Note: this chapter is NSFW and the rating has changed to M

Chapter 13

Cain lifted the brim of his hat as the sun broke through the window at the end of the hall. His joints cracked in protest as he unfolded himself from his chair and stretched his neck. He carefully turned the knob to DG's room. She was sprawled over the bed spread, hugging one huge ornate pillow to her chest. He watched for a few breaths, reassured by the steady rise and fall of her shoulders, and exited the door as quietly as he had gone in.

He made his way to the kitchen, grabbing a stout cup of coffee before continuing on to his rooms. He didn't particularly like staying in the castle; it made him feel like a kept man and after a year on the road he found he much preferred the open sky to crystal chandeliers.

Once in his room, he peeled off his clothes and stepped into the shower, resting his hands on the wall as the steam fogged up his vision. His mind was a riot trying to process the on-goings of the last day.

She could die.

The previous intangible hypothetical felt entirely too real after the incident last night. He had felt the magical energy as it had poured off of her, making her almost too hot to touch. His fingertips' sensation still dulled from where he cupped her face, the skin now red and slightly raised. That same hand now curled into a fist and he struck it into the tile just hard enough to sting. Why did he have to find women so brave, so committed to the right thing that it would cost them their lives?

No, not again. Not if I can help it.

He flexed his fingers, thinking of when he had taken her hand in his, so small but full of power. He thought of the sketch and that night by the fire and of how she looked, her bright blue eyes wide, red slightly parted lips. How her eyes fluttered as he had reached for his hat, intentionally staying as close as possible to her. He squashed the building fantasy out of habit then pushed himself upright with a jolt, realizing his previous reasons no longer applied if they were starting... whatever it was they were starting.

Cain walked forward into the spray again, letting the noise drown out his thoughts and envisioned DG as she was in her sketch, shoulders bare, swells of her breast peaking over the edge of her dressing gown which was lazying tied at her waist. He reached down, unsurprised to find himself hard, and started to work himself with his hand. He imagined her standing to smile at him, the genuine one he would get when she was particularly proud of him. His fantasy DG walked towards him and grabbed the sides of his vest before pulling him down to kiss her. She was warm and soft, her fingers reaching into his hair to scrape at his scalp. In his mind, he untied the knot at her waist, hands reaching inside to pull her closer, to press against her more intimately than any of their hugs had allowed. Her hands left his hair to reach for his zipper, nails grazing along his cock before reaching in to touch him.

The real Cain groaned, his hand braced on the wall for support as he came. He leaned on his arm, nearly embarrassed with himself at how easy it was for him to finish. After a few moments, he gathered himself and finished washing up before exiting the bedroom. He checked the sun's position in the sky. He could get a few hours sleep before he was to meet with the Queen and Consort to finalize details for their leave tomorrow. After he could focus all his energy to figure out how they were all going to survive this mess.

"Az! You need you to explain O.Z. dating to me!"

Azkadellia jumped, nearly throwing the banana she was trying to feed to Kong. The little monkey screeched and fell, his front paws catching his perch, hind legs kicking to try to right himself again.

"Dating? What do you mean?" she asked, smoothing out her skirt. Sometimes it was difficult to understand DG after all the years she spent on the Other-side.

"Dating? Or you know, courting, whatever you call it here. What are the rules?"

"Rules? Like in a game?"

DG lifted Kong back to his perch, ignoring the hiss he gave her.

"Az, if I date - court - whatever- with a native OZonian, how does the process go?"

Az blinked a few times.

"Well, for us," she began, carefully choosing her language, "We meet people and if both parties wish to continue the acquaintance, permission is asked of the Queen. If it is granted, there are scheduled visits, mostly supervised, until we either part ways or agree to a union. Ideally the partner would be royalty of either the OZ or another country and of an advantageous position. A commoner would not be considered acceptable. Other-siders are considered a special case. Not much is known about them to the lay person so they have a mystique that grants them certain social leeway. It's easy enough to just say they are royalty on the Other-side and clear any objection that remains. But...high ranking military officials with distinguished service have been acceptable in the past... especially those that have served the Queen well."

She smiled encouragingly to her sister but DG just continued to frown.

"And the OZ's attitudes about sex?"

Az's face flushed, "It's not discussed in polite company."

DG rolled her eyes.

"You're my sister. We don't have to be fucking polite with one another... but I'll take your response as answer enough."

She flopped down next to Az on the settee.

"Anyone should be able to be with whomever they want. This place is such bizarre, magical, even more repressed Victorian England."

Az awkwardly patted her on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort when a thought struck her.

"How do they govern on the Other Side? You said you had no Queen in your land?"

DG shrugged.

"It's different everywhere. Different countries have different rules and different forms of government. I lived in America which is a democracy. Leaders are elected to office and there are supposed to be checks and balances on power."

"But no magic?"

"No, not like here."

Az appeared thoughtful for a moment.

"The OZ has to have a magical ruler. Much of the responsibilities of ruling requires magical rites and binding to tomes and oaths. Mother is still connected by her spells from before she... well, you know, but..."

DG sat up, looking at her sister quizzically, "Az, what are you saying?"

"I've given a lot of thought to the type of Queen I wish to be and I want to give some power to the people, grant them a voice in government, and let them elect representatives."

"Whoa, really? Have you spoken to Mother about this?"

Az shook her head, "No, and I'm not planning to until my coronation."

DG nodded and then suddenly beamed at her sister.

"I think it's an amazing idea. You'll have my support when the time comes."

Az squeezed DG's hand in thanks.

"Now, little sister, back to your interest in courting... So how is General Cain lately?"

"Well... that's...uh..." DG stuttered, "That obvious, huh?"

"Not terribly so. I didn't think anything of it until I saw you at the military barracks the night of the Solstice," Az replied before her sculpted eyebrows pulled together, "But you had not seen him for a year before that... say, how did this come about anyway?"

DG smiled, a shy, faraway look in her eye.

"We have been writing to one another for the past year. I always found him handsome and he can also be very sweet when he wants to. Anyway, I missed him and he didn't really have anyone except Jeb so it seemed mutually beneficial. Then those idiot suitors showed up and I realized just how great Cain was... brave, loyal, kind, intelligent...everything they weren't. And then I sent him a picture of me..."she trailed off giving a sidelong glance at Azkadellia.

"Of you?" she asked eyes going wide at sudden realization, "DG!" she hissed.

"It wasn't that bad! Not really... oh god, now knowing this place's attitude about sex, maybe it was."

DG's head fell into her hands and she laughed, peering at her sister's face through her fingers.

"Well?" asked Az.

"He kept it, asked me about it, an I told him I had feelings for him and he said he felt the same."

"And?"

"And nothing, that's kinda where we are."

"Oh."

"Don't look so disappointed Ms. 'We don't talk about it in polite company'."

Az had the grace to look slightly embarrassed before her face fell and she looked down at her own hands.

"Sorry. I don't mean to pry. I just don't think there's any romance in my future so it's nice to live a little vicariously at times."

"You'll find someone Az."

She let out a small bitter laugh.

"ITo marry me? Of that I'm sure. There's always someone willing to do anything for power. But find someone to actually love me? Willing to get near me enough to get to know me? I think that's a bit much to hope for, don't you think?"

"No, you'll-"

But Az waved her off.

"It's fine, DG, really. Besides, I'm due to meet Ambrose now anyhow, so I need to be on my way."

"Okay...but...we'll talk later?"

Az smiled weakly and gave her a nod.

DG watched her leave, unsure if there was any way to help this particular problem.