Diamond Elf - Side Story #2

“Tonight, would you like to share a bed with me?” I asked the handsome human hopefully.

He chuckled, blushing. “I’m actually engaged to be married soon, and I wouldn’t feel right…”

I suppressed a sigh of disappointment, and smiled instead. “Hmm… Pity. She’s a lucky woman.”

He didn’t have time to reply because just then, the doors were opened and the music for the wedding of my friend Amara began. The human escorted me down the aisle. He was the best man, and I was the maid of honor.

I smiled radiantly as I watched Amara wed her groom. She was such a wonderful person, and I prayed that she would be happy. We had shared our magic, so I could feel her tentative hope. I felt proud to be by her side at such an historic moment.

After the wedding, the entire wedding party – as well as other important people, such as Princess Chelindra and her husband Aeryc – waited for the guests to move into the banquet hall. No one said much of anything as we waited, but this seemed to be due to the fact that the King and Emperor were hostile towards each other. They had just been enemies in a long war until recently after all.

I could see that the tension between the two important men was getting to Amara, so I decided to distract her. “Your hair looks a bit mussed, let me fix it for you,” I offered.

Amara smiled at me gratefully as I fiddled with her hair. My magic was perfectly suited to the task. When I was done, I held up my hand that subtly glowed with the magic I was using.

Amara placed her hand against mine. We both felt a mild tingling, and her hand started to glow as our magic mingled. This was in addition to the mild glow we both retained from sharing our magic before.

“You should have seen yourself as you came down the aisle,” I informed her. “You looked as if the Gods themselves surrounded you with their divine light. It was breathtaking!”

“Thank you,” Amara replied with a shy blush. We separated our hands, and I wondered how much more time I would have to waste until we joined the guests for the banquet.

I walked around the room looking at the art and other decorations. Amara naturally followed me. We said nothing, but I knew that she was using this as an excuse to escape the tension.

I noticed that there were two other men in the room. They both looked extremely focused in general – probably a common personality trait – and watched me suspiciously. One of them was subtly placed near Gabriel, and it dawned on me that he was the Imperial Prince’s bodyguard.

The other was subtly nearer the Emperor, and it made sense that he was the Emperor’s personal bodyguard. That would explain the sense of deadliness that emanated from him. He wasn’t just dark in looks – with black hair and eyes – his aura was dark too.

I decided to ignore the suspicious guards. I had no nefarious plans in mind, so I had nothing to fear from them, and besides… I knew that Princess Chelindra would protect me as a fellow elf. I rather gather that she was serving as King Collin and Queen Haylee’s bodyguard while they were in the Emperor’s palace anyway.

Finally, we went to the banquet, and afterwards, there was dancing. I had a blast! Dancing was one of my favorite things to do, and as a good looking elf – if I do say so myself – I was well sought out by all the men.

Eventually, I realized that I was tired. I slipped out of the ballroom when I hoped no men were looking my way. To be honest, I wanted at least one of them to follow me, but I knew it would be disastrous if several or all of them followed me. Therefore, I played it safe by trying to go unnoticed.

“Follow me, and I will guide you to your room,” tall, dark, and deadly informed me.

I squeaked in surprise. Well, I pretended to squeak in surprise. Elves don’t normally feel anything, but I found it fun to act like I did.

“I’m sorry if I startled you, but I was ordered to watch over you and keep you safe,” he informed me.

“Why?” I wondered curiously.

“The Emperor felt it best not to provoke the Elven King. If you were to be hurt while staying here, your King might order his sister to retaliate.”

I merrily snorted a short laugh. “Are you supposed to be telling me this much?”

He shrugged. He was already walking toward the room I was staying in, and I followed him because I was headed there anyway.

“Does this mean that you are going to be guarding the door to my room all night?” I inquired.

“Probably,” he grunted in response. I don’t think he was much of a talker in general.

I grinned. “Then why not share my bed? I’ll feel much safer knowing that no one can harm me because you’re right there.”

He stopped in his tracks, and stared at me. I wasn’t about to tell him that I was mildly desperate because I was returning to the Elven Realm in the morning.

In the Elven Realm, pretty much every elf young enough for me to want to share my body with was paired up already. I was not interested in Gallen in the slightest because he was so childish. Aeryc was married to Chelindra, and had been off limits for some time prior to his wedding. That left only two other male elves younger than 300… and they were together.

Unless I wanted to dally with elves in their 400s or older, I had no choice but to take advantage of a human while I was here. Plus, I wanted to share my body with one of them. I wanted to know what it was like to feel a lover’s touch.

Deciding that I was serious, the man whose name I did not know finally smiled. It looked as if he were unused to smiling. I’m willing to bet that his job called for him to look stern at all times.

“That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “That way, I’ll know for certain that no one managed to sneak in through a window during the night.”

I held out my hand for him to kiss. “I’m Jasmine, as you probably already know.” It didn’t really matter to me what his name was, but I figured that it couldn’t hurt to be courteous.

He hesitated briefly before taking my hand in his and raising it to his lips. The kiss he placed on my hand tingled, and I wondered if he was giving me magic. His hand did not glow, so I couldn’t be certain.

“I’m Jacen,” he murmured as he tucked my hand into the crook of his arm. He finished leading me to my room, and then looked around briefly before we entered it. I think he was trying to make sure no one was watching us.

I watched him lock the door, and then pause a moment before turning to face me. The way he kept hesitating, one might think that he either didn’t normally like women, or that he had never actually been with one before. I suppressed a laugh; I was supposed to be the nervous one!

He took a step closer to me, and I turned my back to him. “Can you unlace my dress?”

He took a deep breath, and held it for a moment. “Are you absolutely certain that you want me in your bed tonight? I have… different tastes when it comes to sex.”

“Ah… So you do prefer men,” I stated.

He laughed. “I didn’t say that! Although I won’t deny that I have had sex with men in the past. That’s not what I refer to.”

I didn’t particularly care. Whatever happened tonight would be a once in a lifetime opportunity anyway, so I figured that I would let him do whatever he wanted to me. I had no experience in bed with anyone, so how would I know if it was different?

“Will you please unlace my dress?” I emphasized my question by sweeping all my hair over one shoulder.

“Alright, if you’re sure,” he murmured.

I felt him wrap his arms around me so that he could fondle my breasts as he nuzzled my neck. Something about the way he inhaled my scent made me feel hot and almost dizzy. He held me steady with one hand as his other disappeared for a moment.

The next thing I knew, a knife was carefully slicing its way up the laces on my dress. It was sharp enough that it sliced through my corset and undergarments as well. I shivered as I felt the cold tip gliding along my bare skin.

A moment later, Jacen pushed all my clothes to the ground. I hadn’t expected to be naked quite this quickly, but I was naturally able to suppress any emotional response. I actually felt surprise!

One of the reasons I liked to snack on fairy dust as often as I did was that it made me feel things, though I knew better than to confess this to my fellow elves. Emotions were fun for me, and it was hard for me to feel anything at all because I’m an elf. Most of the time, I pretended to feel emotions – much like I was an actress. Other times, I’d lick up a bit of dust.

Tonight, I was feeling them for real without any help from my dust. The experience wasn’t just unique, it was intoxicating!

Jacen ran his hands down my spine, then around to my front. One hand roamed up to my breasts again, and the other traveled down between my legs. I shivered in anticipation, thankful the knife had disappeared again.

He found a spot that made me want to melt into a puddle at his feet, and I moaned. Did my body feel this way because this was normal for this situation, or was it because a human was touching me? Did humans have some sort of magic that elves didn’t that made it easier to feel passion?

I started quaking with the need to find out what happened next. Moans continued to escape my mouth. The best part was that I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to!

Jacen abruptly scooped me up, and carried me to my bed. He was still fully dressed, and took a moment to rummage through his pockets. My brows furrowed curiously as I watched him produce a small coil of thin yet sturdy rope. He cast me an impishly knowing look, and I was suddenly a little bit afraid.

He firmly placed my hands together, wrapped them with the rope, and then tied them to the ornate wooden carving of the headboard. I considered protesting, but I was strangely excited. Next, he produced two more coils of rope, and bound my legs to the footboard so that they were wide apart.

I still didn’t protest. Instead, I watched him, shivering in desire. The desire to know what he planned to do next! I think my expression might even mirror his own impish one.

He studied me intently for a few moments, his hand stroking me from the valley between my breasts down past my belly button repeatedly. “Tell me… Are all elves as impossible to hurt as Chelindra is?”

It was my turn to hesitate. The fact that he was asking that rather implied that he wanted to hurt me. However, it would be easy for him to find out on his own, so I decided to answer him honestly.

“No, she’s unique. The rest of us can be hurt almost as easily as you humans can.”

“Good,” he stated with a cryptic smile. He pulled a small stick out of a pocket. It was about the size of a finger, and looked like it might be made out of metal.

“This stone is special. It was magically imbued several hundred years ago with the ability to cause pain. If I touch you with this stone, the spot I touch will feel like it is burning, but do not worry. It won’t actually damage you. See?” He demonstrated by lightly caressing my stomach with the stone.

I inhaled sharply as a searing pain followed the stone. Thankfully, it faded as quickly as it came. “I expect you to struggle… I expect you to cry and tell me to stop, but I won’t stop.”

“You have an interesting way of not harming me,” I remarked. I was somewhat afraid now, which was an emotion I had never felt before. I kind of liked the way the emotion made my blood run cold.

His expression changed, and I could see that he was completely serious. “You won’t be harmed. I promise that. There will be no damage to your body when I am done with you.”

I bit my lip in thought for a moment, and then nodded. “I understand.” This once in a lifetime experience was turning out to be even more than I bargained for!

Jacen set the pain stone on the pillow a few inches from my head. I could see it if I wanted to, and every sense in my body was vividly aware that it was there. I did my best to ignore it.

He slowly unbuttoned his uniform jacket, and then tossed that onto a nearby chair. Next, he removed his shirt, and I longed to touch his chest. He stood up as he tossed his shirt on the chair, and I watched him as he wandered around the room.

A maid had come in a while before we did to light the candles in sconces around the room. It was intended as a convenience, one that a maid would naturally extinguish when I wished to go to bed. Jacen must have considered them an inconvenience though, because he took the time to blow them all out.

All except one. The one he left burning was above my head, but off to the side. It cast a dim light over my body, and strangely heightened my anticipation.

I kept my eyes on Jacen as he removed his pants. His body was in excellent shape, and I found myself longing to taste him. I wanted to run my hands all over him, and then lick him with my tongue. I think I actually blushed at the wantonness of my thoughts!

He crawled onto the bed, and looked into my eyes while on his hands and knees above me. His look was intense, smoldering. I felt burned by it, and wanted more. He lowered his lips until they hovered a fraction of an inch above mine, then he shifted his head to the side and kissed along my jaw until he reached my ear.

I gasped as I felt his teeth sink into my ear. True to his word, he did not draw blood, but it still stung. I panted and squirmed. My heart was beating harder than usual, and I wished I could lay my hands on my chest to calm it.

Jacen bit my neck next. I was astonished to discover that it felt good! I almost begged him to bite harder!

His hands massaged my breasts, and I realized that his left hand was covered by a thin black glove. It was probably made out of cotton, and felt incredibly soft against my skin. He licked my breasts, and sucked on my nipples.

I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he bit my right nipple. I watched him in fascination, still panting like I had just run an impossible distance. He met my eyes with his as he raked my nipple with his teeth. Then, his eyes shifted to the pain stone on my pillow.

I inhaled in something I think was dread as he picked the stone up with his gloved left hand. He slowly guided the stone to where he wanted it, watching my eyes to make sure they were glued to the stone. I felt my breathing increase as the stone grew ever closer to my left nipple.

It hovered there for an eternity as he sucked on my right nipple once again. I felt a strange tugging sensation in my groin, and wondered once again if what I was feeling was normal for someone having her first sexual experience. Or was I feeling something different because he himself had told me he had different preferences?

I wish I had something to compare it to!

There was an intense pain in my left nipple, but it only lasted a moment, then it was replaced by his warm mouth. I had cried out in protest, but now I was moaning again. Oh dear Gods! I want to bring this man back to the Elven Realm with me!

He moved lower, kissing and licking a path down my stomach. I squirmed and struggled against my bonds. He was tickling me, but he was also making the opening between my legs positively drool! I had never experienced that before, and was somewhat mortified that he was about to get a good look.

What if he thought I had wet myself like a child?!

I struggled even harder, but my bonds remained secure. He set the stone aside, and parted my netherlips with his hands. I squealed in protest.

“Oh Gods no! Don’t look!” I begged.

He laughed. “You have no problem letting me tie you up and do whatever I want to you, but you get squeamish because I’m looking at you here?”

“Yes!” I confirmed, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

He murmured something incoherently, and then lowered his face even closer. I bucked, but then realize that I had only pushed myself closer to him. He took advantage of this by sliding his hands under my buttocks.

Holding me firmly still, he licked my second set of lips. His tongue dancing like a flittering butterfly. I squealed again. He was half tickling me, but it felt so good! My opening oozed even more.

His tongue was soft as it gently drew lines from the bottom to the top of my womanhood. I was thrashing about because it felt so good, and I wanted nothing more than to grasp his hair with my fingers and hold on for dear life!

I started feeling like my blood was on fire as it rushed through my veins. He found this spot that made my toes curl, and I was making a sound like a whimper. I wanted to beg him, but I didn’t know what to ask for.

I didn’t notice, but his left hand must have moved again. The next thing I knew, I felt that burning pain in my left leg. I stopped squeezing my eyes shut to focus on what was happening. My screams echoed around the room, and sure enough, he was lightly stroking my thigh with that stone.

Part of me wanted to destroy that thing! Another part of me noticed that I was definitely feeling several strong emotions at the moment. I felt more alive than I ever had before! The pain faded, and I decided that I liked it. It was better than being numb my whole life.

Every part of my body sang! It was like there was fire and lightning racing around inside me. Every touch of his fingers made me shake with pleasure. His breath only added to the sensations, until I was sobbing with need.

His tongue continued to dance on that insanely sensitive spot, and I felt something come over me. Pleasure like I have never even dreamed of! My body thrashed about on its own, and I was screaming again.

Then came the pain. He was touching that spot with the stone. The strangest thing happened. The hot pain felt amazingly similar to the molten waves of pleasure I’d just survived, and my body reacted by tensing up and then shuddering violently. The incredible feeling seemed to last forever!

I eventually started begging, and this time it was for the feeling to stop. I simply couldn’t handle any more pleasure at the moment! It’s too much!

I gulped in air as Jacen finally set the stone aside. He got to his hands and knees again, and made a show of placing the stone on the pillow next to me. I stared at it, honestly unable to decide if I liked it or hated it.

I was afraid he was going to suddenly leave me because he lifted himself so that he was kneeling, but not on his hands. He stretched his arms above his head, and then wiggled his shoulders in circles for a moment. I watched him, but my eyes were inevitably drawn to his manhood.

It was huge! I don’t have anything to compare it to, but even so, it looked like there was no way that thing could fit inside me! He smirked at me.

“The Emperor often has me assist in the torture of prisoners. I’ve seen enough men naked to know that mine is bigger than average. Judging by the look on your face, you’ve never seen one this size before either.”

I shook my head frantically, unable to speak. If he is bigger than most men – does that mean he really is too big to fit inside me? More importantly, how does that compare to Elven men? I’m pretty sure that I was made to accommodate whatever size is normal for elves.

He produced his knife from wherever he had hidden it, and sliced through the rope tying my right leg to the footboard. Then, he pushed my leg until I was spread as wide as I could possibly go. He pointed his shaft at my opening, and leaned closer.

“Watch,” he ordered me. I didn’t need him to tell me that because my eyes were already glued to what was about to happen.

I was mildly panicking, and tested how firmly my wrists were bound. There was no way I was going to escape without hurting myself. I wanted him inside me, but I was also terrified that he would tear me in two!

He held my right leg in place as he guided himself inside me. I could feel him pressing into me, and held my breath. He was pushing into me, but it felt like I was somehow preventing him from entering me.

Suddenly, he flexed powerfully and was buried deep within me. I cried out in pain. It was hard to describe. It hurt, but not in a bad way. A couple of tears escaped before I was able to control them.

He held completely still, and I was amazed to see a look of astonishment on his face. “Wait a minute… I thought…”

“You thought that because I asked you to share my bed despite not even knowing your name that I had let a man between my legs before?” I questioned, already knowing the answer.

He nodded. “I might have been a bit gentler had I known.”

I shrugged the best I could considering that my hands were tied above my head. The pain had completely faded, and I was ready to find out what it would feel like now if he moved. “Please don’t stop.”

“I already told you that I wouldn’t even if you begged,” he reminded me. “Just give me a moment to do something.”

He used the knife that he had set within reach to cut through the binding on my other ankle. I was amazed that he was able to do so without withdrawing from me. Next, he carefully inserted the knife between my wrists, and cut me free. I sighed in relief.

Lastly, he pulled my legs over his hips one at a time, and pressed his body into mine. I rested my arms above my head for a moment, but when he started moving, I felt the need to hold onto him. I panted, my heart pounding again.

Each time he withdrew and then thrust into me again, I made a tiny grunt, “Uh!”

He started out by thrusting into me powerfully. I felt like he was trying to break the bed under me. To be honest, I was half hoping he would! My arms were wrapped so tightly around his neck that I’m surprised he didn’t complain I was choking him.

Gradually, his pace changed, growing faster and faster. I felt that hot pleasure coming closer, and I started babbling nonsense. I think I was praying to the Gods. I could have also been shouting encouragement.

He startled me when he unexpectedly roared in my ear. He had stopped thrusting, and quivered lightly. I could feel him pulsating deep inside me. I felt bathed in hotness, and it somehow made me start screaming in pleasure again. I muffled my screams by biting his shoulder, and savored every spasm that caused my body to shake.

When it was over, I relaxed completely, feeling like I had just melted into my bed. Jacen also relaxed, laying atop me as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I cherished his weight, and ran my hands through his hair.

He looked at me curiously. “What made you decide to invite me into your bed?”

I twisted my lips to the side as I contemplated not answering. Finally, I smiled. “There are no male elves the same age as me that I want to and can have sex with.”

“None? … How old are you?”

“207,” I informed him honestly.

“207!” He gaped at me incredulously. “You don’t look anywhere near that old!”

I laughed. “Don’t you know? Elves age the same as humans for the first 21 years, and don’t seem to age at all until they reach their 200s. Then they only age about 1 human year for every 10 or so years that pass. Therefore, in human years, I’m in my 20s. You look older than that… 30s perhaps?”

He nodded, and then noticed that the pain stone was on the pillow next to me. He grabbed it and set it on the table next to the bed. Then, he removed the glove he wore, and carelessly tossed it on top of the stone.

He got comfortable again, and I think he would have fallen asleep still on top of and inside me if I hadn’t pushed him off. I had enjoyed him resting on my, but now I had an urgent need, and it required me to get out of bed. Jacen let me go reluctantly, and then curled up with a pillow.

I quickly made use of the closet with the chamber pot in it, and then stood watching him sleep for a bit. He looked so peaceful at the moment. For some reason, this made me want to disturb him!

I used my magic to send him a suggestion in his dream, smiling when it worked and he rolled onto his back. My magic – like most Elven magic – was mainly used for healing, protection and peaceful sleep, but I could do something else too.

My magic just loved to help me as I made dresses. That meant that I could control all types of thread and fabric… including the rope he had used on me. I willed it to fix itself, winding itself back together. Then, I willed it to bind his wrists and legs to the bed.

His eyes flew open. Apparently, he has a heightened sense of awareness when it came to danger. Or perceived danger, since I didn’t actually plan to hurt him.

“How did you do that?!” He demanded. I held up my hand, which was currently glowing brighter than my whole body had been. When Amara and I had shared our magic about a month ago, we both shone radiantly, like miniature suns. Both of us had faded until the glow was barely noticeable, but our renewed contact had brightened that up a little. Not much, but definitely noticeable.

Now, my hand gave off more light than the candle did.

“I have magic, remember?” I crawled back into bed – my hand fading back to “normal” – and straddled his waist. I twisted my lips side to side as I contemplated what to do.

He seemed nervous, but I think he instinctively knew that I didn’t have it in me to harm him. Much, heeheehee!

The one thing that had bothered me earlier was… I leaned forward until my lips hovered over his, then paused. I kissed him hesitantly at first, but then my desire took over and I placed my hands on his cheeks as I intensified the kiss. I felt like devouring his mouth!

He responded, but he seemed reluctant about it. Was he playing the victim because he was tied up? What does his mouth taste like?

I ran my tongue across his lips a couple of times, and then he let me slip my tongue inside him. He tasted… manly. There was no other way to describe it. I licked the roof of his mouth, tickling the bumpy ridges for a moment.

Then, his tongue playfully licked mine. It fascinated me to lick his tongue and let him lick mine in return. I think I kissed him for at least an hour!

By this time, I was panting in need, and so was he. His manhood poked into me uncomfortably, so I simply guided it inside me. However, I had no plans to seek relief just yet.

I found it a bit awkward with him inside me, but I managed to bend over and suck on his nipples. My eyes met his, and I grinned. Then, I glanced to the table next to the bed.

He followed my gaze, and I swear he turned white. I did not take pity on him! Instead, I carefully picked up the glove, and pulled it on my left hand. Then, I touched the stone with one finger in case it could still hurt me.

It definitely tingled, but wasn’t painful at all. I think I was feeling the magic that made it work. I held the stone off to the side as I resumed sucking on one of his nipples. My eyes watched him as best they could, but he was definitely watching the stone.

I slowly brought it closer to his chest, and his breathing changed. He was now panting rapidly, and looked like he wanted to beg me to stop, but he didn’t.

I touched the stone to his nipple, and he cried out in pain. Hearing him, I felt sympathy, and wondered why he wanted to do this to me. On the other hand, I felt powerful, knowing that I had the ability to make him cry out like that. I moved the stone away, and licked his poor abused nipple to soothe away the pain.

I made room so that I could touch the stone to his other nipple, and this time I could definitely detect a hint of pleasure mixed in with his pain. His shaft twitched inside me – just as it had a moment ago when I’d done this to the first nipple – and I realized that I was moving my inner muscles around him in response.

I moved the stone away, closed my eyes, and focused on where I felt him inside me. I wiggled my muscles experimentally until I figured out how to ripple up and down his shaft. He groaned appreciatively, which made me smile.

I continued what I was doing until I felt the need to grind my hips into him. This felt so good, but I wanted to try something. I abruptly lifted myself off him, causing him to groan in disappointment.

I held the stone carefully away from his body as I settled myself between his legs. I wanted to make him feel what I had felt when his mouth was between my legs, but I couldn’t imagine how he was going to fit inside my mouth! Maybe I could simply lick his shaft.

“Please don’t!” He actually begged. “Don’t use the stone on me there!”

“I seem to recall you telling me that you would not stop no matter how much I begged,” I reminded him.

“You don’t understand. Everyone reacts to the stone differently. Some people can’t bear even the tiniest touch, and some people hardly feel anything. I was honestly surprised that you could handle the pain as well as you did. Had you actually indicated that it was too intense for you to handle, I would have stopped – despite what I said. I… I’ve… I’ve had that pressed against my shaft and balls before. The pain is like nothing I have ever or will ever feel. It makes me vomit and then pass out.

I stared at his shaft vacantly for a few moments. I truly didn’t want to hurt him, but I also didn’t want him to think that I was just going to give in because he begged me. I held the stone in my gloved hand a few inches from my face so that I could inspect it thoroughly. Other than looking like it could be made from some type of dark metal, it wasn’t remarkable in the slightest.

I firmly held the stone as I carefully pulled the glove off. This resulted in the stone ending up safely inside the glove, which I then tossed on the table again. Jacen sighed in relief.

“If I had known things were going to end up like this, I would have brought some other toys for you to use instead,” he informed me.

I grinned, then shook my head. “Nah… I really wouldn’t know how to use them anyway. I was only trying to imitate you.”

I straddled him again, guiding him inside me once more. Now that I was no longer a virgin, I felt a strange fullness but no pain. Though, I was a tiny bit sore from earlier.

I brushed that thought aside, determined to have as much fun as possible before I had to return home tomorrow. I could always sleep once I was back in the Elven Realm! I slid up and down his shaft a few times, but it was awkward.

I held up my hand, palm facing Jacen, and watched him curiously as he watched my hand start to glow. He looked almost afraid again. It was clear that he was wondering what I was going to do now.

I held out my other hand, and all the ropes binding him flew into my waiting palm. I concentrated on them for a moment, and they also began to glow. The rope combined to make a thin noose that would perfectly circle his neck and dangle down his chest. I made it wrap around his neck, and then settle in a way that it could not be pulled tighter. This meant that it couldn’t be opened either, but I figured that he would simply cut it off later when he got dressed.

For now, I used it to pull him up until he had to use his elbows to support himself. I leaned forward, and commanded him to, “Kiss me.”

He complied, then surprised me by rolling us over. I was now under him again, but this was fine by me. In fact, I felt relieved that I didn’t have to figure out how to find a pace that pleased him. He continued to kiss me as commanded, thrusting possessively as he did so.

This time, we muffled each other’s cries of pleasure as he filled me and I felt that incredible feeling wash over me again. It tasted strange to have our mouths joined as he grunted and I nearly screamed, but I loved it. I continued to kiss him until I felt lethargic.

We both fell asleep before we could decide whether to get comfortable together, or separately. My arms held him tight, preventing him from rolling off me as we slept.

I discovered – in the morning – that even flaccid, he was still half inside me. His eyes flew open in alarm. His expression changed as he looked at me, and I wondered what he was thinking.

“As much as I would love to stay here for a while longer, I am supposed to be by my Emperor’s side just as dawn breaks. It’s now well after that,” Jacen stated, the bright sunlight streaming in through the window lending credence to his words.

I felt extremely disappointed. I knew that I also had to get ready to go, but I didn’t want to. Not unless I could bring him with me.

“Um… you’re going to have to let me go,” Jacen insisted, using a hand to pry my arms loose.

I decided to be the unemotional elf that I was. I opened my arms, and waited for him to leave. He was staring at me with that strange expression again, and I think he had also realized that he was still half inside me. Make that more than half inside me; I think he had grown a bit in the last few minutes.

“I really can’t stay,” he muttered, and it sounded like he was trying to convince himself. “Ah what the hell! A few more minutes can’t hurt.”

He took advantage of the fact that we were already joined, and set a pace that took my breath away! He was pounding into me so fast that my head was spinning! I sighed happily, and wrapped my arms around him again.

This time, we finished within minutes, but my heart was pounding every bit as hard as it had been last night when we took hours. Every fiber of my being was demanding that I hold onto him, but I let him go before he could insist that I do so. He withdrew from me, and I felt fluid gush onto the sheets.

He got out of bed, and I realized that I couldn’t watch him leave. I curled up with a pillow, facing away from him, and pretended to go back to sleep. I heard him dress, and then all was silent for a moment.

His weight depressed the bed slightly and I wondered what he was doing lingering when he had to get back to the Emperor. He stroked my hair with his hand. Curiosity won, and I shifted to face him.

“I know you’re going back to the Elven Realm today, so I probably won’t ever see you again. I thought I should at least say goodbye before I leave the room.”

He leaned over to kiss me, and I had to close my eyes to prevent the sting from turning into tears. “Goodbye,” I whispered as I felt him get out of bed once more.

I heard him leave, and cried for a few minutes until my Elven nature took over. I started to feel numb. Calm. Detached. I wiped the tears away, and got dressed.

All too soon, I was waiting for Princess Chelindra to open a doorway between the Realms. Amara squeezed me tight, and lamented that she might never see me again. This saddened me too, and we shared a brief kiss of friendship.

I had to wait for Princess Chelindra – who was busy saying her goodbyes – so I let my mind wander. I couldn’t help but notice that the Emperor and his bodyguard stood off to one side. I could sense that the Emperor wanted to see the invincible General leave with his own eyes.

I glanced at Jacen, knowing that my face was completely smooth and that he could not read anything in my demeanor to indicate how I felt. His own expression was blank, and I suddenly knew that he had trained for a long time to be able to stand next to his Emperor as if he didn’t exist. He radiated that deadly aura again, and it attracted me like a moth to a flame.

I started to turn my attention elsewhere when I noticed him casually stroke his neck. The noose I had impulsive wrapped around him just barely showed above his uniform. It looked like he was wearing a woven hemp necklace.

I looked to the floor as if I wasn’t interested in anything at all. I stroked my left palm with the fingers of my right hand, and felt rather than saw him subtly nod his head. I had the glove and stone he’d left in my room, and I planned to keep them as a reminder of him. He understood, just as I had understood that he hadn’t taken the noose off and wasn’t planning to.

Yet… I’m sure eventually he would. If I had to wager on when, I’d say within a year. He might keep it as a memento for a while, but eventually he would meet a woman who could be with him here in the Human Realm. I bet he would burn it then.

Finally, the doorway was opened, and I stepped through it, not caring in the slightest if it burned me to a crisp. I raced to my room. I needed some fairy dust, and I didn’t want anyone to see me take it. It was not generally accepted for any elf to willing take a substance that enhanced their emotions. As a result, I always locked myself in my room when I wanted to do it.

I nearly slammed my door shut, but remembered to restrain myself. I locked the door, and then stumbled, landing on my hands and knees.

“He’s just a human, just a stupid, short-lived human! He’ll be dead long before me anyway, so why care about him?!”

I used a nearby chair to pull myself to my feet, and then gasped. I felt a moment so profound that I nearly fainted. My mouth hung open in shock.

“Noooo!” I exhaled in disbelief.

Unlocking my door, I forced myself to calmly walk to my destination. I absolutely did not want to attract attention right now. Several elves nodded at me, and I nodded in return.

Finally, I was at my destination; the scrying basin. I looked around to make sure that no one else was nearby. Finding no one, I looked into the basin, and held my breath while it clouded over and slowly cleared.

I saw myself standing, a light shining from my womb. This totally confirmed my profound feeling, and I felt strange. My blood felt like it couldn’t decide if it wanted to freeze or boil. I couldn’t take my eyes off the basin.

“Congratulations,” King Chehiro stated mildly, startling me.

I gasped, and curtseyed deeply. “Forgive me, Majesty, I didn’t see you there.”

“I daresay the happy news was enough to preoccupy you,” the King demurred.

I bit my lip, and then figured that I was never going to have an opportunity like this again. “If I wanted to go live with the father…?”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Every child is far too important. I cannot allow them out of the Elven Realm.”

I nodded, looking at my hands as I whispered. “Can he come live here?”

“Do you think he would want to?”

I sighed in depression. “Probably not. He is dedicated to his job.”

King Chehiro placed a hand on my shoulder sympathetically. “Give it a few months, if you still want to bring him here, I’ll open up a doorway so that you can ask him. Perhaps you’ll have forgotten him.”

I nodded.

“And besides, by law, we can’t put off your marriage too much longer. You should have been married 7 years ago, but you argued that Gallen was much too young.”

“He still is!” I insisted vehemently.

“I’m sorry, but he’s almost the only elf for you to marry.” King Chehiro definitely seemed sad about this. “I suppose that another 50 to 70 years wouldn’t make too much difference to him, and then Gallen would be almost 200. That would give you time to raise this baby a bit, and maybe even talk that human into living here. Just remember that he will die while you are still young, and then the only person left for you really will be Gallen.”

“I know,” I sighed in defeat.

Months passed, but my feelings did not fade. I was able to go to him, and could not contain the need to see him any longer. I stepped through the doorway into the Human Realm nervously.

“What are you doing here?” The Emperor demanded. Apparently, I had inadvertently entered his private sitting room. The same one I had once waited in with Amara after her wedding. I heard her make a happy noise in the background.

“I deeply apologize for arriving unexpectedly and unannounced,” I informed him with a deeply respectful curtsey. “May I stay the night in your Palace?”

“Why? What brings you to this Realm?”

I glanced at Jacen, who stood in the shadows behind the Emperor like a good bodyguard should. “I just wanted to visit.”

“With Amara I suppose,” the Emperor murmured. He had grown to truly care for his daughter-in-law, and smiled at her sitting with his son on the opposite side of the room.

I honestly hadn’t thought about Amara. I would love to chat with her, but I didn’t want her to distract me from my true goal.

“Actually, no,” I replied, taking a calming breath. “I’m here to see someone else.”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes at me suspiciously. He suddenly turned to face Jacen, who was unconsciously rubbing his neck. I smiled as I saw a bit of the noose still around his neck.

“Aha! Now I understand. You’ve been moping around ever since she left. I wondered what had gotten into you,” the Emperor addressed his most trusted bodyguard.

Jacen looked away from him, unwilling to confirm but also unable to deny the Emperor’s accusation. I figured that since the secret was out, I had no reason to dance around it. I got to my knees, and clasped my hands together.

“Imperial Majesty, will you please consider allowing Jacen to come to the Elven Realm with me?”

I didn’t even need my sensitive Elven hearing to pick up Jacen’s sharp inhalation. It was clear he hadn’t expected that at all. Other gasps echoed around the room to indicate that no one had expected it. The Emperor remained impassive.

I felt tears escape my eyes. “Please?” I begged.

He chuckled. “Does Jacen even want to go to the Elven realm? How long do you plan to keep him?”

I couldn’t answer the first question because I didn’t know. I looked down as I whispered the answer to the second. “As long as he wants… the rest of his life if he wishes.”

The Emperor snorted with laughter. I’m fairly certain that he didn’t think any man would give up such an important job just to follow some female to an unknown land with no guarantees for the future. Jacen was still silent, and I didn’t dare look at him in case he was suppressing laughter too.

“Why not simply stay with him here?” The Emperor asked. I’m sure he considered this a far better solution.

“I can’t. My King has forbidden it,” I explained.

The Emperor shook his head as if to say that was the end of the matter. Jacen moved so quickly that I didn’t realize what happened until he was at my side. He took my hand and helped me to my feet.

“I would love to go with you to the Elven Realm,” he murmured just before he kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding him tight. I was crying. I couldn’t help it, the baby made me feel just about every imaginable emotion each day, and no amount of meditation helped control them.

Amara, Gabriel, and their bodyguard – who I think was named Arden – all gaped at us. They looked astonished that Jacen was actually showing his tender side.

The Emperor sighed. “It’s strange… my actual son was raised away from me and has now returned while the orphan I took in is now trying to leave me. I must be weak in my old age… Fine, if you truly wish to abandon everything you have here… you may go.”

“Thank you!” I gushed happily at the Emperor. I glanced at the doorway I had come from. It was still open.

I gently pulled Jacen’s uniform jacket and shirt away from his chest, and grabbed hold of the noose. Jacen raised one eye brow and regarded me with an amused grin. Firmly holding the noose, I tugged on it.

“Come on,” I invited, taking a step back. Jacen followed, and I led him towards the doorway. I waved at Amara and promised to visit her some other time.

She hand both hands covering her mouth and looked like a proud mother watching her child take his first steps. Gabriel looked happy for us, but Arden still looked positively incredulous.

Jacen scooped me up, and carried me through the doorway. I waved goodbye to Amara one last time as it vanished.

“Where to?” Jacen wondered.

“That way,” I pointed in the direction of my room.

“Not so fast,” Princess Chelindra chided sternly.

I felt Jacen tense up, but he didn’t let go of me. Prince Consort Aeryc put a hand on his wife’s back. She was subtly but noticeably pregnant, which was more than I could say.

Chelindra stared us down coldly for a moment. Then she softened, a smile warming her lips. “Welcome to the Elven Realm.”