Three Trials to prove his worth while Amelia cosies up with you

The moment you get your reply from Amelia you practically forget all about this cult business, your mind is far too distracted with the prospect of seeing your old friend and getting to enjoy her company once again. It's a welcome distraction as the information you're getting back from your contacts and the favours you called in is a slow trickle at best, further reinforcing your dislike for the subtler means of doing things. You'd much prefer to prepare some effective spells and kick in the door of the nearest cult, blasting your way through until they're smart enough to surrender. However, a lot of the cultists will just be regular people, the bored, the gullible, the lonely, the disenfranchised and the **** people who turn to cults just to feel like they have a purpose or place to belong.

Thankfully Amelia's reply also came back with a long list of things to arrange for her visit, most of which relate to the event she wants to host for her would-be suitor to participate in to see if he's worthy. You also have to dust off your old research notes and refamiliarise yourself with a spell you were trying to create that would work on Amelia's rather unnatural physiology. The spell is fairly intricate and in places feels more like a complex ritual, but given your friend's natural resistance to certain types of magic, there's a lot more that needs to be woven into what would be an otherwise normal spell for most others.

You also use the research as an excuse to spend an entire afternoon visiting various alchemical and arcane reagent shops and catching up on the gossip in the magical practitioner's world. Many devote their lives to the study of the arcane, or at least in a meaningful manner and don't have the luxury of a long life span as you, or the inclination to learn out in the field, have to spend a lot of time in dusty libraries reading mind-numbingly dull tomes. Either their patrons or mentors forbid them from enjoying distractions as your club can provide, or they just disapprove of how you utilise magic at the club.

You don't mind so much, but it does mean you have to travel to the upper city to get any good information on the exploits of the prominent figures in the field of the arcane or to have someone to talk shop to about it. Chantelle is a great study, possibly one of the best you've taken the time to teach, but she's still young and in the early steps of learning to be at the stage where you can nerd out about reagents you could use as alternatives for others or the merits of certain metal compositions of a good cauldron.

By the time you finish perfecting the special surprise ritual for Amelia and making the other preparations for the big event, the night of her visit is upon you. You stand in the lounge, straightening out the imaginary creases in your form-hugging silken gown that accentuates the sweet and inviting curves of your body, the various slits revealing plenty of your soft lavender-hued skin. The arcane-assisted gown holds your sizeable boobs proudly for all to admire with just two thin strands of the gown concealing your nipples and offering the bare minimum of modesty.

You're enjoying the attention from the various patrons arriving, although it is quickly stolen by the sound of thunderous hooves pounding the street outside as Amelia's carriage arrives. A large black stagecoach adorned with crimson filigree of her coat of arms, pulled by **** jet black stallions with bright red eyes and flames encasing their hooves as well as on their manes and tails. Thankfully the sight of large magical beasts such as nightmares is well-known enough not to cause an outright panic in the undercity, although Amelia's coachman's driving skills almost make up for that.

Thankfully the panic and tension building outside your club soon evaporates the moment the hunchbacked coachman hops down and opens the carriage door and Amelia steps out. There's an eerie silence that fills the air, the sort only accomplishable by the collective jaws of dozens falling open in stunned silence. You have to admit, you find the muscles in your own jaw starting to slacken when you watch your old dear friend descend the steps on her coach and slowly make her way into your club.

All eyes are on Amelia as she slowly approaches, her radiant and regular features adorn her pale complexion which contrasts her luscious raven-black hair that flows elegantly down her back. Her crimson lips curve into a broad smile and her red eyes widen as she spies you waiting patiently in the entrance lounge of the club. You feel your heart quicken as your friend's hungry gaze sends shivers down your spine in equal parts fear and excitement, just like the first time you met.

You smile as your arcane intuitive reflexes kick in and you are able to free yourself of the hypnotic qualities of Amelia's gaze. Your eyes move down to admire your dear old friend's outfit, since if your own dress only just does the bare minimum to conceal your Modesty, Amelia's doesn't even try. The black lacy dress clings to Amelia's luscious frame leaving very little to the imagination, with so much of her luscious pale-skinned body on display. One exposed gap runs from between her heavy breasts, down past her navel and stopping just short of revealing her sweet nethers.

"Selene, it has been far too long," Amelia says warmly, opening her arms wide and pulling you into a tight embrace.

"It really has," You reply with a big smile. "Although nice to know, you can still know how to make a grand entrance," You add with a soft laugh as you enjoy the feeling of Amelia's body pressing against yours, her sweet aroma making your head spin and your cock throb.

"Mmmmm, feels like you're all ready to get down to business," Amelia whispers softly.

"For you, I'm almost always ready," You purr seductively.

"That's my girl," Amelia replies with a giggle, sneaking in a quick kiss on your neck, her fangs dragging across the delicate skin just lightly enough to not leave a mark, the sensation sending another of the equal parts fear and excitement shivers down your spine.

"Also I have a surprise for you that I can't wait to share," You add with a giggle.

"What say we retire to your room and catch up," Amelia offers in a sensual whisper. "You can tell me all about it," She adds hungrily.

"Sadly, we do have some official business to attend to first," You reply softly before you step back out of your dear friend's embrace with a great display of mental fortitude.

"Is my Suitor already here?" Amelia asks, her tone practised enough to hide all the edge and annoyance that she's feeling at this moment.

"Yes, we have them in a private room to discuss the details of tonight's events," You explain with a smile.

"Ah, so the last chance to back out," Amelia replies with a smile. "Maybe he'll finally see sense and give up, and then we can find our own room, private or public to enjoy ourselves with," Amelia replies with a laugh.

"And if he doesn't, then we can still enjoy ourselves while watching him try to win your game," you reply with a smile. "It would give us plenty of time for me to show off the fruits of my research," You add teasingly

"Oh, so you think you might have found a solution to allow your arcane delights to work on my rather unorthodox physiology?" Amelia coos her smile widening revealing the just lower tips of the two fangs that protrude down from her mouth. "Well now I have a second reason to hope he takes up the gauntlet," Amelia adds in a sensual purr.

You knew loosely what Amelia had planned from overseeing some of the arrangements, but there were some details Amelia kept to herself to ensure there were plenty of twists and turns for her would-be suitor to overcome. There is a part of you that wonders if you should be slightly worried for the poor suitor, but any doubt or thoughts of backing out soon dissipate when Amelia takes you by the hand and gives you a quick wink.

For a brief moment, you feel a slight mental pull from Amelia, the equivalent of having a finger teasing against your mental defences. Some might see this as an attack, but fortunately, you know Amelia well enough that she's just using every gift at her disposal to tease and entice you. If Amelia had meant to try and seduce you with her hypnotic gifts you'd know, besides, she was perfectly capable of seducing you into helping her the old-fashioned way, which is much more enjoyable for both parties.

You smile and lead the Countess down the hall to the private room, where her would-be suitor, James von Hinternfondle, and his entourage are waiting patiently. You enter the room before turning and bowing as you gesture for Amelia to enter, with the appropriate levels of deference her title affords her, mostly for the Prince's benefit, no sense letting him on to you being anything that a gracious host. Especially if you plan on refamiliarising yourself with your long dear friend while he competes for her hand.

"Countess Briarcopse, it's good to finally see you again," Prince James says, giving a polite bow.

This is your first proper look at the Price and his entourage as they declined a formal entrance to the club, unlike Amelia who always did prefer a grander display. Looking at the young man you had to admit he was attractive, well-kempt, finely dressed and even seemingly in good shape, which is a rarity among male rulers who are more used to letting their power and wealth do the heavy lifting when it comes to finding a partner. You can even tell but the cut of the trousers that Amelia commented in her letter about him being gifted is quite accurate, although you were confident you still have him beat in that area.

"No need to be so formal, James, you are here to try and win my hand after all," Amelia coos in a playful tone.

"Prince James, he is the son of the Emperor after all," A woman beside the prince adds venomously, her eyes full on what at first you take for a lack of trust before your keen mind scans her face and spies that jealously is the true emotion she's wielding her sharp tongue with.

"Please, Sister, let's keep this civil," James replies, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. You hadn't given the woman much more than a cursory glance up until now, but now you do, the resemblance between the two is uncanny, she's like a feminine version of the prince her features equally as beautiful as his are handsome.

"But she doesn't respect you," The Sister continues.

"Jeanie, Amelia isn't being disrespectful, she just doesn't value formality as highly," James replies softly.

"Then why is she making jump through these hoops, and publically no less," Jeanie replies.

"Oh I'm sure it's just a bit of fun, to prove I don't take myself too seriously," James replies with a soft laugh. "Isn't that right, Amelia?" The Price asks with a smile.

"Of course," Amelia replies in a sweet tone. "I'm just a fan of games and I need to know the man who would have my hand isn't opposed to performing publically and nice and flexible," Amelia adds softly. "You can trust me, Jeanie, we might be Sisters in law soon, after all," Amelia adds focusing her attention on the Sister and licking her lips.

"Please Brother, don't go through with this," Jeanie pleads. "Let's just head home, I'll help you find another woman," Jeanie adds in a **** tone. You smile to yourself as you can see of the two siblings which of the two seems to have gotten the intelligence. While the Prince sees no danger with the event tonight, his Sister is more than aware. For a moment you think the Prince might listen to reason, he does give a lot of weight to his Sister's words after all.

"No it has to be Amelia, we talked about this, remember," James replies in a hushed tone.

"I'm worried the price might be too steep, please Brother," Jeanine begs.

Amelia eagerly watches the back of forth between the siblings with curiosity, while your mind starts to try and piece together the conversation not being said out loud. Nobles, royalty and those that consider themselves wise, all do love to share the irksome quality of talking around what they want to say for you to figure out rather than directly expressing it. The siblings both at one point wanted this union, something about Amelia or her holdings, but now the Sister has cold feet.

Your mind considers a few possibilities, the allure of immortality should Amelia share her dark gifts, maybe, but the twins are both elven blood and wealthy so they could live many centuries without issue. Neither Sibling strikes you as ambitious enough to be using Amelia or her gifts for any sort of power or political gain, from your research into the Price, you found that it's an entirely patriarchal society so it wouldn't benefit Jeanie that much. You glance up at the siblings as they hold each other's gaze for a moment before finally you come up with an idea that makes logical sense.

It has to be Amelia and her land because she enjoys being considered a godless land of heathen and debauchery by the lands around her, where a brother and Sister could live in sin together, openly. Sure there are other kingdoms that might allow their own royal family to mingle, but they're not exactly going to extend that forgiveness to an outsider. Amelia on the other hand has no issues, in fact, you recall her delight when you were telling her of your exploits with your own Sister.

If your hunch is correct, then you suspect there might be a way that everyone walks away this evening with exactly what they truly desire.

"My mind is made up, Sister," Prince James. "So tell me Amelia, what must I do to win your hand," The Prince continues.

"I have three trials for you to complete, to prove you're able to meet my wants and needs," Amelia says with a smile. "This is you last chance to back out without any shame," Amelia adds with a devious smile on her face.

"James, please," Jeanine begs in one final attempt to get through to her brother.

"I accept, bring on your first trial," James replies confidently.