“Do you salute the morning with that movement, darling one?”

Siran smiled as she arched her back, stretching it towards the dawning sky, her red hair falling about her milky pale cheeks. Her body weight rested on the balls of her feet and the palms of her hands. Turning her head slightly to look upon her newly awakened lover, she winced and demonstrated her extreme sense of balance as she reached up and touched her lower back.

“I think I may have pulled a muscle in my enthusiasm,” she grimaced, standing, and Nora urged her forward, spinning her around and caressing the spot with her healing fingers.

“Are you sure it isn't from last night…love?” she teased, and Siran grinned, leaning back and feeling Nora's strong arms wind around her and rest on her stomach.

“I must go to Aracelis and see Surya today…I haven't seen her in a while.”

Nora massaged the slim curves of her woman's waist and inhaled the smell of her hair. “I doubt she has noticed, Siran. Shahla keeps her well occupied.”

Siran laughed, a melodious sound, and curved her head back to kiss Nora's neck gently. “I realize that.” She paused and glanced at the pinkish hue of the dawning sky. “There is something different about him. Have you not noticed that Nora darling?”

The witch considered for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I have. There is an aura about him. I'm not sure if it frightens me, but it is certainly dark.”

“It is that,” Siran agreed, and wound their fingers together in a tight embrace. “Where did he even come from?”

“Wasn't he a warrior in the army of Aoide?” Nora wondered aloud. “I heard he was rising so fast in their army, that they sent him to Cerridwen. And that is where Surya met him.”

“I know that,” Siran remarked. “Surya told me that…it was fate. They met and loved in an instant. One glance and she was no longer a 'virgin Queen'.”

“What a silly title,” Nora dismissed with a laugh, tenderly kissing her lover's earlobe. “As if one needs to be a virgin to rule the planet well.”

Siran giggled girlishly and rose from where she sat, pulling a long red dress from the wooden cabinet in the corner and glanced out the window to the city. “I'll see Surya today,” she promised. “I need to see my old friend.”

~~~

the palace

Wolves were coming at her from all sides, and Samdhya could not escape. Writhing on the ground, tied with ropes, she felt them overtake her, and rip at her flesh. She screamed and screamed but no sound was heard…

“Goddess…”

It was a respectful title. And it jerked Samdhya awake, because she heard it so little.

“Shahla,” she said coldly, looking up at the man who was her sister's lover. He is so beautiful she thought to herself. His eyes were dark enough to drown in and his skin was marble smooth. She wondered if Surya appreciated what she had, and then dismissed the thought. Of course she did. Surya always knew what she had. And she had a lot.

“How may I be of service to you…so early in the day?” she asked pointedly, but he did not flush or look uncomfortable. He looked…knowing. Like he could see inside her brain, and read her secrets. The thought made Samdhya flustered, and she leapt from the bed, pulling on a kimono, which lay haphazardly on a golden chair beside the window.

Shahla avoided gazing at her. Instead he chose to walk over to the window with stealth-like grace and regard the forests that lay below him with a steady eye. “Have you been having dreams, Goddess?”

She jerked with shock at his brazen question, and wondered for an insane moment if he could see inside her head. If he knew all the things that went on in there. All the things she strove to keep hidden from prying eyes. Dismissing her notions of fancy, she grinned carelessly at him. “What dreams do you speak of?”

He shrugged and turned to her, his dark stare penetrating her consciousness like nothing else did. “I simply wondered. I like to discuss dreams. It's an interest of mine.”

“And you thought it would be of interest to me also?” she inquired, concentrating on keeping a blank face. He leaned back against one wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I wasn't sure.” He hesitated for a brief moment and then spoke. “If you do have dreams…or nightmares, perhaps you could tell me? I would like to hear of them. I know what it's like…to dream of things you'd rather not.”

Samdhya stared at him. She wasn't sure if he knew she was having the dreams each night or not. How could he, unless he had had them as well? And then why wouldn't he simply come right out and say it? Could these wolves be of some importance? These wolves, which ate her each night. Swallowing back bitter bile, which rose in her throat, she nodded to him. “I would be pleased to Shahla. But I assure you, no dreams are being had at the moment.”

He looked faintly amused and then pushed away from the wall and strode to her door. “I sincerely hope not, Samdhya,” he whispered, and walked from her room without a backward glance.

Samdhya winced and lay back against the carpeted floor, the fabric of her kimono suddenly too tight for her skin. Wrenching it away, she then tore of her nightgown as well and walked boldly to the window, pressing her naked skin against the glass. Wondering if anyone was watching her, she felt a thrill run up her belly and course through her chest and thighs. She felt wild, wanton and very very unashamed.

She wanted a man. She needed a man. Or maybe a kill.

Shocked at her own thoughts, she crumpled to the floor and pressed her face against her calve, felt the warm muscle bunch and ripple underneath her cheek. What is happening to me? her brain screamed. But there was no answer, and she didn't expect one.

~~~

higher up in the palace

Surya felt warm sunlight touch her face and knew it was morning. Opening her hazel eyes, she bounded from the bed with her usual energy and crept into the bathroom. Running the water into the large circular tub she picked up a clear glass bottle of rose oil and began to massage it into her long golden locks.

“Such a perfect sight.”

Without turning, she murmured, “Good morning Shahla.”

Hands slipped around her slim hips from behind and squeezed. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you are, adora?”

She tilted her head to one side and continued to lather her hair with the sweet-smelling oil. “Um…you?” she teased and he dropped a light kiss to her shoulder, causing her to shiver. Running a hand lightly down her side, he caressed her neck leisurely with his tongue and slipped his fingers between her golden thighs.

She gasped, arching up against his touch and spreading her legs. “The tub will over flow…” she panted and he dropped to his knees before her, turning her and burying his face between her legs. She whimpered and clutched his head, felt his fingers grasping her ass lightly, holding her in place as he spread her thighs with his face and ran his hot tongue over her cleft.

Surya's head fell back and oil dripped down her slim shoulders as Shahla continued to torment her with his mouth. Teasing her sweetly, he used his fingers to fill her tight passage, and flicked her clit with his tongue. She writhed against him, pushing his face closer to her wet center. Smiling, he hummed and she moaned wildly, her knees giving out. She half-sat, half lay on the side of the tub, her body bending backwards, allowing him easier access.

“So sweet…” he muttered, driving his tongue all the way up inside her and felt his thighs tremble when she screamed. It was too much…he needed to be inside of her.

In one quick movement, he sat back on his haunches, grasped her around the waist and rammed up inside of her. Surya's eyes rolled back in her head as an orgasm hit her immediately, and with such force that she whole body convulsed. As her contractions squeezed his hot, hard cock, Shahla groaned and shoved up inside her again, bending her back and burying his face between her breasts as he came.

Both lay winded and gasping for a few moments, until Surya regained her equilibrium and arched an eyebrow at him. “Was that on the morning agenda? I will have to check my schedule closely from now on.”

He laughed faintly and kissed her brow, licking off a bead of sweat. Picking her up, he deposited her in the rapidly filling tub and turned off the water. “You won't ever forget that I love you, will you my Goddess?”

She looked up at him with surprise and a frown marred her mouth. “Now why would I forget, my love?”

He winked and shrugged. “Just in case some other handsome warrior comes along—“

Swatting him, she giggled and dunked her head under the crystal clear water. “Get gone, Shahla. I have a feeling Siran will visit me today…and I want to be ready. And I have a meeting with the mayor. You know…this could be boring.”

He chuckled and bent down to press a tender kiss to her lips. “Nothing could be boring with you, adora. Not even if you tried.”

She smiled and grabbed a bar of gardenia- scented soap, lathering her flesh with smooth strokes. “Well, aren't you grateful for that?”

He held his heart and gazed down at her. “I thank the heavens everyday,” he told her with a mischievous grin.

Surya flicked water at him, giggling. “Be gone!” she cried, “I cannot concentrate with you near!”

He nodded, smiling. “All right, my little love. I have a meeting with the Captain today anyhow.”

“I do not want you discussing the Shapeshifters with him,” she warned, a new light in her green eyes. “Promise me, Shahla. I am still a Queen and you must…obey me.”

Although anger briefly flashed across his face, he bent to take her hand and kiss her fingers. “Your Majesty,” he bowed and then left the room.

With a scowl, Surya flopped back and the water sloshed around her, creating a mini-tidal wave. What had she been thinking? Ordering her lover about like he was some kind of slave? Well, it is my army she reminded herself. Sometimes he made her forget that she was a Queen. That she was a Goddess. Although she loved that about him, she also hated it. Because anyone that could make her forget her place was also her greatest threat. And she could never let Shahla become that.

Never.

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