin confidently. "There are going to be rules. I'm in charge, you understand?"
"Yes, my lady…" Korra nodded and was surprised when Asami raised her other foot out of the water and in her direction.
"Worship me…" Asami commanded. Korra didn't hesitate. Her hands grabbed onto her foot and began massaging in gentle but strong pressure. "Rule number one… If you want to touch me, you have to ask for permission." Asami pushed her foot forward to Korra's mouth and let out a moan as her toes were licked and worshipped by Korra's willing mouth.
"Mmmnn…" Korra confirmed as her lips drew in three small toes to suckle on.
"Number two…" Asami gasped out when the hot tongue flicked over a sensitive spot. "No marking my neck or anywhere else where it can be seen…" Korra let her toes slip out of her mouth with a noisy pop, grinning with a nod.
"And number three…" Asami pulled her foot back to stand up out of the water. Korra's eyes popped out of her head as the noblewoman's naked body was exposed to her eyes fully for the first time. Her skin was flushed with the heat of the bath and despite the warmth, her pink nipples stiffened in excitement. Korra's eyes darkened as they drifted down the strong angles of toned muscle and feminine curvatures to the pouty pink lips of Asami's sex. The hunter's throat let out a growling whimper at the sight. To make sure she was paying attention, Asami reached out and lifted Korra's chin to her dark emerald eyes. "No penetration… If you are to service me, you will do it with your mouth."
"Okay…" Korra whimpered as her hands couldn't help but graze up Asami's thighs, eyes darting back down to gander at the object she longed to touch and taste. Asami grasped the chestnut locks on top of her head and pulled, forcing her head to crane back.
"You are already failing to follow the rules," Asami growled causing Korra's hands to retreat back immediately. "Repeat them back to me so I know you understand."
Korra groaned in pain as her scalp burned with the heiress's grasp. "No touching without permission… No marking visible areas… And no penetration…" Korra's understanding was clear, but then she added, "Unless you ask me of course…" Asami caught the ghost of a smirk on her lips. "...may I touch you, Lady Asami?"
"No," Asami frowned and released her hair. "You haven't earned that. I need to punish you first for your crime earlier." She climbed out of the pool to Korra's disappointment, grabbing a towel to dry herself. "Get dressed and come into the bedroom," Asami requested before wrapping the towel around herself and exited the bathroom without looking back.
Korra couldn't move fast enough. She shot out of the water and quickly toweled herself off before pulling her clothes back on in a hurry. Even though she was going to be punished, she wanted to get it over with as quick as possible in the hopes of being able to touch Asami again. The sooner the better. When she entered the bedroom, her eyes fell onto Asami's naked form that laid on the bed posing in a provocative fashion that made her mouth water. Asami flashed her a small smile, clearly amused at Korra's gaping mouth and hungry eyes. A pale finger pressed against her red lips when the hunter moved to speak.
"Mako is just outside," she said in a hushed tone. "You left the balcony door open… go close it for me." Korra obeyed her command, shutting the door quietly. "Now… stand at the end of my bed," she commanded next as she propper herself up on the pillows in a half seated position. Her housecarl did as she was told, taking her position at the foot of the bed to Asami's approval. "No talking, no touching, no moving… The only thing I want you to do is watch."
Korra swallowed as Asami parted her legs, fully exposing her glistening folds to her housecarl's greedy eyes earning a throaty moan at the sight of her. Asami sighed as took a perky breast in her own hand, squeezing then pinching her nipple. Her other hand slid down her stomach, pass the small patch of trimmed black curls and circled around her swollen clit, teasing. Korra's hands fisted when Asami's breath became heavy with desire.
So this is my punishment? Korra's throat rumbled when the scent of Asami's sex invaded her nose, driving her to the brink of insanity. Knowing that she can't do anything, Korra found this punishment to be anything but cruel. When Asami's hips rocked as her finger danced faster on the bundle of nerves, Korra found it hard to breathe as she watched her pleasure herself.
"Fuck…" Asami breathed, arching her back a little. "Mnnn… yeah. Just like that." Korra's chest started to rise and fall in heavy jutting, her eyes never leaving the woman on the bed. Every inch of her body was on fire. The beast inside her growled with want with every draining second and it took everything in her will power to stay put. Korra made sure to take in every detail of Asami's display to be forever etched in her memory. Her soft skin was flushed pink from her collarbone up glistening beautifully in the hearthfire's glow. Even though this was a punishment… Korra couldn't help but feel like she was being rewarded at the same time.
"I love the way you look at me, Princess…" Asami whispered with a grin, biting at her lower lip as she continued to pleasure herself, flicking her clit back and forth in a faster pace. "Mmnn… Come closer and get a better look at what you are missing." Korra whimpered in response, crawling onto the mattress towards her. When she was close enough, Asami hooked a leg over her shoulder, pulling her even closer until Korra's face was just inches away from the junction between her thighs. "Stay right there…" she moaned softly as she noted the trembling of Korra's mouth aching to taste her. Asami's teasing triggered Korra's heavy breath to puff over her wetness in soft grunts of longing. The rolling of hips became uneven as Asami's body started to tremble in response to the way Korra was looking at her. All it did was stoke her inner inferno as oil to the flame.
"Keep watching me with those beautiful eyes," Asami moaned through gritted teeth as the pleasure started to overflow to a breaking point. She wasn't expecting to come so quickly but the way Korra's eyes were drinking her made her even more aroused to see how much Korra wanted her. Asami honestly was disappointed that her housecarl had such great control to stay still. But perhaps it was the best for the current situation. If she screamed, Mako would be busting her door down in a flash..
Korra moaned quietly when she realized what was about to happen. She could feel the noblewoman's aura flutter with pleasure, reaching out and coiling around her own. Asami's hips shot up as the climax exploded through her body, her sex quivered with release against Korra's chin unintentionally. Her head fell back against the headboard, mouth falling open in a silent scream. Asami was pleasantly surprised that Korra remained still during the entire wake. Korra's groan was almost too loud, her hands trembling and gripping onto the bedding when Asami's wetness painted her face. When the waves of pleasure subsided, Asami collapsed back onto the bed in exhaustion and bliss.
Korra's darted her tongue out over her own lips, shuddering at the taste of what was left. Asami tasted like her scent, deliciously sweet. "Lady Asami…" Korra panted with painful desire. "May I… please, taste you?"
Asami hummed in her throat, grasping onto Korra's tunic and pulled her up over her spent body. "Maybe next time…" she said with heavy eyes, fingering Korra's hair affectionately. "I won't be able to stay quiet if you do…" That earned her a smile in which she returned warmly with a blush. "You may kiss me if you want…"
Oh, she wanted to, and Korra didn't hesitate. She smashed her mouth against Asami's welcoming lips. Tongues danced against each other within releases of soft sighs and throaty moans. Asami only broke the kiss for air and to halt the tempting rolling of her housecarl's hips. "Behave…" she scolded with a smug smile, pushing her off. Korra moaned in agony before crawling out of the bed to fetch her boots. She sat in the edge of the bed, grumbling under her breath as she started to slide her feet in.
"Don't you want to stay here?" Asami asked while propping her head up as she settled underneath the covers. Korra snapped her head in her direction. "It's a little late to go back to the island, right?"
"I guess I can sleep on the floor until morning," Korra said, but then raised her brows when the noblewoman padded the empty spot next to her.
"Nonsense, I wouldn't dream making a princess sleep on the floor," she said softly as her blush deepened in color. "Sleep with me…" she mumbled in slight embarrassment for asking. "Please…"
Sighing in happiness, Asami found herself wrapped up in the strong arms of her housecarl underneath the covers. Korra's lips brushed over her bare shoulder and her hand glided across her taut stomach endearingly. Asami allowed the touch, embraced it. After seeing the strength to stay obedient, Asami grew to trust her a bit more. Too long had she felt lonely in her chambers. Up until her mother's death she had always had her to snuggle up with. When she had to sleep by herself, Asami never closed her eyes without the reassuring flame of the hearth to light up her room no matter the weather. Korra made her feel wanted and loved, something she hasn't felt in a very long time.
"Have any bedtime stories from the south?" Asami asked. She felt Korra's lips tighten in a smile on her skin.
"Most of them are depressing," She claims. "I don't know why they tell such sad stories in my tribe."
"Which one is your favorite?" Asami asked.
"Hmm…" Korra thought for a moment before answering. "The wolf and the moon."
"Tell it to me," Asami sighed as her eyelids closed in sleepiness, relaxing into Korra's warmth around her.
"There is a tale to why the moon is so lonely," Korra started, softly stroking Asami's smooth skin. "In the spirit world, she had a lover, a great warrior named Kida. Every night, the moon and the her lover would run in the skies together, playing in the constellations in celebration of their love." Asami hummed when Korra paused to place a kiss to the back of her neck.
"But a dark spirit became jealous of their relationship, wanting the moon for himself. During the day, the spirit came to the Kida and told him that the moon wished to have flowers from the physical realm. Taking the form of a dog, Kida went into the physical realm to retrieve the flowers the moon so desired. But he was not aware that when spirits leave the spirit world, they cannot go back. And now… every night, he looks up into the sky and howl's the moon's name, knowing he can never touch her again… and to this day, beasts of the earth still howl to the moon, baying their sorrows to their love who is intangible forever."
"Mn… so sad…" Asami moaned as the beckoning of slumber overtook her. Korra burrowed her face into the noblewoman's locks, inhaling deeply at her scent until she too fell into blissful sleep.
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Asami stirred as the sunlight through the windows spilled upon her face. Moaning in protest, she rolled over to try to ignore the sun until her body clashed with a form next to her. Her eyes popped open, suddenly remembering that Korra had stayed the night. Her lips curved into a smile to find the hunter sprawled on her back with her mouth hung open, drooling and snoring softly with her short brown hair disheveled in a mess. Unfortunately, she is going to have to wake her up soon. Jinora would be at her door in any moment to prepare her for the day. The heiress leaned in so her lips were close to Korra's ear.
"Time to wake up, Korra," Asami called out.
"Not now, Mom," Korra mumbled in her sleep. "Naga's got my pants…" A wide grin sprouted on the noblewoman's face. Asami sat up and swung a leg over her waist to straddle her.
"Korra…" she called out again, this time motivating the dark woman to ease her eyes open, but only half-lidded. Korra let out a sleepy moan of approval at the sight above her, sliding her hands over Asami's pale thighs with a growing smile. "Good morning, Korra."
"Good… yes, very good morning…" Korra mumbled as her hands slid up Asami's body on the path to reach her breasts.
"You like to break the rules don't you?" Asami grasped her wrists to stop the ascent only to be met with an energetic thrust from the hunter's hips below her.
"And you like to tease me," Korra frowned with a whimper in her throat. "When are you going to let me touch you?"
"When you earn it," Asami noted. "By obeying the rules longer than just a few hours." Korra huffed in disapproval waving her wands up in defeat when Asami rolled off of her. It seems like Korra will just need to remain patient. Asami seated herself at her vanity to reapply her makeup while Korra stomped on her boots and moved to exit through the balcony door.
"Your armor is ready," Asami declared. "You can swing by the shop later to pick it up at noon. I figured you can accompany me to the council meeting afterwards?"
Oh… right. Korra almost forgot about that. The swarm of butterflies in her stomach reminded her that Asami might not like her very much after what will be discussed in the meeting. Korra was still ashamed of how much of a coward she was to warn her ahead of time. But at least she will be able to make sure Asami was safe in all of this and that was all that mattered to her. As the two of them spend more time together, Korra became more and more fond of Asami. She just prayed that the council meeting won't change their current relationship.
Maybe it's better this way, she thought. If Asami hated her, then she would be able to keep her at a distance emotionally. However, Korra knew that was a fool's errand… If she was honest with herself… she was in love with the noblewoman already.
"See you then." Korra bid her farewell before escaping out of the balcony, scaling the walls and making her way back to the monastery for her morning training.
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When she arrived on the property, she was greeted by a not so happy Tenzin. Her head hung low as he chewed her out for ditching the party and risking Asami's safety in a impromptu ghoul slaying in the corn maze.
"I'm sorry, Tenzin," Korra fessed up to her crimes and was more than willing to admit it. "If I had known that the festival wasn't safe I would never put her in danger like that." She flashed him an assuring smile with a shoulder shrug. "At least I didn't have to use the Beast state because of your knowledge of magic. If it wasn't for you, Asami and I would have been goners."
The councilmen sighed heavily, running a large hand over his bald head. "Well, I suppose what's done is done. Come now, we need to see if we can make any progress with the element of air." With a flutter of his orange robes, he lead the way into the training grounds where someone familiar was waiting for them with a smile on her soft face.
"Good Morning, Princess," Opal approached with a bow. "Master Tenzin has assigned for us to meditate together."
"Meditate?" Korra was surprised. "I thought we were training."
"The element of wind has a direct connection to the way of the spirit," Tenzin explained as he took a seat on the ground. "It is important to meditate to tap in your spiritual potential in order to harness it." He motioned for the two ladies to join him. Sitting with crossed legs, the two pupils followed his lead to close their eyes and clear their minds. Tenzin guided the meditation with his monotone voice, relaying instructions to relax the body and focus on the gentle swaying of breath.
Korra wasn't able to concentrate. All the worries in the forefront of her mind about the impending council meeting was hindering her ability to relax. She groaned a little in frustration, peaking an eye open to see how Opal was faring. Korra took note on how relaxed she seemed and how soft her feminine features were pleasantly at ease in the session. Korra also noticed how pretty her olive complexion shimmered in the autumn morning sun.
I wonder if she's into girls... Korra mentally slapped herself for that thought. With the way Asami was teasing her recently, the hunter's sexual frustrations was getting the best of her. Guess I'm just really into noblewomen… Korra started to sulk as a wave of depression washed over. Whoever she finds attractive, it seems to always be someone she has no business being attracted to. She kept stealing little glances to Opal, wondering how in the world she was able to remain still the entire time.
Korra suffered through the rest of the meditation with little success of relaxing. At the end of the lesson, Tenzin left to his office to prepare his notes for the meeting that will hold soon while his pupils walked together through the halls of the temple grounds.
"So…" Korra tried to start some kind of conversation with the shorter lady. "Kinda strange that you are a wind elemental huh? Zaofu is known to have only earth magic users."
"I don't get it either," Opal chimed. "I guess maybe that I have a distant relative that may have had an affair with a nomadic monk. I'm glad though…" she sighed happily. "I was beginning to think that I would never have any magical talents… Plus this gives me an opportunity to figure out some things on my own without my mother dodding on me so much."
"I can relate to that," Korra commented. "My father kept me pretty sheltered from the world growing up. I know he meant well."
"Guess we have something in common then!" Opal smiled as she turned to her. "I noticed that you had a hard time this morning…" Korra went rigged when Opal's hand reached out to squeeze her forearm. "It's all about knowing how to manage stress… If you'd like… I can show you how to reduce it…"
Korra started to sputter, "Wh-what do you mean by th-that?!"
Opal let out a small giggle at her reaction and swung her green draped shoulders flirtatiously. "Don't think I didn't notice you looking at me while you were supposed to be meditating… I've been going insane being confined to such a small island and can use a little stress relief myself." She removed her hand from Korra's arm only to tuck a strand of the hunter's hair behind her ear. "You are a beautiful woman, Korra… Strong with a great sense of ambition to protect the city. It's very admirable. I always try to sneak a few looks myself when you are practicing your magic. Just in case you are interested… I have extensive experience in the art of womanly love."
"L-Lady Opal!" Korra stammered as she tried to process what was happening but her brain clouded when petite girl stepped a little closer. "I… um…" Korra started to blush as the girl's floral scent lapped on her nose.
Opal shrugged her shoulders daintily with a smile. "Don't worry about giving me an answer now… We will have plenty of time to get to know each other soon." Korra watched Opal skip off with a pep in her step, leaving the dark warrior glued in place with her mouth open. The bell of the chapel tower gonged noisily at the strike of eleven, vibrating the ground and snapping Korra out of her dazed state. She ran to her quarters in the female dormitories to change into her housecarl uniform, fully equipping herself with knife, bow and quiver. Displaying strength at the council meeting is a priority in order to be taken seriously by the government officials.
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Korra met up with Naga and took the ferry over the the city on her own. Tenzin had stressed to her to take guards with her from now on but it wasn't necessary in her mind. No one is going to mess with her while Naga is around. Korra egged her direwolf into a trot through the streets with a sense of eagerness. Even though it's only been a couple if hours since she's seen her. Korra's heart skipped a beat when thinking about seeing Asami again.
"Hey Mako!" Korra waved as she passed him in the corridor of the smithshop. The guard only muttered something back, avoiding eye contact with her the entire time she was present until she slipped into the doorway of Asami's station. There she was, Asami Sato. But what surprised Korra was her outfit. She was dressed similar to the night before but her dark grey tunic was more sturdy with maroon lining in the front held by a pattern of silver buttons and a high collar to hide the mark on her neck. Looking further down, her stockings were just a few too inches too short to hide the skin of her thighs.
"Excuse me, miss," Korra announced. "I think I'm lost…" Asami raised her head up from her desk. "I'm looking for a lady, but it seems I found a maiden warrior instead."
A smirk brushed up on Asami's face before rising up from her bench to meet her. "Hmmm, and I thought I was meeting a princess, instead I have this wildling in my presence."
That comment earned her a wolfish grin, of course. Korra shrugged her shoulder, "Well, you can take the beast out of the wild but you can't take the wild out of the beast, they say."
"Hmmm…" Asami sucked in her bottom lip easing back until her bottom met the edge of her work desk when Korra stepped closer with a predatory gaze. "You might be right..." Asami's aura fluttered with delight, beckoning the housecarl to come hither.
"You know what happens when you don't feed the wolf?" Korra asked in a low voice, placing her hands on either side of the noblewoman, pinning her against the desk. Korra watched the darkening irises of Asami's eyes, further encouraging her to press her mouth close to her ear. "You get eaten."
"Is that a promise?" Asami asked. Her voice was sultry and thick with arousal. She plans on teasing Korra more and with a little careful execution, hoping that she will snap under the strain despite the rules laid upon her. Asami was fully tempted to start something right then. That is until Mako cleared his throat from the doorway. Indicating that their conversation was anything but private.
Korra leaped back, her dominant persona disappeared into one of bashfulness. Chuckling nervously with a rub on her neck. "So… you said something about armor?"
A few moments later, Korra was standing in the middle of the workstation as Asami made a couple of adjustments to the light body armor she crafted as it draped over her housecarl's form. She encouraged her to move around, bend and twist to make sure it was easy to move in. Korra seemed satisfied with a wide smile on her face. Asami completed suiting her with the bracers and shinguards, stepping back to check how it all looked.
"I took the liberty in plating the platinum with some silver," the heiress mentioned. "So it's a little heavier than before but at least it will burn any vampire that grazes it. Silver can also weaken werebeasts in case you come across any."
"It's perfect," Korra said, buckling her belt over her waist. "Do I owe you anything for it?"
Asami smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Normally I would charge a small fortune for something like this. But you can just thank me later…"
Mako coughed.
"Spirits, Mako...I didn't mean that," Asami worried a finger on her brow, blushing. "We should get going anyways…" She moved to a weapon rack, plucking off her sword of the day and fastened it to her own belt before joining Korra outside. Naga barked happily at her, making Asami smile and leave a little scuffle behind the direwolf's ear. She could feel Korra smiling behind her as she did.
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The council meeting room was humongous, too large in Korra's opinion for only to house no more than a few officials for the republic. A round mahogany table sat right in the center save for a throne in the back and a queen's seat to the right of it. All the leaders of the city were present save for Hiroshi. King Raiko and his queen, Lord Tarrlok for the North, Master Tenzin for the Air Nation, Captain Beifong for the force, Lord Gan-Lan for the Earth district, and Asami Sato represented the Fire district in her father's place.
A smirk curled on the heiress's face when the men had to take a double look at her. But Lin was the only one brave enough to approach her with a rare smile on her face.
"Looking good, Sato," she said. "Ladies shouldn't be afraid of displaying strength."
"Thank you, Captain," she nodded with a grin. Lin then turned to Korra, eyeing the new suit of armor.
"By Sato's anvil, no doubt," Lin rubbed her chin then turned back to Asami. "I think I'm ready for a new set of my own, if you have the time."
"I would love to, but my work is a little tied up in the forge," Asami noted. "Perhaps my father can busy his hands for you."
Lin raised a hand up in rejection. "Nonsense, I can wait for you to be free. Your father may be out of practice and I expect the best."
"Now that everyone is here," Raiko strolled up to the round table, smacking the surface with his trusty gavel summoning the participants to take their seats. "Let us begin the meeting. I'd like to welcome Princess Korra in our presence today, she will be fighting with our forces against Amon. Which is the subject we will discuss today… and I will let Captain Beifong proceed with our current situation in the country."
Lin stood up from her seat, producing a large manilla scroll and unrolled it on the table, revealing a highly detailed map of the republic. "Alright, listen up," She exclaimed for everyone's undivided attention. "As everyone is aware, Amon had been attacking the farmlands in the country, eating livestock hearts and now recently, we have found many bodies of young women in the same situation. All the other victims have been turned into ghouls including many patrol guards who stumble upon them. Most of the ghouls are found in the northern part of the countryside, however the young women whose hearts were taken are all found on the west side and all belong to families who own farms using Sato Mills…" Lin's green eyes flashed over to the heiress who folded her arms and wrinkled her brow in thought for a moment before responding.
"I can say that Amon is eating these women's hearts to gain power over young virgins… to prepare for the sacrifice during the solstice. However, his choice to attack farms in with Sato's contracts is a direct statement to take his revenge on the Sato Estate by causing economic stress. Soon, vendors using Sato Mill products won't be able to afford them. Since Sato Mills produce more than eighty percent of the Republic's wheat, I fear that the civilians won't be able to survive with the rising prices." Asami twisted her head to Lord Gan-Lan. "I also noticed that Cabbage Company produce seemed to going up in price as well… Have the ghouls been raiding your farms, Lord Gan-Lan?"
"Our farms have not suffered as intensively as yours, Lady Asami," the lanky old man was nearly mumbling out his words almost nervously. "However, the farm owners are hiring mercenary forces for extra protection which are driving up the costs of production."
"Hmmm…" The noblewoman's eyes narrowed slightly. "I can't imagine that hiring a few swordhands would cause a sixty percent increase for your potato crops. If anything, I think you are taking advantage of this situation."
"The mercenaries are charging an astronomical fee because they know that the guard forces are spread too thin to protect the farms," he said with a nose raised to the air. "If anyone is taken an advantage it would be them."
Asami let out a small sigh and turned to the King. "Then I motion to send for aid. Surely the Empire can spare some soldiers?"
"I can request for the aid from the empress, but I assure you that she won't find this situation a priority." The King butter his chin to his captain. "I think a request from Zaofu would be more successful."
Lin straightened her spine with a growing scowl. With a sigh she answered, "I suppose we can ask Zaofu…"
"All those in favor?" The King looked around, seeing the unanimous hands raise in the air before smacking the gavel down. "Then it is to be done." Clearing his throat the King moved to the next subject. "Lady Asami, you mentioned the ritual that Amon will attempt to perform to become a daywalker… Master Tenzin has mentioned that the blade he needs is in your father's possession but with Amon's eye in the Sato Estate… I am not confident that it should stay there."
"I understand your concern, your Majesty," Asami leaned forward. "I am not sure what precautions my father has taken to keep it hidden but I would imagine that he is keeping it off the property. We will have to wait until he returns to know where it is for sure. Regardless, the Sato Estate is a target and I am making every move to defend my home from Amon. My smiths are forging silver weapons and armor dipped in the oil of garlic for which I will grant to the guard force in exchange for offering me more protection."
"We will do our best to protect the Sato Estate, but I can't make any promises to you safe." Lin said. "My forces are already spread too thin. Even if we get aid from Zaofu, it will take them weeks to arrive. We need a tactical plan to find out where the blooddrinker is hiding so we can strike first." At that mention, Master Tenzin rose from his seat. The action caused Korra to shoot up from her own chair, almost startling the noblewoman who sat next to her. Korra's face fell to a stern expression and her hands clasped behind her waist as her chest puffed out.
"Actually, Lin… the princess and I have already discussed what we can do to ensure Lady Asami's full protection and the means to find Amon." Tenzin nodded over to Korra who started to relay the plans.
"I will devise a small team to track Amon during the day," Korra announced. "I suspect that he is the only one eating hearts so we should explore the forest to the west for any shelter he could be using." Korra then took a deep breath before finishing her statement. "As far as Lady Asami's protection, I motion to move her to Air Spirit Island until the Amon situation is dealt with."
"What?" Asami breathed with shock.
"And I second that motion," Tenzin declared.
"Now wait just a minute!" Asami rose up, clenching her fists. "How am I to continue my work from the island? My father has been stretched too thin to be able to run the estate on his own. And what about my servants? Who is to protect them if Amon attacks the manor?"
"I will make sure your servants find accomodations in the Republic's safehouse with rations to keep them well taken care of." The King said. "Surely your father will have the means to run his estate on his own for a short while?"
"But-"
"If I may," Tarrok raised a hand in interruption. "I agree with needing to keep the future of our ally's throne in tact, but I can also empathize with Lady Asami's feelings about her duties to the Sato Estate. The task of Lord Hiroshi running it on his own, even for a short while, will be a difficult one. I say that Lady Asami should be able to continue her work in the capital, so long she agrees to spend her nights at the monastery."
"I can agree to that," Asami said, sighing in relief to know that someone in this room was reasonable. "My personal guard can escort me during the day."
"That won't be an option," Lin shot in but not without giving Asami an apologetic look. "We need all the viable men we can for our operation to bring Amon down. I think the best thing to do is to to keep you at the island at all times, Lady Asami."
"I am also needing Mako's assistance with the scouting mission as well as Bolin." Korra said, tilting her head to the noblewoman with a soft expression. "I'm sorry, my Lady… But I have vowed to keep you safe and this is the best option we have."
Asami drew in a deep breath through her nose, closing her eyes shut for a moment. When she opened them, her eyes shot at Korra with a deep intensity of emotion, lips tightening as her anger began to boil. "Fine," she hissed with gritted teeth and lowered herself back to her chair. Her gaze fell down onto the table as she sat in silent rage.
"In that case, I can send assistants to aid Lord Hiroshi with his business tasks," Tarrok offered to try to ease the lady's worry. Asami's anger wasn't lessened at all with his offer. She knew that her father would manage without her. What really pissed her off was how Korra took the lead into taking what little freedom she had, even if it was for a short while. Because every day of her freedom counted before she is to be married. The rest of the discussion murmured in her ears, even the doom of the gavel echoed dully in the background as her mind became numb. Her eyes glazing over as she fiddled with the fire diamond that burdened her left ring finger.
She sat through the rest of the meeting in silence, never once taking her eyes off her engagement ring. Even with the gentle tugging of Korra's aura next to her, she drowned out the world as she let her anger consume her. Only until the final swing of the wooden mallet did Asami slip back into reality. She shot up from her seat and swiftly exited the council room.
"Asami, wait!" Korra called out to her from behind, but Asami didn't want to look at her. But Korra's hand grabbed onto her shoulder, she turned with angry tears stinging in her spring ivy eyes.
"Don't touch me!" Her voice shattered into Korra's chest as she screamed. Blue eyes filled with pain as Korra retracted her hand when she saw the hurt in Asami's eyes, when she could feel the hatred in her aura. With her next phrase, Asami's voice fell into a harsh whisper.
"Don't ever… touch me again."