The End To an Exhausting Round

The group sat there, slightly shocked at Mary’s and Laura’s words. Laura then grabbed Mary around the waist to keep her from bolting back the way they had come. Mary was thrashing wildly. “Laura! LET ME GO!”

“NO! Mary, calm down! Think about how Sam would want you to respond.”

Mary closed her eyes and breathed deep. She valued Laura and her guidance. Laura is right… I need to calm down. Sam is fine. She isn’t actually in danger of anything. Slevia isn’t going to do anything to Sam.

Once Mary felt mostly calm she opened her eyes and found Laura, Allie, and Isa all hugging her. Mary said, “Thank you. All of you but especially you Laura. The instinct was powerful. Thank you for stopping me.”

After several more seconds of hugging the four broke apart.

Ellen said, “That should have been the last room, besides the ritual chamber itself. I haven’t been in that room since we started the challenge, but I should warn you Smug was there before. So we should be prepared.”

Everyone nodded, and they walked into the final chamber. Immediately, an echoing laugh reverberated in the flamelit room. A magic circle glowed on the ground with intense power.

Smug said, “So you have come. My champions were not enough; one even betrayed me. Allie… Isa… and even you, Sadie, though you rejected my offer before. Turn on your friends and join me, and I’ll grant you riches in return. Ellen, earn your forgiveness by striking these intruders down!”

Allie, Isa, and Sadie all saw prompts appear in front of them, for CP if they fought and won against their allies. They all mentally rejected the offer.

Smug growled. “Very well. I suppose that is a bit much to expect; instead, I wish for revenge. Deal with Ellen, destroy her, and I will give you a reward even if you stop my ritual.”

Everyone on the team except Brooke and Mary got a notification that Ellen would award an additional 20 CP if they defeated her.

Allie and Isa eyed Ellen greedily. It was Laura who stopped things. “Allie, we made a deal with her. If we hadn’t, they likely could have stalled us longer and probably even taken a few of us out before we started the gauntlet. That could have resulted in us actually losing. I’m not letting you backstab her.”

Allie pouted but nodded. Talia stepped forward, “Begone, false goddess. Take your evil with you as we banish you from this realm!” Talia walked up to the magic circle and vigorously rubbed on the circle with her shoe until some of the lines making it were broken. As soon as they were broken, the circle erupted in power that shot into the darkness where Smug’s outline could now barely be seen. Smug roared in outrage as the energy hit her in a backlash to the spell, until she finally fell silent.

+1 CP Playing you Part Talia

The next moment Cassandra appeared before them with angel wings spread behind her. “Oh, Heroes! Thank you for your service. You have vanquished the evil, wicked dragoness Smug from this realm for good. You have my thanks. And you Former Champion of Smug, I will not forget my promise to you, and you shall have your reward. Make haste, though, as the other Champions of Smug are still causing havoc among the land you have done so much to save. Please continue to help my people. Also prepare to say your goodbyes, as tomorrow at noon you shall be sent back to your home. Goodbye, and may you live long and prosper.” Cassandra vanished before they could ask her anything.

Laura blinked nonplussed. “Star Trek? Really. At the end of a fantasy challenge, she went with a Star Trek reference. I mean, something like ‘And may you live happily ever after until the end of your days’ was right there. Like seriously. I guess I was wrong earlier about Cassandra delving into your interests, Mary.”

Mary asked, “What?”

Laura shook her head. “Never mind, not important. So what now?”

Sadie said, “OH WOW!” Everyone looked to Sadie, who was checking their scores.

+20 CP Main Question Completion (Each Member of Team Fairy Castle)
+25 CP Turn Your Back on Evil and aid the forces of good (Ellen)

Everyone else checked the scores and while Allie was pleased to have seen her score go up she looked at Ellen, “Will you tell us where your team is currently placed?”

“I’ll show you if you show me.” Ellen replied.

Allie agreed and they compared the scores. Allie wasn’t particularly pleased. They had gained a lot of points but were tied with Merida and Isa was actually behind Merida, and they were both only barely beating out Chloe.

Talia glanced over Ellen’s shoulder and said, “I assume you’d like your promised reward now?”

Ellen pursed her lips. “I’d consider taking something else if you’re open to it, but I don’t think people will be.”

Sadie asked, “What would you like instead? We were already rather generous.”

Ellen nodded, “You were. Which is why I’m not asking for more, I’m asking for something different, and it isn’t for me. I’m willing to forgo any further reward, but I’d like one of two things to happen if I do. One Allie, Sadie, and Isa… I’d like you to give up your gear to Mary, and take bottom three.”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Allie shouted, “You did have it out for me then! You were trying to keep my score low!” Allie’s tail was bristling.

Ellen looked her straight in the eyes. “I don’t have it out for you Allie… but I won’t lie, yes I was trying to keep your score low, same with Isa’s and Sadie’s. It wasn’t personal, it was just where the scores were at the time.”

Allie was still very upset. Talia walked over to put a hand on Allie’s shoulder. “Allie, Ellen didn’t break the terms or spirit of our deal. She did exactly what we asked her to. She’s just looking out for her teammates, probably because she feels a bit bad for turning on them. That being said Ellen let’s assume that isn’t happening. What is your other option?”

“Assuming I can convince Chloe and Merida to go for it, could we either have Mark end up with the same or higher score than Mary?”

Talia gave a sad smile. “While I like the idea of making them tie, there is no chance Cassandra doesn’t have a tiebreaker, and it’s likely level. Meaning Mark wouldn’t win a tie.”

Isa asked, “What do you mean if Chloe and Merida would go for it?”

Ellen said, “Well, Chloe is in last place, Merida is only above Isa… so they could give all their gear to Mark, and if Mary gives away all her gear…”

Mary said, “You’d give up the rest of what they promised you for that?”

Ellen nodded. “Yes. If I take the promised rewards, I would get second instead of fourth, which is much better, not to mention the BP you all promised me, but I’d like to try and mitigate some of the damage to them if I can.”

Sadie said, “Ellen, would you give us a few minutes to discuss this?” Ellen nodded, and the group huddled up. Mary was about to join them, but Sadie said, “Mary, we’d prefer if you weren’t involved in this discussion.”

Mary frowned but let them chat alone and sat with Ellen instead. Mary asked, “So how are you planning on funding your reroll of your actress path?”

“You know about that?” Ellen asked.

Mary nodded, “I just got a rush of memories. I feel like there are a few still being blocked but I got most of them from the round as soon as the team portion of the challenge ended.”

Ellen said, “Well… I have a few ideas depending on what they decide to do. Regardless, I've got it sorted.”

The two didn’t have long to wait for the others to make their choice. Laura came over and said, “We’re not interested in either option Ellen. You can knock me and Sadie out and then Mary is going to bring us back up. Then we’re going to try and help Allie and Isa get some more points by hunting the rest of your former team.”

Ellen sighed as she nodded. “So… how are we doing this exactly?”

Sadie rolled her eyes, “Just turn into Hilde and punch me a bunch. Do it fast please.”

Ellen obliged and then did the same to Laura.

+40 CP Incapacitate Contestant x2

Mary brought them back as it was within the five minute window easily.

Sadie frowned as she was brought back to consciousness. “The rest of the other team retreated and seemed to have disappeared. It seems like they took Kitty with them. Hey I was wondering… how would people feel about rebalancing our items to help out those lower on our team without decreasing anyone’s position?”

Mary said, “I’m not taking part full stop. You can do with everyone else's stuff but not mine.” Mary held up a hand, “You should be grateful as I’m pretty sure my counterpart has more items than I do and if I’m refusing he will be too.”

Sadie grumbled but nodded that she understood.

Laura said, “I don’t think we should. Look, yeah I could give away some of my items to one of you, same with Talia, but I think the other team might consider doing the same thing.”

Ellen nodded her agreement. “We have more items on our team as a whole than you do.”

Allie sighed, “You’re probably right. I can’t ask Talia or Laura to risk their placement to help us.” Allie did turn to Isa and whispered. “That being said… Isa, love, we’re both already sort of low in the placements. What do you think of stacking our items on one of us, due to how our scores combine for VP?”

Isa whispered back as they walked away from the group, “I’m not opposed… but there is an issue. Several of my items are non-transferable, and by several I mean more than half. Meaning you’d be the one tanking your personal score.”

Allie sighed again but didn’t hesitate to say, “Okay.”

Isa opened her eyes wide. “Really?”

Allie nodded, “Yes. Just realize we’re prioritizing fixing my upcoming TFs this round.”

Isa nodded in agreement.

Allie said, “We'll make the trade later tonight, though, in case we can manage to find one of them.”

The group looked around for an exit only to realize they would have to come back the way they came. Thanks to how they bypassed previous rooms it was easy to leave. What they didn’t find on the way though were the orcs or Samantha. Mary was flicking her tail in outrage, but once again tried calming herself. As they stepped out of the lair, Mary tried transforming into a dragon, and found the aura from the mountain was gone. They flew down to the encampment to learn that the Champions of Smug had recently retreated and teleported away. So, exhausted from a long challenge the group, including Ellen flew back to the capital.

---

Team Villainous Vixens were sitting on an outcropping far up the mountain as they watched Mary fly away. Chloe asked, with a frown. “So it’s really over then?”

Merida nodded. “Aye. Ellen messaged me tae let me ken that she’s sharin' point totals wi' them. So there isnae point in rearrangin' items because the ither team will dae that tae. She’s at least sharin' that info wi' me tae. I guess Mark’s items could be gien away since he’s already in last.”

Mark said, “No. Mary would just counteract that.”

Merida sighed, “Richt. Does onyone want tae try an' assassinate ane o' them?”

There were several shakes of the head.

Merida nodded, as Mira put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Hilde was working with Mark to finish repairing the glitches to his points TF and were almost done. Hilde told Merida, “If Ellen contacts you again, see if she and or Brooke could work on this on their end. I think Master and I can get this done on our own, but it would be tight and I’d rather not risk it.”

Merida nodded and looked at her unconscious girlfriend lying next to her, and gave a wry smile, as she stroked her hair. Ye fell, first o’ us and came out on top except for Ellen. Guid for ye.

The group waited a bit longer to make sure Mary was well and truly gone with everyone before heading back into the ruins of their base. To their surprise the personal quarters weren’t actually messed with, though the workshop was trashed. Merida turned to Hilde, “I’m gaun tae turn in early, love. When ye’ve finished helpin' Mark, come join me.” Merida leaned over and gave Hilde a kiss on the cheek and headed off to bed clearly exhausted.

Aubrey and Chloe seemingly disappeared into their bedroom without Mark even noticing.

Mark took Kitty to the suite and laid her down on the bed so she’d regain consciousness.

Kitty said, “Mark?” Her eyes went wide and she threw her arms around Mark. “Mark! Ellen is a traitor; we need to tell the others!”

Kitty saw Hilde sitting nearby, looking unsurprised by the news. Hilde said, “Sorry Kitty, but for all practical purposes the challenge is over.”

Kitty looked sad and defeated. She asked, “Do we know why Ellen betrayed us?”

Hilde nodded. “We do. She earned a bunch of CP for doing it, and I do mean a bunch. She’s taking second place because of it, so I can’t really blame her.”

Kitty frowned, “Why not? Would you have taken that chance?”

Hilde nodded, “In a heartbeat. From the sound of things she was hesitant, and only ended up taking the offer after the other team dramatically sweetened the deal. I would have taken the offer immediately. I would have tried to minimize the damage to Merida, and to some extent you, but I wouldn’t even need to think about it.”

Kitty scrunched up her face. “Why?”

Hilde pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Kitty, I already have mentioned this quite a bit. My concern is Astrid. Even more so than my relationship with Master. Getting a better transformation would have a reasonable chance to have helped with that.” Hilde stood, “Can we move back to the lounge? I think Merida would be rather cross if I were trapped in here all night with the two of you without her.”

The three of them moved back to the sofa’s in the lounge Kitty resting her head in Mark’s lap as Hilde continued to work on the glitches. She was glad to see as she neared the end of her work, more work getting completed without hers or Mark’s involvement. Kitty had been glad to simply lay her head on Mark’s lap and let him pet her while Hilde worked. Only occasionally asking a few questions, like what were everyone’s scores and did we manage to take out anyone on the other team. When Hilde was finally at her limit she said, “Master, first thing tomorrow morning. We’re finishing this. Expect an early wakeup call.” Mark nodded and Hilde left him with Kitty.

Mark scritched her ears. “Want to head to the bedroom?”

Kitty didn’t immediately respond but eventually said, “We probably should.” She stood and languidly stretched her arms out above her, looking just like the cat she was. Mark walked behind her and as the door to the room closed behind him he put a hand on her shoulder.

“Hold on a second.” Kitty paused at Mark’s words only barely glancing backwards. Mark reached down and undid Kitty’s collar.

Flora turned around and asked, “Is there a reason you took that off?”

“Because while you might be Kitty to me, and Merida, that isn’t all of who you are. I never want you to think I’ve forgotten that. So I’d like to spend the evening with Flora, if it’s the same to you.”

Flora grabbed his hand and led him to the bed. “It isn’t the same to me.” Flora then pushed Mark onto the bed rather forcefully, and he found it hard to push her off due to her increased strength. “It’s much better.” Flora undid the button of his pants as she leaned down and kissed him. “Now I want you to fuck my mouth hard and fast.”

Mark was a little surprised by the request and then realized what was happening, and decided to check in with Flora before letting it happen. “Flora, could I trance you first?”

Flora frowned, “No, I’m tired of waiting. I want your dick in my mouth. You’re not implanting stuff.”

“Flora, I already implanted stuff; that’s why I wanted to check with you. I won’t implant anything, I promise.”

Flora scowled, “Fine, but your dick better be inside me when I come out of the trance.”

“Pretty Kitty.” Flora fell into the trance easily as she stared at his face. “Flora, previously you told me you didn’t want to get pregnant.”

“Correct.”

“If we had protection, would you want to have sex with me? Instead of fucking your mouth?”

“I would want that, but it’s the same as fucking my mouth.”

Well, I guess I did make so she wouldn’t remember… “Flora, I want you to remember your forgotten commands for a moment and then tell me: would you prefer I remove any of them?”

“No. Happy with all of them.”

“Then forget about all the commands I just had you remember.” Flora nodded. “Now get on your knees and start blowing me.”

Flora slid back and off the bed and took Mark’s dick in her hands, stroking it until he was hard. She saw it elongate slightly as she enveloped him with her lips.

Mark let out a low moan of pleasure as he said. “Fierce Lioness.” Flora came out of her trance, sucking on his dick just as she asked for and enthusiastically took him deeper into her mouth.

Mark wasn’t done, though, as he did as Flora had requested and gripped her head in his hands as he thrust inside her mouth, properly fucking it, like he would her pussy. Her eyes fluttered with pleasure as she sucked down on his dick and took his wet, sticky load down her throat. He didn’t stop; instead of softening, his dick seemed to grow and stiffen further.

Flora started touching herself as she was getting overwhelmed with pleasure, and her lips and mouth felt like her pussy when Mark touched them. Mark pulled out just before her came the second time, coating Flora’s face with his cum.

+1 VP Deepthroat
+1 VP Face Fuck
+1 VP Facial

She said, “Meowster… I need that inside me right now to think properly.” She used her fingers to scoop off the cum from her face and licked them clean. “I’m going to go wash up real fast; stay here.”

Mark didn’t object, happy to wait for her to return. She came back a minute later, completely nude except that she was wearing a collar. Mark didn’t find her nudity odd, even if it was arousing. Mark realized what she was wearing. “Any reason you’re wearing that collar?”

Flora reached up to touch it affectionately. “You remember when I posed with Merida in the stores?” Mark nodded. “And how I temporarily got Merida’s posing TFs?” Mark nodded. “Well, besides liking slightly tighter clothes, my neck feels a bit naked now without something around it. So you’ll be glad to know I’m going to have a collar or choker on most of the time.”

Mark hooked his finger through the collar when she got close enough and pulled her on top of him and into a kiss. The two kissed for a while, just enjoying the touch of each other. Afterwards, Flora just snuggled in close.

Mark just held her for a good long while. Eventually, he said, “Flora, about what you told me yesterday morning.”

She pushed herself up with one arm and put a finger on his lips. “Shush. You don’t need to respond to that. Don’t go saying something stupid you don’t mean.”

Mark waited for her to remove her finger from his lips. “I’m going to continue now, and I’d like you to actually listen to me without interruptions.”

Flora pouted but snuggled up against his chest again, prepared for Mark to say something stupid.

Mark breathed out a sigh of relief. “Flora, I want you to know you are important to me, and I do care about you. I’m not going to lie to you or myself and say I have feelings I don’t currently have. What I can say is you make me feel safe and relaxed. I think more than anyone else in the harem.” Mark had started stroking her hair absentmindedly. “I hope I make you feel the same way, and I want you to know that, while I really liked seeing the side of you that the other collar brought out, that got you to indulge in cat-like behaviors, I like all of you.” Flora glanced up skeptically at Mark but didn’t move much to do so.

Mark continued. “Most importantly, I want you to know that while I didn’t like how this challenge forced you to directly fight with the others most of the time, I really enjoyed the dungeons and temples. I got most of my counterpart’s memories, and this was a great date idea. I want you to know that. That I haven’t forgotten that this was supposed to be your idea for a date, and Cassandra snagged it. So I’m giving you credit for all the fun parts and blaming her for most of the parts I didn’t care for.”

“Most of?” Flora asked questioningly.

“There are a few things that aren’t really anyone’s fault; they are just something that you occasionally have to deal with, with something like this. I just want it clear: I’m not blaming you for anything to do with the LARP.”

Flora hugged Mark fiercely; her claws dug into his sides, but they didn’t hurt, and he felt intense gratitude and relief from her claws.

Flora said, “I sort of wish she hadn’t taken it any more. I think quite a few people didn’t enjoy the experience. I also feel a little ripped off. Cassandra said she’d make sure I was compensated for her taking my idea, but I think she decided that meant making me the initial party leader.”

Mark frowned and pulled out his phone, messaging Cassandra. She appeared sitting on top of the table a moment later. Cassandra said in a dismissive tone, “I take it you want to complain about how I compensated Flora?”

Mark sat up, and Flora did so as well, so she could continue to rest her head against his chest. Mark said, “I’m not sure I would even call making her party leader compensation. Not with the penalty she would have gotten for losing.”

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “Yes, because having a position of power in a challenge while also having substantial clues about what the upcoming challenge entailed isn’t a huge advantage. Flora just didn’t use that advantage all that effectively. That’s hardly my fault.”

Mark glared at Cassandra without replying.

Cassandra shook her head in frustration. “Fine. I’ll find something small to add to her compensation. I’m not taking suggestions, and I’m mostly doing it because I think you sabotaged this team a bit too much.” Cassandra disappeared with her usual pop.

~Pop~

Flora said, “You didn’t have to do that. She seemed annoyed with you because of it.”

Mark tilted Flora’s chin up and kissed her softly on the lips, causing her to shudder thanks to the trigger making them feel just as sensitive as her lower lips. “Yes, I did, and no, she isn’t. She’s just annoyed in general.”

Flora said, “Well, thanks.” She rubbed her face against his naked chest a few times. “I really appreciate it.” Flora pushed Mark back onto his back and curled up next to him. “I love you, Meowster. Thank you for being here for me.”

Mark wrapped an arm around her as he pulled up the covers over them. “Always, my precious Kitty.” He kissed the top of her head as they both drifted off to sleep.

---

Samantha woke up in what looked like a large semi-permanent tent. She was in a cot with nice bedding, and a plate of fruit and a glass of water rested on a table next to the bed. She felt hungry and exhausted, and immediately ate and drank.

Slevia walked through the tent flap. She didn’t look like an orc this time, but just her regular self. “Ah, good. You’re awake.”

Sam asked, “Where am I?”

“Orc camp. What’s left of it. Challenge is over. Close enough anyway. Don’t need to be green anymore.” Slevia crossed the room and took two goblets and filled them both with an amber liquid. “Mead?” Slevia said, offering one to Sam. Sam happily took it.

Sam asked, “So I lost?”

“Aye. Was good fight.” Slevia sat on the bed next to Sam. “Few contestants are warriors.” Slevia gently put a hand on Sam’s thigh as she took a deep sip of her mead.

Sam didn’t miss how high up Slevia had placed her hand. “Slevia… I know you’re interested, but I’m dating Allie and Laura. I can’t date you too.”

“That’s fine. No need to date.” Slevia drained her goblet and put it on the table, and put a hand on Sam’s face, turning it to face her. “I just love a good spar.” Slevia took her chance and kissed Sam on the lips gently at first, and as she didn’t pull away, the two quickly became more passionate.

Slevia gently pushed Sam onto her back. Sam smiled up at Slevia. “Well, in that case, I guess it’s only proper for you to claim your spoils of victory”

Slevia smirked down as her hands ran all over Sam’s body as the two made out for quite some time, as neither wanted to take things a step further yet, before falling asleep in one another’s arms.

---

Arriving back at the palace, the first thing Mary did was call Cassandra to make sure Samantha was safe. An act that worried Cassandra enough to immediately appear in front of Mary, as it wasn’t a text message; she actually called her.

Cassandra didn’t even let the first ring finish as she appeared and asked, “What are you so worried about?”

Mary said, “Where is Sam?”

Cassandra blinked a few times and then realized that made sense. “She’s completely safe, with Slevia.” Cassandra glanced to the side as if peering at something. “In fact, Samantha seems to be quite enjoying herself at the moment. So no need to worry.”

Mary’s tail smacked the ground, not totally convinced, but let things drop. “You said we would have access to the BP shop before the transformation vote, right?”

“Yes. After the challenge officially concludes at noon tomorrow, you’ll have an extra hour to make purchases. Though the shop will open first thing tomorrow morning, so you don’t need to wait until then.”

“Thank you,” Mary replied.

Cassandra asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

Mary said, “No, I don’t like being separated from part of my hoard.” Mary’s tail smacked the ground again. “I’ll live, though.”

Cassandra asked, “Is there anything else you need from me tonight?”

Mary shook her head. Cassandra vanished a second later.

Laura and Allie came over, and Laura asked, “Are you sure you shouldn’t swap out the dragon transformation? It seems to be distressing you.”

Mary breathed in, then out. “I’ll think about it, but Sadie seems like she wants to take me to my room, with how much she’s glancing towards me and then away. Plus, she’s floating.”

Mary gave them both hugs and wished them goodnight, and went to join Sadie. “Shall we?”

Sadie nodded, slipping her arm around Mary’s. Sadie hardly seemed to notice that she wasn’t walking next to Mary as they went to the suite, but floating.

Once inside, Mary asked, “You seem like you have something on your mind.”

Sadie frowned, “Yeah, plenty.”

Mary was slightly taken aback by the sudden shift in tone, and Sadie put both feet firmly on the ground as she went to take a seat at the table. Seeing that Sadie was stressed, Mary made them both some tea and then sat across from her. “So what’s wrong?”

“Mary… it isn’t that things are wrong exactly.” Sadie passed a list to Mary. Mary raised an eyebrow, seeing it contained various sexual activities. “I’m a bit annoyed with how… promiscuous you’ve been.”

Mary frowned. “Sadie, there isn’t really a choice here; you know that.” Mary looked Sadie over and found her fidgeting and looking rather flushed.

“Let me rephrase: I’m annoyed because you’ve been so active ticking off boxes with other people and not doing anything with me. I can tell every time someone else gets VP with you for something I haven’t done with you, or if they exceed my best performance. That list contains the activities I feel the strongest need to resolve, that we can without your dick. I would like to at least get on the board for some of these, as I have nearly wanted to tackle you to the ground and just ravage you all day.”

“Hold on, a second seriously?”

Sadie walked around the table and began groping Mary’s chest.

Sadie said, “Mary, I want to shove my tongue down your throat, and up your pussy. I want to bring you to the brink and have you scream out my name as I push you past it.” Sadie caught a whiff of Mary’s scent, which she thought was currently lavender. It caused her already high libido to spike. “I have every intent to drag you somewhere the second you get access to your dick again and have you screw my brains out.”

“Wait, are you sure?”

Sadie grabbed the front of Mary’s dress and pulled her into a kiss, shoving her tongue into her mouth as they made out for several seconds. Sadie only broke the kiss when she finally felt like she had outdone one of the others, even if she wasn’t sure who. “Yes, I’m sure.” Sadie grabbed one of Mary’s hands and brought it up to her own breasts, which were still enlarged from the Charity dungeon. As Mary gently squeezed, Sadie let out a high-pitched moan.

“Mary, I want to go down between your legs, and I want it badly. What do I need to do to make that happen?”

Mary just pulled up the skirt of her dress and was a bit surprised at how quickly and enthusiastically Sadie stripped off her panties and began licking. Sadie took it slow and intimate, both so Mary would feel comfortable with her, but also so she could get in some practice, as she knew she was likely a long way from achieving the best Mary had had.

Mary kicked off her shoes and curled her toes in pleasure as Sadie lifted her legs up over her shoulders. Mary leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as she wrapped her legs around the back of Sadie’s head. As Sadie brought her to the edge she slowed down and kept her there for some time. Mary was confused both why she wasn’t going farther and how she was managing this, considering what she knew of Sadie’s sexual history.

It was only after nearly a minute of edging that Mary remembered what Sadie had said, “SADIE PLEASE! SADIE!”

Sadie smirked as she brought Mary to climax. Mary leaned forward slightly and then back hard and cracked the back of her chair. She only managed not to fall out of the chair thanks to her legs around Sadie.

+1 VP See Mistress’s Naked Pussy
+1 VP Touch Mistress’s Pussy
+2 VP Cunnilingus on the Mistress

Sadie pulled Mary by the hand towards the bed. Sadie straddled Mary’s waist, and resumed kissing her.

Between kisses, Mary said, “Sadie… slow down.”

“What’s the issue?”

“It isn’t that I haven’t enjoyed this, and if you want, I’ll return the favor, but I’m not up for a bunch of sex tonight.”

“That’s fine. I was just planning on a lot more kissing. Also don’t worry about me. I got myself off.”

“Just more kissing?” Mary asked questioningly.

“Unless you want more. Just a whole lot of kissing. I need the practice, if I’m ever going to outdo a literal sex goddess. Besides, I don’t think you understand just how desirable you are right now. I’m not even that into the dragon bits and damn I can’t help but imagine all the fun things you can do with that tail and tongue.” Sadie didn’t wait for a response and proceeded to begin a very long makeout session.

---

Laura had been searching the palace grounds for Ethel and, after about an hour, found her. She was in a small chapel to Cassandra, reading a book. Seeing Laura sit down next to her, she grabbed a bookmark, finished her page, and then turned her attention to the Goddess sitting next to her. “How can I help you, Laura? I get the feeling this is in a personal capacity and not about the challenge.”

Laura nodded. “You’d be right. Is this more collected version of you the real you?”

Ethel let the mask slip, and it then fell as she started talking at a much faster speed. “Gods no. I haveto slow down my words, so, so, so, so much, and it really ishard sometimes, like l haveto force myself to slowdown and take a breath.”

Laura saw Ethel practically vibrating in her seat. “Are you okay?”

Ethel took a deep, relaxing breath. “I’ll be fine.” Ethel started fidgeting with her hair, but worked on being more calm and collected. “I really should try harder. I—”

“Don’t need to. It’s okay to talk.” Laura gently corrected.

“But… A lot of you found it annoying, especially Mary.”

“Mary will survive. Now it’s about Mary that I'd like to talk to you about.”

Ethel turned her head curiously, and as she spoke, she did so faster and faster. “Did she tell you about my plans? Laura, you don’t have to worry. I’m not really trying to compete with you. I just like her. Okay. She’s nice, and pretty, and caring, and…” Ethel realized she was rambling and trailed off.

“Ethel, I’m not worried about you competing for her time. Mary is going to be stretched thin no matter what. One extra person isn’t going to make that much difference at this point. That being said, I would like you to hold off on joining the harem, at least for now.”

Ethel frowned at Laura. “Laura, Cassandra doesn’t just have universal latitude to let me decide whenever. If I pick Mary’s staff, that might be the end of it.”

Laura nodded, “I understand. I talked with Mary, and she’s willing to figure out a way to add you later if you still want that. Or to have a relationship with you afterwards if she can’t. She’d just prefer you to hold off for a few rounds. Personally, I think it would be good for both of you if you did. I have a feeling things are going to be hectic tomorrow already without you joining the harem. So please, join her staff.”

Ethel didn’t look pleased being told this. “She said she was alright with me joining.”

Laura sat in silence for a while, trying to figure out how best to explain this to Ethel. “She is, but there’s a difference between being okay with something and being enthusiastic about it. You have to realize something. That for Mary, you joining the harem makes her responsible for you. It might not be completely logical, but that’s how she’ll feel. So please.”

Ethel didn’t respond immediately. “This isn’t just her way of rejecting me?”

“No. Mary likes you; she’s just overwhelmed at the moment.” Laura then said, “There’s another issue that I don’t think Mary’s aware of, that makes things more complicated.”

Ethel asked, “What’s that?”

“Care to tell me what your last name is?”

“Evolian. Like I told Mary, the empire here,” Ethel gestured around, “Used to be real. I was a princess of the Evolian Empire. Princess Ethel Evolian.”

“Uh huh. I’m not calling you a liar, but I feel like it would be far more accurate to say your last name is Lundevall.” Laura dropped the accusation, and it left a silence permeating the room for a while.

Ethel tried to deflect, “I suppose that wouldn’t be horribly inaccurate. The sisters did help raise me, as did Smug and Cassandra. So they are family.”

“No,” Laura said firmly. “I’m saying you’re actual family. Blood relatives. If I had to guess, either Maja’s, Astrid’s, or Petra’s child. I doubt you’re Maja’s, but I can’t completely rule her out. I would guess Astrid or Petra over her, and you are the reason Astrid got eliminated.” Laura let her words hang, and she was honestly surprised that Cassandra hadn’t intervened yet. Probably to let Ethel try and deny the accusations.

Ethel asked, “What makes you think that?”

“You’ve got their nose and their chin, except for Slevia; she has a more defined chin, but I attribute that to a transformation. Your eyes are the same shape too.”

“Even if I were, and I’m not saying I am, how does that matter?”

Laura got close. “Because it’s possible Petra will join the harem, and it is probable that Astrid will. Which means that when Mark has children with Hilde, they would be your cousins, and if I’m right that you’re Petra’s or Astrid’s child, that would mean if Mark has children with either of them, you would be their sister. I could see Mark finding that uncomfortable, especially since if you joined the harem, your children with him would be your siblings’ siblings.”

Ethel frowned, having not completely thought about the future family dynamics.

Laura said, “Look, I’m not telling Mary my suspicions unless she directly asks me about them, and I’d still tell her to talk to you. Also, you didn’t deny being their kid either, which, if you weren’t, you would have.” Laura held up a hand to stop Ethel. “I don’t care. It isn’t my business, unless you join the harem. Then it very much is. So until you can be open about this with Mary, I think you should wait.”

Laura saw the acceptance on Ethel’s face. She put a hand on Ethel’s shoulder reassuringly, then stood and moved to leave. Ethel grabbed Laura’s hand and gently held on to it. “Wait… I’m Petra’s. Please don’t tell anyone else. You aren’t the only one in the harem to know, but please don’t even discuss it with them. It has to remain secret.”

Laura gave Ethel’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Why?”

“I was told Petra had been found… intoxicated after Mark had Hilde join the harem.”

Laura nodded. “I heard something like that, but wasn’t there. I was told it was pretty bad.”

“Yeah… that… that would have been a good day if we let Petra remember. None of them know. Just Cassandra and Smug. The rest don’t know.”

ASTRID spoke quietly over what sounded like an intercom but didn’t originate from anywhere. “I know.”

Ethel sighed, “The rest have their memories clouded over or wiped. Astrid won’t get to keep this information.”

Laura asked, “Is it really that bad if they knew?”

Ethel replied, “Yes.”

“Then you have my word that your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you.” Ethel let go of Laura’s hand. “And thank you for talking with me about this before telling Mary.”

“No problem, and have hope. Talia thinks Mary can save her. I believe she can too.”

With that, Laura strode away, leaving Ethel alone in the chapel once again.