FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Aslein threw a dress across her bed and turned back going into her walk-in closet, grabbing another dress off of a hanger and pressing it against her body.

"What do you think of this one, Delia," she got frustrated and threw it to the side, a maid running up to gather it up, "No, that one makes me look like an old woman."

Cordelia covered her mouth with a hand and tried not to laugh as she watched her mother throw dresses down left and right in search of the perfect one. She wondered what was going on when she'd come into her mother's room to tell her bye and seen a dress flying out of the closet.

"Mother, I think you look perfect in what you're wearing." Cordelia said as she got off of her mother's bed and walked over to the closet, shooing the maid away for now.

"No I don't, I've worn this all day and what if..." said Aslein as she grabbed another dress then stopped and sat on the ground looking up at her daughter with tears in her eyes as her daughter placed a hand on Aslein's shoulder.

"Mother, you look fine," Cordelia's eyes looked around until she spotted Lady Claire holding one her mother's favorite dresses, "If you really feel you need to change, then why don't you wear the one Lady Claire is holding for you." she said as she took the dress from her mother and handed it to the maid nearby.

Aslein looked at Lady Claire and noticed the dress was her favorite emerald green one. She stood up and walked over to Claire and smiled happily.

"Here you go your majesty, this one is perfect for making him realize what an idiot he was for leaving you." Said Claire as she winked and held up the dress for Aslein.

Aslein took the dress then laid it out on her bed before shooing everyone out of the room except Cordelia. She pulled her dress over her head and set it down on the floor walking over to her mirror and looking at her body.

She had curves and hips hidden under a black chemise. Her one stocking was starting to fall to her knee. She had forgotten to retie it after she got back. She took off the garter belt and stockings and grabbed the dress off her bed.

Cordelia kept a straight face as she watched her mother, laughing when she saw one stocking was loose. I know why she's nervous now, she thought. Cordelia had never really gotten to meet her brother's father, but she had seen him before and knew from firsthand experience that he was handsome having seen him wander the castle earlier in the day.

"Mother, you're not wearing any stockings?" Cordelia said, a little sarcastic attitude showing in her voice.

Aslein turned and grinned at her daughter before speaking, "Well, why would I if they might end up on the floor anyway."

Cordelia laughed then got off the bed and helped her mother pull the dress over her head. She smiled as she tightened the strings on the bodice of the dress and stood back looking at her mother. Aslein was extremely beautiful, even though she was over 500 years old. Her skin was still flawless, the color a golden porcelain. She wasn't petite or skinny, but tall and curvy; the body of a mother and woman. Cordelia pulled her mother's hair out of the dress and watched as the long golden red tresses fell down to her knees.

"Would you like me to pull it back for you mom?" she asked as she went over and picked up the hairbrush off the vanity.

Aslein shook her head no, before taking the brush from Cordelia and running it through her hair. She finished brushing her hair in a few minutes and pulled it up into a bun.

"Could you hand me some hairpins my dear." Aslein said as she held the chignon with one hand.

Cordelia grabbed a few hairpins and handed them to her mother and took the hairbrush from her and set it down on the vanity.

"Mother, I will be leaving here in the morning, I need to get back." Cordelia said as she sat down on a chair with a sigh.

Aslein turned and walked over to her daughter. She ran a hand down Cordelia's hair to her cheek, cupping it before bending down and kissing her forehead, "I understand. Just know that I love you so much and you couldn't have made me prouder than when you gave my grandchildren."

Cordelia looked up at her mother and smiled before she took her mother's hand in hers and kissed the backside before getting up and hugging her. She breathed in the scent of cherry blossoms that her mother always smelled of and wanted to cry knowing they would see each other for a long time.

"Mother...I love you." Cordelia said as she let go of her mother and stepped back.

Aslein smiled, tears in her eyes before she shooed Cordelia out of her room and followed her out into her ante chamber. She looked at her ladies in waiting and grinned shyly.

"I will not need any of you tonight, so please don't worry about waiting up." Aslein said as she looked down and clasped her hands together in a nervous gesture.

Lady Tas looked at Aslein and smiled, "Then I shall retire early your majesty," She said before curtsying, "but if you need me do not wait til morning."

Lady Claire, Lacie, and Lee all curtsied at the same moment and linked arms before leaving. Lady Branwen and Lady Freya stood starring at Aslein and waited until Lady Jocelynn came up and curtsied to Aslein before walking up to Aslein with worried expressions on their faces.

"Your majesty, I wish to speak frankly with you." Said Lady Branwen.

Aslein nodded her head and moved over to a couch, indicating for them to sit as well. Both women stood, Lady Freya standing close to Aslein.

"I wonder why you are going to such lengths to look beautiful for a man who abandoned you so easily. He doesn't deserve your time after everything that as happened." Lady Branwen said as she knelt before Aslein and took Aslein's hand.

Lady Freya sighed and placed a hand on Aslein's shoulder, "Yes, he doesn't deserve even half the thought you give him, my Queen."

Aslein sighed and understood what they were saying, but she couldn't dismiss the feelings she had for him anymore, "I know, but something...I don't know what it is, but something makes me miss him the most and fear him at the same time. He wants to talk about what happened and I agree...we need to discuss our main issue and finish this once and for all."

Lady Freya sighed and nodded, "I know, but we do not want to see you hurt my Queen, that is why we are concerned."

"Please be careful around him your majesty, we do not want to pick up your broken heart again." Said Lady Branwen as she got off the floor and squeezed Aslein's hand.

Both women walked to the door then turned and looked back, both with worried expressions on their faces before they left the room. The door closed slowly behind them and Aslein watched to make sure they couldn't peek in and see her pacing. She got off the couch and walked around the room before stopping to stare out the window onto the land surrounding the castle.

She wasn't sure whether it was a good idea or not for her to even get close to him again, but something was drawing her to him like a lodestone. She had thought that the love she once felt for Toren had died a long time ago, but with one touch, one kiss; he had obliterate all the dust. She heard the door to the main family meeting room open and stood listening for any sound. She continued pacing hoping he would leave but then a knocked sounded on the door to her ante chamber and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

Toren knocked before entering the room, knowing full well Aslein was probably hiding from him. He looked at her and saw that she had changed her dress and just stopped. He starred at the deep forest green dress from behind and let his eyes travel up her back. The dress stopped a few inches below her shoulders; leaving bare, creamy skin just waiting for his touch.

He continued looking at her and smiled at the lone tendril of hair falling out of the bun. She could never keep her hair in control, especially when she had hastily put it up which he knew she had. He walked over to her cautiously and wondered where her wings were.

"Aslein...where are your wings?" he said, concern in his voice.

Aslein turned and looked at him then smiled as she closed her eyes and silently said something. Her wings suddenly appeared flaring out behind her and she turned so he could see her wings, the color was like a shifting rainbow. They began with scales on her shoulders then changed into feathers before shifting into the soft, gossamer of the Fae. He had never seen her wings look like that in all the time they had been married and he barely remembered her ever having wings afterwards. All her children had wings, but none looked like hers.

"Yes I know; they are not like my heritage would indicate. Seems that when I asked to no longer be half vampire I got my wish in more ways than I bargained for." Said Aslein as she turned back around to face him, her face set in a grim mask.

"How...you can hide them?" Toren asked, walking forward as he stared at her wings.

"Hide them, make them small, the only thing I can't control is the color of the gossamer part because it reflects my moods which would be the main reason I hide them all the time." She said, looking away from his face.

Toren stopped in front of Aslein but continued looking at her wings in wonder and the longer he looked the more he felt like her wings finally fit who she truly was. His hand inched forward but stopped and looked into Aslein's eyes and then continued moving his hand to touch one of her wings. His eyes widen in surprise at the softness of the golden scales. He moved his hand up along the top of her wing feeling her soft golden feathers, he stopped before touching the gossamer of her wings wondering if they were like a butterflies once touched.

Aslein shivered at his touch, watching him from the corner of her eye as his fingers skimmed the top of her wing. It felt good to have her wings out and not hidden from view but she also felt like a she was weird having them after keeping them hidden for so long. She only unveiled her wings when she was visiting away from Avalar. Even though she could trust most of the people in her kingdom she had never felt comfortable displaying her unique wings here. She closed her eyes, biting her bottom lip to keep from moaning, his fingers sliding gently over her wings sending images through her mind of long ago.

She shivered a little and felt his fingers stop. She turned her head back and looked into his eyes, the color nearly black, as he gazed at her hungrily. She turned and felt his fingers brush her sleeve before she rushed into his arms and kissed him.

Toren couldn't breathe as Aslein pressed her lips against his. He groaned and carefully wrapped his arms underneath her wings and pulled her flush against him. He opened his mouth and touched his tongue to hers. He groaned again and pushed her against the wall, pinning her there; his mouth greedily devouring hers as all the pent up feelings assaulted him. He moved one hand from her back to her front and caressed her breast through her dress and pulled back from their kiss to slide his lips down her throat.

Aslein gripped Toren's back, her fingernails digging into his clothes as she leaned her head back and moaned. She closed her eyes and opened her legs, allowing him to press himself against her center. She moved her hips, barely able to think clearly with his mouth wickedly nipping the skin over her pulse. She cried out when bite harder and licked the spot, her mind going numb to everything but the pleasure.

A discreet but loud knock sounded on the door and they both groaned hearing. Toren pulled away a little, resting his head on Aslein's shoulder while breathed in raggedly. Aslein licked her lips, her eyes staring at the ceiling of her room before she took a deep breath.

"Your majesty...I heard a sound like someone in pain...is everything all right in there? Do you require assistance?" said a cultured, heavily accented voice from the other side of the door.

Aslein grinned then had to stop herself from giggling as she cleared her throat, "I'm fine Master Neros, just reading something amusing, nothing to worry about."

A snort could be heard from the door area and then Master Neros spoke again, "Alright your majesty, just remember I'm always within reach if you need something."

"Thank you Acer, good night." Aslein said, trying not to laugh, a smile tugging at her face as she looked into Toren's eyes.

Toren grinned and lifted his head, watching Aslein intently, waiting to see if she would turn away from him again. It had been almost seventeen years since she has looked at him with tears in her eyes in the Manor before saying she was divorcing him, and he wasn't sure he would take her rejection again. He pulled away from her and watched as her eyes went from a light blue/green to clear grey, her attitude one of rejection. He grabbed her hand and dragged her over to a couch, sitting down on it and pulling her into his lap, careful to not catch her wings with his left arm. He took her left hand in his right and brought it to his lips and kissed it.

Aslein kept her eyes closed not wanting to remember that they weren't married anymore and that they weren't sixty years older. Everything felt just like it had before he had left her to help his brother without a word to her. The only difference in them was her wings and the heavy tension between them.

Toren lifted Aslein's chin up and looked into her eyes, "Aslein...I ..." he glanced down to the necklace hanging down from her neck.

Aslein moved her hand closing a fist around the locket and medallions, hiding them from view. She moved her head out of his fingers and looked away from him.

"Aslein, you have to know I tried to get letters to you...but those times were uncertain and I didn't want my enemies to find you or our unborn son. I only wanted you safe and secure...hell you spent so much time at the Manor I was afraid that no matter how hard I worked they would find you. You were no longer a half vampire with those dark gifts, I was so scared you wouldn't live if you used your burgeoning powers while pregnant." Toren said, his hands dropping into her lap, bunching up the fabric of her dress as he closed his eyes in anxiety.

Aslein looked hard at Toren and could easily feel the waves of worry and fear he felt rolling off him like a storm breaking on a beach. She reached up and gently stroked his head before caressing his cheek and cupping it. He opened his eyes, the color so dark she couldn't tell what color they were, and watched her with a wariness she had only glimpsed earlier that evening. She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek.

Toren relaxed slightly and wrapped Aslein in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest as he felt a release of something he hadn't known was squeezing his heart. A tear silently slid from an eye as he closed them and squeezed her even tighter to him, and laid his head on her shoulder. Her hands stroked soothingly up and down his back comfortingly.

Aslein laid her head against his and let him hold her, knowing he needed this as much as her. She almost grabbed on and held tighter when he started to pull back from her and lifted his head, his eyes a dusky, dark purple, his face softening as he looked into her eyes. She lifted her hand to cup his cheek again and starred into his eyes, her eyes lightening to a blue/grey color.

"Toren, you are so silly sometimes. You knew as well as I that the Manor was THE safest place for me next to your side. No one would dare touch me in there...well...okay you and Dirk dared, but they allowed it unless it got out of hand. But when you left me like that so fast and didn't give me much of an explanation beyond "I have to go help my brother, I'll be back soon.", kiss, and bye; what did you think I would think? I was six months with Catheous and completely hormonal... of course I thought you left! The others tried to reassure me but I wouldn't listen, I do take some blame on myself. And at that point Dirk and..."Aslein was stopped from speaking by the way she heard the fabric of her dress starting to rip.

Toren nearly jumped off the couch and dumping Aslein on the floor at the mention of that name, but he chose to ignore it and instead chose to stop her from speaking.

His voice was dark and barely perceivable to Aslein when he spoke, "I HATE his name. Please refrain from saying it in my presence..."

Aslein shivered slightly from hearing his voice, the thoughts running through her head at the sound of it were inappropriate for such a heavy subject. She couldn't help it that her body responded automatically to the dark, nearly possessive sound of his voice. She wasn't sure whether she had heard the jealous tone in his voice or imagined it but the darkness of it sent heat to pool between her thighs. Her face hardened a little as she glared at him.

"HE was my second husband and you shall respect his name even though he turned into an asshole in the end. He may have tried to kill us all but DIRK was my husband." She said, her voice icy as she went to leave his lap.

She turned and wiggled forward out of his lap, her skirt bunching underneath her butt. She nearly screamed when Toren grabbed her waist and hauled her back against his chest and growled in her ear. His breath was shallow but warm against it.

"You will not walk away from me until I say so." He ground out next to her ear, than nipped it, his hand absently making lazy circles on her stomach.

Aslein shuddered and almost turned around when a knock on her door sounded again and she watched horrified as her master of the guard walked in. She starred at Acer in knowing he now knew exactly what had been going on in the room between them. She pushed at Toren's hand and then wiggled her wings, lifting herself off his lap and walking back to the window. She looked accusingly at Acer, her face turning bright red like she'd been caught being naughty.

Acer looked at them, keeping his face calm, but his eyes hardened when he looked at Toren. Even though they had barely met a handful of times over the past few years, Acer didn't like Toren for what he knew had happened between the woman he loved like a sister and her first husband. He walked straight over to Toren and looked down at him, almost grabbing him, but resisting the urge.

"My Lord, I think you should leave and go back to your room. Her Majesty has an early morning and you would do well to let her rest." Said Acer, his accented voice heavy with anger as he moved over to Aslein and placed a hand on her arm.

Aslein turned and looked at Acer, slightly angry but more relieved at being saved from giving into her needs. She looked at a black clothed wall of muscle and knew that underneath all his fine clothes was a man more animal like than human. He kept his eyes hidden silver wrap-around shades but she knew they were amber colored. His long black hair was pulled into his usual ponytail, but what she noticed was he had his daggers close to his hands. His skin was white in the firelight from the fireplace and shadows flickered across his face as she glared him.

She looked around Acer and to Toren, watching as he rose angrily from the couch. She wanted to run when Toren walked over quietly to her and pulled her roughly into his arms. She almost groaned after he skimmed her lips and went straight for her ear, his breath loud and harsh to her.

"Tomorrow evening we will talk no more interruptions from helpful friends... your mine for the evening Aslein." Toren said then pulled back and kissed her roughly before turning to walk angrily out of her room.

Acer watched Toren leave, his black wings shaking in anger. Acer thought it was good for Toren to know he wasn't welcome by the rest of them, but one look into Aslein's eyes made him cringe in sudden fear. He took off his sunglasses and looked her in the eyes, letting her know he was listening to her and wasn't leaving without hearing her what she had to say.

"What rights have I ever given you or my ladies in waiting to run roughshod over my life?!" She said exploding, her wings shaking in anger as she stabbed an accusing finger on Acer's chest.

Acer smirked and faded into smoke and shadows then reformed near the door smiling a wolfish smile at Aslein before bowing courtly to her.

Aslein shrieked and flew across the room at Acer, intending to kick his butt, but landing on her face as her wings gave out after not having been used for far too long. Aslein groaned and glared up at Acer, shifting into a sitting position and leaning her head against the back of a chair. Acer chuckled then frowned as he looked at her.

He walked forward and offered her a hand up, then laughed as she dragged him to sit down next to her on the floor. Aslein laid her head against his shoulder and sighed. He looked down at her face, her eyes closed and tucked a loose hair behind her pointed ear. He smiled and laid his head on top of her.

"Acer, why do my feelings keep making me jump into his arms and let myself be kissed into stupidity?" She asked quietly, a sigh ending her question.

Acer looked down at her and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly to him and offering her comfort. He knew there was no answer he could give her that would make her feel any less a fool for still loving the man who had broken her heart.

"Lei, you never stopped loving him and whatever was between you two is just as strong as it was over sixteen years ago." He said, pressing a brotherly kiss to the top of her head.

Aslein sighed and hugged him back, "But why is it just now resurfacing and causing havoc in my life?" She looked up at him, her eyes deep blue and troubled.

"I don't know why, you were happy with him once and maybe your heart has finally forgiven him and yourself enough to love him again. No one can understand the heart, not even the most wisest of beings." He said, hugging her again.

Aslein didn't know what the truth could be but she sighed heavily and sat up before hugging Acer again, "Thank you, you are like the over protective, over-bearing brother I never had."

Acer laughed and pressed a kiss to Aslein's forehead before getting off the floor and offering her a hand up, "You mean full of advice and wise notions?"

"No, more like full bad suggestions and protective love." She said as she took the offered hand and stood up.

"I must say it's lovely to see your wings out in the open like this. Why do you hide them when they are who you are underneath that calm, queen-like exterior?" He asked as he walked her back to her bedroom.

Aslein looked away and sighed, "They are too different to show this kingdom, who would want a queen who doesn't even know what she is anymore."

Acer frowned and stopped Aslein, lifting her chin with a hand and looking at her hard, "Your wings are perfect, wherever did you get this notion that your wings are weird?"

"They just are, okay. Dragon scales, feathers, and gossamer all together as one wing? That's not normal...even for cross species mating. And neither of my parents are a dragon so where did the scales come from. No there would be too much speculation about my lineage and I refuse to defend my right to rule again." She said, her eyes sad as she tried to forget the past.

Acer sighed and closed his eyes then opened them again and looked at Aslein, "You need to remember that what you say goes, and that ruling by being nice will only get into an early grave by an assassin's blade. Who cares what others think, your wings are unique and beautiful and you shouldn't hide them. For the sake of the gods, you fell on your face after trying to fly, that tells you you've been hiding your wings for to long. I suggest as your master of the guard that you start practicing to fly again and build up your strength, what if were attacked and the only way for you escape is to fly away and you can't?"

Aslein starred at him and realized he was completely right. She knew that even as well protected as her kingdom was even an assassin could find their way into her castle and kill her because she was fearful of showing off her wings.

"You're right, but still, there will be talk and...what kind of advice would you give as a brother to a loving and confused sister?" She asked on a groan at the thought of having to train her wings.

"I'd say damn them all and make yourself happy, but you will practice flying again, be down at the practice fields by ten and I'll help you with stretching and regaining your strength. And...when was the last time you flew over a long distance?" he said, letting go of her arm and watching her face.

Aslein blushed and counted on her fingers, "Umm...let me see...more than four years since I did any serious flying."

Acer starred at her his mouth open before recovering and closing his mouth.

"Then it's time for you to get off your lazy butt and use the gifts you were given. Now get some rest, you have a busy morning ahead of yourself." He said, opening the door to her bedroom and shoving her in.

"Yes sir, Master Neros!" She said sarcastically, while saluting.

Acer laughed and melted into the shadows, closing the door to her antechamber and seeking out the library to look up proper flying lessons.

Aslein smiled and got herself ready for bed, she went into her private bathroom and heated up the water in the tub for herself before sinking in and washing her body. She thought of what Toren had said earlier and remembered the way his voice had sounded. She shivered and ran a hand down her body, admiring how firm her skin was. She wasn't skinny or voluptuous but she had curves and breasts. She shivered again when she accidentally brushed the sponge over one of her breasts and felt the heat from earlier return between her legs. She moaned a little and set the sponge on the counter next to the tub.

She got out, wishing that the towel drying her was Toren's hands. She went to bed without getting on her favorite nightgown and lay in the dark for a while, her hands roaming slowly over her body, the pleasure from before returning easily and swiftly. She moaned and moved, trying to cool herself off but her body ignored it. She cupped her breasts and set about pleasuring herself, her body demanding some form of relief. She cried out Toren's name as she orgasmed and rolled over, drifting to sleep on a contented sigh and wondering if he would finish tomorrow what he had started today.