Her hands take their time removing the buttons. Soft, precise, deliberate... each movement is filled with tension, those golden eyes never looking away, those slender fingertips purposefully brushing against the small openings of exposed skin. Her mouth is slightly open, her breathing warm and heavy on Corrin's neck. As her blouse falls away, she reaches for Azura's hair, entangling her fingers through the long strands. It's soft as silk, and she brings a handful of strands to her lips, kissing it gently.
"What are you doing?" Azura giggles.
"Treasuring this moment," Corrin says seriously.
"You're adorable, Corrin." She cups her face, tilting her head back slightly to kiss her. It's a deep, breathless kiss, her lips and tongue caressing her own with a hungry insistence. Corrin's bare chest is pressed against Azura's, and it's warm, so warm, that she feels like she might melt into the other woman's body. Her hands wander down to Azura's waist, pulling her closer, wanting to never let go.
"Azura..." she murmurs when they pull apart to breathe. Azura's arms are wrapped around her neck, her body straddled over Corrin's, and there's a fire in Corrin's heart.
I want her, I want to devour her, she thinks, her thoughts slowed by the heavy pounding of her blood.
Then devour her, it replies.
She bites down on Azura's neck, a pleasure unlike any she's ever felt coursing through her veins.
Corrin snapped awake from her dream, her body covered in sweat. She could hardly catch her breath, and her heart was pounding terribly.
What... what in the hell was that?!
The details were still fresh; if she closed her eyes, she could still see Azura's body raised slightly above her, could still see the kiss marks she'd left on her shoulders and throat. She could almost hear her voice whispering in her ear, could almost hear the soft, keening cry she'd uttered with her name.
A hot, shameful feeling filled her chest at the recollection, and to her horror she realized that there was a terrible ache between her thighs.
Oh my gods, I... I'm dreaming about her now... I'm having lewd dreams about Azura... about my own sister!
She moaned in mortification, burying her face in her pillow. Corrin had no experience with matters of the body, she'd never so much as kissed anyone. And yet...
Would... would it feel like that? she wondered, staring at her hand in the dim moonlight. Would she be that warm?
Unconsciously, she brought her fingers to her lips, biting down on her knuckle gently.
Ah... I want to know... I want her... I want to kiss her...
"You can't," a sterner part of her reminded. "She's your sister."
Only adopted...
"So are Camilla and Elise. And you would never think of them in such an inappropriate way, would you?"
No, Gods no!
"Get a grip on yourself, Corrin."
I... I can't... Azura is different. I need her...
"No! Even if you don't care that she's your sister, she's with Kaze!"
A shard of ice pierced through her.
I... I know that...
"If you love her, you want her to be happy, don't you?"
Of course I do...
But the dream remained vivid, and the ache only grew stronger.
I want her... I want to...
She hardly noticed when she drew blood with her teeth.
"I can't believe the town's nearly finished," said Mozu, leaning on her hoe as she looked out over the fields. She wore a wide straw hat to cover her face from the sun, but Kaze thought she looked more freckled than usual.
"Hard to believe it's already been over half a year since we began building," he noted. "Most of the shops are in good order, and your fields are looking very impressive." The first harvest had begun, and it was looking quite promising. Mozu beamed proudly.
"Of course," she said, grinning. "Leave them veggies to me, I'll have them nice and ready for eatin' all year long at this rate. The weather in this place is amazin'."
"I find your abilities to be even more amazing," he nodded. "It takes real skill to oversee all this land by yourself."
"Nah, any old village girl could do this much," she said, but Kaze saw that she looked pleased with herself. He smiled.
"Well, I'm sure everyone will greatly enjoy your crops, Mozu. Lady Azura has been looking forward to trying them."
Mozu suddenly gave Kaze a sharp glance.
"Say, Kaze, about Lady Azura..."
"Mozu! Kaze!" Both retainers turned to see their mistress hurrying up to them, a cheerful smile on her face.
"Milady! G'morning!" Mozu immediately said, bowing slightly.
"Good morning, Mozu. My, your fields are looking beautiful," Azura said, looking out over the huge pumpkins and rows of wheat.
"Th-thank you, Lady Azura."
"Not at all, thank you for working so hard. It must be difficult to be a retainer and still have to look after the fields..."
"Not a problem at all, milady!" Mozu said proudly. "It's an honor to serve you, I wouldn't trade my position for all the fields in the world!"
Azura laughed, that soft, quiet laugh Kaze loved so much. "Your enthusiasm is contagious. Well, shall we be off?"
"Of course," Kaze said immediately, but Mozu put out a hand to stop him from walking away.
"Er, sorry Lady Azura, but I need Kaze's help with something in the fields today. We won't be able to accompany you into town."
"Oh... well if it's important..." She looked crestfallen, and Kaze's heart ached.
"Not at-" he began.
"It is," Mozu cut in firmly, catching Kaze's eye. "It's a matter of life and death... for the veggies. Please, milady, go to town with someone else; I hear Lady Corrin will be going to pick up her retainer this afternoon, so perhaps you can go with her."
Azura's eyes brightened. "Oh, that's a good idea. I haven't spent much time with Corrin lately," she said.
"Please have a safe trip," Mozu bowed again. "And you, Kaze, I need you over 'ere."
She marched him away without much ceremony, but she didn't speak until they were a good distance from Azura.
"'ere, take the hoe," she hissed, pressing it into his hands. "You gotta look busy."
"Mozu, what-"
"Oh please, don't play dumb," she said. "You're no idiot, ya know exactly what I'm about to say. That's why ya didn't put up a fuss with Lady Azura just now."
Kaze set his teeth, avoiding her eyes.
"How long has it been goin' on?" she demanded.
He sighed. "A couple of months."
She took a sharp intake of breath. "Are ya outta your mind?!"
"I don't know," he said honestly. "I think I must be."
"For the love of the Dawn Dragon, Kaze, I never took ya for a fool! Do you have any idea what you're doing?!"
"I... I do."
"This isn't Hoshido!" she growled. "You've lived here long enough to understand what these Nohrians are like! They're not as cruel as they tell us in Hoshido, but when it comes to stuff this serious... do ya have a death wish?!"
"Even in Hoshido, this is a serious offense," Kaze said listlessly. "I know what I've gotten myself into, Mozu."
"Well, if ya wanna throw your life away, that's your problem," she said harshly. "But don't you drag Lady Azura into this! Do ya understand what will happen to her if this gets out?! It's one thing if you're sweethearts, no one minds that. But do you really think I'm going to be the only one who ever notices that she slips into your room most nights?! She's a princess, Kaze! A Nohrian princess! An unmarried princess! Understand?!"
"I know that!" he shouted, startling a flock of birds nearby. "I know we're running a terrible risk-"
"Clearly you don't know because ya keep doin' it!" she yelled back. "If someone finds out, or if Lady Azura becomes pregnant... they might even kill her," she shuddered.
"They won't, Lady Corrin would never allow it," Kaze said, his blood cold at the thought.
"Lady Corrin is the commander of this army, but she is not the ruler of this kingdom," Mozu reminded him. "King Garon's the ruler, and if he so much as catches a whisper that you've touched his daughter..."
"I... I already know this, Mozu..."
"Then why?!"
"Because... I can't live without her anymore," he said quietly. "The gods know I can hardly sleep at night from worry, but no matter how terrifying the prospects, I can't stop seeing her. I just... can't."
Mozu grabbed him by the collar and shook him, hard.
"You...! You listen to me, you stupid man!" she cried. "Dyin' together sure sounds romantic on paper, but once you're dead, that's it! You're done, you won't see each other ever again! If you love her, do your goddamn job and protect her! There are other ways to be together!"
"But-!"
"Don't you gimme that bullshit! Ya love her so you can't stay away? Ha! If ya truly love her, win over her family! Marry her!"
"I'm only a retainer! I can't marry her!"
"Have you tried?! No! You're too busy layin your goddamn hands on what ain't yours!"
"Lady Azura doesn't belong to anyone," he said firmly.
"Of course she don't! But you think that matters to the royals and aristocrats?! If I catch Lady Azura headin' to your room ever again before you've properly married her, I'll kill you, Kaze! I swear it on my mother's grave, I'll butcher you like a pig!"
"You wouldn't..."
"Lady Azura and Lady Corrin mean the world to me, I'll do anythin' to protect them," she snarled. "I'll be speakin' to Lady Azura too, don't you doubt it. I'd rather die than see her killed for your stupidity."
"Sister, we'll be late if you keep stalling," Leo insisted.
"Sorry, I just have to finish this diagram..."
"For goodness' sake! Jakob, Felicia!"
"On it, Lord Leo," Felicia said, and without ceremony she grabbed Corrin by the arm.
"Hey, what the-?!"
"My sister is waiting for us, Lady Corrin," she scolded. "You can finish your diagram later!"
"No, wait! I'll forget everything-!"
Jakob rolled up the parchment and put it away in its box. "A princess is never late to her appointments," he huffed.
"You were the one who was excited to see Flora again," Leo frowned. "Camilla is right, you've been acting odd lately."
Corrin avoided his eyes. "I don't know what you mean, I'm just trying to do my job right," she mumbled.
"Well this is also part of your job," the prince sighed. "Hurry up, Azura's already waiting for us."
And that's exactly why I don't want to go!
Still, she couldn't go on avoiding Azura forever, so after a moment in which she forced herself to only think about Flora, she gave in.
The small group headed out of the castle, Leo leading the way with Corrin just behind. It was a warm day, though it was clearly becoming autumn in the astral plane. The trees were changing color, red and gold replacing the usual bright green leaves faster than they could keep up. Each day was shorter than the last, night falling faster and lasting longer than it had all summer. The small castle gardens were an explosion of color, and Corrin found herself admiring the flowers as they walked. Nature often had a calming effect on her. But when they reached the gate, Azura was there, and all her hidden feelings came rushing back to her.
She closed her eyes, trying to steady herself.
"Good morning!" Azura called. She was always in a good mood these days; it was no secret that she and Kaze were seeing each other, and it seemed to have had an amazing effect on her gloomy disposition. She was still solemn, but she was far more likely to laugh and smile than she had before. In fact, as of late, she'd been positively glowing.
Corrin bit the inside of her cheek, determined to keep control over the small dragon in her heart.
"Hey, Azura," Leo replied, smiling in return. Of all his sisters, Corrin knew that Azura was his favorite; she was the most serious and least likely to tease him. "You're sure you want to come with us?"
"Yes, I need to stop by the armory, but Kaze and Mozu are busy today. And it's been a while since we've spent time together as a family," she said in her usual serene tone.
"We're glad to have you with us, milady," Felicia beamed. "Isn't that right, Lady Corrin?"
"Ah, yes, of course." She was sure her smile looked forced, but no one seemed to notice.
It was such a nice day that Laslow couldn't help whistling as he worked. He paused to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The beam he was sanding was coming along well, and Laslow felt a bit of pride at the result.
"You seem to be in a good mood," one of the carpenters noted. "You get lucky last night?"
"Ha, as if," another worker scoffed. "Laslow don't score, ever."
"Hey!" he cried. "I know it's true, but you don't have to be so blunt about it..."
Odin laughed, paintbrush held askew. "That's a lot more like the Laslow I know," he grinned. "You've been so down lately, it was getting depressing."
"Odin, you're out of character," Laslow said. "Oh, and if you're going to help, paint properly!" His old friend had been painting little stylized flames all around the sign.
"What's wrong with this?!"
"This is a tailor's shop, you ninny," Laslow sighed. "What the heck do flames have to do with clothes?"
"It's called artistic license!"
"It's called having zero sense."
"I take it back, you were better when you were mopey," Odin grumbled.
"Oh, shut up."
"You shut up!"
"You!"
"You!"
"What are you, five?!" Selena shouted from atop the roof. "I'll throw bricks at you if you don't get back to work!"
One of the carpenters laughed. "Watching you three together is always an experience. It's like watching an older sister knock some sense into her idiot brothers."
"Hey!" Odin and Laslow said indignantly.
"He's just calling it like it is, morons," Selena called. "Now get your asses in gear. Childhood friends or no, there's only so much crap I'm willing to put up with. We need to get this shop done yesterday, so pick up the goddamn pace!"
"Yeesh, she sure gets bossy when it comes to clothes," Odin muttered under his breath as he returned to his sign.
"You're telling me," Laslow replied. "You'd think we already had a tailor contracted with the zeal she's putting into-"
"Hey, isn't that Lady Corrin and Lord Leo?" one of the workers said, and Laslow nearly tripped over some of his tools.
"O-oh, so it is," he said, trying not to seem too excited. She was walking alongside Leo and Azura, a couple of retainers trailing behind them.
"She's been looking rather tired, don't you think?" Odin noted. The group had almost passed by when she seemed to notice them and waved toward the workers. Laslow waved back shyly.
"Yeah, I've noticed that too," Selena said, climbing down the ladder. "I wonder if she's getting enough sleep..."
"You think she's stressing out because we're getting so close to the Hoshidan border?"
"Must be, poor girl... I can't imagine having to fight my own family..."
"Since Cheve she's been... you know, kind of subdued. She used to be so much more vibrant, you know?"
"She's always vibrant," Laslow said without thinking; he was hardly following the conversation.
Selena rolled her eyes. "Yep, he's back alright." She smacked him over the head. "Get your head out of the gutter and get to work already, damn it."
"Ow! Do you have to be so damned violent?!"
"With you, absolutely. But... regardless, welcome back, Laslow."
"Some welcome..." he grumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," he said, hastily returning to his work.
They materialized outside of a small border town, just a little ways down the road so that they would be out of sight.
"Oh, I can't wait," Felicia said, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "It feels like an eternity since I last saw Flora!"
"It does feel that way, doesn't it?" Jakob nodded. "Ah, it will be such a relief to have a capable maid on staff again..."
"Hey!"
"Whoops, I meant, it will be such a relief to have a maid on staff that doesn't set the castle on fire every other week."
"Lady Corrin!" Felicia wailed.
"Alright, alright, cut it out Jakob. You know you're not allowed to tease Felicia."
"My apologies, milady. I merely meant to-"
"I'm going to stop you right there, Jakob," Leo said firmly. "Nothing good can follow that sentence."
Despite herself, Corrin giggled. She'd been so determined to drown her conflicted feelings about Azura and Hoshido in her work that she had been neglecting spending time with her family and friends. She'd almost forgotten how nice it was to be a part of a group.
"Is that her?" Azura asked, pointing down the road. A young woman was making her way toward them, carrying a large pack on her shoulders.
"Sister!" Felicia cried, running down to meet her. She hugged Flora fiercely, and the older twin returned the embrace.
"Goodness, Felicia, you've gotten so much stronger since I last saw you!" she said, and Corrin felt a wave of nostalgia break over her at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Flora!" she called, hurrying forward. But when she saw Corrin, Flora's face paled and she immediately fell to her knees.
"Milady, I am so sorry for what I did back in the Ice Tribe. Please, forgive me for my betrayal, though I am not worthy of your forgiveness," she said, pressing her face to the ground.
"No, don't!" Corrin pleaded, reaching down to take a hold of Flora's arm. "Of course I forgive you, why else would I want you back in my service?!"
Tears gathered in the corners of Flora's clear brown eyes. "Lady Corrin!"
"Flora, c'mon," Felicia pleaded, though her eyes were also somewhat watery. "You know Lady Corrin would never punish you..."
"I... I pledge my life to you, milady," Flora insisted. "Not against my will, not this time. You spared my people, and your kindness is a beacon of hope for us."
"Flora, you really don't have to do this," Corrin said, feeling self-conscious. "I already know you regret what happened, and I promise you I would never let the Ice Tribe suffer. Nohr... Nohr needs to change," she said softly. "I'm only a third princess, so I have no sway in the capital... but at the very least, I want to show the world that we're trying to change, that we're not a cruel and vicious people." Some of the hopelessness she'd been feeling over the last few months dissipated as she spoke.
That's right... All I can do is try. Every life I spare is a step forward for our country.
As she helped Flora back to her feet and embraced her old friend, the truth of that statement sunk in. Every life she spared was another Flora, another person willing to fight for an ideal they'd never dared to hope for.
I have to try. I have to keep trying to win this war my way, no matter how difficult it is.
Azura stares up at the ceiling in her room, remembering what Corrin said earlier.
"Nohr needs to change."
The woman they brought back with them had betrayed Corrin. Azura had heard the story from Leo after they returned to the astral plane. She had been a rebel, and she and her tribe had been planning to become independent from Nohr. But Corrin had stopped their rebellion without spilling a drop of blood, and she and Xander had somehow managed to prevent severe punishment on the Ice Tribe.
"Nohr needs to change."
It's already changing, Azura realizes. Little by little, things are changing, and it's all because of Corrin. If she knew the truth...
She turns on her side, her thoughts conflicted.
Even if she did, it won't change the fact that we're fighting a war of conquest. We will still invade Hoshido, and we will still have to fight our brothers and sisters. But... do the intentions behind our actions make a difference? Can we truly spark a lasting change on this country?
She has no answer. For some time, she loses track of time, until a knock at her door brings her out of her thoughts. Expecting Kaze, her heart beats a bit faster and she opens the door. But it isn't him.
"Milady, we need to talk," Mozu says, and her expression is stern.
For some reason, seeing her standing there causes a feeling of dread to spread from her stomach all the way down her spine.
Notes:
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