The light of early morning began to filter through half-closed curtains into their room. A breeze lightly fluttered those same curtains, then stopped, as if the city itself held its breath.
In that absolute silence, soft panting could be heard.
The room with the window had no door, just an opening into the next room. The wall blocked most of the meager light, yet enough found its way to the bed in that room beyond. Enough to make out the barest outline of one demon princess. Sound asleep. No detail, no color, could be perceived.
The soft panting persisted, though punctuated with the occasional pause, sharp inhale, or shaky exhale.
A single ray of sun, reflected from a distant window, found its perfect path past the curtains, through the opening, off a mirror, and onto the bed, bringing color and detail at last.
A single thick line of gold ran along Amorastra's collarbone. It shone with the slickness dripping from between Nystri's thighs. Nystri flexed her back again, driving herself hard and slow against that line of gold.
A small spasm seized one leg, and she began to fall to the side. Reflexively, she twisted and raised her hands to break her fall. Her eyes went wide as she realized she was going to fall into Amorastra's cheek. Her wings opened and fluttered quickly, arresting her fall, her hands half an inch from the deep purple of Amorastra's skin.
She managed to right herself, wings pushing harder as she did. The wind from those wings flowed over Amorastra's face, around her jaw, down her neck. A loose strand of her hair danced joyously in the wind's embrace.
Nystri folded her wings and let out a long, quiet sigh. Yet, her heart did not slow. Her hunger unsated.
She watched Amorastra closely. Her head was turned away from Nystri, and her neck was exposed. The ray of sun had moved, now at the base of Amorastra's neck. She did not stir.
Nystri bit her lower lip and closed her eyes. She adjusted her position, until the hard reality of Amorastra's collarbone once more rose to meet her. Her back and hips flexed and rolled and twisted and Nystri slid to and fro along the slick line of gold. The quiet of morning stretched on.
"A delightful sight to wake to, my Queen," Amorastra said, her smile wide and wicked.
Nystri's eyes snapped open. Amorastra was watching her intently.
Nystri smiled and rolled her eyes. "Oh, shush and hold still." She rolled her hips faster.
Amorastra turned her head until she and Nystri matched gazes, and nuzzled just under Nystri's chin.
Nystri reached out with one hand, grabbing Amorastra by the earlobe to steady herself. Her other hand rested upon Amorastra's bottom lip just long enough for her to twist at the waist, then she slipped her arm into Amorastra's mouth, grabbing hold of one of her lower teeth.
Nystri's whole body tensed, every muscle dedicated to grinding against Amorastra.
Amorastra brought her tongue out, pressing it into Nystri's skin, then began to make wide circles from stomach to sternum, sliding over hips and ribs and nipples along the way. She then pulled her shoulder blades together, forcing her collarbone to protrude even more prominently under her skin.
Nystri gasped as the pressure from below pushed against her. She was no longer panting. Her breath was a ragged, desperate roar, like a furnace blown by strong bellows.
"Just a little more," Nystri managed to say.
Amorastra said nothing; instead she began swiping her tongue up and down the length of Nystri's body.
In the full darkness before dawn that morning, Nystri had woken with an ember in her belly. A hungry, needy thing. She fed it pleasure, stoking the flame until it now burned white hot inside her. The pressure ever increasing with the flame's size.
The flame erupted from her, rushing through her arms and legs, heat poured off of her as she convulsed. She fell forward against Amorastra's face, her grip on ear and tooth like iron.
Amorastra brought her hands up, wrapping them around Nystri's shaking body, supporting her with gentle constriction.
"You're doing so well, Nys. I've got you. You can keep going."
Nystri shook her head, but her hips began to move once more, sending another wave of flame raging inside of her.
It was finally too much. Nystri released the ear and tooth, falling completely into the warmth of Amorastra's hands.
Amorastra propped herself up a bit on the pillows, then laid Nystri upon her chest, nestling her between Amorastra's breasts. Amorastra brought her upper arms up and in against her body, bringing her breasts gently together, the pressure cradling Nystri.
Nystri breathed deep, then sighed. "Good morning, Am'ai," she said, mostly managing not to slur the words.
"Good morning, indeed. I take it you slept well?"
"Restlessly, actually. Thus the state you found me in. Did I make your wish come true?"
"And then some! I was—very pleasantly—surprised to see you being so bold. You've grown tremendously these past few months."
Nystri giggled, "I have my mentor in hedonism to thank for that. Her instructions have been most elucidating."
Amorastra laughed through a yawn. "We should get up, my Queen. It won't be too long before the parade begins. I'd hate for you to miss seeing the Arch Duke."
Nystri twisted around and pushed herself up. "The dragon!" She sat up fully and started to stand, but found her legs still unsteady. She let herself fall to the side, draped over Amorastra's breast. "Can I just rest here a minute? I can't walk yet."
They laughed together, then Amorastra caressed Nystri's back until the strength had returned to Nystri.
They got out of bed and prepared to leave. A thorough wash was in order after the morning's activities. A copper basin with a pipe hanging over it rested on a counter in a small room. Amorastra turned two bits of metal on either side of the pipe, which then poured fresh water into the basin.
"It'll heat up in a minute," Amorastra said. She snapped her fingers and Pebble appeared on the tile floor. He lay flat and motionless. "Pebble, the brushes, soaps, and oils."
"Yes, Mistress!" Pebble sat up and pulled the little bag hanging over his shoulder around to the front. He pulled out large vials, bars, and brushes, then looked around. He opened his mouth, but seemed to think better of asking the question. Instead he scrambled up the side of the counter with the basin. As he pulled himself fully onto the counter he saw Nystri on the far side of the basin, kneeling next to it swishing her hand through the water.
Pebble yelped and threw himself prone, sending a large flared vial flying off the counter. Nystri's wings sprung open and she leapt toward it, catching it just before it hit the floor. She gently set it on the counter next to Pebble.
"Pebble," she said softly, "I thought you were getting better. You're still so afraid of me?"
Pebble shook his head, "Not afraid, your Majesteriumly. This one is simply unworthy to look upon you. Even more in such undress."
Nystri huffed a sigh, "We'll keep working on it. Could I have my wardrobe, please?"
"Of course!" He turned away from Nystri and dug through the bag, pulling a large briefcase from it. He set it on the counter and popped the two clasps open, the spring hinges lifting the lid up.
All of the dresses, shirts, and pants Nystri had acquired in Brise hung inside. A tall segmented mirror fit neatly into the lid of the briefcase. She stepped into the case and began to flip through her dresses, picking out a sundress. The bodice looked as though it were composed of a dozen bouquets of lilacs, while the skirt was pleated and light-green. She resisted the urge to hug it against her sweat-coated body, instead telling Pebble to bring it out for her.
She went back to the basin, the water nearly to the brim. Amorastra had turned the metal knobs again, leaving the surface of the water smooth. She tested the water again; quite warm, but bearable. She stepped into the basin and sank down against the edge of it. She sat a moment, letting the heat fill her.
Nystri took a breath and let herself sink fully below the water. She floated back to the surface seconds later and simply laid there staring at the ceiling.
"Having fun?" Amorastra said as she ran a brush through her long black hair.
"I am, in fact. Though I suppose I should actually wash so we might leave."
She washed and dressed, and soon enough they were on the streets of Rouge once more. Nystri had adopted a simple glamour, changing her face and the shape of her ears and wings to those typical of a fairy. She also changed her hair to appear a simple light brown. At last, even with a glamour, she could fly freely.
The path of the pending parade was easy to find, as streams of people flowed towards Rue Premiere, the widest road in the city.
Nystri flew above the crowds, keeping close to Amorastra. She marveled at the city as she did. Many of the buildings were enormous, dozens of stories tall. Some completely covered in glass. All of the tallest structures were made of smooth, elegant curves. She even saw one with a large hole through it. None were nearly as large as the Heart of the Yggswood, but impressive nonetheless.
The street of the parade was blocked off and completely packed. People had even taken to climbing up some of the smaller nearby buildings to get a better vantage.
"Am'ai!" Nystri flew down to Amorastra, who had moved next to a building, taking refuge from the mass of people. "I see a spot we can get to. But you'll probably need to fly. Would that be too much after yesterday?"
Amorastra raised an eyebrow as she gazed where Nystri had pointed. "I'd be fine. However, I see no way I could get there without someone seeing us."
"I'll just cloak you again! It'll only be for a minute. I'll be fine. I promise! Please? I want to see the Arch Duke with you!"
Amorastra's face screwed to one side, then she sighed. "Very well. I just can't say no to you. Come, I've an idea."
Amorastra took them into a building, speaking briefly with the doorman who let them in. They went up two flights of stairs until Amorastra found what she was looking for. She opened a large window and held out her hand to Nystri.
Nystri landed on the outstretched palm and sat primly. She closed her eyes and let the light flow around her, as she had thousands of times before. She willed the envelope to widen, the light bending further, until Amorastra was completely engulfed by it.
Amorastra did not wait, immediately sprinting forward and leaping from the window, her wings grown to full size. Ten huge flaps of those wings later, they landed on a six-story tall brick building. Its roof was covered in trees and other plants, shading them from the morning sun.
The building sat upon a bend in the road and music could be heard approaching.
Once they were sure no one else was on the roof, Nystri dropped the cloak and took Amorastra by the hand, dragging her to the edge of the roof.
The music rose up from a marching band, easily more than a dozen rows and columns. Horns of all shapes, flutes, drums, and even bagpipes.
Nearly as loud as the band were the cheers of the onlookers. Thousands upon thousands lined the street, spilling into alleyways and up the sides of buildings.
Those cheers suddenly drowned out the band completely, as the Arch Duke himself rounded a corner, coming into view for Nystri and Amorastra. He was easily twenty feet tall at the shoulder, his scales were deep amber-red, seeming to glow whenever the sun caught in them. His wings were folded tight against his back. His neck was long and elegant. He nodded to the people as he passed, playfully roaring and breathing fire for the elated children in the crowds.
Nystri expected the ground to shake with every step of the Arch Duke, yet even his footfalls were of regal bearing.
As he drew near, Nystri began to understand his age was even more immense than his stature. It seemed as though wisdom of ages long past was etched into every scale.
The Arch Duke began to round the corner next to where Nystri and Amorastra were. His gaze swept across Nystri, then snapped back. The dragon's enormous neck extended until he was just ten feet from Nystri and Amorastra. "Oh ho!" he said, his voice rumbling. "Greetings of Gaia to you, Moon Chosen."
