Chapter XX: The Final Tango
Moria had been alone with the Sorceress when He-man had been chasing her child. She knew that, and knew also that would not be able to tarry long with the redhead. Even so, that did not prevent her from saying at least a few words to the half-Eternian.
As He-man departed the scene, Moria had not been able help a small smirk that fell across her features. Idly, she had looked over at Teelina, and had been a tiny bit surprised to find an identical grin on the younger woman's face.
"Your daughter is quite the little distraction, Moria," Teelina had said, not a small amount of humor in her tone.
The elder woman had smiled gently as the Sorceress turned to look at her. "Indeed," Moria had replied, winking at the younger woman. "And yours seems rather hungry for information."
At the mention of Teela, the Sorceress' features had darkened. "What did you tell her?" she all but growled.
Lady Moria had regarded her 'friend' thoughtfully. "Nothing that broke our vow, and nothing she would not have found out on her own. I merely told her that her mother was very similar to herself, only more.. Respectful." A tiny glimmer of an unknown emotion had shone in her eyes, and the Sorceress repressed the urge to shudder.
"That's all?" Teelina had asked, not sounding convinced.
The elder woman had smiled, closing the gap between them and looking deeply into Teelina's blue-green orbs. "That's all," she had affirmed, running her pale hand down the other woman's cheek.
Teelina had brushed her hand aside, not so gently, and turned away, trying to reconcile the flurry of emotions that ranged through her. But if her thoughts were jumbled and confused, it was nothing to the sudden surge of senses that rushed through Moria's mind.
The elder woman had gasped loudly, her face contorting in what could only be pain as she grasped her head. When she had looked up again, her line of sight connected her to Teelina's gaze. It had been concerned.
Moria had stood, shakily, and shook off the last of the surge. This was not a difficult thing to do, as she had known what the sudden overload of senses meant, and had been expecting it. Lyn was in trouble. She had taken her leave quickly, running off to find her daughter, which she had.
After the confrontation with He-man, Moria and her daughter had returned to the meeting room. There, she had berated Lyn for leaving the sanctuary of the group, but had not been too angry, as she herself had done the same thing by walking out onto the veranda.
It was there she had found Teelina again, standing similarly as she had been doing when Moria had left. Lyn had excused herself, and gone off to pester more guests, after a sharp glare from her mother meant as a warning.
As for Teelina, she had spent the time Moria had been gone trying to sort though all of the feelings the elder woman's touch had inspired. Disgust and hatred she identified easily, but was surprised to find what a low amount of those had been in her. Instead, they seemed be overshadowed by .less than innocent feelings. Teelina recoiled, moving towards the railing and looking down at the city of people whose strength she protected.
Her sightline rose until she could just make out the vague glimmer of her home, its gray walls seeming to blend in with the surrounding darkness. Her back was to the door, and if she heard the barely audible footsteps returning to the veranda she made no move that she had done so.
Such was the condition Moria found her.
As it were, the Sorceress had not heard the elder woman return, but was nonetheless unsurprised to find a pale-skinned hand touch her shoulder.
She did not turn to look, knowing full well the amethyst gaze that would shine back at her.
Moria said nothing, merely resting her hand upon the redhead's shoulder, the blue velvet tickling the underside of her hand. They stood that way, side by side, looking out over Eternos for a very long moment.
Finally, Teelina exhaled deeply, still not looking at the older woman. "Why are you here?" she asked, glancing over at Moria and not really expecting an answer.
The elder woman glanced at her sparingly, before looking back over the city. "Because you are."
The younger woman's breath caught in her throat. So, the claim of representing her nation had been a sham for her true purpose. That the true purpose was in actuality herself surprised her a bit.
"Not entirely," Lady Moria said, looking at Teelina. "I did think it necessary to be present at this meeting, but the main driving force behind my coming was not the legion against Skeletor."
The Sorceress shook her head sadly. She had forgotten that Moria was telepathic as she was. "It was me," she stated more than asked. Lady Moria said nothing, but Teelina could almost swear she saw the elder woman's head incline just the slightest bit. "Why?" Her voice was pleading, her tone imploring that, just once, Moria should answer. "What do you want from me?"
The elder woman was silent for a long moment. She slowly took the redhead's chin in her hand, looking into her eyes. She was not all that much taller than Teelina, but enough so that, even at this close distance, the Sorceress's gaze arced upwards to meet her own.
Moria could feel rather than hear the younger woman's breath coming in quick pants, and the warmth of them brushed against her cheek. "Everything you are willing to give," the white-haired woman whispered, her eyes not unkind.
Teelina's chest heaved with each breath, unable to move, locked by the elder woman's eyes. "What if I give nothing?" she dared to ask, her lip quivering under the cool amethyst eyes that held her.
The elder woman smiled gently, smoothing back a stray strand of hair that had fallen in Teelina's face. "Then you wouldn't be here," she whispered, her voice husky and dripping seduction.
Unable to reply, the Sorceress was simply held, captivated, by the Dereskian Queen. She was quickly loosing herself in the elder woman's eyes. and she found it harder and harder to pull herself back.
Without another word, Lady Moria inched her head forward, touching Teelina's lips with her own, her tongue slipping in the redhead's open mouth.
To her amazement, and probably the Sorceress' as well, the younger woman did not pull back. Without thought, the redhead returned the kiss, the gesture automatic but nonetheless passionate.
Their tongues met in the sweet embrace of their mouths, and Teelina could not repress a moan, leaning into the elder woman's touch.
Thus was how Prince Adam found them, both oblivious to his presence.
The blonde's mouth dropped open in shock as he watched the two women embracing. This was all well and fine, until he saw exactly whom it was that was kissing. The light of the Red Moon betrayed all, showing the long, loose red hair and the blue velvet dress that could only belong to one person. The Sorceress?! He asked himself wildly. And who was.? He froze, seeing that Teelina was kissing a taller woman with longer white hair that shone in the light of the Moon.
Lady Moria?! He was unsure whether to scream or throw up. His body refused to respond to his brain's commands for a long moment. Not able to think of whether or not to interrupt them and risk both women's wrath or to race away and inform Man-at-Arms, he stood stock-still, as a deer in headlights. In the end, he raced off, closing the doors to the veranda as quietly as possible. He hid behind the door, so that he'd be unseen but able to hear them.
Moria heard the door close, and instantly knew who was spying.
Her eyes flew open, and gently, ever so tenderly, she pulled away from the Sorceress, smiling lovingly at her. She caressed Teelina's cheek warmly, smiling at her. "Thank you," she whispered, an undertone in her voice that had never been used towards the Sorceress before.
Teelina slowly opened her eyes and heard the whispered words, her face expressionless but her eyes smiling. "I shouldn't have done that," she answered, her stomach full of butterflies at what they'd just done.
Moria laughed softly. "Then why did you?" Her eyes were playfully bright, and she held the younger woman's arms gently.
The Sorceress tried to pull herself away, needing a moment to collect her thoughts and become angry again. Lady Moria would not grant her a reprieve, and held fast, waiting for an answer. "Because," Teelina began, haltingly, "because you wanted to." She looked up slowly into the older woman's eyes. "Because it seemed like a good idea. But it wasn't."
"Why not?" the elder asked, unrelenting.
"Because.." The redhead had no answer. "Because it's you," she finally conceded, averting her gaze.
Silence filled the room, and Moria gradually released the Sorceress' arms, letting her move away to consider her feelings. Teelina walked over to the rail in a daze, confused and perplexed at the flurry of emotions coursing through her.
Moria, it seemed, was not quite done with what might, by others, be called her 'tormenting.' She stepped up behind Teelina, and placed her hand on the other's shoulder once more. The Sorceress looked at the hand slowly.
The elder woman smiled gently, her eyes warm and tender. "Teelina," she asked after a moment. "Were you taught to dance as a child?"
The Sorceress faltered, realizing slowly where Moria was going with this. "Yes," she answered, hesitatingly. Inwardly, a battle was raging over the kiss she had just shared with the elder woman. Half of her wanted to throw up, and the other half wanted. she would not allow her mind to admit to itself what that half wanted.
Moria nodded, realizing the change that was slowly creeping over the Sorceress. "I shall make you a deal," she said softly. "Give me the pleasure of one dance, and then my daughter and I shall depart."
Inside, the part of Teelina that despised Moria was slowly winning. "The only real reason you came here was because you knew I'd be here," Teelina stated, an icy undertone coming into her voice that Moria knew all too well. "All you want is one dance?" she asked, doubting.
Moria regarded her slowly, her features darkening only a hair, her amethyst eyes still boasting amusement. "One dance," she affirmed. "That's all I want."
Behind the door, Prince Adam muffled a protest that rose in his mouth. True, he wanted Moria and her daughter to get out of his home, but who knows what the elder Dereskian had planned? Leaving the Sorceress alone with her was bad enough, but to even suggest a 'dance' was utterly preposterous!
Meanwhile inside the throne room, Evil-Lyn had lost track of the number of conversations she'd held with the other nobles, sometimes just eavesdropping, other times interfering with possible conversations that might lead to any useful solutions. In this way, she prevented any possible chance of the gathering's original purpose to succeed. One such memorable conversation had occurred between the Caligar who had accompanied Lord Ceratus and a Spelean who had come with Lord Dactus. They had been arguing rather passionately about some sort of trade dispute in Subturnia. A woman had been with them, interjecting comments every so often. Lyn had wormed her way into their sights rather early on to the argument, listening for a moment before actually saying anything.
After the argument had finally boiled down to almost certain violence, she had intervened, stepping between the two Eternians. "Among the Dereskígía," she had said, causing both parties to look at her, "we had a custom. When two people feuded at a party such as this one with a woman nearby, an unopened bottle of wine was brought." She casually reached to a nearby table and plucked up a full bottle of a dark red wine, handing it to the Caligar. "Whoever took the biggest swig was allowed to dance with the woman," she had continued, looking pointedly at the young woman who had been arguing.
The Caligar had looked from the Spelean to the woman, and taken a swig of the wine.
Lyn had smiled, and walked away, not bothering to see how the events played out.
She had glanced over at the veranda not so long afterwards to see how her mother was faring, and could not hold back a grin as she watched the older women share a kiss. Slowly, she made her way towards the doors, wreaking havoc on the conversations as she went.
And outside on the veranda, Teelina grudgingly conceded to Moria's request.
"One dance," she said, her eyes faltering where her voice was not. "And then you and your daughter must leave this palace and not return."
Moria nodded slowly, winking an amethyst eye. "Not tonight, in any case."
The Sorceress took in a labored breath, and nodded. "All right," she said, trembling a bit, though from which emotion she dared not guess.
"Not a chance!" Prince Adam said, bursting upon the scene at last. "There is no possible way that I'll allow you to just waltz off with the Sorceress!" His eyes burned angrily as he looked accusingly at Lady Moria.
The Ancient Dereskian lowered her eyes, a faint smile on her lips. "And what, pray tell, do you intend to do to stop me?"
Adam unsheathed his sword, holding it out in front of him like a symbol to ward off demons. "I'll fight you!" he growled, trying to sound threatening. Trying, but not succeeding.
Moria laughed. The Sorceress looked over at her, a worried glance in her eyes, her mind a mess of seething emotions that she did not all have names for.
"I don't know which is more amusing," Moria said, glancing behind Prince Adam at the doors. "The fact that you try to threaten me or the idea that you think you might actually be able to win." She winked an amethyst eye in the direction of the doors, causing Adam to look behind him slowly, not wanting to take his angry gaze from the Dereskian Queen.
He turned. Evil-Lyn winked back at him from the door. "Hello, mother," she said, brushing past a bewildered Adam to stand beside her mother. Adam was taken aback and unable to say anything as Evil-Lyn walked right by him.
Lyn smiled at her mother, raising a questioning brow at the close proximity of the Sorceress. Almost idly, she looked from Adam to the Sorceress to her mother. \\Engrossed in yet another battle of wits?\\ she asked in Dereskian, smiling and winking.
\\So it would seem,\\ Moria replied, looking over at the Sorceress and gently caressing her cheek.
Teelina flinched visibly, but did not draw away, much to Adam's annoyance.
"Stop it!" he growled, brandishing his sword. "Don't touch her! It's bad enough you speak in a language I can't understand!"
Moria smiled. "Ah, but she does," she said softly in Eternian, eyes locked with the Sorceress.' "Don't you, te lynïa?
Teelina's breathing increased slowly as she tried to loose herself from Moria's burning gaze. "It's alright, Adam," she said softly. "They're about to leave." The last remark was made to the eldest woman, Teelina's green- blue eyes pleading.
Adam didn't seem convinced. "You can't just expect me to leave you alone with these two, Sorceress!" he exclaimed.
"Why not?" Moria asked, interrupting him if he were going to say more. "You were quite content to merely watch behind the door not long ago."
The Prince's mouth dropped open like the Jawbride of Grayskull. He tried to begin a sentence or two, finally merely giving up and tightening his grip on his sword, knowing he didn't dare transform with Evil-Lyn here. Or Moria, for that matter, though she had indicated she already knew his secret. He inwardly cringed at the thought. Moria's voice brought him out of his reverie with a sudden jerk.
The eldest woman's amethyst eyes began to pinwheel slightly. "You saw what we were doing then, and did not stop your precious Sorceress. Why do you do so now?"
There was a sharp intake of breath from the Sorceress as she looked at Moria, appalled. *He saw us?* she demanded with her mind voice.
Lady Moria winked at her, providing all the answer she needed. A deep blush caressed Teelina's cheeks as she attempted to hide her face, wanting to be somewhere, anywhere else at that moment.
The eldest woman's hand was still on her cheek, and Teelina felt it slide lower, the pads of Moria's finger tickling her neck. The Sorceress closed her eyes, not sure whether to moan or brush the hand away.
Adam was forgotten as Evil-Lyn looked over, a smug grin on her face. "Have fun, Morämé," she said, again, brushing past a speechless Adam and reentering the throne room, intent on wreaking a little bit more havoc before eventually departing. She could tell, upon entering, that several of the guests had already left.
A smirk fell upon her lips as Lyn idly looked over at the thrones upon which Randor and Marlena sat. So much for their big meeting, she thought, laughing inwardly as she shot a glance at her mother, the Sorceress and Adam. She looked with particular interest at the look on Teelina's face.
Though she could not for the life of her imagine why her mother was so taken with the Sorceress, Lyn was at least amused that, conflicting emotions aside, Moria was good at what she did.
And as for Adam, he was heavily debating running off and grabbing Man-at- Arms and Teela for backup. It was evident that Moria was not perturbed by his presence at all. And the Sorceress. he looked at her questioningly. Her eyes were closed, though if in disgust or pleasure, he couldn't tell as Moria slide her hand down her cheek and neck. Teelina's eyes opened, and locked with Moria's. He doubted the Sorceress could even see him anymore.
On a whim, he slid his sword upwards, the tip of it pricking the Dereskian Queen's throat. It was more an act of making sure she knew he was here rather than a threat.
Clearly annoyed, Lady Moria broke her gaze from Teelina's and looked, aggravated, at the heir to the Eternian throne. "Did you want something?" she asked, her eyes spinning.
"I want you to let her go and leave this palace," Adam stated through gritted teeth, his sword pressing against the pale throat until a few drops of clear liquid trickled down from Moria's neck.
The Ancient Dereskian gently let her hand fall away from Teelina's face. As if waking from a sleep, Teelina's eyes fluttered open, surprised, looking at Adam as if seeing him for the first time.
With a movement Adam could barely see much less expect, Moria twisted her hand around his blade, grabbing it by the sharp edges and twisting it out of his grasp. She flipped it in midair, grasping it by the handle and catching it beneath its owner's chin.
"This is the first time anyone has ever made me bleed and lived to tell about it," she growled, wiping the clear liquid from her neck and holding it before his eyes. In the light of the Moons, the colorless blood seemed to glow and shine.
Adam's eyes were wide as saucers, and he looked at the Sorceress pleadingly as Moria held his sword at his throat.
Teelina did nothing, though doing so took effort, trusting Moria's word when she knew no one else would.
The elder woman's eyes flashed, as she drew the blade away, tossing it up into the air and smiling as it landed perfectly in the scabbard at Adam's back. "Go back to your father," she said, turning back to the Sorceress. "Make sure to ask him of your ancestors sometime, dear princeling. I'm sure he'd be all too happy to tell exactly why it is I'm not exactly overjoyed at your family."
Adam stuttered, trying to think of a witty retort before looking sadly at the Sorceress and turning away in retreat. There was no way he could prevent Moria from doing as she wished, particularly if the Sorceress did not seem to want her to stop.
Moria smiled gently at Teelina, relishing her victory for a moment. "You seem to be fighting internally, love," she whispered huskily, running her hands through Teelina's hair.
For the first time in a long while, the Sorceress drew in a heavy breath and pulled herself away. "I can't do this, Moria," she said, eyes saying otherwise. "Please. just go away."
The white-haired woman looked at her lovingly, stroking the side of the tanner face. "Is that what you really want?" she murmured softly.
Teelina shook the elder woman away and took a step back, turning her head from Moria. 'I don't know what I want right now.' she longed to say, but knew that to do so would only drive the Ancient Dereskian onward. She needed to think. She needed to sit, alone in her castle, where the silent walls of grey, cool stone would betray none of her secret emotions and frustrations. "Please leave, Moria," she said instead, her eyes downcast.
Moria knew her thoughts without her saying it, of course. She nodded, smiling gently, turning Teelina's cheek to look into her amethyst gaze. "Emotions are not designed to be understood, my dear," she said softly, turning away and heading towards the door. Before departing, she turned and looked back, smiling in her enigmatic fashion. "Otherwise there would not be so many of them."
The Dereskian Queen walked back into the now nearly empty hall, most of the guests having already departed, and the meeting having proved pointless. Lady Moria caught her daughter's gaze from across the room, and smiled, winking. Their purpose had been fulfilled.
As they crossed the floor towards the door together, nodding with twin smiles at the direction of Randor and Marlena, Lady Moria glanced at the veranda. It was empty, now but she caught sight of a falcon rising from the rail and taking flight towards Grayskull, and she smiled. This night, Moria knew she would not be alone in her sleeplessness.
Moria had been alone with the Sorceress when He-man had been chasing her child. She knew that, and knew also that would not be able to tarry long with the redhead. Even so, that did not prevent her from saying at least a few words to the half-Eternian.
As He-man departed the scene, Moria had not been able help a small smirk that fell across her features. Idly, she had looked over at Teelina, and had been a tiny bit surprised to find an identical grin on the younger woman's face.
"Your daughter is quite the little distraction, Moria," Teelina had said, not a small amount of humor in her tone.
The elder woman had smiled gently as the Sorceress turned to look at her. "Indeed," Moria had replied, winking at the younger woman. "And yours seems rather hungry for information."
At the mention of Teela, the Sorceress' features had darkened. "What did you tell her?" she all but growled.
Lady Moria had regarded her 'friend' thoughtfully. "Nothing that broke our vow, and nothing she would not have found out on her own. I merely told her that her mother was very similar to herself, only more.. Respectful." A tiny glimmer of an unknown emotion had shone in her eyes, and the Sorceress repressed the urge to shudder.
"That's all?" Teelina had asked, not sounding convinced.
The elder woman had smiled, closing the gap between them and looking deeply into Teelina's blue-green orbs. "That's all," she had affirmed, running her pale hand down the other woman's cheek.
Teelina had brushed her hand aside, not so gently, and turned away, trying to reconcile the flurry of emotions that ranged through her. But if her thoughts were jumbled and confused, it was nothing to the sudden surge of senses that rushed through Moria's mind.
The elder woman had gasped loudly, her face contorting in what could only be pain as she grasped her head. When she had looked up again, her line of sight connected her to Teelina's gaze. It had been concerned.
Moria had stood, shakily, and shook off the last of the surge. This was not a difficult thing to do, as she had known what the sudden overload of senses meant, and had been expecting it. Lyn was in trouble. She had taken her leave quickly, running off to find her daughter, which she had.
After the confrontation with He-man, Moria and her daughter had returned to the meeting room. There, she had berated Lyn for leaving the sanctuary of the group, but had not been too angry, as she herself had done the same thing by walking out onto the veranda.
It was there she had found Teelina again, standing similarly as she had been doing when Moria had left. Lyn had excused herself, and gone off to pester more guests, after a sharp glare from her mother meant as a warning.
As for Teelina, she had spent the time Moria had been gone trying to sort though all of the feelings the elder woman's touch had inspired. Disgust and hatred she identified easily, but was surprised to find what a low amount of those had been in her. Instead, they seemed be overshadowed by .less than innocent feelings. Teelina recoiled, moving towards the railing and looking down at the city of people whose strength she protected.
Her sightline rose until she could just make out the vague glimmer of her home, its gray walls seeming to blend in with the surrounding darkness. Her back was to the door, and if she heard the barely audible footsteps returning to the veranda she made no move that she had done so.
Such was the condition Moria found her.
As it were, the Sorceress had not heard the elder woman return, but was nonetheless unsurprised to find a pale-skinned hand touch her shoulder.
She did not turn to look, knowing full well the amethyst gaze that would shine back at her.
Moria said nothing, merely resting her hand upon the redhead's shoulder, the blue velvet tickling the underside of her hand. They stood that way, side by side, looking out over Eternos for a very long moment.
Finally, Teelina exhaled deeply, still not looking at the older woman. "Why are you here?" she asked, glancing over at Moria and not really expecting an answer.
The elder woman glanced at her sparingly, before looking back over the city. "Because you are."
The younger woman's breath caught in her throat. So, the claim of representing her nation had been a sham for her true purpose. That the true purpose was in actuality herself surprised her a bit.
"Not entirely," Lady Moria said, looking at Teelina. "I did think it necessary to be present at this meeting, but the main driving force behind my coming was not the legion against Skeletor."
The Sorceress shook her head sadly. She had forgotten that Moria was telepathic as she was. "It was me," she stated more than asked. Lady Moria said nothing, but Teelina could almost swear she saw the elder woman's head incline just the slightest bit. "Why?" Her voice was pleading, her tone imploring that, just once, Moria should answer. "What do you want from me?"
The elder woman was silent for a long moment. She slowly took the redhead's chin in her hand, looking into her eyes. She was not all that much taller than Teelina, but enough so that, even at this close distance, the Sorceress's gaze arced upwards to meet her own.
Moria could feel rather than hear the younger woman's breath coming in quick pants, and the warmth of them brushed against her cheek. "Everything you are willing to give," the white-haired woman whispered, her eyes not unkind.
Teelina's chest heaved with each breath, unable to move, locked by the elder woman's eyes. "What if I give nothing?" she dared to ask, her lip quivering under the cool amethyst eyes that held her.
The elder woman smiled gently, smoothing back a stray strand of hair that had fallen in Teelina's face. "Then you wouldn't be here," she whispered, her voice husky and dripping seduction.
Unable to reply, the Sorceress was simply held, captivated, by the Dereskian Queen. She was quickly loosing herself in the elder woman's eyes. and she found it harder and harder to pull herself back.
Without another word, Lady Moria inched her head forward, touching Teelina's lips with her own, her tongue slipping in the redhead's open mouth.
To her amazement, and probably the Sorceress' as well, the younger woman did not pull back. Without thought, the redhead returned the kiss, the gesture automatic but nonetheless passionate.
Their tongues met in the sweet embrace of their mouths, and Teelina could not repress a moan, leaning into the elder woman's touch.
Thus was how Prince Adam found them, both oblivious to his presence.
The blonde's mouth dropped open in shock as he watched the two women embracing. This was all well and fine, until he saw exactly whom it was that was kissing. The light of the Red Moon betrayed all, showing the long, loose red hair and the blue velvet dress that could only belong to one person. The Sorceress?! He asked himself wildly. And who was.? He froze, seeing that Teelina was kissing a taller woman with longer white hair that shone in the light of the Moon.
Lady Moria?! He was unsure whether to scream or throw up. His body refused to respond to his brain's commands for a long moment. Not able to think of whether or not to interrupt them and risk both women's wrath or to race away and inform Man-at-Arms, he stood stock-still, as a deer in headlights. In the end, he raced off, closing the doors to the veranda as quietly as possible. He hid behind the door, so that he'd be unseen but able to hear them.
Moria heard the door close, and instantly knew who was spying.
Her eyes flew open, and gently, ever so tenderly, she pulled away from the Sorceress, smiling lovingly at her. She caressed Teelina's cheek warmly, smiling at her. "Thank you," she whispered, an undertone in her voice that had never been used towards the Sorceress before.
Teelina slowly opened her eyes and heard the whispered words, her face expressionless but her eyes smiling. "I shouldn't have done that," she answered, her stomach full of butterflies at what they'd just done.
Moria laughed softly. "Then why did you?" Her eyes were playfully bright, and she held the younger woman's arms gently.
The Sorceress tried to pull herself away, needing a moment to collect her thoughts and become angry again. Lady Moria would not grant her a reprieve, and held fast, waiting for an answer. "Because," Teelina began, haltingly, "because you wanted to." She looked up slowly into the older woman's eyes. "Because it seemed like a good idea. But it wasn't."
"Why not?" the elder asked, unrelenting.
"Because.." The redhead had no answer. "Because it's you," she finally conceded, averting her gaze.
Silence filled the room, and Moria gradually released the Sorceress' arms, letting her move away to consider her feelings. Teelina walked over to the rail in a daze, confused and perplexed at the flurry of emotions coursing through her.
Moria, it seemed, was not quite done with what might, by others, be called her 'tormenting.' She stepped up behind Teelina, and placed her hand on the other's shoulder once more. The Sorceress looked at the hand slowly.
The elder woman smiled gently, her eyes warm and tender. "Teelina," she asked after a moment. "Were you taught to dance as a child?"
The Sorceress faltered, realizing slowly where Moria was going with this. "Yes," she answered, hesitatingly. Inwardly, a battle was raging over the kiss she had just shared with the elder woman. Half of her wanted to throw up, and the other half wanted. she would not allow her mind to admit to itself what that half wanted.
Moria nodded, realizing the change that was slowly creeping over the Sorceress. "I shall make you a deal," she said softly. "Give me the pleasure of one dance, and then my daughter and I shall depart."
Inside, the part of Teelina that despised Moria was slowly winning. "The only real reason you came here was because you knew I'd be here," Teelina stated, an icy undertone coming into her voice that Moria knew all too well. "All you want is one dance?" she asked, doubting.
Moria regarded her slowly, her features darkening only a hair, her amethyst eyes still boasting amusement. "One dance," she affirmed. "That's all I want."
Behind the door, Prince Adam muffled a protest that rose in his mouth. True, he wanted Moria and her daughter to get out of his home, but who knows what the elder Dereskian had planned? Leaving the Sorceress alone with her was bad enough, but to even suggest a 'dance' was utterly preposterous!
Meanwhile inside the throne room, Evil-Lyn had lost track of the number of conversations she'd held with the other nobles, sometimes just eavesdropping, other times interfering with possible conversations that might lead to any useful solutions. In this way, she prevented any possible chance of the gathering's original purpose to succeed. One such memorable conversation had occurred between the Caligar who had accompanied Lord Ceratus and a Spelean who had come with Lord Dactus. They had been arguing rather passionately about some sort of trade dispute in Subturnia. A woman had been with them, interjecting comments every so often. Lyn had wormed her way into their sights rather early on to the argument, listening for a moment before actually saying anything.
After the argument had finally boiled down to almost certain violence, she had intervened, stepping between the two Eternians. "Among the Dereskígía," she had said, causing both parties to look at her, "we had a custom. When two people feuded at a party such as this one with a woman nearby, an unopened bottle of wine was brought." She casually reached to a nearby table and plucked up a full bottle of a dark red wine, handing it to the Caligar. "Whoever took the biggest swig was allowed to dance with the woman," she had continued, looking pointedly at the young woman who had been arguing.
The Caligar had looked from the Spelean to the woman, and taken a swig of the wine.
Lyn had smiled, and walked away, not bothering to see how the events played out.
She had glanced over at the veranda not so long afterwards to see how her mother was faring, and could not hold back a grin as she watched the older women share a kiss. Slowly, she made her way towards the doors, wreaking havoc on the conversations as she went.
And outside on the veranda, Teelina grudgingly conceded to Moria's request.
"One dance," she said, her eyes faltering where her voice was not. "And then you and your daughter must leave this palace and not return."
Moria nodded slowly, winking an amethyst eye. "Not tonight, in any case."
The Sorceress took in a labored breath, and nodded. "All right," she said, trembling a bit, though from which emotion she dared not guess.
"Not a chance!" Prince Adam said, bursting upon the scene at last. "There is no possible way that I'll allow you to just waltz off with the Sorceress!" His eyes burned angrily as he looked accusingly at Lady Moria.
The Ancient Dereskian lowered her eyes, a faint smile on her lips. "And what, pray tell, do you intend to do to stop me?"
Adam unsheathed his sword, holding it out in front of him like a symbol to ward off demons. "I'll fight you!" he growled, trying to sound threatening. Trying, but not succeeding.
Moria laughed. The Sorceress looked over at her, a worried glance in her eyes, her mind a mess of seething emotions that she did not all have names for.
"I don't know which is more amusing," Moria said, glancing behind Prince Adam at the doors. "The fact that you try to threaten me or the idea that you think you might actually be able to win." She winked an amethyst eye in the direction of the doors, causing Adam to look behind him slowly, not wanting to take his angry gaze from the Dereskian Queen.
He turned. Evil-Lyn winked back at him from the door. "Hello, mother," she said, brushing past a bewildered Adam to stand beside her mother. Adam was taken aback and unable to say anything as Evil-Lyn walked right by him.
Lyn smiled at her mother, raising a questioning brow at the close proximity of the Sorceress. Almost idly, she looked from Adam to the Sorceress to her mother. \\Engrossed in yet another battle of wits?\\ she asked in Dereskian, smiling and winking.
\\So it would seem,\\ Moria replied, looking over at the Sorceress and gently caressing her cheek.
Teelina flinched visibly, but did not draw away, much to Adam's annoyance.
"Stop it!" he growled, brandishing his sword. "Don't touch her! It's bad enough you speak in a language I can't understand!"
Moria smiled. "Ah, but she does," she said softly in Eternian, eyes locked with the Sorceress.' "Don't you, te lynïa?
Teelina's breathing increased slowly as she tried to loose herself from Moria's burning gaze. "It's alright, Adam," she said softly. "They're about to leave." The last remark was made to the eldest woman, Teelina's green- blue eyes pleading.
Adam didn't seem convinced. "You can't just expect me to leave you alone with these two, Sorceress!" he exclaimed.
"Why not?" Moria asked, interrupting him if he were going to say more. "You were quite content to merely watch behind the door not long ago."
The Prince's mouth dropped open like the Jawbride of Grayskull. He tried to begin a sentence or two, finally merely giving up and tightening his grip on his sword, knowing he didn't dare transform with Evil-Lyn here. Or Moria, for that matter, though she had indicated she already knew his secret. He inwardly cringed at the thought. Moria's voice brought him out of his reverie with a sudden jerk.
The eldest woman's amethyst eyes began to pinwheel slightly. "You saw what we were doing then, and did not stop your precious Sorceress. Why do you do so now?"
There was a sharp intake of breath from the Sorceress as she looked at Moria, appalled. *He saw us?* she demanded with her mind voice.
Lady Moria winked at her, providing all the answer she needed. A deep blush caressed Teelina's cheeks as she attempted to hide her face, wanting to be somewhere, anywhere else at that moment.
The eldest woman's hand was still on her cheek, and Teelina felt it slide lower, the pads of Moria's finger tickling her neck. The Sorceress closed her eyes, not sure whether to moan or brush the hand away.
Adam was forgotten as Evil-Lyn looked over, a smug grin on her face. "Have fun, Morämé," she said, again, brushing past a speechless Adam and reentering the throne room, intent on wreaking a little bit more havoc before eventually departing. She could tell, upon entering, that several of the guests had already left.
A smirk fell upon her lips as Lyn idly looked over at the thrones upon which Randor and Marlena sat. So much for their big meeting, she thought, laughing inwardly as she shot a glance at her mother, the Sorceress and Adam. She looked with particular interest at the look on Teelina's face.
Though she could not for the life of her imagine why her mother was so taken with the Sorceress, Lyn was at least amused that, conflicting emotions aside, Moria was good at what she did.
And as for Adam, he was heavily debating running off and grabbing Man-at- Arms and Teela for backup. It was evident that Moria was not perturbed by his presence at all. And the Sorceress. he looked at her questioningly. Her eyes were closed, though if in disgust or pleasure, he couldn't tell as Moria slide her hand down her cheek and neck. Teelina's eyes opened, and locked with Moria's. He doubted the Sorceress could even see him anymore.
On a whim, he slid his sword upwards, the tip of it pricking the Dereskian Queen's throat. It was more an act of making sure she knew he was here rather than a threat.
Clearly annoyed, Lady Moria broke her gaze from Teelina's and looked, aggravated, at the heir to the Eternian throne. "Did you want something?" she asked, her eyes spinning.
"I want you to let her go and leave this palace," Adam stated through gritted teeth, his sword pressing against the pale throat until a few drops of clear liquid trickled down from Moria's neck.
The Ancient Dereskian gently let her hand fall away from Teelina's face. As if waking from a sleep, Teelina's eyes fluttered open, surprised, looking at Adam as if seeing him for the first time.
With a movement Adam could barely see much less expect, Moria twisted her hand around his blade, grabbing it by the sharp edges and twisting it out of his grasp. She flipped it in midair, grasping it by the handle and catching it beneath its owner's chin.
"This is the first time anyone has ever made me bleed and lived to tell about it," she growled, wiping the clear liquid from her neck and holding it before his eyes. In the light of the Moons, the colorless blood seemed to glow and shine.
Adam's eyes were wide as saucers, and he looked at the Sorceress pleadingly as Moria held his sword at his throat.
Teelina did nothing, though doing so took effort, trusting Moria's word when she knew no one else would.
The elder woman's eyes flashed, as she drew the blade away, tossing it up into the air and smiling as it landed perfectly in the scabbard at Adam's back. "Go back to your father," she said, turning back to the Sorceress. "Make sure to ask him of your ancestors sometime, dear princeling. I'm sure he'd be all too happy to tell exactly why it is I'm not exactly overjoyed at your family."
Adam stuttered, trying to think of a witty retort before looking sadly at the Sorceress and turning away in retreat. There was no way he could prevent Moria from doing as she wished, particularly if the Sorceress did not seem to want her to stop.
Moria smiled gently at Teelina, relishing her victory for a moment. "You seem to be fighting internally, love," she whispered huskily, running her hands through Teelina's hair.
For the first time in a long while, the Sorceress drew in a heavy breath and pulled herself away. "I can't do this, Moria," she said, eyes saying otherwise. "Please. just go away."
The white-haired woman looked at her lovingly, stroking the side of the tanner face. "Is that what you really want?" she murmured softly.
Teelina shook the elder woman away and took a step back, turning her head from Moria. 'I don't know what I want right now.' she longed to say, but knew that to do so would only drive the Ancient Dereskian onward. She needed to think. She needed to sit, alone in her castle, where the silent walls of grey, cool stone would betray none of her secret emotions and frustrations. "Please leave, Moria," she said instead, her eyes downcast.
Moria knew her thoughts without her saying it, of course. She nodded, smiling gently, turning Teelina's cheek to look into her amethyst gaze. "Emotions are not designed to be understood, my dear," she said softly, turning away and heading towards the door. Before departing, she turned and looked back, smiling in her enigmatic fashion. "Otherwise there would not be so many of them."
The Dereskian Queen walked back into the now nearly empty hall, most of the guests having already departed, and the meeting having proved pointless. Lady Moria caught her daughter's gaze from across the room, and smiled, winking. Their purpose had been fulfilled.
As they crossed the floor towards the door together, nodding with twin smiles at the direction of Randor and Marlena, Lady Moria glanced at the veranda. It was empty, now but she caught sight of a falcon rising from the rail and taking flight towards Grayskull, and she smiled. This night, Moria knew she would not be alone in her sleeplessness.