Where the Heart Is, Part 29

The ancient, cloudy orb feels warm in your palm. Sporadic flashes of lightning crackling inside it, and you can feel the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. The power inside the artifact is just begging to be released, after so long hidden away in the treasure hoard of the greedy, pillaging dragon.

You turn to Ceriss, offering the orb to her. "This will be a powerful tool for what we're trying to accomplish," you say. "I look forward to seeing what you'll do with it."

Ceriss is almost in a trance as she accepts the gift, her eyes fixated on the orb, staring deep into its roiling depths. As the item settles into her palm, you sense a shift in the air currents around you, swirling out from the sorceress. She's bonding with the artifact, in a way that you were unable to do yourself when you touched it.

Nevati also watches in awe and fascination as her lover takes in this power. And while you detect no particular interest from the young gnome in wielding the artifact... there's no question in your mind that she is desperately interested in studying it at the earliest opportunity.

The bonding process takes almost a minute to finish. But once it's complete you can sense the difference in Ceriss. There's even more power imbuing her now, a wild magical strength and connection to the natural world that only increases the tiefling's fiendish allure. She takes a deep, shuddering breath, then turns to you and Khaytala. "Thank you..." she says, the words heartfelt. "This feels... amazing."

You expect that Ceriss will be noticeably more effective in combat now, especially in situations that involve dealing with magical defenses or problems from nature. She and Nevati start to talk excitedly about the specifics of how the orb is enhancing her, and the different ways that could manifest and be used. You leave them to it, turning back to the others who are waiting to report on the happenings in your absence.

The tale of the granary fire is recounted, as is Lily's quick reaction to it. You make sure to respond with appropriate surprise at all the correct points, not giving the slightest impression that you had suspected something like this from the very beginning. Eventually, though, you work your way through everyone who has gathered in the courtyard outside.

Which opens the way for you to proceed into the fortress proper, and seek out your mistress' chambers... where you intend to finally answer the confession that she gave you. Where you intend to finally fulfill the promise made by the kiss that you gave her on your departure.

Just as you saw in your scrying, the door is guarded by drow guards and by the water elemental she summoned. They're suspicious of you, just as you'd expect with a shapeshifting attacker still on the loose. For all any of you know the demon is still lurking about, waiting for another chance. But you give the appropriate identification, and they obediently step away, allowing you access to the young queen.

You open the door quietly, slipping in to watch Lily while she's focused on her work. She's bent over her desk, examining a large number of books and maps that lie jumbled on top of each other. At the same time, she's also making notes on another piece of parchment off to the side. You spend a few moments taking in her earnest expression as she buries herself in her efforts. Then you clear your throat.

Lily glances over, and her eyes light up as she sees you. "You're back!" she exclaims, shooting to her feet. You can tell that she's been anticipating this moment, hoping for it every day you were absent. She fidgets in adoring anticipation as she stands before you, not knowing what you're going to do to her, but innocently eager for it all the same. She is nervous... but that nervousness is outweighed by the sheer trust she has toward you.

You flash her a winning smile. "I heard that you sent that incubus running for his life with a single shot," you say. "That's impressive!"

Lily blushes. "I... just wish I hadn't let him escape," she says. "They want to hurt you, right? I won't just stand by and let them do that."

"Don't worry," you say. "You protected everyone; that's the important thing. We'll get another chance. We still dealt a heavy blow to them this time. And next time we'll be more prepared."

You circle around her, moving in closer. Your hand trails lightly down the young queen's back, letting her feel your comforting, intoxicating presence, now so near to her. Lily shivers, even as you glance over the maps she was studying. "Is this for your summon?"

She nods shakily. "Y-yes. We agreed that he could add a lake of a certain size to an uninhabited region of Kovora, but I managed to convince him to decide on the exact placement later. So I'm consulting several tomes that Nevati lent me. Records of deals like this that summoners have made before, and the lessons they learned from them. Did you know that unless a lake like this is put on a river that gives it an outlet, that it will almost always turn from fresh water to salt water? There's all sorts of fascinating things like that. Things I would never have thought of on my own."

You let her talk, keeping up your gentle touch all the while. As she talks, your explorations of her young body grow ever-so-slowly more insistent. She knows that something erotic is about to happen to her. She knows that she's going to get a taste of the same fate that she has orchestrated for the heroines that were seeking her life. She knows nothing can avert that. Not when she herself wants it this badly. Not when she herself is so utterly smitten with you.

And yet...

She turns to face you. You take the opportunity to shift in, your arms enfolding her as you pull her close to you. Her innocent eyes widen with pure, simple desire as her body molds against your own. You can feel her heartbeat fluttering against you.

And yet...

She places a hand on your chest, forestalling you. It's as forceful as a feather, yet it stops you in your tracks. "Please..." she says in a small voice. "...wait."

It puzzles you what could possibly give her any hesitation to indulge in the Pleasure it's so clear that you both want. But then she explains. "I... want so badly to give you everything..." she whispers, pressing her forehead against your chest as she nestles into your arms. "I want to be yours. Whatever you want to do with me. Anything and everything. Except..."

She breaks off, and it's some time before she can continue. "Except for one thing. One thing I can't give. Not even if it was you asking. I... can't have children. Ever. I can't do anything that might have even the slightest chance of that happening."

Now you see her fear. The one thing she cannot let herself compromise on, not even in the face of your allure. She cannot risk another child being born into a fate like hers.

She cannot risk her daughter being born into a fate like hers.

"But... other than that... you can do anything you want with me!" she continues, looking up at you anxiously. She's clearly afraid that she might have offended you, or that she's otherwise put you off by rejecting something so important to a creature like yourself. Especially since she herself can't tell you why, and she doesn't know that you already know. "I mean... if... you still think it's worth doing with me."

Oh, it is absolutely worth doing. With all the seduction, combined with the allure of your corruptive boon, there's no way you can let her walk out of her without giving her some degree of relief. The only question is exactly how you're going to play this.

You could continue to take things slow and gradual, bringing her to climax with nothing but your hands, touching, kneading, fondling and masturbating her until she finds overwhelming release in your arms. That would avoid the question altogether, while still progressing your gradual dance of seduction to an entirely new level.

Alternatively, if you still wanted to go directly to sex right now, you could assure her that you will keep your sperm absolutely infertile with your demonic powers. You're pretty sure you could convince her of that, enough to assuage her fears. The question is simply how you want to pursue this.