Chat during bath

The remainder of dinner passed with idle conversation. When the last dishes were cleared by the silent androids, Moxie stood and gestured toward the door.

"Come on. Bath time."

He led them outside into the night air. Cool but not cold, refreshing after the warmth of the dining room. Two moons hung in the sky, one pale silver, the other faintly amber. They cast overlapping shadows across the grounds.

The estate sat on elevated terrain. Looking down, the queens could see where land met sea. Gentle waves caught moonlight, creating patterns of silver and amber that rippled endlessly. The scene was serene.

Moxie led them through a garden. Flowering plants the elves didn't recognize released subtle fragrances into the night. Stone paths wound between carefully manicured sections until they reached the center.

A hot spring. Man-made but designed to look natural, with smooth stones forming the edges and steam rising from the heated water.

"In," Moxie commanded simply.

He stepped into the water first, settling onto a submerged stone bench with a satisfied groan. The three queens followed, each reacting to the heat differently. Vel'kora slipped in with practiced ease. Lysara entered carefully, methodically. Aelindra dunked herself immediately, her exhausted body welcoming the heat.

They spread out around the spring, finding their own spots. For several minutes, only the sound of water and distant waves broke the silence.

Vel'kora glided through the water toward Moxie, positioning herself behind him. Her hands found his shoulders and began working the muscles there with surprising skill.

"Thou art tense, master," she murmured, her fingers finding knots and pressure points. "Allow me to serve."

Moxie closed his eyes, accepting the attention. Lysara and Aelindra took the opportunity to actually bathe, scrubbing away the evidence of their conquest. The hot water and soap provided by small stone dispensers worked wonders.

An android appeared at the edge of the spring carrying a tray. Four glasses of lemonade, condensation beading on the outside. It set the tray down within reach and departed silently.

Moxie grabbed one, sipping it while Vel'kora continued her massage. He watched Lysara and Aelindra for a moment, then spoke.

"You three don't seem particularly hostile toward each other. For species that were at war, you're remarkably civil."

Lysara looked up from washing her silver hair. "We were not at war, my lord. Skirmishes, yes. Border conflicts. But also trade, cultural exchange, even occasional diplomatic meetings."

Aelindra nodded, settling onto a bench across from Moxie. "My goal was conquest of the Moon Elves, true. But I knew strategic victory was nearly impossible." She picked up her own lemonade. "Their magical prowess is formidable. If they possessed martial ambition to match their arcane abilities, they could have unified the planet themselves."

"This is accurate," Lysara agreed. "We possess overwhelming magical advantage. But I have no desire for global dominance. Even if I did, my people would not follow me to war. Moon Elves are free-spirited. We value research, arts, philosophy. Not conquest."

Aelindra smiled slightly. "Which is why my campaigns focused on resources and land, not extermination. I was quite tactical about it."

Vel'kora's hands never stopped their work on Moxie's shoulders as she spoke. "My race has neither ability nor desire to conquer the surface. 'Tis a miracle drows still exist at all, truthfully."

"Why's that?" Moxie asked, genuinely curious.

"Drows are all female," Vel'kora explained. "Every single one. We must conduct raids to the surface for Moon and Sun Elf males. We use them as breeding stock and slaves. Without constant replenishment, our species would die out in a generation."

Moxie turned to Aelindra. "Why didn't you just wipe them out then? Stop the raids permanently."

Aelindra's expression turned complicated. "In our society, as in the Moon Elves', male elves are... not far from slaves themselves. They are barely more than property of most households. Losing a few here and there is not a significant concern." She shrugged. "Also, no Sun Elf wants to live underground. The effort required to exterminate them in their tunnels far exceeds the inconvenience of occasional raids."

Vel'kora laughed softly. "We drows also struggle with constant infighting. Power struggles are common. Rarely does a Matron last long before being overthrown." Her fingers dug deeper into Moxie's muscles. "I made measures to ensure more stability in my reign. To allow our species to actually thrive rather than merely survive."

Moxie took another sip of lemonade, processing all this. "Interesting. Well, that brings me to my next point. I intend to visit each of your nations. To select residents I deem worthy of my theme parks." He looked at each queen in turn. "Each of your species has "specialties" I would like to leverage."

Vel'kora's hands paused. "Shall I speak of my people's... attributes?"

"Go ahead."

"Drows are a race of whores." She said it matter-of-factly, without shame. "The other elves use it as an insult. But most drows are proud of fucking numerous males. It is our culture."

Moxie raised an eyebrow. "Then why were you still a virgin?"

Vel'kora's expression turned rueful. "When I was enslaved by the previous Matron, I had no luxury of taking males for myself. After I became Matron, I made revolutionary changes to drow society. I was not satisfied with the quality of males we had captured. I was building a stronger military, hoping for better specimens in future raids." She paused. "Also, pregnancy concerned me. It shows moment of weakness. Give rivals opportunity to strike."

Aelindra looked impressed despite herself. "You did well. I thought drows short-sighted creatures. You proved me wrong."

Vel'kora smiled wryly. "All that planning worked out splendidly, as thou canst see."

Moxie grinned. "Worked out great for me. So, got anyone specific in mind? Drows who'd make good slaves?"

Vel'kora's smile turned predatory. "Oh yes. I recommend the old Matron first. And her daughter."

"Tell me about them."

"I was the old Matron's close servant. She kept me for my tongue's skill." Vel'kora's eyes gleamed with memory. "Her daughter grew tired of playing second fiddle. She approached me with a plan. Gave me a venom so potent it could knock out even a drow. Wanted me to administer it directly into her mother's cunt while I 'serviced' her."

Lysara and Aelindra were listening now, fascinated.

"Sadly for the daughter, she forgot the first rule of drow politics. Never trust another drow." Vel'kora's grin widened. "I taught her that lesson personally. Now they both reside in my dungeon. I made certain their tongue skills match my own."

Lysara shook her head. "Their stupidity is remarkable."

Moxie added, "Though maybe your tongue work was just too good. After all, Lysara should know."

The Moon Elf queen's pale skin flushed pink, but she said nothing.

Vel'kora continued. "There is also this strange drow. Calls herself a priestess, preaches some peculiar religion. The girl is insane but hot as fuck."

"I'll interview her," Moxie said. "Make sure she's the right fit."

"Lastly, there is a Matron who is more businessman than ruler. She sells males. Or rather, she sells services to train them. Her position is unique. Others have little incentive to overthrow her because her ambitions do not collide with theirs, and she provides excellent service."

Moxie nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like I should visit her during my trip." He stood, water cascading off his body. "Alright, bath's over. Time to get you three dressed properly."

The queens rose as well, water dripping from their bodies in the moonlight. They followed him back toward the mansion, curiosity evident on all three faces.