Somehow, everything is not complete shit. The Capitol of the Empire, Aelea, is a burgeoning city of ten thousand and change, and miraculously someone else is running the day to day. My now wife Katie O’Connell is taking her roll as Consul of Finance and Trade seriously and has definitely made inroads on the Milky Way mining arena as well as other Earth goods that have become popular across the Exchange. What’s even harder to believe is that it’s only been six months since she destabilized much of the world with two expertly placed torpedo strikes.
It’s been about seven years since I enlisted in the Navy to be near my brainchild Annihilation Propulsor. About five since we encountered that remote frontier drone 2700+ light years from that inoculated and assessed our ship as a new race for the Andromeda Matrix, or what I conferred to Humans as the System (because the Matrix has distinct negative connotations with us). It’s been about two years since Humanity in total has been exposed to the swarm that conveys the Matrix, and though it killed a statistically insignificant portion of Earth, it destabilized the planet with the new economy and the uneven power distribution between those with the drive to grind and those that merely wish to throw money at things.
“Empress, the V’Tek are asking for an audience to discuss the use of aether on Elysium, and the Vassalage on Earth is asking . . . well for a lot.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose as I stare at a vexing Magitech hydro-aether power system upgrade for a humanoid AI vessel. My wife chuckles at her workstation in our open loft arrangement on the top floor of our mansion behind the Capitol building.
“Thank you Naomi, what of the Vassalages on Atropos and the ‘naturalists’ on the other side of Astoria?” I ask my aide, a former Commander and Admiral’s aide in the US Navy, as she respectfully projects a screen when she’s in menus.
“The Naturalists are asking for seeding the forests with beasts, specifically tainted beasts, but that’s a line item for the next Empire review, scheduled at the beginning of the quarter. The Atropos Vassalage wishes to be designated as a system Capitol to enhance their control of their planetary system and potentially the system itself.”
“Hmm, that sounds reasonable for Atropos. Set up supervisory authority for non-named moons and scavenging rights for the gas giant. Single site building rights on the other fates moons, and petition able mining rights for the belt. Also, inform the naturalist and for the review that no aether disturbances will be set up within a thousand kilometers of an established outpost or Vassalage. See if their attitude changes.”
Naomi taps a few more moments, then I notice that her screens are no longer visible.
“You also owe me an answer on your residence on the Mansion grounds of if you prefer a specific spot in Aelea.”
She flushes and fidgets. “To be clear, the Garden Apartments are not an explicit or implicit invitation to our bedrooms. They are set apart specifically for guests that need more security and have business with Me or my Family.”
“Wait, really? I just thought . . . well, nevermind. Is it okay if my husband comes next week to look around and I give you an answer then?”
I chuckle at her nervous hope, “Of course, it might be nice to have a disgustingly hetero relationship around for once.”
“And if your husband can be bribed to cook for us, all the better.” Katie chuckles at me and my barely adequate skills in the kitchen.
“He can, and our kids want to be apart of your Aether Academy.” That was almost a question.
“Naomi Burgess, you have been keeping information from me!” I give her my best disappointed look. It makes her take a step back. Perhaps the look was too much. “We take ages as low as 14 below the tier 1 threshold. Non-symbiote guardians cannot be present for safety reasons. Video feeds available upon request, of course. They must be on Astoria for at least three months before admission to reduce absorption problems. Lastly, the academy requires two years of mandatory service as an academy trainer or service in the Navy with preferred posting considerations.”
“Yes of course! Thank you Empress!” she rushes to hug me and of course I accept.
“Did you not know your position came with legacy admission for family?”
“What? No. I didn’t. Wait, I helped you make those policies! That is not a part of them. Though perhaps it should be. Making a note for the Review.” I chuckle at that, and nod in agreement.
Naomi vibrates with happiness all the way out of the Mansion.
“That, my dear, may be your best skill at keeping this Empire together. You can see the quality of a person. Though you should spend an even amount of time looking at the male variety of human for their aptitude.”
I can’t help the burst of laughter that erupts from me. “That has been a common comment from the population of professionals on Earth.”
“Perhaps you should let your recruiters manage the postings then, instead of getting involved yourself. In fact, Rick has a whole list of personnel coming out of their obligations that have petitioned for Imperial service.” Katie looks up from her work bench and waits until I lock eyes with her. “Do you have regrets, my love?”
I sigh, laden with maybes. “Yes, but also . . . they’re necessary? I don’t think my approach with inoculating Earth went very well, but I’m not sure how much better it could have gone unless I gave governments time to become more powerful than their populaces, but then, would they deserve it? Would there have been less death, or more to preserve a desperate hold on the countries they were no longer fit to lead?” In frustration I shoot an ice lance to the stainless-steel plate above the sink across the room and it shatters into ice chunks. “But since China broke into several states, and the City States of America have settled, international relations have . . . stabilized enough that millions of people aren’t dying everyday from warfare.”
“I dunno Katie, my regrets are pretty normal: that so many people died to get us here. A present which I kind of like, save that I’m in charge and don’t’ have enough Consuls to get a full day of research in.” I huff in frustration.
“Just remember how hard I had to fight to get you an aide.” she comes over to poke me and kiss my neck. “And without that aide, we would have less time for,” she nibbles at my neck and I groan in supplication. My knees get loose so she hooks her arm around me, cupping my opposite breast. I moan as she squeezes my sports bra over my erect nipple.
“Empress, the squad . . .” DeGurgis turns the corner, red faced and surprised to see my wife groping me.
“Don’t mind us, puppy, continue your report.”
“I, uh. The security team has. Oh, Astoria, I can’t.” She whimpers. Oh, poor Jenna. So cute. She looks to the floor and fidgets while considering her options.
I grab Katie’s hand on me and turn while I peel it off my chest. I inquire with my eyes and she rolls hers and dismisses me with her other hand, chuckling as I walk toward Jenna DeGurgis.
I walk up and hook my pinky under the collar with a small pink crystal heart at the front, using my thumb to lift her chin into a peck on the lips. She’s uncertain about more involved intimacy when I have a wife, an albeit permitting and harem-having wife; but Jenna’s a one woman girl.
“It’s okay if you don’t want this Jenna. Especially if you don’t like the collar.”
“No!” she shouts, then blushes furiously. “I, I like the collar.” She whispers to me. “I like you, but this . . . three business, it’s more than I know?”
“And that’s okay Jenna. Katie has partners that I want nothing to do with. Specifically the bait and tackle variety. If you don’t want multiple partners, leave that to me. If you can’t handle that, well, it won’t affect you professionally, but after six months of flirting and kissing, it will leave me terribly confused.”
She turns terribly red and tugs my shirt sideways with a confirmation with her eyes that she doesn’t want to talk in front of Katie.
>P] Kay, do you mind if I talk to Jenna alone?[<
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
>K] No. Especially if you can convince her to share our bed. She could be our first. I like her too, but I think she is scared of me.[<
>P] Your intelligence and prowess are terrifying love. [< I lay the pleasant satisfaction I have for her in that thought.
>K] May your affection give her courage. I have fantasies that require her strength dear. Go fetch her for me. [<
I send my middle finger toward her and her demeaning, yet hot imagery. Bitch chuckles at me and sends me a reminder for a spa date in three hours.
I grab Jenna’s hand and port us to a bedroom on the third floor. “Okay hon, sorry about Katie. She likes you too and loves to tease.”
Jenna flushes brightly then covers her face and flops into the bed face first and shouts into the muffled bedding. She lays there for a minute until I get bored and climb up the bed, flip her, straddle her hips and pull her hands off her face.
“Nini, what’s wrong?” I ask.
“I don’t know!? You have a wife? She’s possibly the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen, but I feel such a connection with you that you’re more attractive!? This whole thing is confusing Penny!” She’s searching my eyes harder than I can handle.
“Can I kiss you?” I ask and she nods furiously. I grip with both hands to control her head and descend into a deep and promise-filled kiss. Promises that I’ve thought about that she obviously hasn’t as she’s still confused as I pull back.
“There are no strict rules to this except my personal quarters are not shared unless Katie likes you and you accept her too. Otherwise, frame this, us as you will.”
“Wait . . . so if I, like, want to be you girlfriend, that’s okay?”
The swell of emotion in my chest is so fluffy and pink and Andromeda-damned adorable. I hug the living daylights out of Jenna.
“Of course that’s okay, dingus. We’re comfortable with one . . . extra involvement, with Katie having multiple other ‘acquaintances’ for her anatomical needs.”
“The Vampire thing?” I nod. “Oh, and she’s not going to, like murder me if I only want to be with you?” Jenna fidgets.
“She’ll be sad for a while, she obviously likes you, especially since she has a nickname for you; but if that’s not for you, then that’s fine with the arrangement we have.”
Silence reigns as she rolls us over and then crawls up into my lap for comfort. I would laugh because she is such a large woman, but it would dampen the mood. I hold the round lump that is my favorite regular human and massage the back of her head with my slightly glowing fingers.
“You’re not going to, like kill me if you stop liking me right?”
The certain insecurity of me acting violently makes me want to vomit, instead I teleport out from under her.
“What the fuck!? I don’t just randomly execute people Jenna!” I want to blast the roof off my building at the implication.
“But you could! You’re the Empire! What if I or one of you other servants fail you, what if?” I interrupt her there.
“Jenna! If I was going to make you disappear, don’t you think I would have by now? You’ve categorically refused to have sex with me, and for normal people, that would have been a banning to Atropos, but for you, I just pout. Katie wants to play with the both of us, but, we’re moving at your speed, hon.”
She looks up at me in a desperate pout, “I just, I just like it here, being a part of Astoria, what if I mess this up and you banish me or something?!”
I can’t help it, I start laughing. I try to hold it in, but she’s so cute, and her worries are serious worries, but with reference to my style of leadership it’s hilarious.
I feel bad when she pulls away and starts backing up.
“Jenna DeGurgis, you will stop and hear me out instead of running away with your assumptions.”
She stops and stands up straight with wide eyes staring past me. Oh, wow. That kind of obedience is kinda hot. I’m starting to understand why Katie calls her puppy.
“You have a place here. You are a citizen of Astoria. If by some chance you offend me personally, I will simply cancel your transfer to the Crownguard I am forming and you’ll be offered continued service in the Navy or an Honorable Discharge with relocation to a planet of your choice in my Empire. Is that enough re-assurance to stop your runaway speculation?”
“You want me on your personal guard?” she sniffles out.
“Of course I do! I can’t think of a person more devoted to my cause than you, and you’re one of my security chiefs, so it makes sense. That is unless you don’t . . .” I look away at the last part, as her stillness makes me uncertain of my offer, when she surprises me.
She smashes her mouth against mine and pulls me tight against her hips. My surprise at her forceful and forward action locks me up for a second, but before she can pull away I hook a leg around one of hers and grip the back of her hair and keep her locked with my lips.
She picks me up, turns us and sets me on the bed. Everything feels like it’s going the right way until zip up the bottom of her jumpsuit and start petting her bare stomach. She stiffens a second then starts mimicking my motions near exactly. That’s suspect from an emotional human like her, so I pull out my hand and zip her back up, she does the same and then realizes that something is up and pulls back to look at me.
I smile at her with what I hope is a caring smile, “It doesn’t feel like you’re up for more than kissing right now, so we can stop. I meant what I said when I told you your speed is what we’ll continue at. I really want to touch you, but if you still have doubts, that’s okay. Just tell me what you need, then we can discuss what you want.”
She searches my eyes again, to make sure I’m serious, that she’s not being too much trouble. Andromeda, she does have some extra hurdles, but I can see the love she is desperate to give and I really want to see her bloom into herself again.
“I don’t know what to do about you being married. You’ve told me for months that it’s okay, we even cuddled at your wedding, I’ve just never heard Katie say it’s, okay?”
Wait, really? I blip us back to the loft. Jenna stumbles and I go get myself and her a beer while I wait for Katie to acknowledge us.
“Is Puppy a quick lay, or is . . . Oh, Penny does not look satisfied.” She turns toward Jenna and narrows her eyes, “What did you do wrong, miss DeGurgis?”
Jenna freezes, eyes wide, ready to bolt but unable.
“Katie,” I laugh out, “don’t use your fear gaze on her. She just wants your permission to date me.”
“Seriously? Puppy, do you not remember the day after when I said ‘I guess you can have some time with her’? I expected you to take her to bed instead of have a picnic. You’re either adorably innocent or frustratingly thick-headed.” Katie smirks with her sexy teeth, growling softly as she circles Jenna.
When she gets back to her front, Katie grabs her hair and tilts her head back and kisses her quickly. “You see, I order and demand where Penny asks and persuades. The fact that my Penny has to ask me, again, to get through your head that she wants you irritates me. I do not like repeating myself, but for Penny, I will. You can share a different bed with her, or our bed with us. I am interested in the dynamic we would have with you.”
I squeeze between them and kiss Katie. “You’re scaring her love.”
“I know, she’s cute and I like it. I want to soak in her fear until she forces me against a bed.” She licks a canine and makes me shudder.
“Nini’s not confident enough for that yet baby.” She smiles at me and mutter “shame” as she walks away laughing.
I kiss Jenna to break her out of Katie’s spell. “That enough permission lady?”
“Uh yeah? Can you take us somewhere else?” I blip us to the waterfall.
“So, there are other places I want to take you, but their like girlfriend only things.” The waterfall was beautiful, and Jenna is cute taking it in for the first time.
“I’m not sure what I was hoping for really. Trying to date an Empress, that I work for, was never going to be simple. But it was so nice not having to think about it on the beach, flirting with you and just being us. Me and the Empress.”
I chuckle, “You really think of me as the Empress in your fantasies instead of Penny?”
She nods and blushes a slight pink, “Yeah. I, uh, I really like it when you tell me what to do.”
I smile reflexively at the vulnerable cutie in front of me.
“Then you should kiss me in front of this super romantic waterfall.”
She bites then licks her lip as she advances on me and scoops me up into a swoon-worthy smooch-fest. I’m flustered at the princess carry with the make-outs but Jenna seems comfortable so who am I to argue.
Minutes later I’m breathing hard into her mouth and need a breather and tuck my head into her neck. “Fuck, Nini. That’s a solid move. If, this.” I gesture between the two of us. “Gets any more heated, I will want you to sleep with me in the handsy orgasm sort of way.”
Some light groping and edge-of-fore smooching followed, and I can tell by how she pulls back when I try to pull us deeper that she’s maybe not so into the idea of sex right now. Maybe it’s still Katie, maybe it’s something I’m doing?
“What’s going on in that head of yours sweetie?”
“I’m just so tied up in the ridiculousness of this, you know?”
“I do actually. Well, kind of. I’ve never tried to have a relationship with an Empress, but I’ve tried the thruple thing before. I swore I would just be with Katie after our third went off the rails, but then she has this need for blood and intimacy with it that it would be difficult to source myself. Coming to terms with the fact that I can’t give the woman I love what she needs to survive is hard. She knows that, but she also knows that it would be unfair to expect me not to search for some of the things she can’t/won’t give me. The naked affection and touch that you shower me with is something she’s not the most comfortable with, which is why she’s encouraging this. Us.”
She still has a hard time looking me in the eyes, but rests her head on my shoulders. “So it’s not just a kink then? You don’t want to just keep me as a pet?”
I try very hard not to laugh at her. “Jenna, don’t be ridiculous. I don’t like those kinds of games. The collar does look cute on you though.”
She quietly untangles herself from me and sets me down beside her. She stares into my eyes for what must be minutes, then tips over into the pool of water we are standing next to. She surfaces several meters away and looks back at me.
“I think my emotions and anxiety need to cool off. Is it okay if I think about this some? Figure out what I want from all of this?”
I pout at that. “I kind of thought the last six months were us figuring that out.”
She laughs softly, “For those months, I was continuously ready for you to grow tired of me, or it to end abruptly when you realized that I wasn’t good enough for you. Now that you’ve got some of your intent through my thick head,” She knocks on her skull, the dork, “I need to consider that this is really real, you know?”
I plop into a seated position and hug my knees. “Not really, Jenna. This has felt real to me the whole time.”