The Slaves

When they were finally done, Vrasha and Elody lay on the bed together, their limbs intertwined. Vrasha could feel the heat of her lover's body. Elody was on her side, her chest pressed into Vrasha's side. The young princess lived for moments like this. Intimacy on this level was rare for her. With the **** of her father and brother, she had no living relations whom she knew of. She was not close to anyone but Elody and it pained her to think that when she married, moments like this would go away. Vrasha felt a deep fear gnawing in her gut. She was confident in her ability to fight anyone. She was a soldier, a warrior, someone who never gave up. But that thought alone deeply scared her. If not for Elody, Vrasha would surely be long dead now or worse. ''Love'' was a concept that she had always had trouble with, but her connection to Elody was as deep as any she had ever known.

It saddened her to know that it would soon have to be severed. She needed to be queen. Her authority had to be unquestioned. Anything less would be a rick to her people. It would invite a power struggle as soon as she turned her back.

She sighed, running her fingers through Elody's silky hair. Enjoying the heat of her body, the slow rise and fall of her chest. Vrasha looked down at Elody, her eyes half closed as she enjoyed the moment.

I would marry you, Vrasha thought, not for the first time. If only it would not lead to ruin.

She had thought about it before. Marriage to another woman would be unusual, but not illegal. Taking Elody to be her wife had always been a fantasy of Vrasha's. But just as she played with the idea, she always came to the same conclusion. It could not be. If Elody became her queen, then Elody would one day rule her kingdom. Vrasha would grow old a die, but Elody would not. And as she aged, she would become less and less human. This was a fact they both knew, but tried to pretend they didn't. Eventually, this Elody - the one that Vrasha knew and adored - would be gone just as the last one had gone. She would not shackle her land or people to a cruel queen who had become so detached that she did not even see them as people at all.

After what felt like an eternity, Vrasha finally **** herself to move. The blankets of the bed cascaded from her naked body. Elody yawned, uncurling from Vrasha. The princess felt a flash of regret at the loss of closeness.

Elody did not have to sleep, but she did allow herself to do so at times. Vrasha had learned that she only did it when she felt secure and safe.

"Did you enjoy that?" Elody asked.

"Always," Vrasha said. "But we need to deal with the slaves now. Which means sadly that we should both get dressed."

"As you will," Elody said. "Though I would enjoy having you naked for longer."

"Later," Vrasha laughed. "For now, work."

"Are you going to wear the dress again?"

"I don't think so. I hate that thing."

"I think it looks nice on you. Like a lady of the court. Usually you wear your leggings or your armour. Those don't really accentuate your best features."

"You mean my chest?" Vrasha teased her. "I can't think of anything else that dress draws the eye to."

"Well, your chest is not a bad thing to focus on," Elody said. "But I meant something else. Your manner changes when you wear a dress. You become like a different person. It's as if I can glimpse the princess who used to be, or might have been if not for her brother and her father."

"That girl is gone," Vrasha said.

"Yes," Elody agreed sadly. "She is. But there is still a trace of her. A ghost if you will. She surfaces sometimes and I am always happy to see her."