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The two of them were traveling alone.
The carriage took forever to reach Perenneth. It shook with a soothing motion. Before her, the fox-kin girl brushed her twin tails. One blue, one pink. A mystery, an existence that transcended common sense. The reincarnation of King Locksley of Windemere, and many, many others. A person that swapped bodies and stories like a lizard swapped skins. She couldn't help but worry. What sights had those eyes seen? What untold horrors and wonders had she wrought upon this world?
Mirina Luwens, the fourth [Princess] of Lonid, could only wonder.
Those eyes caught hers, pools of green thicker than an elven forest. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," ashamed, the human girl averted the half-dwarf's fierce but gentle eyes.
"Nothing?" She caught a whiff of a tail swinging inside the carriage as the other woman stood up. "I don't think it's nothing."
The fox-kin sat next to her. Mirina could barely remember to breathe. A tiny hand caught her chin and gently moved her head to face the hand's owner.
"Mirina. I know you pledged your body and soul to me."
"Yes, I did."
Her companion's voice was enticing, entrancing, and sultry, "But that's not enough, Mirina. Your mind and your heart, they are unrestrained by that oath, and I am a greedy fox-kin."
Her heart skipped a beat. Her lips were claimed the previous day. What could the fox-kin want now? Her chastity? Her body was pledged away. She had no choice but to comply should the question come. But now, what was that about mind and heart?
"I can assure you that my mind is always thinking about you," she truthfully answered the fox-kin.
The long fox ears shook along with the head, "No. You might think of me but these are thoughts of fear, dread, despair, and worry. I want none of these. I want you to think about me with warmth, hope, joy, and perhaps love."
"Lo-love?" She tittered.
"Yes, Mirina. Love. Dwarves are greedy and the kitsune passionate. I am greedy for the fire that burns in your heart, for the thoughts this inventive mind can think of. Come, stare at my eyes and drown in them. You don't need to worry about Lonid. I won't harm anyone."
The world was still. The carriage no longer bumped over the irregularities of the road but glided effortlessly over the long night. Galbarar was asleep. Mirina felt she could do anything. But no! She had duties!
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Her heart stung, the [Princess] shied away. "I wish I could believe that. Yet, I find myself unable to. You are power incarnate, of a magnitude I can't hope to fathom. Others in your shoes would have driven the world into submission."
The fox-kin touched her elbow gently and ran a soft finger over her gloves and kindly grasped her fingers. "The thought crossed my mind, but it is a bother," Mirina couldn't help but steal glances at the lips that marked her. "If I conquer the world and press it into submission underneath my heels, I'll crush the most delicate of flowers," the fingers now traced random patterns on the back of her hand. "Why would I condemn myself to never see the flower bloom, smell her perfume, and see the pretty girl's smile?
"No. I chose to let the world trip upon its own faults, stumble on its shortcomings, but do it freely. That's why I also won't claim your mind and heart. I wish to win them over, Mirina. Would you kindly consider granting this small boon and think of it, my [Princess]?"
Her breath struggled to keep her blood oxygenated. Her heart worked double-time to pump what little life her lungs absorbed from the air. It was as if she would faint. If of fear or something else, she couldn't tell. Out of the carriage window, Sylvis cast reflections on a calm lake's surface as it crossed over the water. She saw soothing green orbs in the fox-kin's eyes. Inviting her to dip her feet, to soak her body, and forget about her worries.
"Did you hate it when I kissed you?" The half-dwarf girl asked.
If she was entirely honest, she didn't. But she felt embarrassed, ashamed to admit. She could remember tingling on her lips still. Part of her craved for more. To slake her loneliness on ruby-red lips. She almost gave in.
"No. These lips belong to you," she answered with burning cheeks.
"Do they?" The fox-kin teased her.
They were both female. Even if they shared their intimacy, it wouldn't tarnish her chastity, as far as the male-centric viewpoint was concerned. She would still be able to marry and bear heirs. Didn't the fox-kin say something about marriage yesterday? Didn't she get a letter from her mother?
"No. I'm sorry," she finally replied.
"What must I do to win them over? Shall I win a tournament and grant the glory to my [Princess]? Shall I sing love ballads under thy balcony, my fair lady?"
Mirina felt her head sway. The carriage stretched a mile wide. She believed the fox-kin's words were true. Should she ask, wouldn't the world's treasures would be laid at her feet? Who was greedy now, the [Princess] wondered? Maybe…
"I wish to try it again. Would you kiss me one more time?" She asked in a heated whisper turned to regret as the words left her mouth.
The hand left her glove and caressed her slender neck, going up and tracing the angles of her chin, testing the softness of her rosaceous cheeks, tenderly tracing over her eyebrows to finally hold her cheekbone. It didn't push her head. Mirina leaned in, eager to taste the sweetest poison ever.
She felt the jolt and warmth as their lips pressed against each other. The fox-kin's tails raised her petticoats, seeking the softness of her thighs. Mirina froze and melted at the same time. The hand was no longer on her face but deftly climbed over her knee and delved into…
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Mirina sat on her bedroll, sweat beading on the [Princess]'s face. Julia woke up and rubbed her back.
"Are you okay, Your Highness?"
She looked around. They were in a tent, two days away from Perenneth. Mirina had to focus on her breathing. Haru was in another tent, and nothing happened but a playful and chaste peck. It was all on her mind.
At least she hoped. But if that was just a dream, why were her loins on fire, clamoring for her attention? She craned her head and ordered Julia out of the tent. Mirina needed some time alone to seek solace.