The Lines of Succession (Shayde x Ethereal)

[Lord Darkshayde]

Nestled in the forests of the Drath'nor Mountains lay Til'andria, the Kingdom of the Elvenkind. It was a wondrous sight to behold. Homes carved and shaped in harmony with the branches. Curtains of the most gossamer silks hung in the windows, swaying lazily in the cool breeze. Slender figures flitted about along the bridges and pathways with superb grace. It was a paradise for their kind, but a sadness had fallen over the capital. Queen Melandra had passed thirty years ago to this day. She had been struck by a sickness known as the Corruption that even their magics could not heal. The sickness that was at the center of their grief only came every bicentennial , and it was the Queen who had fallen victim this time. The forest was silent as even the animals mourned her loss.

King Valthiel had ruled by the Queen's side for well over three centuries and yet, it wasn't enough time. His face lay buried in his hands as he sat upon the Throne of Blossoms. "Why," he questioned to no one, "why were you taken from us so soon?" There were matters still to attend to, but he didn't have the heart for any of it. His beloved Melandra was gone, and his grief ran deep. The royal line was falling little by little, as the sickness spread throughout them. Dark forces had assailed their home and there was nothing that could be done to stop it. All he had left was his daughter, and she had only just come of age.

Thoughts of his girl cleared away some of the haze that seemed to hang over him. I should check on her. He pushed himself up from the throne and began the long trek to her room. Various servants bowed their heads as he passed silently. His only recognition of them was an exhausted wave of his hand. In quiet contemplation he walked until an elderly elven man approached him.

"Your Highness," the man bowed deeply to him, "it is good to see you up and about. I was hoping to have a moment of your time."

Valthiel halted and looked upon his regent with eyes filled with melancholy. "What is it Civis? I'm on the way to see my daughter."

Civis held up a wrinkled hand in apology. "Of course Your Majesty, but we need to talk about when the Corruption returns. I understand you are mourning, but we have to consider the royal line." The older man spoke earnestly and openly, and for that Val respected him. He could always be counted on to think of the kingdom even in dark times.

"Look, I understand your concern," the King started as he began walking again with Civis in tow, "but I am not interested in courtesans...at least not now."

Civis spoke up, "Yes sire, but the princess is coming of age on the next moon. Perhaps she..."

The words were cut of when the King turned on him with a fire in his golden eyes. "My daughter's affairs are not of your concern. Is that understood?"

"Yes sire, my apologies." He bowed deeply and walked quickly down the hall.

Val finally came to the princess's bedchamber and noticed the oaken door was cracked open. He thought about walking in unannounced, but instead took a moment to peek through the opening. There he saw her standing before an ornate mirror that resembled a lake's reflection. She was holding up dresses to her slender frame and comparing them. It took him a moment to realize that the dresses she was using were her mother's. It was then that he saw his daughter for exactly what she was, the mirror image of Melandra.

With a light knock on the door he entered and smiled lovingly at the young girl. "My dear, those would look absolutely wonderful on you. Would that your mother could see you now." He stepped behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Do you need some help with the laces?"

 

[Lord Darkshayde]

He listened to her explanation for why she was trying her mother's things, and there was a hint of tension as he saw her handling them. However, it was her beauty that had taken the forefront in his mind. "The blue one," he said in a near-whisper, "I think it will look lovely on you daughter."

He smiled and gently turned her to face the mirror. He could see the expectation on her face reflected as she waited to be changed into her new dress. Taking the garment from her grasp he laid it gently on the bed and began to deftly undo the lacing that held it to her. As he untied each strand more of her skin was exposed to him, starting with her shoulders and continuing slowly down her spine. As he looked into the mirror he watched as it fell from her breasts and sucked in a reflexive breath. He knew she was beautiful, but he had never seen her like this. This should have been an innocent time, but he let his thoughts wander.

When the dress fell fully to the floor he placed his hands on her shoulder and laid his slender fingers on her collarbone. "You look so much like your mother," he said breathlessly as he ran his hands down her arms and trailed his fingertips along her sides. When he reached her hips he stopped and pulled his hands away slowly. "Let's get you into your new dress my dear."

Fetching the blue dress Valthiel helped her into it and began fitting her straps with care. Once he had finished he leaned down to settle his chin tenderly on her shoulder as they gazed into the mirror. "You look absolutely stunning my child." He turned her to face him and pulled her into a loving hug. His manhood had stiffened when he looked upon her nudity, and now it pressed against her. He held her for a moment, taking in her fresh floral scents then finally pulled back.

Placing a kiss lightly on the corner of her mouth, he held her face in his hands. "I'm so very proud of you Lirael, and I hope you find a respectable suitor. You deserve all the happiness a life can bring."

Marrying her off, either to another clan of elves or even, Gods forbid, someone from the Realm of Men was inevitable it seemed. Unless the King himself found a new spouse this was the hand The Fates had dealt them. Valthiel could not fathom the idea of marrying again because he didn't feel anyone could live up to Melandra. Taking in the sight of his daughter though made him think differently.

With that he stepped back and took her in, the image of grace and beauty. She embodied the role of Queen, even if she had yet to rise to such heights. Val felt emotions stir in him that had lay dormant for years. He didn't just love his daughter. He was in love with her...

 

[Lord Darkshayde]

The king understood the trepidation of his dear daughter. Many whispers had risen about the palace of how Lira was a reincarnation of the former queen, but Val had tried to push them aside. Seeing her in that flowing sapphire gown though reinforced those hushed voices. "Worry not for what the counsel may say. You are a vision of beauty and grace Lira. Your mother would have been as proud as I am now."

He turned her to look her over once more. "Yes," he said with a smile on his lips, "this dress will do wonderfully for your ceremony." He reluctantly let his grip on her fall away as he addressed the subject they both wanted to avoid. "There will be suitors there my dear, and while I don't want to see you married away at such a young age we must consider our bloodline." The pain of having to even think of such a thing was written upon his features. "Just...just try to enjoy your coming of age daughter. This only comes once in a lifetime, so dance your heart out and worry not about what the future may hold for now."

He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and took his leave of her. The sight had weighed on him heavily and he needed a distraction to clear his head. He made his way to the royal garden and took his rest upon a well carved bench that resembled twisting branches. This had always been a peaceful and calming place before, but intrusive thoughts burrowed their way into his mind.

The kingdom needed a line of succession, and he and the queen had only ever conceived their darling daughter. It wasn't that Val thought Lira would be incapable of leading their people on her own. It was the terms society, especially royal society, had placed on a woman's ability to rule. Sons were what was desired, and he had none to show for it. He tried to meditate on the sounds that surrounded him, but one image crept into his mind again and again. The image of Lira as the crimson dress fell from her form. There were a myriad of flowers that displayed their beauty for the world to behold, but hers was one that had yet to blossom. He couldn't help but wonder just how such a budding flower might entrance the senses.

--------------------------------------A Few Hours Later-----------------------------------------
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The melancholy of the palace lifted slightly as the ceremony they had been waiting for finally arrived. Servants flitted about the halls hanging garlands, preparing meals, and dressing the ballroom in elegant mystical lights. It was perfect, almost. The absence of his wife hung over him like a dreadful shroud, but when he saw Lira walk in dressed in her mother's finest the veil lifted. "By the gods," he exclaimed as she entered, "you look magnificent my darling." He placed a tender kiss on her cheek and led her to the throne next to his. While it was normally reserved for the queen Valthiel had made it clear that Lira was the mother of the country now. Not one person argued the point with him as they knew it would be useless. Instead they finished the preparations for the guests that would be arriving soon.

By the time the sun had begun to set behind the boughs of the tree line the palace was abuzz with activity. Nobles from various different kingdoms had arrived to celebrate the princess's coronation day. Val could not help but feel that he and she both were on display like meat at the markets. Elves, half-elves, and Men had come to try their hand at wooing the fresh young woman. The majority of them sickened him as he watched them dote and fawn over her. They didn't care about her at all. No, they only wanted the power that would come from their union.

Val himself had to deal with several courtesans that made their best efforts to charm him with their graces. While he was cordial and let them down easily it was still an annoyance he wished could be avoided. He would make this up to Lira with their own private celebration afterwards. That was, if she was not too tired from the various dance partners that twirled her about the ballroom.

 

[Lord Darkshayde]

Val had excused himself from the last hour of the ceremony. He claimed exhaustion, but the only thing that exhausted him were the suitors and the courtesans. They flocked to he and Lira and seemed to circle them like carrion birds over a tasty corpse. He gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek and assured her everything would be fine. Then he took his leave and made his way to his room to be alone and think.

The time passed unnoticed as he ran every possible plan through his mind. He knew his daughter didn't want to leave the kingdom, and if there was one thing he always did, it was make her happy. He wasn't so sure if he could accomplish the task this time. He was lost in thought when the knocking of the door following with its opening gave him a start. "I do n-," his words trailed off as his sweet princess entered. She had questioned him, but he affirmed that she could stay. He cleared off a table so that she could set the wine and glasses down. "I see you're enjoying all of the pleasures of your coronation." A small smile crept up his lips.

Looking her over once more he stood in awe of her beauty, his Lirael. My...Lirael... The thought was brief, but it had taken hold in his mind as he stood there mere inches from her. A moment was all it took, and everything changed. He had pulled her into his grasp and placed his lips tenderly to hers. His tongue would find its way into her mouth where it could lovingly wrestle with hers. This was his daughter, but she was also the only woman he wanted.

His fingers deftly undid her dress even as they continued to share in the passion. Letting the dress drop to the floor he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the majestic bed. There he lay her down and slipped his robe off. Despite his advanced years he had stayed in good health, and that fact was etched on the muscles of his body. His manhood stood erect at the sight of her and twitched in anticipation. "Lira, you belong with me, to me. No one is taking my queen away from this kingdom."

He climbed atop her and spread her legs carefully. He knew that her virtue was intact, she was a good girl. He wet his lips as he looked down at her budding flower. The pink flesh begged to be given attention and he had never denied her before. With one hand he leaned over her and smiled. "Lira, I love you," the declaration given as his other hand guided the head of his cock into her tight folds. The tip pressed into her, slickened slightly by the desire his actions must have caused her. He eyed her as he penetrated her, and once he saw that all was well he slammed his length into her completely. One hard thrust and he was one with his daughter.

 

[Lord Darkshayde]

He had pushed straight through the thin film that marked her purity. She was now a woman in every right, and it had been he that raised her up. As her legs began to spread he found that he could explore her depths with greater ease. He started off slowly to allow her to work through the pain of his entry. Once he began to feel the tightness of her walls melt away the discomfort into a welcoming warmth he knew that she was ready for him.

Val began increasing the speed of his thrusts, pulling himself nearly out of her before pressing deep inside once again. Her velvety tunnel constricted on the length of his shaft and for a moment he thought the deed would be finished too quickly. He pulled himself from her completely and leaned over to kiss her tenderly on the lips. His eyes burned with his desire for her and he was going to give her everything he had. "Worry not daughter, the pain is gone. Now, let me give you pleasure."

He slid down her young, taut form trailing kisses along her flesh. When he reached the swell of her bosom he took the time to place them in his grasp. His tongue flicked around one nipple then the next before sucking one into his mouth. He nibbled gently on her nipple as he suckled her breast. The soft gasps he elicited from her only pushed him onwards.

His mouth finally came to rest over her womanhood and her scent was that of innocence and passion. He took in a good breath of her fragrance before placing his lips to the flesh of her sensitive folds. He kissed the little hood that hid her greatest treasure before slipping his tongue into her. The taste of her virginity mixed with the woman she had now become was like a drug. If she could make him feel this way now he wanted her forever. His tongue began to work furiously across her flower until it blossomed to reveal her clit. Once he saw her bud exposed he took no time at all before sucking it into his mouth where his tongue could lightly flick it over and over again.