Novels2Search
The Heart: Part One
Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

The fires are quickly fought by townsfolk and soldier alike, the corpses are for the most part dragged out of the center of town… And the town square is transformed into a riot of color and fineries, as the townsfolk hold a lavish celebration in honor of our 'victory'. The finest food the peasantry can provide to anyone short of the Gods themselves, wine held for generations in family basements just waiting for an opportunity to be used, all the luxury that rural peasants could muster are flowing freely to celebrate our struggle. Alsace must be a pretty boring place if they’re willing to celebrate the death of their neighbors so eagerly... All of them smile and cheer, soldier and civilian alike, and everywhere an eye falls on me, I can feel their approval.

And I can't stand it.

Today was not a victory, it was a disaster. And a disaster remains a disaster even if we live and the Coalition troops do not. My eyes catch Katerina and Xena amongst volunteers from the militia and army, assisting the faithful of Leather in burying the dead with seeds and preserving their heads. Katarina had been convinced, though it didn't take much convincing, that those militia who had died for us did so as a sacrifice to Wool, and thus she and her followers treat them with full honors. A fruit orchard will be the legacy of my time in this town, a fruit orchard adorned with the heads of the townsfolk who died for me... Even though I am glad that the priests and priestesses of Leather showed some restraint as far as the men who saved us went, I am well aware that the Coalition’s soldiers will not be so lucky, that the priests will be establishing a new ‘commissary’ somewhere out of the people’s sight. Having that context, it distresses me just how many of the local children find the giant, red-mouthed bear woman to be fascinating. It’s as if she’s a clown in a costume, rather than a cannibal mercenary. Folk from Avernia really are all complete oddballs, no matter where in Avernia they come from…

Eventually this misplaced revelry becomes more than I can stomach, and I make my way as far from the lights and cheers and people as I possibly can. In the darkened outskirts of town I find a sacred grove sitting on its lonesome, right near the riverbank. It was untouched by the fighting, it’d have to be a very lucky cannonball that hit a grove so small from that distance...

The Grove of Wool in town covers an entire four blocks, and yet this grove is barely the size of a house... This intrigues me, and since I can hear no noise and see no light from within, it feels like a welcome refuge for my apparently solitary misery. I walk into a gap in the trees, the grove is so humble that it does not have an arch or anything of that nature, so lacking in adornments that I can't even tell which god this grove is dedicated to... Maybe I’ve just stumbled into someone's garden? I’m concerned that I’ll need to make some apologies after this... The inside is similarly humble, and while it has a sacrificial altar it is no larger than a household dinner table. But it is well-polished and maintained. The undecorated trees are healthy and thick, blocking out any view of the world outside them, and admittedly I’m finding it a little peaceful to be in a sacred place that doesn't have any severed heads about. And the grass of the grove is soft... Very soft. And inviting... I lower myself to the ground and lay on my back, hoping whichever God this grove venerated does not resent my intrusion. It’s nice... I can be alone with my thoughts. I can escape the joy my failures have brought about-

"Boo."

My bones almost leap out of my skin as I hear a soft little whisper beside me, and I quickly turn my attention to its source... A woman in thin satin robes, a beautiful woman with piercing blue eyes and gorgeous blonde hair, who seems to radiate the very joy I’m so desperate to avoid. A woman who lays next to me, having snuck up on me as if by magic. A woman who smiles at me, like so many others today... And takes my hand in hers, something I can't say I deserve.

"Umm... Mademoiselle. What are you doing?"

I do not withdraw my hand from hers even as an inescapable feeling of dread bubbles up in me. I’m far enough away from the town square that no one will hear me if I cry for help, and it has gotten dark enough that I doubt that my body would be found before morning if anything were to happen…

"Hehe, mademoiselle... Look at the impiety you see before you. In a larger town, in a big city like Alesia, even in the camp of a modern army, the priests and priestesses of Velvet would be absolutely besieged by soldiers after a battle, looking to work off the adrenaline of the day. And yet, in sleepy little Alsace, this priestess finds herself all on her lonesome during a victory feast... And just as that priestess starts to feel left out, a general wanders into her grove, equally alone. And a cute general at that."

"V... Velvet-"

Before I can even begin to fathom the mistake I have made, my thoughts are cut off by the most beautiful pair of lips that have ever graced my own. Admittedly, they are also only the second pair of lips that have ever graced my own, and while Pasche is nice, this woman is downright divine... Her eyes are closed, utterly consumed by the act of melting against me. And to my shame, I melt back. She slips her tongue into my mouth and I simply allow it, another disgraceful retreat to tar my short history. I try desperately to fight against the sheer force of this woman's warmth, her softness, her beautiful scent… Is this how a Queen smells? Is this how it would feel to kiss Her Majesty?

Would the Queen slip a hand into my uniform jacket like it belonged there?

I manage to slip free from the priestess' embrace at the thought of Her Majesty, and at the feeling of her hand against my chest. Seeing me withdraw from her leaves the priestess looking confused and crestfallen... It must be a sin to make a woman this beautiful look this sad, I don't think I can bear to ever do so again. Mercifully, her confidence quickly returns to her as she reaches for me once more.

"Ah, you must be worried about the tithe! Worry not, generals can expense visits to a grove of Velvet to the royal army, so long as that general wins victories. I'll be sure to write you a receipt, don't worry sweetling."

That word again, victory... I can slip away no longer, I can’t stand hearing about my ‘victory’ anymore "... Today was not a victory. It was a failure of mine that just happened to be a calamity for the enemy."

She looks upon me curiously, still sidling herself closer to me in spite of my rigorous self-critique. "You're alive enough for the two of us to share this moment... Need you be any more victorious than that?"

"I failed… I failed to be the monster that my soldiers and my country needed. I sent human beings into the maw of a beast and watched them all be slaughtered from my position high above in the bell tower. If the townsfolk had not been a monster all their own, who knows if we would be sharing this moment."

"The townsfolk here are all proud followers of Wool; they remember the days of peasant levies and black death with tender fondness. They’re already a little monstrous if you ask this priestess’ humble opinion, I don't think there's any shame in having them die for you-"

"There is shame in anyone dying for me! In them being shot for me, burned and choked for me, torn apart and eaten for me! So many people rely on me to keep them safe and to preserve their dignity, and every day I fail someone... Today I nearly failed everyone, and they dare call it a victory!" I realize a little too late that I’m screaming, and in sheer embarrassment I curl up on the grass. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell, I just-"

"A general with principles, now I've seen everything.” She takes a moment to process this new possibility, before putting on another smile. “I think I like you, madam."

I blush, and blush deeper still as she tries to uncurl me by running her hand over my form. My body obeys, there is no saying no to that touch…

"Madam... Hehe, I am not a madam, I am scarcely nineteen. I cannot claim to be wise or worthy of an elder's respect."

"... Nineteen? And a general?! I knew you had a young, pretty face but… Nineteen?!” Her hand stops out of shock… Pasche had a similar reaction to learning my age, didn’t she? “... What possessed the crown to send such a beautiful flower into a war so young?"

And like with Pasche I can only give the same old answer. "… Her Majesty needed officers for the army, and I serve at her pleasure. Any rank she wishes me to be, any age she wishes me to be, I shall be. And without hesitation."

"Her Majesty? That's a fascinating little term, don't you serve at the pleasure of the High King? His Majesty?"

I curse myself under my breath, this woman is simply too close to me already for me to keep any secrets from her. "Oh! Right, yes... He sure is my sovereign, definitely... Technically."

Even the defeat and horror of this battlefield can’t draw as much venom out of me as having to acknowledge His Grace's authority, or indeed existence... Her Majesty always looks so sad in his presence, so crestfallen. To bring so divine a beauty to such lows is abominable, and to force her to bear his children was unforgivable! I should be the one bringing her joy and having her bear my-

I bite my tongue gently, hoping to get such Velvet thoughts off my mind.

Not that my imaginings bother the priestess of Velvet in my midst, who giggles at my obvious scorn for the High King. "Hehe, it's as if he's slighted your own personal goddess! Careful, Velvet might get jealous with such devoted blasphemy from you."

"Ah! I um, I had no intention of insulting the most beautiful of all the gods! I uh, I have very fond memories of spending days in her groves back home as a child, learning to sing and paint! At least, before it was decided I would be a soldier and not a debutante."

"A loss for Velvet then, that so beautiful a maid was denied from her service."

"You flatterer... Priestesses of Velvet are meant to be gorgeous, like yourself. Not mousey and plain."

"Hey, a lot of effort went into this appearance of mine! You'd be surprised what appropriate care can do for a person's appearance you know. When I was your age, I was a rather plain girl myself, I would have loved to be as pretty as you."

"W... Well..." This is bad. My heartbeat is a marching drum, which compels me forward into her embrace again. "... How did you become a priestess of Velvet anyway? Especially in a place like this."

I thought it would be a fairly normal question to ask, and yet it stops the Priestess dead in her tracks, in a way that physically hurts to behold… Like I’ve taken a beautiful woman and made her a corpse. “That’s… Not something I’m typically asked.”

I can’t imagine the priests or priestesses of any other god being so cagey about what brought them into the priesthood. “Really? You seem like a nice girl, it seems odd that no one at all would ask.”

“The Grove of Velvet is a place for strangers, people don’t usually come here to make friends, General.”

“I didn’t know what this place was when I entered! … And it just happens to be the place where you are. And I think I want your company but I don’t think I could bear lying with a stranger right now.”

My slightly desperate squealing seems to bring the girl back to the land of the living… And get almost as much venom out of her as the High King did out of me, though it doesn't seem particularly directed my way. "And you’re certain you want to hear this story? It's hardly a beautiful thing, worthy of a Grove of Velvet, and you might have a lot more fun with a priestess than you would with bitter old Renee Arbour."

"Arbour... An orphan."

"Dropped off in The Grove of Wool in this very town, the only grove there was when I was born…" For a moment the priestess tries to force a smile again, before failing miserably and letting her true face slip through. "You know something? I've never liked animals. They're dirty, they bite, and they are terrible conversationalists. What I did like were flowers, beautiful meadows, sunsets on the hill... Handsome young men and cute young maids... And I liked to paint and draw the things I found beautiful. Not exactly skills for a future goatherd, and kissing cute young maids was hardly the behavior of a future farmer's wife. The village elders never liked me. And as the other kids grew up, they started to be more like their folks. They were too busy with their jobs and their animals to play with poor little Renee. I was all alone in town... And then the miracle happened! A Melusine took up residence in a nearby river and started drowning local farmers."

"A miracle... In the form of a monster?" It seems an absurd concept, having just faced down a monster myself, and being found wanting… And yet, it was a monster that saved me too, wasn’t it?

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Renee certainly sees no contradiction, no issue with a monster being miraculous. "A beautiful monster with a beautiful voice, a consummate servant of Velvet. I had considered simply joining her in the river, but if I did that then I could not paint her magnificence. What followed was my finest piece, the best I'd ever made... And then the village elders got to talking and decided that the best way to stop their farmers from drowning was a sacrifice to Velvet, to beg her to make her servants leave their home...

And who better to sacrifice than the loner girl that no one wanted to play with anymore? And thus old friends and former playmates came in the night to drag me kicking and screaming to the sacrificial pyre... But they got no screams from me, they didn't even get a tear. Because I had my painting, my most beautiful work of art, and I would keep it with me till the end."

"... Wait, the villagers tried to sacrifice you?!"

"You can see why I'm not especially torn up that some of them died for you. Nonetheless, I was taken to the stake, the fire was lit, my legs were burned... And my painting caught... And when my painting burned, the fire ceased in an instant, and the Melusine left the next day. Velvet had accepted her sacrifice. Art of true beauty is a fair substitute for a human person, at least where the most beautiful of all the gods is concerned."

"Thank goodness you were spared!”

"Hehe, you're kind... The townsfolk were not pleased that I had survived, they had no idea what to do about me now. After all, I had fulfilled my role as a sacrifice, and a person can only be sacrificed once, and that includes having their art accepted by Velvet. I was more of a pariah than ever, the townsfolk didn’t want to see me because they did not want to remember what they had done... But I was no longer alone. Velvet had found my art beautiful and with that, I found my calling. And so I planted this grove in the ashes of the pyre, and the trees grew healthy and thick in no time at all. I took care of myself and became more beautiful. I learned to speak with confidence and poise rather than sincerity, and I set about doing as a priestess of Velvet does."

"... Teaching children how to sing?"

"Bless your sweet heart, general. I fucked strangers for tithes. Well, 'strangers' and half the people of the town, not that those hypocrites would dare admit it. Always with my robes on, of course, no one much cares to see my burned legs, especially not the townsfolk."

"Laying with strangers like me for tithes then..."

"General, I have never met a stranger like you."

I swallow hard, it’s impossible not to be a bundle of nerves when she seems so genuine. "... Call me Serena. I would like to not be a stranger... May I call you Renee?"

"... I think I would like that." The priestess... No, Renee's smile is all the more radiant for being sincere. "Serena."

"Renee... I would very much like to see your art."

"Hehe, now you're just showing off, you sweetheart! … You don't need to keep trying to seduce me, I'm already yours."

I turn my head away, realizing just how much of this woman I have pulled out of her role as a priestess... And just how much of that woman still wants to touch me. Even now, she presses herself against me, determined to melt into me again.

And her hand graces my cheek, guiding me to face her once more. "Your eyes are beautiful, Serena. Please let me look at them just a little longer."

There’s no escape from this moment, she has utterly enchanted me. If her devious mind could be turned to strategic warfare rather than making me blush, she could be a general to rival my brother! ... As things stood, I’m more scared of her for being so powerful at this. Powerful enough to draw my lips back to hers, under my own initiative... Mine brush against hers, for a single, simple moment... And then I completely chicken out, recoiling in useless hesitation.

Which brings Renee no small amount of laughter, beautiful laughter but hardly what I’m craving from her. "Hehehe! Oh, you are an odd one, Serena. Here, a priestess of the 'having no-strings-attached sex with strangers' goddess is utterly enthralled by you... And you can barely bring yourself to kiss her!"

I pout as hard as I am able, but seeing her amused softens my embarrassment at least a little. "Well, it's not like I've ever... You know, done this with anyone before."

"Wait, you haven't? At nineteen?! ... Just who are you, Serena? How did someone so... You… End up in my grove?"

This isn't contempt, this is genuine curiosity, and possibly a little bit of awe. It’s admittedly a slightly pathetic little admission on my part, and yet, she’s so accepting of it, so interested. And... Did anyone really know me? Know me fully? My officers don’t know that I’m a sad, horrified mess in the aftermath of this 'victory', Her Majesty barely knows I exist, my own family don't know about my... Proclivity for the fairer sex... Does anyone know me fully? ... Would anyone be as accepting as this woman, who I barely know and yet has me in her arms like this…

"I... I was born to a noble family, on the island of Kerska in the Carthaginian Sea, the youngest of five siblings. My eldest brother had become quite the prominent general, and the rest of us were to do as non-inheriting nobles do, get married off. At least, until it was learned I was a witch. The Queen had called a muster of all witches in the country, she wanted them to use their powers for the good of the High Kingdom, and how better to have them do that than to have them join the army? At first, I was relieved. I could be spared a boring life as some man's ornament, some ‘thing’ in his possession. But now... I know the truth. I know the thing I was meant to be, what I failed to be, the pitiless beast that Avernia demands of me… I almost wish I was able to take it all back, to not be damned to become this thing."

"But you can't? ... Why not?"

"... I made an oath to my Queen. I swore my fealty, my eternal loyalty, my body and all it does to her. She was the brightest light of my years at the Academy, her portraits on the wall, her occasional visits... The way she always had a smile for me, even when her abhorrent husband was in attendance... She was sold to a man, much as I might've been, it's not fair... And that is why I cannot go home. Because she might need me, even if only in the smallest capacity."

"You love her."

"... I once had the foolish dream that she might take my first time... A stupid fantasy of mine, but one which kept me warm on some cold nights..."

My cheeks are as red as an Icenian banner, laying in a beautiful grove with a beautiful woman, talking about my masturbatory fantasies like the teenager I’m obliged not to be. I must be the most shameless girl in all Avernia and among the most stupid.

"I see... Serena, could you close your eyes?"

I obey without thinking, as if doing as she asks will make my licentiousness disappear from the world.

I don't have time to wonder why she asked this of me, suddenly the two of us are rolling together, and I realize I am now on my back with her atop me, her grin palpable even as it is unseen. "Now, what else does this humble subject wish her Queen would command her to do? What does she dream Her Majesty would take from her?"

"I- Renee-"

"Hush now, my darling supplicant. And don't you dare open those eyes... Your Majesty commands."

… Nothing about this is okay, and under the influence of that Velvet voice nothing needs to be.

"... I have dreamed that she had commanded me to undress-"

"Strip for Your Majesty, General Dearest."

I obey the words, the warmth, the scent, the fantasy above me, all worthy of a queen... I slip sheepishly out of my uniform jacket and get to the task of undoing the buttons of my officer's dress. "Ah ah, slowly, pet. Allow your sovereign to savor this."

I must be the least cool and composed person that this priestess... That Renee... That Her Fantastic Majesty has ever lain with. I audibly swallow as I work my buttons slower, gradually revealing the uninspiring underthings beneath. No amount of prayer could make them impressive... And yet the breathing above me quickens as Renee gets a view of them, certainly savoring the sight.

"Now this... Hehehe, removing this is a royal privilege."

"Y... Yes, Your Majesty!"

The second her hand touches my bare skin I squeal, and every inch of me remains tense as she undoes my brassiere with masterful hands. My mind drifts to the real queen for a moment, only a moment, as I wonder if she too is so masterful, so experienced... To my shame, I hope so. I hope she knows exactly what to do with a devoted supplicant like myself.

"What can Her Majesty take from you now, I wonder... What can she-"

"My chest! I... Please, I would love for Her Majesty to- Ahhhh!"

I feel those beautiful lips again, now against the supple and vulnerable flesh of my breasts. This alone would be enough to make every nerve ending in my body stand to attention, but when followed by her teeth? I squeal again, I squeal so loud that I must be drowning out the festivities in the town square. So loud that fleeing Germans and dead Teutons, and the carcass of their behemoth must be able to hear it... It’s a blissful eternity until those teeth let my flesh free, and her mouth slips upwards to grace my ear…

"Branded property of the Queen. All will know that you are mine, that you have been taken by me."

The words make a wondrous, dangerous thing in me snap, and I roll the two of us over again, finding myself atop Renee, finding myself hungry... She squeals delightfully and I know I want more, need more of that sound... It’s irresistible, utterly entrancing... And almost enough to distract me from the fact that I have no idea what I’m going to do up here! I shake, overcome with my own inexperience catching up to me as I open my eyes and plead with the woman beneath me.

"Renee... What do I do?!"

At the sound of her name, the breaking of the fantasy and return to reality, she looks almost about to shed a tear. "... Serena. Take off my robes. I want you to see everything."

Tears of joy, something wondrous and dangerous snapping in her as well. The removal of Renee's robes is a lot more violent and destructive than I had hoped, my hands simply refuse to show the caution my head will them to act with. Soon Renee is naked in a pile of thin cloth, and very happy for it. She doesn't even wear underthings, her skin is entirely exposed before me... Even the burned skin of her legs, red in spots and slightly disfigured. The sight is simply intoxicating, exhilarating, and her joy is simply irresistible. I can't stop myself from kissing her. I can't stop my tongue from entering her mouth. I can't help but try to mimic whatever amazing thing she is doing with her hand between my legs, fingers slipped into my underwear. My touch is probably clumsy, but it is enthusiastic... And warm... And wet... So delightfully wet.

Her lips move away from mine as she looks into my eyes again, her hand not stopping for even an instant. "I wish I could paint this moment... It would be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever painted."

I smile down upon her even as I feel tension build inside me, twisting and aching "... I'll... Always remember us being this beautiful together."

"You charmer."

She grins as she curls her fingers inside me with confident mischief. And with that, I am unwound... My entire body goes limp atop her, all the air in my lungs escapes me in one beautiful instant and I give shallow, hungry breaths as I try to get any of it back. I can't move even an inch of my body, any semblance of control I have ever had evaporates in a single moment. I am as torn apart as her vestments, but infinitely more joyful... Renee leans up to gently kiss my nose, an arm wrapping around my body to hold me close, to hold me warmly. I always thought I was no stranger to orgasms, given my many nights with my hand in Lazierte’s and my eyes cast at the portrait of the Queen I was under the impression I was used to them by now. But touching someone like this, touching a beautiful person like Renee... It’s so much more warm, and vulnerable, and awkward, and just a little bit frightening. And I would not give up any of those feelings for the world, because I get to feel them with her... Is Renee feeling the same? Have I brought her to this state of bliss? Weakly, I start moving my fingers between her legs again, at least until she stops me with her hand.

"Hey now, your first time is something special. Bask in it, my sweetheart."

"Hehe... Was your first time this magical?"

"... Depends how magical we're talking-"

"Pretty fucking magical!" I am utterly shocked as the word escapes my lips, and I reach up with my dry hand to cover my mouth. "I- Forgive my language, mademoiselle..."

She kisses my forehead in response and giggles sweeter than any sugar. "You are simply too cute to be in a grove like mine... My first time was not nearly this magical, but my third time... Came close to halfway."

"... Did they make you orgasm?"

"Yes. But she didn't say my name. She didn’t care about my art. She didn't see my legs."

"They're beautiful, just as you are beautiful."

"That's second-round talk right there! You'd best be careful..."

"... Would umm... Would that get added to the receipt? Because I uhh... I would like to, even if I feel like my brother would never let me hear the end of it."

"Hehehe…” Renee’s eyes drift down to the scraps strewn across the grove, the ones that had been her robes. “Luckily for you, you didn't fuck a priestess of Velvet tonight... You had sex with Renee Arbour, a lonely farm girl from a small border town... I'll do you a blasphemy and not charge a thing."

"... You'd slight your goddess, for me?"

"You slept with someone besides your gorgeous queen, I feel I owe you this at least."

She has a point, I am just as blasphemous as her… And yet… "... Do you... Maybe want to ‘owe’ me a second time, Renee?"

She beams, drawing in closer to me, laying a gentle kiss upon my ear. "Hehe... Only if it would please you, Serena."