Resist

The horror and indignity of her situation outweighs the perverted pleasure Adella feels, and she thrashes her arms and attempts to kick her way free from the serpentine clutches of the creature.

Abruptly, the tentacles tighten their grip and those that had been intruding into her vagina retreat from their exploration. “Peace, female human!” hisses the creature. “You asked for my assistance, and I am giving it. If you would rather be left to your own resources, I will gladly leave you here.”

Adella struggles to speak, but only the sound of gagging comes from her tentacle-filled mouth. In response, the creature withdraws its appendages. The princess gasps to catch her breath before responding. “I had little expectation that your offer of assistance would involve you taking such liberties! How dare you!”

She feels a trembling through the creature’s body that she realizes is laughter. He replies, “Such high morals for someone I find in the midst of an orgy! Were you equally protective of your so-called virtue when you were pawed, probed, and poked by your fellow guests? Or does your prudishness extend only to species you deem to be beneath your station in life?”

As he speaks, the creature resumes his journey toward the banquet hall exit. Adella awkwardly shuffles along with him, feeling an ache in her back from her posture and somewhat short of breath in the confines of the cloak.

“How dare you accuse me of — of — speciesism!” she retorts, after struggling to come up with an appropriate word. “No one ‘pawed,’ ‘probed,’ or ‘poked’ at me, as you suggest. I would not even be here if it were not for curiosity about my brothers’ antics during our parents’ absen—“ She stops in mid-word, as she realizes what she has said.

She feels a deep reverberation from the creature’s body as her words sink in. “Well, well, well,” he says. “I didn’t realize who you were, Princess. You’ll forgive me for not bowing. You were wearing a mask, after all.” Adella says nothing, attempting to judge from the creature’s tone whether he is being respectful or mocking.

“It will indeed be an honor to lend assistance to such a noble lady,” he continues. “I thought I tasted something particularly special about you.” Two of his tentacles lightly trace their way around Adella’s breasts, as if they are licking her.

“Enough of the personal liberties,” Adella says, brushing the thick tentacles off her breasts. “Please just get me out of here and help cure me of this effects of this infernal potion.”

They move together in silence for several minutes. Adella can see nothing outside of the confines of the cloak, but she can tell from the diminishing noise of the party that they have left the banquet hall. After a few more moments of shuffling, she detects a difference in the composition of the floor and feels a refreshing breeze of cooler, fresher air making its way from under the cloak. She knows they have successfully left the palace.

A few moments later, she hears the creature say, “We have arrived at my carriage. This would be a good time to get in. There is no one around to see you. Once inside, you may conceal yourself between the boxes. There is an old blanket there with which you can cover yourself. It will be but a short journey to our destination.”

With that, the creature lifts his cloak and releases the grip of the last of the tentacles. Adella gratefully slips out. She is immediately struck by the refreshing sensation of the cool night air on her flesh and in her lungs. She self-consciously looks down at her naked body and sees that the patches of invisibility have grown and continue to spread. She covers herself as best as she can with her hands, feeling foolish for feeling so self-conscious after the liberties with which the creature has already taken with her body.

“You’ll not be needing this any longer,” says the creature, taking her mask with a long tentacle and tossing it aside.

Adella feels more exposed than ever with her one piece of apparel taken away. Hastily, she climbs into the carriage, finds the blanket and pulls it over herself as she squats between two large containers.

“No doubt you are used to more luxurious accommodations, Your Highness,” says the creature as he takes his seat behind the horses. “Alas, my First Class carriage is at the blacksmith’s at the moment, and I had to content myself with this loaner.”

Adella hears the creature chuckle at its own joke as the carriage starts with a lurch.

Alone for the first time since starting down this ill-fated adventure, Adella feels a wave of exhaustion come over her. She knows she should pay attention to the route they are taking so she knows how to get back, but she cannot stop herself from yawning and wanting to close her eyes for just a few moments.