Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

Dominion Over Her (BennyQ x Sketchyequine)

Solstice was flexible as he shifted beneath her and steadied her hips and waist with his large palms pushing up her shirt. His shirt that she wore. She allowed herself be be manhandled by him- something she would usually not allow. As she settled in his lap she felt a brush of his familiar masculine mass, and it ignited a small tingle between her loins. She would not act on that sensation, but it was a reminder of the spark they had had previously. The passion. The sex. It all resonated in her memory as she sat face to face with the man she had been so angry with just hours prior: now nestled beneath her on her bed. The same bed she had cried herself to sleep on night after night while he evaded her.


“A ball?” She finally said. “You want me to be your date to an event thats celebrating the downfall of my people? My culture’s suppression? Are you mad, Kordavo Chenoweth? What would my father think?” She sighed, shaking her head. Her initial reaction was to decline. She did not want to be associated with such an occasion. What if it was broadcast? What if her people saw her openly supporting the victory of the dominion? She could be shunned or… worse. Hunted, tortured, murdered. Who knew. She couldn't imagine that the men and women back home were taking this loss well. But soon she sighed, looking up into the eyes of her child’s father. He deserved a little sacrifice from her as well.


“Alright…” She hesitantly agreed. “I’ll go, but I’m not going to tiptoe around as though I’ve got no brains and I’m just an ornament for your arms. You’ve got to take my pretty face and my big personality. You can’t just choose one.” She cocked an eyebrow at him as she remained planted in his lap. “Although I promise I’ll behave so long as those around me do.”


With that it was settled. Kordavo and Solstice would attend their first public event as a pair, and the Fraundian princess was bound and determined not to be a forgettable sight to see either. These lords and ladies would remember the face of the princess who shot down their ace pilot. They would remember her body too. The intent wasn’t to get the attendees to flirt with her, but instead she wanted it to be known that Fraundians weren’t savages and they certainly didn’t lack any regality either. The only thing they lacked that the dominion had mastered was the art of holding such a big stick so far up their ass without letting it slip. That was indeed impressive.


The gown was hand designed by Solstice herself. It was an emerald green little number that hugged tightly to the redhead’s curves then cascaded to the floor giving just enough clearance for dancing with her flashy heels on as well. Upon the neckline was an embroidery in golden thread of the Fraundian emblem. It consisted of a stag standing proudly with a bird upon it’s rump and it’s antlers standing tall as they transitioned from bone to wood and blossomed with delicate clusters of flowers and leaves. And ancient goddess in Fraundian religion who maintained the sanctity of life itself and all of it’s beautiful creatures.


In the olden days, long before the discovery of modern technology, the people of earth branched out from planet to planet. These were the forefathers of both the Dominion and Fraundian communities seeing as earth was the only planet that spawned the human life form. With them scientists brought along the DNA of Earth’s most loved and valued life forms and used it to regenerate these familiar species on planets capable of supporting such life. Fraundia had always been one of such planets, and it had originated at a planet populated only by the plants and animals that Solstice and her people had come to love so.


Legend had it that without human contact the animals were beginning to deteriorate, so a select few, the best and brightest biologists, were sent to maintain and support the Fraundian ecosystem. From these biologists came the native Fraundians, including Solstice’s own bloodline. So, even now, Solstice and her people fought wars like this one and their own human stupidity in order to maintain the great energy of life. All things flow through diversity, knowledge, and preservation, but according to Fraundian religion the people were not alone in maintaining this balance. The souls of the ancient ones who saved Fraundia from its biological destruction inhabit the bodies of great beasts to maintain order. Without them the power of man would tip the scale and the whole planet would fall. That was what Solstice and most others on Fraundia believed.


With the dress on, Solstice fingered the emblem and smiled, thinking fondly of her heritage and beliefs. The emblem was precious to her, and if Kory had paid attention he might have noticed it on her ship and flight shot as well. Or the ships and flight suits of many other Fraundian soldiers during this war. It was as sacred as the life flowing through their veins. With her hair pinned up in a pristine fashion, Solstice stepped into the golden heels that she had had made. The design gave her an ever 4-5 inches in height and encapsulated her delicate feet with leaf-like designs to match the ensemble. With one last look in the mirror she nodded and left her chambers, striding toward Kordavo’s.


The woman had promised to allow her man to choose the jewels that she would parade around that evening. Everything jewelry related was left up to him, and she had had no influence on his decisions. Kordavo was a control freak no doubt, so she would allow him to control one thing about her attire that night. How extravagant would he go? She wondered, and she scanned into his bedroom, stepping in without hesitation and her hands folded neatly behind her back. Her baby blues scanned the much larger suit as she stood in the doorway, poised and beautiful.


“My Lord.” She greeted him properly once finding him with her eyes. “ Good evening.” She added.


Solstice’s relationship with Kordavo has been quite formal in the days prior to this event. After their massage session had concluded, there was little intimacy between them though they were both cordial and spent time with one another on dates of sorts. Solstice, the woman who couldn’t keep her lips to herself on Skarvis, had not so much as kissed the man aside from quick pecks on the cheek hers and there in light affection. If he wanted to get back intimacy he would have to be patient and kind. It was all a test, and so far he was doing well. Perhaps after the dance things would be even a bit better between then. A kiss maybe? Sex? It was all weighing on Kordavo’s ability to remain soft and kind.


“What have you prepared for me tonight?” Sge asked curiously, her eyes bright as she watched the man get prepared himself.
 
“Good evening, Princess.” Kordavo answered half absentmindedly when Solstice entered his quarters.

It was the day of the ball and nothing elated him more than having Solstice at his side, though it was not an elation he would openly portray. As the mother of his child, he wished for her to be seen with status and rank and not just a brood mare. Nor I a sperm donor. It was an event to commemorate the surrender of Fraundia, though how that would turn out in the near-future, Kordavo could not say. Personally he thought Solstice should be happy she had the privilege of being at his side, with their child, rather than languishing in a POW camp or worse, a hostage in her own Palace, as her father was.

But did he really think that was best? Suppression, imprisonment, these were things that if he was on the other end, he would view as the utmost anathema. He did not want that in her. This could be a way to bridge differences, to bring together two peoples in a union of cooperation. The terms of the treaty did seem fair to him. Cultural autonomy, in that their monarchy and way of life could persist. Religious autonomy, introduction to the Dominion trade networks, freedom from forced conscription and some measure of self-governance over domestic affairs. All in return for rights to natural resources and the dissolution of their armed forces. Of course, that could always open the door to further exploitation. It all depended on trust and the goodwill of the Conclave, of which the Chenoweths held sway.

Kordavo Chenoweth was in the process of wrapping up his dress uniform, adjusting his collar and ensuring his various medals were aligned upon his broad chest. He wore black trousers tucked into polished combat boots of dark leather, his trousers sporting a red line up the sides. His tunic was a greyish-blue, navy colours, with red hemming on the sleeves and collar. His brown trenchcoat of exquisite fabric was draped over a chair. He had many medals to ensure, which he usually never wore except on formal occasions such as this. Some were simply marks of office, of belonging to a Conclave family and Knightly orders. His medals of service were many, including those that indicated Valour, his skills as a flying Ace, being wounded in combat, commendations of campaigns fought and served within, as well as fleet and battlegroup insignias.

He spotted her in the reflection of the mirror and paused, resting his hands upon the edge of the counter before which he stood. His green eyes regarded her intently, the same colour of her dress. It was…a beautiful dress and it suited her nicely. Her hair was adorned like a crown of ruby silk and her heels a gleaming gold. She stood tall, reaching up to his face rather than his upper chest but most intriguing was the emblem upon her collarbone. He had seen it before. It was a proud representation of the Fraundian symbol and insignia. The mark of their enemy. She would go wearing that into a ball that celebrated the downfall of that symbol. The tenacity of it made him smirk softly and he turned to face her. He simply made a silent come here gesture at her last question.

As she neared, he opened a drawer that he had prepared for such a thing and revealed its contents to her. A dazzling array of gold and silver, as well as many hues of gemstones, shone back up at her. He selected which ones he desired. Silver ear rings to adorn her soft earlobes, a sapphire encrusted necklace to set about her swan-like neck, gold bangles for her arms and pearl lacing for her feet. He put them all on her, the last seeing him knee before her and raising up each of her feet to do so. It was an intimate gesture and he did so all silently, though he often glanced to her face to see how she might like them, if she did. She could not move now without the clink of jewelry.

Lastly was a tiara, white gold casing, set also with sapphires. Both it and the pendant around her neck would match the colour of her eyes and it pleased him to see consistency in the shine of all.

“Let us be off.” He said at last and took her by the hand, intertwining their fingers. With a brief visit to Kezra, in the company of her nanny droids, they went down to the landing pad where his father awaited them. Lord Janus Chenoweth was dressed as spectacularly, though not in military wear. His trousers were straight black and his feet set in fine leather dress shoes. His coat was white, with a long tail, and adorned with golden buttons, not to mention an antique pocket watch and gold chain that stretched across his own breast. He wore a vest and a dress shirt beneath, with a cloak set over it all that hung on his shoulders, much like Kordavo and his own trench coat. One could have sworn there was a look of approval on his features at the appearance of Solstice.

Or perhaps having a captive Princess in their entourage would make for good publicity.

The shuttle began to take them high into orbit above the world of Vorzania. There were many orbital platforms and structures about, from shipyards to defense cannons to massive space habitats as large as cities. But one among them was larger than all the others. A battlegroup surrounded it. Shuttles of various makes approached it. It was the personal orbital settlement for the Conclave, as well as the super rich and elite of the Dominion. It could house hundreds of thousands of people, though at most it would contain just the few thousands of the super elite. Self-sufficient, teeming with endless workshops, stations and luxury suites, it was a resort like no other. It was there the great ball would be held, with a stunning view of the endless stars on one end and the world that never slept on the other, which they called Vorzania.

Chatter from the cockpit indicated authorization was being transmitted between their shuttle and the station. The topmost elite gathered here. Security precautions were high and extreme. Janus tapped his foot with impatience, sitting across from Kordavo and Solstice. He had already helped himself to a drink. He did not extend the offer to the two before him but they could help themselves. Kordavo didn’t budge for it, unless Solstice asked him. But he had something else on his mind. “Will mother be there?” He asked Janus suddenly.

His father looked at him very sternly, as if the very question offended him. Well, the moniker mother certainly did. “She had a hand in the reason why. I would assume so, or it would be very unbecoming.” He simply answered his son.

Kordavo gulped hard but said nothing. His heart beat. It made him nervous. His mother was not a present figure in his life, not until recently. Even then she was often cold and distant. When she did give warmth, at most strange and awkward occurrences, it was just…discomforting. Yet still she was his mother, a powerful figure in his mind and rationale, and he did seek her attentions. It was just hard on him.

“Making our approach now.” The pilot announced over the intercom. It took only another quarter hour, landing within a heavily policed hanger. Shuttles were coming and going, depositing their highly valuable loads. Now the Chenoweths had arrived.

“Ready?” Kordavo asked Solstice. She was about to meet the group of people who had connived in the downfall of her world.
 
When she was beckoned Solstice moved to the man, breaking her from her trance. Her eyes were torn as they laid upon him. He looked stunning in his military blues. A vision of masculinity and sex appeal as he stood there covered in his achievements and stature. She was sure just about any woman would invite him between their loins even while she had been denying him since his return. There was a part of her that wanted to unzip his trousers and skip the ball all together. That would satisfy her desires as well as save her from the shame of appearing at tonight’s event. On the other hand, she knew that uniform along with his metals were a testament to the part he played in the downfall of her only home. Vorzania was not home.


She rose her brows at the sight of the stones he planned on embellishing her with and then looked up to his eyes as he began choosing his favorites. “I might be so bold as to say you’re spoiling me, Kordavo. But I know better than to get used to it or you might prove me wrong.” She teased, giving him a smile. Tonight would be a pivot point in their relationship one way or another. Kordavo would either maintain the woman’s trust during the event and regain full access to her or he would betray her and get himself shut out. She’d dump him the best way a woman could dump her prior captor and the biological father to her child. She wouldn’t be treated poorly by the only person even remotely on her side and stand by to let him do it again. It would hurt too badly.


“You look very handsome tonight, Kordavo.” She spoke once she was sufficiently bejeweled to her dates content. She couldn’t even imagine the worth of all the jewels hanging onto her body, but she didn’t much like to think of it. She usually would never dress so vainly, but given the circumstances she allowed herself to feel high and mighty in her dress and jewels. As his hand reached for hers she laced their fingers together and gave his palm a squeeze while she followed. When they stopped by the nursery, she kissed Kezra goodnight and squeezed the babe to her breast before laying her back down to be cared for by the nannys. Upon exiting the quaint room her child slept in, Solstice walked to the ship quietly alongside her man.


Janus surprised Solstice. He looked almost handsome and perhaps even a little less bitter towards the woman. It made her suspicious, but she said nothing about it as she regarded him with a smile and entered the luxury ship alongside Kordavo for the ride. “You look good tonight, Janus.” She complimented him as he sipped at his drink. Neither she nor Kory reached to pour their own. Solstice had been a bit put off of drink since her recent affair with an entire bottle of wine. It was clear to Solstice that Janus was involved with multiple women. Her expertise in snooping had easily uncovered that much, but she wouldn’t say anything. That was the old man’s business. However, Solstice could see why he so easily impressed mistresses. He was handsome, rich, and he had influence. The appeal was obvious.


Solstice was less than impressed by the ship or the surrounding area. Wasteful. All of it. This was vanity at its finest, and Kordavo was feeding into it. It was a shame that these people were too naive to see the error in their ways. Solstice herself had grown up in a castle, yet none of it was so extravagant as the Chenoweth home or headquarters. Home was beautiful in a simple way. Plants, works of arts, colorful cobblestone. All old relics from before the modern times. Yet, incredibly maintained and improved upon through love and attention to detail. She missed home. It surely topped any of the Conclave’s wasp nests. Why could her Lord not see how disgusting this way of life was?


Her attention was drawn away from her thoughts as Kordavo spoke up. His mother. Obviously a very soft spot for the man. The idea of this elusive woman alone seemed to be enough to make the man cower in fear. Why did his mother make him so damn nervous? Solstice herself had tried to kill him time and time again, yet he never feared her as he feared his maternity. Odd, but perhaps she just didn’t understand- couldn’t understand. In life Solstice’s own mother had been the star upon her family tree. In death the woman was remembered fondly and loved even beyond the grave.


“I’d like to meet her.” Solstice said, one hand coming down to brush along Kordavo’s arm comfortingly. The comment was out of sheer responsibility not so much truth. Solstice wasn’t sure she wanted anything to do with the woman who had damaged the father of her child. And if she dared try to do the same thing to Kezra that she did to Kordavo… well… Solstice would go down with one hell of a fight to protect her precious baby girl. The thought made her shudder as she moved her hand along Kordavo’s thigh just as much to calm herself as him.


“Don’t worry about her.” Solstice whispered softly into the man’s ear once Janus’ attention was elsewhere. As she spoke, her lips grazed lightly along his ear. “Kordavo this isn’t about her. This is about a victory that you played a large part in. Celebrate for yourself for you deserve it. You sacrificed much for this war. Even your arm.” She cooed, fingertips tracing along the false limb that she was fondly familiar with. “And if that’s not enough: let yourself focus on the idea that if tonight goes well I’ll be accompanying you to your chambers tonight for the reunion of our flesh and the birth of multiple orgasms.” She reached in to grab his inner thigh just briefly as Janus looked away. Her hand invaded up high on his leg, her pinky finger even brushing along his testicles as they laid concealed in his formal trousers. “Focus on me. On us.” She purred at last before drawing back as though nothing had happened.


Solstice looked down and smirked to herself, face hidden from both men as she did. She took great pleasure in pushing Kordavo’s buttons, and teasing him and letting him endure the rest of the ride with images of mind blowing sex in his mind and a heat in his trousers brought her pleasure. It even sparked a physical reaction deep within her own skirts as well.


“Yes. I’m ready to go.” She finally said, climbing out of the ship in turn with her two escorts and heading toward the security checkpoint. They were doing quick pat downs, but Solstice couldn’t imagine they’d be thorough enough to find her arms tucked away cleanly between her breasts and against her sternum. And if they were… well she could claim sexual harassment, right? She didn’t plan on hurting anyone, but she wasn’t stupid enough to walk into an event like this without any way to protect herself. These people obviously didn’t care for her considering this whole event was celebrating the downfall of her people.
 
I’d like to meet her. The comment drew a sharp gaze from Kordavo Chenoweth and Lord Janus Chenoweth, both their brows furrowed and glaring at her, two sets of green eyes. Her comment no doubt meant and intended well but they both didn’t like it. Janus for one simply didn’t like Solstice and the thought of her with the other most hated woman of his life was simply anathema. Kordavo on the other hand was more taken aback by the prospect of them meeting. What would Solstice think of his mother? What would his mother think of Solstice? The co-pilot speaking drew Lord Janus elsewhere, leaving the pair of them alone from his father’s attentions.

It was hard for Kordavo though. The topic made him feel vulnerable. He might be a man, full grown and strong, with a ruthless, cold demeanor when it came to killing the enemies of the state but his mother? Thinking about her, considering her, anything to do with her and it seemed all that growth and experience didn’t count, that the years rolled back and he felt nothing more than a child, vulnerable and alone. It was a weak spot for him. Yet when Solstice spoke, that effect seemed to be relieved off his shoulders. No, it isn’t about that woman. His lover’s touch was kind and suggestive, helping to draw his thoughts elsewhere. Her remarks bold. Her ideas, lewd. He turned to look at her, even as her hand invaded his leg. His strong thighs twitched as vivid images ran amuck in his mind. A small bulge formed. It was what he wanted from Solstice. Perhaps the two were linked. The lack of affection needed from his mother was now replaced by the passion he could take from Solstice.

He would have grabbed her by her neck and kissed her fiercely right then and there had not the sounds of them docking reverberated through the shuttle. There was no time. She had taken a cheap shot by inflaming his passions and was now safe from reciprocation. But she would pay for it tonight, very dearly.

There was a privilege in being among the super elite. They reached the security checkpoint and Lord Janus Chenoweth simply glowered at the guards. They stepped aside. The trio passed through unmolested. Being of the Conclave, the inner circle of the highest, most powerful and prestigious ruling families of the Dominion, they were not subjected to any such searches. Not even Solstice, the outsider. But if they did betray this trust, the consequences would be severe. Everyone else, even billionaire arms manufacturers or high level ministers, to admirals and generals who climbed through the ranks, to nobility of other worlds and even planetary governors, they were all subjected to the searches, unless they had such powerful surnames. Chenoweth, Tyndall, Ghallia, Alvingham, Arserath, Nunnally, Dyndos, Kovyak and others, those names were equal to levels of divinity in the Dominion.

A bullet-elevator raced them from the hanger into the core of the station. There, it opened up into a plush, well illuminated hall. It was vast and already teeming with individuals, well dressed and impeccably groomed. Crystalline chandeliers hung above. Gold and red carpet covered the floor. There were bars staffed by well-dressed servants, benches of the finest woodwork and cushion, with exotic vegetation in pots and small gardens. There was even a large aquarium against one wall. The wealth of a hundred worlds had been poured into this room. Some of the utensils were even solid gold or silver. As they entered, a servant was already before them, holding a tray of drinks balanced upon a white gloved hand. Janus selected a small cup of brandy for himself. Kordavo ignored it. Solstice had the option.

This was only a foyer and lobby, one of dozens that surrounded the main hall. That was where they headed. But even as they passed through, Janus and Kordavo striding with their long legs, some murmurs and glances were already directed their way. Lord Chenoweth! And that there…that is the Princess Nabeshin. A real Princess, they say. Her father surrendered not long ago. Butcher. He cost many Dominion lives. But Kordavo held Solstice by her hand, his gaze straight ahead, hearing nothing. His head was still the same. His mother. Tonight with Solstice. His mother…tonight with Solstice…his mother…

They came to the main hall at last. Fourteen foot high doors of craved gold blocked their passage, flanked by guards. A herald looked them over and nodded, before leading them in to an even vaster ballroom and chamber. A circular room, with at least three floors that circled about the main, where a large area was set. There were fountains and tables all around the perimeter. There had to be a thousand people within already. The herald, with a clear voice that all would hear, announced them. “Lord Janus Chenoweth and his son, Lord Kordavo Chenoweth.” He declared, though there was a brief pause. “And the Princess Solstice Nabeshin of Fraundia.” He then turned to them, bowed, and stepped aside. Janus walked in with his head held high, already moving to greet and be greeted by men of Conclave rank and status. But all eyes were on…Solstice.

Heads tilted. Fingers pointed. Voices murmured. Kordavo held her hand still and walked down with her. “Focus on me. On us.” He repeated to her, as practically two hundred people were crowded around that space before those doors, peering at them. A few were openly hostile. Some looked her over and had desire wrought in their own faces. A young woman turned to her mother and spoke of Solstice with astonishment. A real Princess! And she looked the part certainly.

One man, slender with a long face and nose, glared quite openly in his hate at them, albeit more so at Kordavo. Adriel Dryden. He was distantly related to a Conclave family of the same name. He had been to the Flight Academy with Kordavo and deemed himself his rival. He hated Kordavo with the utmost spite, for Kordavo had been top of his class while barely seeming to try. Nor did Kordavo ever acknowledge his so-called rival either. He inadvertently gave Adriel an inferiority complex that he despised and wished to avenge his hurt honour upon Kordavo. Now he brings some outsider slut to this occasion.

“Lord Kordavo!” One man said, finely dressed in a suit. Clearly from the civil sector. “Jaiden Rudges, Vorzania Universal News. Can you comment on-“

“Piss off.” Kordavo said with barely a look, walking with Solstice. The reporter wisely did so, for his pass to such a high level function could be revoked if he annoyed the wrong person. It took a good minute to walk through the crowd, an aisle forming in the gathering of flesh, silks, and jewelry. Some wore theirs lavishly, their dresses and suits decked with silver and gold tissue. Others were in military uniform like Kordavo; light blue for navy, dark red for army, black for mechanical or artillery. Some were just modest or uncaring. No doubt a few had gone into debt just to present themselves as wealthy and resourceful.

Kordavo flagged down a robotic servitor. “Adger Gold Wine. Two.” He ordered and the servitor nodded and hovered off. The finest in all the Dominion. Two silver cups appeared shortly and the liquid was indeed gold, though it tasted and smelled like wine, with traces of vanilla. “Do you like it?” Kordavo asked her, as they stood together among various groups and gatherings. The murmuring could still be heard, relating to Solstice. She was a novelty to everyone. Over her shoulder though, Kordavo watched as his father greeted his mistress, a certain Countess Joslyn Morton. Younger than Janus but older than Kordavo at least, thankfully. He did not know how he might react if his father decided to wed a woman his age. It was not uncommon among the rich to take younger brides, trophy wives or falling prey to gold-diggers and ambitious women (or men).

“I marvel at you.” Kordavo suddenly said to Solstice, eyes peering intently at her over the rim of his cup as he drank. “You speak of the victory we are here to celebrate, yet it was the defeat of your people. I have sacrificed much but what about you? You are surrounded by men and women who gain much by the surrender of your Kingdom. They shall eat up and exploit it all. I do not think you’ll be granting me your promise tonight willingly.” He pointed out, wondering at how this might go for her. Look at him, actually thinking of what someone else might feel. “We will dance later, you and I. And there is much to see and do. But do not talk to anyone unless I am there. Do you understand me?” He said to her, putting his hand on her shoulder, his thumb grazing at her lower neck, as he looked down into her eyes for acknowledgement.
 
The look in Kordavo’s eyes alone in reaction to her commentary was enough to reassure Solstice that he did indeed allow her to be a distraction from his mother, even if she was only a temporary or partial distraction. Kordavo was her lover, and it was her responsibility to comfort him in times of need. Thus far, the best way she had found to distract and comfort the man was with her own body. He craved her like a dog craved a bone, and she him when the circumstance was correct. It was easy enough to give him what he wanted if it meant he could find some solace in between her thighs. They would both seek pleasure from it as well.

As they walked towards the security checkpoint, Solstice remained calm. The only give away to what she was hiding would be her face. If she looked suspicious they would treat her as though she were suspicious. However, much to her surprise, the rank of her date and his father were enough to get her through security without even a pat to her waist. It made her raise a brow. “Impressive. These people practically worship you.” She chuckled, fingers still intertwined with Kordavo’s as her eyes glanced down to seek out his package. Would there still be a bulge there? She wondered. How empowering it was to be escorted into the dance by a man she had given a semi erection just by whispering in his ear and gripping his thigh for a second. The Chenoweths had influence in this party, but Solstice Nabeshin had influence over Kordavo Chenoweth.

Her thoughts were diverted away from her sexuality as they exited the elevator and her eyes widened. They had plants! And fish! Real living things, and they had them! Since her stay with the Chenoweths had begun the closest thing she had gotten to a living thing besides other humans was the cut flowers she ordered and paid far too much for with Kordavo’s money. Not that he would probably notice given his financial situation. As they warlord past, Solstice brushed her fingertips over a leaf and smiled before she looked over her shoulder and made it a point to count the fish in the tank behind her. They may be the last animals she was allowed to see for awhile. Maybe she would have to ask Kordavo to take her here just so she could look at the fish sometime soon.

However, before long, she almost forgot about the fish and was instead drowning in the feeling of dread. She ignored the drink and instead stated like a deer in headlights at all the eyes around the room. All the eyes… that were on her. Solstice had grown up around crowds and she had often been the center of attention, but this was different. These people hated her. These people had played a part in the downfall of her home and culture. These people were her enemy and they were looking at her like she was a piece of lunchmeat. It made her queasy. She wanted to bolt and run like a spooked horse, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t show any weakness around these people or they would surround her like piranhas around a struggling animal and eat her alive.

Things were a wash. She ignored everything that was said toward her and Kordavo and kept her head straight just trying to look composed even while deep down she was tense and flighty. This night couldn’t end soon enough. Being announced made her stomach drop, but she swallowed the lump in her throat and forced a sweet smile onto her lips as she rose one hand in greeting to all the eyes that stared at her as they traversed into the grand room. Ignore then… ignore them… ignore them… Kordavo was right in his comment. If she didn’t focus on him she might actually go insane.

She took the wine, drinking it a bit too quickly in an attempt to calm her nerves. “Yes. I do like it. It’s sweet.” She offered a soft smile as she attempted to look at none other than Kordavo Chenoweth: cupping his cheek to bring his attention back to her as it wandered somewhere behind her. “And yes. I am a marvel.” She huffed a bit irritatedly. “Because I’m willing to tolerate this on your behalf. You should marvel me for my patience and willingness to meet you halfway. No. More than half way. I’m a marvel and you’re lucky you have me, alright sweetheart. So cherish it the next time you get to touch me and stop questioning everything.” She cooed, trailing her fingers up his chest before she reached up and grabbed his jaw, turning him toward a group of men in uniform who were so clearly eyeballing the young lord.

“Now. I think those men want to talk to you, and if they wanted me involved they would have walked over here. You have a reputation to maintain, my Lord.” She purred, her lips near his neck. “I’m going to run to the ladies room and give you gents a chance to gossip behind my back.” She teased before planting a soft kiss on his jaw before withdrawing and downing the rest of the wine before beginning her journey out of this great mess of people who hated her. She desperately needed fresh air.

Solstice burst through the doors as soon as they were in sight, and she was relieved to find an extensive hallway without a soul in it. She walked briskly toward one end where a potted plant sat next to an unmarked doorway. Once she finally reached it, Solstice leaned over: pressing her forearms and forehead to the cool surface of the wall as she attempted to calm her breathing and shoo away the negative thoughts. The wine wasn’t exactly settling in the pit of her stomach either: threatening to make her hurl.

“Calm down, Solstice. You’re a princess. You can do this. They aren’t allowed to touch you and words can’t hurt you.” She pep talked herself. She was so busy trying to calm down that she didn’t even hear the click of the doors down the hallway opening and closing. She wouldn’t have known anyone was there if it wasn’t for the echoing sound of a man clearing his throat. The sound drew her gaze, but it wasn’t Kordavo her eyes were met with. It was a stranger in rich man’s garb. Another attendee of the party. Solstice stood up straight and just looked at him. “May I help you, sir?” She finally muttered with a new found strength in her voice. Solstice Nabeshin wasn’t one to be picked on.
 
Kordavo Chenoweth didn’t like being manhandled, even by Solstice. But her words were enough to prevent him from a public rebuke right then and there. She was giving a lot and the least he could do was allow her these small gestures. Every movement of hers was being watched by the greedy hounds around and the way she touched his jaw and trailed her fingers along his uniform might spark embarrassment. How brash the foreign Princess was! He saw the group of men in uniform and couldn’t help but roll his eyes tiresomely. Politics was unavoidable, even within the armed forces of the Dominion. And he was a man with a powerful name and connections, within the Dominion and seemingly Fraundia too, where all the untapped money was now to be located.

As for his reputation though, he didn’t care for that. It wasn’t the public showing of what Solstice was doing that bothered him. He just didn’t like being told what to do, in public or private. He was making an effort for her. Rubbing it in with salt on her words didn’t help. But he endured it. “I said I marvel at you. Not that it makes you a marvel. You assume too much.” He said after she kissed his jaw and finished her wine. He had remained rigid and unmoving throughout her haughty showcasing. “And I do not gossip.” He scoffed with the utmost disdain. Still, wine cup in hand, he watched her trudge through the mass of people, eyes following her until she was gone. Then he felt very alone, even with the uniformed men came to speak to him with smiles and salutes.

Adriel Dryden however had spotted Solstice fleeing the hall and decided to follow her.

What was so special about this slut? Just that, he assumed. Kordavo’s little pet didn’t belong here. She was a nobody now, a non-entity who’s rank and position were nullified. If she had any real pride and dignity, she should have offed herself or died in battle. Instead she spread her legs and somehow, just somehow, got that damn prude of a Chenoweth to be smitten like a love sick puppy. He had his own desires, darker in scope than anything Kordavo had ever conjured up about Solstice. She must clearly be promiscuous, strutting around pretending to pass herself off as something she wasn’t. Her and her people would soon be licking the boots of their Dominion masters soon enough.

He found her just inside the empty corridor, one of countless that that stretched through the station. Music was faint and distant. No one will hear her scream. He couldn’t help but smirk as he found her in a moment of weakness. Oh poor baby, was spreading your legs too difficult a task for you? What did one expect of illusionists? Still, he could see the attraction and he was infuriated to think someone so beautiful would share a bed with that excuse of a lump of shit Kordavo Chenoweth. Well if he could have her, I certainly can. His expression was one of utter contempt and amusement as she spoke to him, saving him the trouble of a greeting.

“I see you know your manners then. And your place.” He outright mocked her back. “Yes, you can help me understand some things. Like how in god’s name they managed to stack shit this high on your miserable planet.” He said, looking her up from head to toe and back again, indicating her. “So what’s Kordavo’s little pet whore have to be hiding back here? Meeting a secret lover, one of many? Does he know you’re going behind his back? Whose pole are you greasing now? You must have no shame, huh? Your father sits in his little castle all miserable yet here you are bowing and dipping for his new masters. I suppose you intend to throw him under the tracks and save yourself. Is that what poor ole Kory has promised you?” Adriel taunted her.

“You’d be a fool to believe him. Like all masters, he grows tired of his toys and soon tosses them aside. But you know that, don’t you? That’s why you’re out here, playing the poor little sap, hoping for some little shit to come and feel sorry for you. Then you’ll rope him in same as the rest. I know you, Princess. You can’t lie to me or anyone else. We’ll use you up and spit you back out without a moment’s thought. You should just walk back in there naked and sell yourself to the highest bidder for a night because that’s all you’re ever going to be.” Adriel said, before stepping very close to her. He wasn’t afraid. He was taller than her and perceived he could overwhelm and overpower her easily. She was just a short ass hussy in heels. He got right in her personal space, smirking all the way, eyes staring into hers.

“I could help you with that, though. I bet all these fancy jewelry and that dress of yours comes off real easy like cheap paint.” He said, reaching to stroke her cheek and then drop his hand to her shoulder to slip a side of her dress off.
 
Stay calm. Stay calm. Stay calm.

Solstice cold feel her patience thinning, however it was nothing that she couldn't handle. He could call her a whore and speak of all the horrible things she must have done to get there. Insulting her was annoying and it irked her, but he wasn't the first nor the last person to question to question her morals or intentions. A lot of these dominion goons seemed to believe terrible things about her. As if she had chosen to be raped and impregnated. In all reality, the only reason she was here was that Kordavo had caved in a moment of weakness and left her with child. Without that... she'd probably have died in IB months ago. If only they knew the truth of what she had been through. It had not been so easy as sleeping her way to the top.

However... When he started insulting her father, her home, and even her man. It pushed her over the edge to say the least. Solstice could almost feel the steam leaking out of her ears as she stared at the man and listened to what he had to say. No one got to talk bad about the people she cared for, and now, well, Kordavo Chenoweth was one of those people. No one was allowed to disrespect him except for Solstice herself, and claiming that his woman should just sell herself off was just as insulting to Kordavo as it was to her. He wasn't buying her affections, and she wasn't sucking benefits out of his cock. Things were changing and Solstice was beginning to feel protective over the young Lord. The question was... how would she instill respect into this sack of horse shit.

Then he touched her, and he had truly crossed the line.

Solstice was plotting her revenge, but the fact of the matter was that this man was bigger than her. If she wanted the advantage she would have to take him by surprise, and the best way to do that left a nasty taste in her pretty little mouth. She was going to have to get closer.

“You’re right.” She purred, moving in closer as his hand grazed her shoulder and pushed back her strap. “I’m looking for a new muse, but I just haven’t had any luck finding a worthy candidate. Kordavo was fun while it lasted, but he just can’t offer me any satisfaction these days. Not to mention the benefits are running thin.” She smirked as she moved in closer, molding her hips to those of the strange man and leaning into his neck so that she could whisper to him. “Are you a worthy candidate, baby?” She asked, voice filled with mock innocence as she slowly guided him backwards towards the wall with her feminine figure pressed seductively into his. Was she already beginning to feel the beginnings of an erection in his slacks? It made her grin.

“But how much would you bid on me, baby? Are you worth the time and effort it would take from me to bed you or get bedded down by you?” She laughed. Her face was leaned in so close to his neck that the warm air from her words kissed at his flesh, yet she was far too close to him for him to shift and kiss her. Being kissed by this eel of a man just might be enough to make her vomit. “But of course...you need a sneak peak before you know how much you’ll pay for me, don’t you? Well, I think I can oblige.” She whispered before leaning back just enough that he could see her clearly. Then, with dainty hands, Solstice began to pull downwards on the neckline of her dress until her breasts threatened to spill out. It was then, in a quick movement that she removed the dagger from its scabbard in between her voluptuous mounds: right where the little weasel had been staring.

Solstice certainly wouldn’t be as strong as the full grown man before her, just as she was never as strong as Kordavo. However, she was faster than both of them. Before the nameless man had any time to react to what he saw, Solstice slammed his head so hard into the wall that it punched a dent into the drywall, and her blade was securely at his throat as her lips pulled back in a snarl.

“I have an idea of what you can pay for me. How about your life, you pathetic manchild?” She whispered with her face intimidatingly close to the man’s. She slammed his head back again, worsening the damage to the wall behind him before she stomped down hard with one foot allowing the sharp heel of her shoe to break bones in the man’s foot with the sheer force. “What? That price a little too steep for you?” She asked condescendingly, tilting her head to the side as she stared into his eyes. “Here. Since I’m such a nice girl, I’ll make you a better offer.” Solstice slammed her forearm into the man’s throat and pinned his head back as she removed her knife from his neck and repositioned it comfortably against his genitals. It threatened to rip through his pants and cut open the family jewels just from the pressure she already put forth. “How about just your dick, huh? At least then I know you’ll never treat a woman poorly again and it will ensure no one ever wants to marry you. Is that fair?” She snarled.
 
He was right. She was just a natural whore. Like any good Dominion patriot, every other human of any other polity was subhuman and pathetic, given in to their base instincts. None so represented in their pitiful Princess who was pruning up to him now. Adriel’s eyes were on her bare shoulder now, agleam with desire. Of course, those same moral degradations didn’t apply to those of the Dominion in his mind. They were the elite. They were the masters. They were allowed to take. And others, like Solstice Nabeshin, were supposed to give themselves. She knew her place. “My gratitude to the fool for molding you so right.” He simply sneered. He was a worthy candidate. He knew it. His hands were on her sides, caressing down to her hips…and rear.

“You have a mighty high opinion of yourself, evidently.” He laughed back at her as she guided him to the wall, her face against his neck. He sighed lightly, head and neck raised, even as his hands circled behind her. Oh, how lovely it would be to send her back to Kordavo, leaking his essence. He thought of nothing else in that moment then the culmination of his revenge. He didn’t give two-shits for Solstice. She was a means to an end. Like a high-class whore, she would be entertaining for a few nights and then discarded. She certainly could act like one. He grinned at her offer of a sneak peak, neck and head still raised in a position of haughtiness, as his eyes peered down at her.

Imagine having her right then and there, with her so-called lover not a few dozen feet away-

And just like that there was a cold knife to his throat.

At first he was utterly shocked and surprised by it. He froze in place. Fear gripped his heart and he gulped very hard and visibly, the movement of his throat nearly cutting itself on the knife. “Y-you dumb bitch, you have any idea of who you’re fucking with?” He sneered after she slammed him back, gasping as she slammed her foot down into his. “They should have put you down like the infested bitch you are!” His hands gripped the fabric at the sides of her dress but he was too frozen in place to react and shove her off. He was a pilot, not a fighter. He did not see the people he shot down and ruthlessly killed. He did not have the courage for this face to face brutality. He snarled his teeth but he was nothing more than a helpless creature. His face had gone pale. He was panting hard. He felt cold shudders when the knife came to his groin. Don’t kill me, please don’t kill me…please…

“Solstice.” Kordavo’s voice boomed down the hall. He had come in search of her and what had he found? Her locked in a very intimate embrace, body to body, with that weasel faced Adriel Dryden of all people! His fury was red-hot as he stood at the end of the hall, the entire corridor echoing with his tone. He began to approach, long legs making the distance easily crossed but as he got half way, he saw the knife and that changed everything. What the hell was she doing? “Solstice…put the knife away. Now.” He ordered fiercely, though that would only emphasize what Adriel thought of her. His whore. Kordavo’s whore, who did anything he asked of her. But Kordavo didn’t tell her to do anything. He made her do it. And he came right over and seized her wrist and tugged her away from the man with a firm grip. He glared down at her.

Adriel gasped and rubbed his neck, half turning away as if to also protect his groin. But when he turned, feeling safe and empowered now, he was snarling again. “You need to cage up that whore, Kordavo. She isn’t fit for civilized company. She ought to be in front of a firing squad and shot dead! Her and her father and all her fuckin’ rotten people!” He snapped, voice half cracking with each statement he roared. “I’ll do it myself if I have to.” Kordavo looked calmly from Solstice to Adriel, but said nothing. Then he turned on his heel and began to walk away, dragging Solstice with him. “Yeah that’s right. You know it’s true. She’s a fuckin’ plague and will be put down! You just wait! You think this is over? I’ll get you for this, you and that whore! You fucked with the wrong man! I’ll make sure you both-“

Kordavo spun on his heel. “You’ll do what? Tell someone you saw something? Well go on, do that. Because we both know, we all know, that you aren’t going to do anything about it.” He simply declared, in a very controlled and flat tone of voice. He was implying that Adriel was too coward to confront them directly. All he would do was bark, like a rabid dog. But if he actually tried to bite? Kordavo would put him down. Let him run and tell someone. Let him run and tell the authorities! Kordavo did not care. A happy excuse to leave this place anyways. After a brief stare down, which silenced Adriel, Kordavo turned on his heel and dragged Solstice continuously with him back to the far doors where they had entered.

But when he found a threshold that led into another room, empty, he shoved Solstice into it and shut the door behind them. There were some robotic servitors hovering about but a fierce gesture from Kordavo sent them scurrying off. He couldn’t believe what he had seen and now that he had a moment to think over it, it angered him. Solstice, his baby’s mother, up close with another man, that prick weasel Adriel of all people. She had put a knife to his throat, violating a very essential rule of the party. They could jail her for that. Someone could exclaim she was here to assassinate any number of high profile individuals. The knife was proof. And the Chenoweths would be seen as her backers in that. Politics. He was pacing, rubbing his jaw, brow furrowed in anger. He wasn’t listening to anything she might have to say and after a moment, he suddenly turned and advanced upon her with a look of threat and fury.

He grabbed her shoulder and shoved her back into the wall. “Be silent.” He snapped at her. “Give me the knife. Right now. Hand it over.” He demanded with a growl, his other hand already groping to take it. Once he did, he flung it aside somewhere where it clattered unseen among the various oddities and objects in this room. It was full of utensils and dinnerware anyways. “You don’t ever do that again. You don’t ever put your knife to anyone’s throat. What, you can’t handle a few mean words? Should I have left you in the nursery back home? From now on, you do not leave my side. I don’t care if I have to hold your hand while you use the ladies room. Never leave my side. Do you understand me, Solstice?” He snapped at her. But as he asked that final question, his tone went suddenly softer and his hand, which had been pinning her shoulder to the wall, moved to stroke across her cheek instead.

He had been worried about her. He still was. His eyes searched his, looking imploring for her acknowledgement.

"Let's go get a drink." He then said, stepping back from her and tugging on the collar of his tunic to straighten it out. He had also heard, just a moment ago, his mother's name being announced in arrival to the ball. That's what sent him to look for Solstice. "I don't want to hear what happened. I know he's a rat. Step over or around him next time. I thought you of all people should know, if you're dealing with an opponent with a chronic temper, aggravate them. And you do that best by not engaging in any sort of antics with them. Alright?" Kordavo said to Solstice next, turning to look her over, head to toe. She didn't look harmed. Her hair seemed perfect. Her jewelry unmolested. He reached over and fixed the strap of her gown though, brushing it off a little too even.

"You're beautiful. Look, I'm sure you thought you were doing nothing wrong. Your heart was no doubt in the right place but...it was wrong, Solstice. You can't do that here. These are my people. Your daughter's people. We have to settle our differences otherwise. And nothing does that better than by simply being successful and happy." He said to her, reaching out to stroke her cheek again, then offering his elbow for her to wrap around on so they could enter back into the ballroom.
 
Solstice felt herself shrink a bit at the boom of her lover’s voice. He had found her, pressed up against the man and breaking the rules yet again.it was always ruled with these people. Didn’t they know that rules were only made to be broken? No. Of course not. They would only just blame her for being gutsy. For being rebellious and spunky and empowered. They would blame her for being different, and she was convinced they would never understand. Maybe not even Kordavo who she longed to be accepted by. But no. He, worse than anyone else, would yell and scold her as though she were some sort of unruly child for standing up for herself. It was infuriating to be seen as so pathetic.

She scoffed as he pulled her off of her victim and she shot a horse look at the familiar ace pilot. Dont you see? Don’t you understand?! The voice inside her head screamed at him as she just stared up into his emeralds with a furrowed brow. He insulted me. He insulted my father, my people. He insulted you. He TOUCHED me. You have to understand! He deserves to bleed! her inner subconscious screamed at him as her eyes only begged him for understanding. The way he continued to treat her like a child was insulting at best, but mostly it was humiliating and it made tears sting at the back of her eyes even if they never rose to the surface.

Her eyes were glazed with a mixture of fury and defeat and her ears were clogged with the voices inside her head. She was there in the flesh, but not a single thing either man said after she was jerked away by the wrist registered with her. It was all just a blur and the little redhead didn’t even feel like she could breathe. The weight was crushing her and ever bone in her body was threatening to break. This pls d, these people, they unknowingly packed her load more and more, and she couldn’t take it anymore. The threat of the dam breaking was the reason she had exited the party to begin with. She needed air. She needed relief.

Reality all came rushing back at once when Kordavo pushed her into the room. She gasped for air as soon as they crossed the threshold and stood there panting, watching her Kory with doe eyes as he paced. He was so angry with her and she could see it. In fact, it even made her afraid when he rushed her, pulling her knife away and pushing her shoulder back until it hit the wall behind her. She winced and turned her head away protectively so that he couldn’t strike her face so easily. Would he hurt her? Would he beat her because she chose to defend herself? If he ever hit her he would never earn her trust back. That was for certain. Even so, as he demanded her blade she handed it over with shaking hands. The anxiety of the party combined with what had just happened had Solstice afraid and more vulnerable than Kordavo or anyone in the Dominion has ever seen her: including on Skarvis or during her time on IB.

He wanted to hurt me, Kory. Her mind pleaded silently with him again yet he had no idea of the silent struggle she was facing. How could he? Nothing scared him. Solstice could only wish that she wasn’t afraid. She was always afraid. For herself, for Lezra, for her father… there was so much to be afraid about while being forced to stay far away from him. Sge felt trapped here even if she was no longer in chains. If only Kordavo could understand. This little bird was tired of living with clipped wings.

Then he was kind again and Solstice let out a shaking breath of relief before she allowed herself to look back at him with her sad, blue eyes. She begged for understanding even as he kept lecturing her on her poor behavior and fixed the strap of her dress as he stood before her. She shook her head as he offered her his elbow. Even his gentle touches had not made up for the last few minutes. Solstice wasn’t ready to go back to the party, but she wanted to be alone even less. With hands still shaking, Solstice reaches out and hooked her fingers in Kordavo’s belt, drawing him in near. Sge hesitated only a moment before she leaned her head against his shoulders and wrapped her arms around his waist in a tight embrace.

“I’m afraid.” She whispered almost too quietly to be heard. She was ashamed to admit it. A princess and ace pilot should never be this afraid because someone came on too strong or their boyfriend yelled at them, but she was. “I’m always afraid. Everyone one this god damned planet hates us: my people and I. They act as though we’re bad. Like we’re savages. Even you do it, whether you realize it or not. It’s crushing me, Kordavo. And now I’m getting rape threats from people who not only dislike me, but they want to use it against you. It’s terrifying and I’m scared.” Her head never lifted off of him as she whispered her confession.

“I want to go home.”
 
The moment those sapphire orbs looked at him, Kordavo felt he was defeated.

He had made her a promise yet in his passion and haste, he had forgotten. Her eyes were full of that deep insecurity and despair he had beheld once before. He had dared to blame her for what had just happened yet he forgot that none of this was her fault to begin with. She was here before he made her be here. All of this stemmed from his one deep desire to have and keep her. As what, slave, lover, baby mother or more, he had yet to truly pin a definition on. But he knew that he wanted her and that in turn demanded she want him as well. But he understood she needed to be happy to do so, a sensation that Kordavo himself was not very familiar with. But he had backpedaled today and now they were very far apart, even as they stood very near together.

She reached for him and he went limp, allowing himself to be put at whatever mercy she had for him in response to his words. But she didn’t chide or sneer at him, no gunshots or blows or hits. Solstice simply moved to embrace him and he sighed, arms coming to wrap about her upper torso. Jewelry clinked and their bodies molded as he tightly squeezed her. He stroked her hair and listened to her confession. It was not an apology but he didn’t need one anymore. He was the one who had done wrong. He knew that. He had to be a changed man, to give kindness and the benefit of the doubt, not come at her like a prosecutor against a criminal. Appearances, repute, honour, that all had to be put aside. Only her happiness should come before.

“My sweet Princess,” he said softly as he stroked the back of her neck, swaying lightly with her as he held her, “you have nothing to be afraid of here. It is they who are afraid of you, of your people. You are all brave and strong and you didn’t make it easy for them. You should take pride in that. They say those things because they are small, you make them feel small, and they know it. And hate it. And they hate you for it. But don’t be afraid. I am here for you and I will protect you. Everything will be alright. You…you will one day get to go home. Just be strong and stand tall. Let them see that they don’t scare you and that they have never really beaten you.” Kordavo said to her, holding her to his chest, tucking her head under his chin. He turned and even kissed her upon the brow. And then nudged his face lower to kiss her lips.

His hands dropped to her sides. He crouched lower, attacking her lips even more furiously, to showcase just how much passion and affection he had for her. And surely someone who felt so strongly would do what he could for her. If he had been there, none of this would have happened. And none of this will happen again, if he could help it. She had surrendered to him, Kordavo Chenoweth, but not to the Dominion. “Solstice,” he said after the kiss, “do you trust me? Come with me and remind them by they should be scared of you. Be a Princess. Hold your face high. And know that I’ll be with you every step of the way.” He said in commitment to her, bringing his warm, wide hands up to her cheeks and encompassing her face, peering deeply into her eyes to hopefully steel this truth into those sapphire ponds. She looked so beautiful and sad, he didn’t like to see it like that. So he leaned in and kissed her again and again after that.

Composed, it was time to return.

Hand in hand, Lord Kordavo Chenoweth returned with Princess Solstice Nabeshin. Though there was still a sense of novelty about her, most of the attention had died away. They saw her, a woman, with red hair and beauty unseen before among their own territories, and that was it. More wine was summonsed and they drank. He took her to the buffet table, many layered and rowed, with finger foods and appetizers and all manners of delicacies. He got a slice of cake, showing off a rare sweet tooth that he had. “Try.” He commanded of Solstice, back to his usual rigid and brisk self. Vanilla cake and delicious icing stuck to the end of the silver spoon as he offered it for her lips. He had a napkin to follow to even dab at her lips to clean off any excess. He was utterly serious about it, which meant it was something he enjoyed, and he cared little for those who watched this display of romance. A Conclave Lord and a foreigner. It was certainly something.

They met many people. There were other Academy attendees who greeted Kordavo more politely than what fellow classmate Adriel had done. They were young men, twenties and thirties, the future of the Dominion. There were the rare cousins from afar, also named Chenoweth, though not of the main line. They all greeted Solstice though not in any consistent form. They didn’t know how to address her. Some simply said Princess, others called her Your Grace or Your Majesty. These were generally genuine in their greeting to Solstice. Others not so much. Some just wished to cultivate a relationship with the future Chenoweth leader, politicians, governors and corporate businessmen who had something to gain. Some tried to draw Kordavo away from Solstice. He refused to budge. They could say what they had to say in front of her. That was difficult. They wanted some sort of corporate rights to the resources of her planet.

Solstice even got some media attention from a female journalist, wearing a bodice that was V-cut at the chest, her cleavage showing quite attentively. She made sure Kordavo could get an eye full as she loved to swing her torso about quite firmly. “Ah, Princess Nabeshin. Layla Twynam, Dominion Press. A word, if you please.” She said graciously, as a robotic camera hovered over her fine shoulder. “With your father’s abdication, what are your thoughts on the future of the Fraundian monarchy? Has your world any precedence for another form of government?” She asked, hoping to get a quotable.

Kordavo looked ready to punch the floating camera out of the air. No questions! But he hesitated a moment, allowing Solstice the chance to refute or indeed say something. They thought the Fraundian monarchy would collapse. Many officials, like in a planetary democracy, might be easier to corrupt and exploit than one centralized ruler making all the decisions.

“Father says never talk to the press.” Kordavo said after it all. It was one thing he could agree on with Janus. “There is a saying, from old Earth. Those who can applaud your successes will also cheer your downfall or something like that. Fickle.” He said as he walked with Solstice, though he jerked to a stop suddenly as a figure came out of the crowds right in front of them. Two women, one older and one younger, about their age. Kordavo gave a bow of his head.

“Admiral Cleram.” He greeted the woman, the Admiral who masterminded the entire downfall of Fraundia, defeating King Nabeshin in battle over the planet itself.

“Ah, Kordavo.” The woman smiled. She wore a dark purple dress, one shoulder bare, and it was a very fine shoulder too, toned and hard. She had black hair, though a streak of grey through it, with tear-dropped amethyst ear rings and a black diamond choker. Her eyes were sharp and quite unblinking. The woman at her side was dirty blonde and sharply attractive, though not gorgeous. She had a dangerous air about her and she smirked at Kordavo directly, though whether of attraction or an air of superiority, it was hard to tell. “How pleasant to see you here. I thought you disdained these events. It’s good that you came.”

Kordavo grunted and gestured to Solstice. “You remember Princess Nabeshin of-“

“Yes, we have met, though not formally.” The other woman said, before quirking at eye at Kordavo.

He sighed a moment. “Princess Solstice Nabeshin,” Kordavo introduced her, before gesturing to the Admiral, “this is Admiral Kassandra Cleram of the Second Dominion Sector Fleet.” The Admiral smiled to Solstice, though she glanced back to Kordavo with her eyebrow quirked even further. I said formally.

“…my mother.” Kordavo added under his breath.
 
No tears were spilled in fear of smearing her makeup of causing her eyes to look puffy. No one could know that she was capable of bending to the will of the Dominion or she would be beaten, just as her father, who she loved oh so dearly, had been beaten by them. Solstice couldnt be like her father, not this time. She had to be better. She had to take everything the old man taught her and add her own experience so that, someday, Kezra could be even better than her after learning everything the Nabeshins had passed on to each new generation. There were centuries worth of knowledge to be learned, and Solstice had soaked everything she had learned up like a sponge, yet there was still so much to gain. She had to be strong if she wanted to learn.

She nodded quietly as she listened to Kordavo, holding onto him like a scared child throughout the encounter. He and Kezra would be the only ones of Dominion blood who would be able to bend the foreign princess. Not Janus, Adriel, and certainly not Kordavo’s cold hearted mother. Only her family. From then on she could not be weak anymore. Showing fear by pulling a blade on the pig of a man had been weak, and she knew it, but at the time she had seen no better options. She needed to protect herself so that she could be a good mother to her daughter and a good lover to Kordavo Chenoweth.

“Just… Be gentle with me, Kordavo. My heart is feeling rather fragile these days. Your world has broken down so many of my walls using both physical and psychological torture. You couldn’t have the slightest idea how any of this makes me feel.” She whispered, her voice muffled in his muscular chest before his lips made contact with her brow and then her lips, to which to obliged kissing him back with a sweet softness. Then she kissed him again, matching his passion.

“I trust you with every ounce of trust I have left for this place. You are the only one who is good to me, Kordavo. Not even your servants treat me kindly. “ She sighed. “Of course I trust you.” She said again, nodding as if to convince herself just as much as him before accepting and reciprocating his final kisses. Then they were off, and her trust was proven. Had she lied she never would have followed him back out into that hell of a dance. But she did, and she looked utterly composed and royal as she did it. Someday. She thought. Someday these people will love and need me as much as they do the Chenoweth family. The thought even brought a smile to her lips.

As though nothing bad had happened, Solstice shoed face in the crowd and even smiled at anyone who dared make eye contact with her. She offered Kordavo a bit of a crooked smile when he offered her a bite of cake. He seemed so serious and it was almost comical, but she took the bite anyway, chewing as her eyelashes fluttered. Solstice herself had a very mighty sweet tooth, and so far as she could tell the Chenoweth home was severely lacking in dishes that could satisfy it. She was only ever offered a choice of overly well rounded and healthy meals throughout the duration of her pregnancy even though momma just wanted cake or ice cream to drown her sorrows in. “You like cake, darling?” She asked, smiling at him and paying no mind to anyone who might think ill of their interaction with one another. This was very important bonding for the pair to patch up their mangled relationship with one another.

Solstice appreciated the effort of everyone who tried to show her an ounce of respect as they spoke with Kordavo, and she even topped herself from shotting dirty looks at those who made no attempt, but none of these people were any concern of the young princess. They were only at this event to begin with to show the world that she was not cowering as scared and, more importantly, to face Kordavo Chenoweth’s worst fear: his mother. She smiled at the reporter, nodding to Kordavo’s advice and then politely offered but a sentence to the bubbly, flirty woman. “I have no comment on that, but I hope you’re enjoying the party.” With that they were off again for all of a half dozen steps before her date jerked to a halt once more at the sight of a pair of women.

Solstice rose one brow and peered up at Kordavo. She saw his respectful bow of the head, but she did not follow suit. She wouldn’t be bowing to anyone tonight. What is it? She wondered, staring up at him intently. She then looked back to the women, trying to piece together the puzzle although she was a fool for not understanding immediately. Of course, after her name was spoken, Solstice recognized the oldest of the two. Admiral Clarem had played a major role in Solstice’s immediate transport to IB: the inglorious shithole that had almost killed her and Kezra both. Solstice wasn’t immediately fond of the gorgeous older woman.

...my mother.

Solstice’s sapphires widened as she glanced back to the woman again. No wonder Kory has mommy issues. This woman is cold as ice and had locked her away without any regard to any attachments Kordavo had made or care for Solstice’s own personal emotion. It was a part of war, yes, but the lack of regard for human lives, Fraundian human lives, was disgusting to the princess. Her people had never tortured the enemy the way they had tortured her… as a pregnant woman. Never the less… she needed to play nice.

“Admiral Cleram.” Solstice regarded her kindly. “I’m Solstice. The mother of your grandchild and the partner of your son. It is nice to finally meet you on more positive terms. I had no idea that you were his mother when you shipped me off to be tortured for months. Things make much more sense now”

Like the fact he only shipped me off because he was looking for your approval and admiration.

"You look ravishing tonight, admiral." She complimented as her fingers slid along Kordavo's arm until she found his hand and laced their fingers together comfortingly. She was here for him too. "And who might you be, dear?" Solstice asked the younger woman, turning her attention away from the admiral.
 
Last edited:
Kordavo was taller than his father but with his mother, they were on equal height. Other than that, they almost looked nothing alike. But she was the woman who bore him into this life. And the woman who deserted him. She had never wanted a child. That had been Janus’ want, not Kassandra’s. It impeded her career, which had been stellar up to the point that she could converse with Conclave families. And even be romanced by one. But a child and marriage she thought would be the end of her rise to the top. Even while pregnant, she had worked and served. Whatever setback she had encountered by giving birth, she had quickly recovered in a year or two. But at the time, she had not wanted it.

And what she thought now about her grown son she kept to herself. Sometimes there was favouritism. Sometimes there was bias against Kordavo.

There was little change in Kassandra’s expression as Solstice introduced her. She had a grandson, which was certainly news to her, but her face remained utterly set and unwavering, with her little smirk and piercing eyes. Tortured for months. Well, when Solstice was handed over to the State that was out of Kassandra’s control but she wouldn’t make excuses now for stuff that happened. “You survived well enough.” She remarked with dry humour, eyebrows quirked as she looked over the jewelry Solstice was decked in. And done remarkably well for yourself too. More like she was telling Solstice to quit complaining, since she wasn’t obviously dead.

Kordavo was staying silent. He didn’t know what to say and didn’t want to say anything to the Admiral. When Solstice moved to intertwine their fingers, his own opened up to receive her. And to emphasis it further, he used that hand, conjoined with Solstice’s own, to scratch an itch on his jaw with a finger.

The Admiral smiled a bit wider. “You look lovely too, my dear.” She said to the Princess. No compliments for Kordavo. The woman at her side though never took her eyes off of Kordavo, even when Solstice addressed her. “Lieutenant Anastasia Reeve.” The haughty woman answered. “Weapons Officer aboard Sunfire. It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess Nabeshin. Your world was very beautiful when I last saw it.” She said, finally turning her eyes to Solstice. Sunfire was the carrier flagship that Admiral Cleram commanded, spearheading the Dominion fleet that conquered Fraundia. She was responsible for coordinating the missile launches, the point-guns, the targeting systems and so forth. It was a very prestigious position to have.

Was very beautiful she had said, implying it might not be so beautiful anymore.

“We’ve met before.” Kordavo said to Anastasia.

“Really, my Lord? I don’t recall.” She said with a smirk. Kordavo’s eyes narrowed.

Kassandra signaled a waiter to bring her a wine, which arrived on a platter, one among many. Kassandra selected one and the robotic servitor hovered, waiting to see if any of the other three would take one. Anastasia took one. Kordavo took one. “I was not informed you had a child, Kordavo.” Kassandra said to him. “You must come and bring…” She quirked a questioning eyebrow at Kordavo.

“Daughter. Kezra Chenoweth.” He told her.

“Is she a Princess too? How nice.” Anatasia said. “We all should just grant ourselves such pretty little titles.”

Kassandra smiled, but not at her companion’s remark. “You must come and bring Kezra for a visit.” She said to Kordavo, as well as glancing at Solstice to include her too in the invite.

“You’re always welcome to come home to see her.” Kordavo said to her with a firm voice.

“And have myself in the same building as him? You know that just won’t do. I must have been nodding off when I gave birth to you.” Kassandra mocked drily. They were making fun of Janus now. Well, Kordavo a little bit too.

“Father wonders sometimes if you ever do anything naturally, like giving birth.” Kordavo scoffed.

“Sharp as a cueball, that one.” Kassandra said with a smirk. “But I will come, if not to see my granddaughter then at least to see his head erupt off his shoulders. With how much empty air must be in his big head it’s a wonder he doesn’t float off into the air.” She said, glancing aside to Anastasia who chuckled at the remark. Even Kordavo offered up a half-grin. Poor Janus.

But then Anatasia turned, raising up onto her toes within her heels, placing both her hands upon Kassandra’s bare shoulder. Very intimately. She put her lips to the Admiral’s ear and whispered something. Kassandra made no change in her expression but simply nodded. “A delight as always, Kordavo. I will see you again soon.” She said to Kordavo. “A pleasure, Princess Nabeshin.” She said to Solstice and turned to depart.

“A most wonderful pleasure indeed.” Anatasia said with one last arrogant smirk and followed after the Admiral.

“Farewell.” Kordavo said, despite neither of them being around to hear it. The spell was broken and he was back to being rigid and stern. He drained his wine, took another cup from a passing servitor, and drank that down as well. Everything seemed to hit his senses again. The presence of groups and crowds all around. Laughter and conversation from a thousand sources. Music played in the ar. They were high in orbit over Vorzania, a world of billions, upon an artificial construct for the rich and elite and super-elite to congregate. They were celebrating a great victory in war, yet everyone only seemed concerned with how that profited them.

He turned towards Solstice, taking her other hand in his, standing with mere inches between their bodies as they faced one another. He held both her hands now in his. It was very intimate, and affectionate, and all could behold it. But who cared what they had to say? “You met her. How does that make you feel now?” He asked her, though he looked over her shoulder and saw…his father. Watching, like a hawk. There was a woman at his side, a bit older, perhaps closer to his father’s age, and she was talking to him about something. But Janus was glaring right at them. Kordavo just pursued his lips and looked back to Solstice. This is why he hated this sort of thing. It was why he wanted to do nothing but stay in a cockpit and explore the stars, to be alone with himself and free of this…cesspool.

But he had Solstice now. And she had him.

“Ignore what she said. Fraundia was not bombed. I was there too. You will be there too again, one day. I promised.” Kordavo said to her, reminding her and hopefully thinking it would bring her hope. “You trust me. I will not betray your trust. If anyone, anyone, tries to treat you unkindly or disrespect you or make you feel as if you have no options, just remember. You have me.” Kordavo said to her, raising a hand to brush her cheek. He would have kissed her too, had there not been a blowing of short notes from silver trumpets. The dance was set to begin! The floor beneath their very feet began to change colour and texture, to allow for the smoothness that allowed for such dances to occur. They were in the marked area and many people were already moving off, while couples began to congregate as well. Kordavo didn’t take his eyes off of her though. “Dance with me.” He beckoned her, tracing his hand from her cheek, down her arm, to her sides and then above her hip.
 
Solstice refused the wine with one eyebrow quirked at the entire encounter. Was this the way interactions always worked on Dominion soil? Everyone always seemed so hostile and challenging. Wouldn't things be easier of thee people just approached conversations with sincerity and grace? It made her feel sorry for this entire culture of people who didn't know how to communicate with other people. Hostility and threats worked in their own way, but it certainly wasn't the best way to get into the hearts of those around you. Quite the opposite in fact. No wonder Kordavo didn't know how to treat her or their child, even if he tried. He would have much to learn growing up on these values.

Solstice's jaw tensed as the woman degraded her title. She had been born of royal blood, yes, but the name and title came with great responsibilities. She had lived up to everything that had been asked of her, and she had done it with pride. She was proud to be a Nabeshin and she was even prouder to be from Fraundia. Shame on anyone who thought that being a princess just meant a lavish life of luxury. She had trained as a pilot, fought in this war just like Kassandra and Kordavo, and she had impeccable civilian relations on her own planet. Nevermind what any of the Dominion puppets thought of her.

Solstice said nothing for the rest of the interaction: not about Janus nor about the idea of Kassandra coming to visit her sweet and innocent daughter. She didnt care for any of it nor did she pay it much mind. Tonight was about her relationship with Kordavo, and that had been made abundantly clear to the young princess when he had kissed her in the server room. She couldn't worry about affairs with Dominion locals before she even knew where she stood with the man who had brought her here to begin with. She would pick fights with these people at a later date.

The relief that washed over Kordavo after his mother's exit was contagious and Solstice herself felt more relaxed. The woman even took a deep breath before she looked back up into her partner's eyes as he downed his wine and turned to her shortly there after. "Be careful. You'll end up too drunk for any bonding later on tonight if you aren't careful." She whispered to him teasingly, hoping to break some of the tension as both of their hands laced together as they became one completed unit. "I can't say that I love the woman or her attitude towards me... or you. We both deserve more respect than we were offered. Someday I hope you can meet my father and that he will receive you more fondly than your parents have received me." She spoke, reaching up to straighten his collar.

"And you should hope they never do bomb Fraundia. The moment they do is the moment you will lose me to the grips of a reaper, Kordavo. If my people go out in flames as do I. Knowing that, I hope you will go out of your way to protect my planet and if the time comes, you chose not to pull the trigger on my heart by pulling it on my home." She whispered to him just before the trumpets sounded.

As guided, she rose her arms up: freeing up her waist and hips for his massive hands to encapsulate as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. After such a dark statement, she smiled at him and offered a nod. "Of course. I will dance with you, my dear." She assured him before stepping even closer to the man: her breasts brushing against his pectorals.

As the music began to play an upbeat yet romantic tune Solstice and Kordavo began to carefully step in unison. The twirled and smiled as they moved to the music, dodging the other couples as they sauntered around the dancefloor, completely caught up in the embrace of one another. Solstice held tight to Kordavo as he acted as her frame, laughing each time he misstepped or twirled her in a showing display of her gown and beauty. After each spinn she pressed back into his chest and even planted a kiss on his neck from time to time. It felt good to laugh. The entire evening Solstice had be caught up in her own shell and she had hardly allowed herself to have fun. Now, as she danced her heart out alongside the usually rigid and serious Kordavo, she felt as though she could shine again.

After a few upbeat songs the band slowed it down for a slow dance. The lights in the hall dimmed and the floor glowed a soft red that quite nicely set the mood. Solstice smiled and gazed up into the emerald orbs of her dance partner and she pressed herself closer to him. It was easy to mesh with him now, even after many months of hating him and the unfortunate reality of how they had treated one another upon Skarvis. Now, she accepted him. It had taken a long time, perhaps longer than it should have, but she had come around and would now be his loyal partner so long as he treated her with such respect and kindness.

Solstice let her chin rest on Kordavo's shoulder as they danced, and she turned, kissing softly at the nape of his neck and trailing upwards towards his ear before she kissed the soft lobe, raising up onto her toes even further than she already was in the heels so that she could reach him. "You've done well tonight, Kordavo. You've done well with me. I appreciate the effort you're putting fourth, and I will meet you halfway." He dainty hand gave his hard shoulder a squeeze. "I'm yours tonight. All night. Just you, me, and you king sized bed. How does that sound?"
 
Like great cracks of thunder, Kordavo’s heart was pounding in his ears. An encounter with his mother. He ought to know better but he could not help it. His father was justified in his anger towards the woman yet Kordavo could not sustain such hatred. She was his mother. She had some sort of mental block on him, something difficult to dislodge or crack. She had left him when he was still in the crib, bereaving him of a mother’s affection. Yet he craved it, powerfully and without falter. The child in him pondered why she had done it. Was he imperfect? Was he a pest to her? What could he do to be better? He knew none were the cause but the doubts always persisted, which made him drive himself to be better, to commit himself to labour and the cause of the State. He was just like her.

He was a big man though. More copious amounts of wine would be needed before he truly felt the effects. To the teasing remark of Solstice, he gave little reaction. He glanced to her when she spoke of her own father. How long had it been since she last saw him? Or spoke to him. A year or more. And she just had to endure his own parents. What was hers like, he wondered? This station after all was equipped with deep-space emitters and state-of-the-art communication devices. He was glancing off in thought even as she adjusted his collar. He only returned from his reprieve when she began to issue threats in defense of her home world.

“It will not come to that.” He simply promised her in a brisk, firm voice. There was a confidence in his tone. But the only way to truly protect her world…was to sink his claws in it first. To assault it would mean to assault the Chenoweth family. And that in itself was dangerous. Perhaps he should get into politics, not because it was his destiny but so he did have the means to protect Solstice and Fraundia. He had seen his father crush rivals and political opponents before. It was not the same as flying but it was mighty in its own way.

The dance began.

It was a part of any noble or rich child’s upbringing, to know how to dance. It was a sign of culture and civility. He did not doubt that Solstice knew either and it was surprising that she knew the steps, for all of the generational sleeper ships that departed old Earth in ancient history bore the same knowledge and histories, of which ballroom dancing was standardized right across. Among the other couples, they moved in swirling patterns, as fluid as water and elegant as butterflies in the meadow. Solstice was full of light and laughter, while Kordavo was businesslike and rigid, focusing solely upon the dance. But her soft kisses upon his neck, which would be often as he twirled her like a green flower in the wind, brought distraction. It caused misstep, which caused him to glower at her because…well, it was her fault to begin with!

But it was fun. His heart forgot the aches and pains of his past and soared only with the delight of the moment. His flesh reacted with tingles to her touch, while his own upon her body was tight and ravenous. His hand often slipped down her hip or around her back, grazing at the top of her flanks. His other held her hand. The brief pause between songs, as she embraced close to him, would see his arm come up behind her and squeeze her even more tightly to his chest. He was content with this woman who was the mother of his daughter and the keeper of his heart. He thought of nothing else but her blue eyes and her smile, contagious as it was, soon spreading to his own lips throughout the dance. Nothing needed to be said in that hour. All was laid bare in their eyes and lips. This was a life of peace and happiness he had never known before. And frankly, it shocked him with exciting electricity.

Solstice was over him. She kissed his neck. She pressed herself to him. She even nibbled at his earlobe, which caused him to shudder with diluting tingles and tilt his head to the side to stop her. He did not ravish her back likewise, for decorum was still to be maintained, though there were a few others kissing quite openly. But not Kordavo. Not yet. She praised his efforts and promised him a night of joy. “I think tonight you will tell me exactly how that sounds…when I’m putting forth my greatest effort.” He whispered back to her.

And when the song did end, Kordavo did not remain for another. No, he put both his hands upon her cheeks, smiling down at her, and then leaned forward and kissed her directly on the lips. Others may have saw. It was nothing new. It might be shocking because she was a Princess of Fraundia, a foreigner, and someone who didn’t belong. But her claws were in deep on him now and they would not be removed without ripping who he was to shreds. “Come then, let us take our leave of this place. We shall see my father and then depart.” Kordavo said to her, his passions aroused greatly. He had to flex all his muscles to keep the blood away from his groin. Solstice would be able to feel that, his bicep stretching the fabric of his tunic. He walked with her, her arm around his own, and found his father.

Alongside Lord Janus Chenoweth was salonist, widower, praised botanist, Lady Ayana Myerscough. She was silver haired like Janus, being but a few years his junior, but they had been together some ten years now. She was a kind woman, someone of intellect and a renowned socialite in some high circles. Her husband died years ago and her children were grown themselves. Kordavo did not mind her, though he did not condone his father’s paramour either. At their stage in their relationship, it was certainly not about bodily passions. That was something he did not wish to speak on. Before they reached the pair, Kordavo told Solstice of her. “My father’s mistress, Lady Ayana Myserscough.” He informed her. “Do not step on her toes. Or his.” He warned further.

Janus was still had that glaring look for them when he had witnessed them speaking to Kassandra Cleram, his lawful wife. He did not speak in greeting. But Lady Ayana offered them a curtsey, wearing a magnificent dress with soft golden tissue that reflected in the light. Pearls seemed her clutch, having both pearl slippers, a necklace of such, and ruby studded seashells dangling from her ears. She came from a water world, cities built both above and below the surface. Everything she wore though had been gifts from Janus. “Lord Kordavo, so good to see you.” She remarked cheerfully enough, before turning a very wide smile upon Solstice. “And you must be the remarkable Princess Nabeshin. What is the appropriate manner in which to address you?” She inquired courteous.

“You’re doing it.” Janus muttered under his breath, implying Solstice didn’t need titles. Or perhaps she didn’t deserve them.

"You're doing it he says. Apologies, I used to know him when he had social graces." Lady Ayana winked conspiratorially to Solstice. “I look forward to getting to know you all though, the Fraundians. I have been commissioned by the Botanical Congress to visit your world in the coming months, Princess.” Lady Ayana explained, making small talk. She probably talked plenty, while Janus listened. But he had stood her speech for ten years. Surely she wasn’t terrible at what she did. “A most wonderful world, new and exciting! I look forward to seeing what phytology you have there. I have had rumour you have preserved much of what came from old Earth. I am ashamed to admit much of what was preserved within our Dominion worlds have been lost, save for a few endangered species. I am to see if they might take root on Fraundia and thus continue their gene-pool. Fear not. We work separate of those oafs in the military.” She offered a teasing smile to Kordavo. He remained rigid and unmoving. Janus sighed.

“Perhaps I shall see you there.” Lady Ayana then offered.

“Perhaps not.” Janus said with a sneer. Lady Ayana cast him a glance and gave a tug on his arm. He sighed again and signaled for a drink.

“Don’t be droll, sweetie.” Lady Ayana said to him. Has anyone ever heard Lord Janus Chenoweth called that...? “Surely you must feel the excitement and appreciate the novelty of a new world. It has been decades, before noble Kordavo here was born, when the last had been added to our great union. And with a pre-existing civilization. Ah, I hope there is much history and culture to learn. Don’t you feel so as well about our worlds, Princess Nabeshin? At least a little?” Lady Ayana asked her. “Oh I know your condition, how unfortunate it is. But try not to judge us solely on the basis of this ugly planet below. You must come to my home of Lasnyke, where oceans cover nine-tenths of the surface. Or to the Sanctuary worlds of Bucreon or al-Stara.” She said, reaching out to brush Solstice’s arm encouragingly. "Lord Kordavo should certainly take you."
 
They danced as a unit and Solstice couldn’t recall a more enjoyable moment since she had been brought to the planet of Vorzania. She had always been guarded and the looming reality of her imprisonment always put a damper on things for her. The first few times she had had sex with the man before her, real, consensual sex, had even been jaded with her own fears. The birth of her daughter and the first moments spent with the child, swaddled in a soft blanket, were ruined by her worries of what this world would raise her to become. Nothing that should have been pure bliss for Solstice Nabeshin had been anything near. Not until this dance. She had very high hopes for the subsequent evening to follow.

Kordavo made for a wonderful partner. He lead her with confidence around the dance floor while they bobbed and weaved around other couples who were not as energized in their step. The lord also served as a sturdy frame for Solstice to lean on, even after all of the glasses of wine he had dowed this evening. Not to mention how handsome he looked. Solstice hated the Dominion military for what they had done to her and her family, however she couldn’t deny how sharp Kordavo looked in his navy blues. He was a vision and probably the most attractive man at the party, and he was all hers. At least for now.

“Your greatest effort?” She whispered back to him, her hand massaging gently at his shoulder as she stood close with him. “You’re so much bigger than me that you might break me in half if you use all of your efforts.” She teased him, smiling all the while. “But either way, Nurse Stethave made sure I was ready for the day I was ready to get back into bed with a man. We don’t have to worry about a second Kezra running around. Not yet, at least.” She informed him. Precautions had already been taken. There was no need for them to worry any further.

With a smile, she reciprocated Kordavo’s content gaze into her eyes. His hands on her cheeks were warm and calming- even the electronic one. The technology that the Dominion had access to far exceeded that of her own home, and it was beautiful in its own way. If only they hadn’t been using it for such evil. However, a kiss from his lips drew her back away from her her disapproving thoughts of his home and back to the pleasure of his company. He had hooks in her even after she had done her best to avoid them after his departure to fight in this war while she lay alone to endure a long, and initially unwanted pregnancy.

Solstice followed with grace, giving his bicep a light squeeze as she noticed its flexion. “It’s not my intent to step on any toes, but it seems as though just my existence pisses off your father.” She noted as they approached, but she kept her expression soft and friendly een as they approached the man who had been consistently disapproving of her since her arrival. It was obvious that Janus wish Kordavo had knocked up a Dominion woman rather than a savage Fruandian. Her royal status only served to rub more salt into his wounds over the matter.

Upon approach, the politician's mistress was much brighter than Solstice had expected her to be. She looked lovely, clad in gown and accessories worth top dollar, though much less over the top than the jewels Kordavo had dressed his own date in. However, the warmness was a welcome change, and Solstice received them happily.

“First name is fine, ma’am.” Solstice offered with a smile. “I am of royal blood, yes, but I don’t feel the need for it to be acknowledged all the time. It’s not like i’m the queen.” She let out a chuckle. To her knowledge, Solstice still had several older siblings in line for the throne before her. She did not expect to be getting the title of queen any time soon… or even in this lifetime. Little did she know the true extent of the bloodshed back home.

“I’m glad to hear that someone looks forward to seeing my home and meeting my people without plans to tear their claws into our society. We come from ancient biologists, and the importance of preservation is instilled in our bones. We’ve managed to keep almost every plant species brought from earth alive along with a multitude of animals native to ancient earth. It has been of the utmost importance to my people to keep the energy of the old days intact, and this means plants and animals are just as important as our people.” She offered a kind smile. It was not often that anyone here had any interest in her home as anything more than a fresh canvas to rip to shreds for the resources within.

“However, I do think you’ll quite enjoy it there. We have forests and gardens galore. If you ever visit… you’ll have to see if you can get into the royal garden. Planned by my mother before me and maintained by my hands before the war, it is a vision of vibrant petals and extravagant fauna. If it’s still there, you should definitely put it on your list. My personal favorites, despite their simplicity, are the daisies. They’re simply beautiful.” She smiled. It was obvious that gradening was a huge part of who Solstice had been in her life back on Fraundia. It was yet another part of her life that had been ripped away by this concrete jungle. “He even have beehives to naturally pollinate the flowers. Have you ever seen a honey bee? They’re quite lovable in their own quirky way. Don’t scare them though… they’ll sting you.”

As Ayana continued by doting on Dominion worlds, Solstice nodded respectfully and her grip on Kordavo’s arm tightened as she brought up her second hand to embrace his bulging bicep. Her touch there was soft an affectionate, but it was also a reminder of her presence to him. Solstice wondered how many of these events Kordavo had wandered to alone, or, even more intriguing, with a date. How many times had Lord Kordavo Chenoweth bed a woman after dancing the night away with her at a fancy event like this one. Had he covered them in jewels before hand? Kissed them on the dancefloor? How many had he had fed and embraced like they were special? The sudden curiosity on the subject struck Solstice with an ounce on envy. She was falling for him at this party, but how many other women had felt the same way?

“I must admit that I do not find myself particularly fond of Vorzania. Its dreary in my mind’s eye and most of my memories on this planet are not fond ones, but I suppose that comes with the territory of being a prisoner of war here until recently. However, I’ve been informed plenty of times that I’m alive so I should be grateful even though I do not feel that way myself. I will not fully be alive again until I’m allowed to go home again to see my family and the place I grew up. My greatest hope is that it will not be in shambles by the time I get there.” Her words were bold, particularly since she had said them in front of Janus Chenoweth. Kordavo had warned her not to step on any toes, but she may have done so inadvertently just by speaking her truth. It was unfortunate.

“However-” he finally added, glancing up at the sharp Jawline of Kordavo Chenoweth. “I think I will better be able to stand this place so long as I get to keep such good company as the young Lord’s.” She smiled, proudly up at him.
 
Neither Janus nor Kordavo had anything to say. The talk of vegetation and plant species was beyond them. Though they both had an interest in old Earth, plantlife and animals were the least of their studies. But Lady Ayana was most pleased to find an intricate and knowledgeable person in the field. Even though she was of the Dominion herself, botany was not exactly a prestigious profession, though among that profession she herself was a prestigious scientist. It was delightful for her to hear that the royal family of Fraundia were a family descended of biologists. If only there had been more like Solstice among the Dominion, life might hold more art and value for all to behold.

“I hope to very much meet your mother one day. It is rare to find others who see the value in having personal gardens. They teach much about merits. Isn’t that correct, darling?” She said to Janus, who simply grunted in approval with her. The way Janus looked at her was sweet though. This was Lady Ayana’s passion and Janus smartly enjoyed encouraging her. He was however under a predicament as it now involved that blasted Princess from Fraundia too now. Lady Ayana had no clue as to the current state of Solstice’s mother. She laughed politely at the remark of honeybees. “We have other such insects but I do not disdain them. Many see them as pests to be exterminated but ah, they play such vital roles in the development of plant life. All have a part to play in the grand scheme of things, from the smallest and lowest to the greatest and grandest.” She said wisely.

Kordavo was relishing the way Solstice gripped his bicep with both of her little hands but he said nothing in the discussion. With his other hand, he rubbed the side of his nose with impatience. This was not his preferred state of affairs. He hated these events. He looked down to his booted feet and shifted them each after the other.

Lady Ayana smiled politely at how Solstice described her thoughts of Vorzania. What the Princess said, albeit true, was rude and impudent. Janus did not hide his contempt and glared at her. “May you keep your good company long, Solstice Nabeshin.” Lady Ayana said. “I find these two Lords to be quite committed to getting and keeping what they want.” She smiled at her own Lord Chenoweth. “Perhaps you will come to see this world as something else. I like to think of it as a melting pot of many cultures and societies, like our own precious gardens. Perhaps a tad bit overgrown but there is many species to be found here, of light, music, and yes, darkness and war. Such is the nature of life.” She said, trying to find a middle ground. After all, this was Kezra’s homeworld too now.

“What did that thrice damned woman want?” Janus suddenly demanded of Kordavo, who piqued up. They were referring to Kassandra Cleram.

“Darling!” Lady Ayana exclaimed, tugging on the arm of Janus to calm him down.

“She simply inquired about her granddaughter. And wished to see her.” Kordavo answered neutrally.

Janus snorted. “Well best not get used to her presence, before she decides her battleships are better grandchildren than her own flesh and blood.”

“My Lord.” Lady Ayana tugged on his arm. Janus rolled his eyes. Kordavo said nothing. Family drama.

“Look, there’s the Vice Tetrarch of Justice. I need to have words with my colleague.” Janus Chenoweth declared.

“A pleasure to meet you, Solstice Nabeshin. Perhaps another time, on your own world hmm?” Lady Ayana dipped in a curtsey to them. “And Lord Kordavo, do take care to indulge your most wonderful Princess more often! Don’t keep her about like a caged bird.” She warned him and with a smile and a twinkle in her eyes, they went off together.

“What ever became of your mother again?” Kordavo asked of Solstice, leading her off. “I think…maybe it’s time we departed. These things will go on for another few hours.” At least six more hours. It was a cesspool of gossip, scandal, courting, politicking and subtle hostility. It was all words, nothing more. Not how Kordavo felt issues and grudges should be handled. He was not alone in this thinking. He then leaned over and whispered into her ear. “Let’s go arrange a call to your father.” He suddenly suggested, knowing the question of her own mother might be heart-wrenching. “I know there are deep-space communication devices in this facility. It’ll have to be quick but something is better than nothing.” He dictated to her. “Security forces might try to trace the call. I can make it encrypted but they will know it was made. And from where. Just not what or between who.” Kordavo offered to her and then proceeded to lead her out of the grand hall and into the secondary corridors and rooms.

There were lesser parties and crowds in the areas closest to the grand hall but the population grew less and less as they moved away. They even happened upon a man and a woman, not husband and wife but each married, furiously making out in one area. They paused and jerked in alarm when Kordavo and Solstice stumbled on them. Kordavo just pursued his lips and surged past them. As they moved past and go to the far end of that particular hallway…the woman slapped the man and stormed off.

There was a communication room. There had to be, given how important some of the individuals were at this party. They needed to stay in touch with their interests, their people, subordinates and corporations and so forth. The communication room was a large chamber at the edge of the facility, one wall four stories tall being a glass panel looking out to the stars in a magnificent view. There were booths encased in privacy bubbles and several were occupied. Others stood about, pacing as they grumbled or pondered some of their own issue. None paid attention to the pair. Kordavo nudged Solstice into one such and sealed the hatch. It might be unnerving, being so quiet within that bubble, with every rustle of fabric and every breath sounding very pronounced. There were a few chairs before a terminal, which Kordavo accessed. And then proceeded to hack.

“You’re secure. I don’t know the comm codes for your world but I got the signal as far as Fraundia. These are the coordinates.” He pointed out to Solstice on the screen. There was a Dominion occupation fleet in orbit, which bounced the signal off towards the planet itself. All Solstice had to do was complete the coding to reach her own people and thus her father. Kordavo moved out of the chair and offered it to Solstice. He hoped she would appreciate this, standing behind her, hands on her shoulders, fingers grazing at her neck. But…he shouldn’t be here. “I can wait outside.” He mumbled. “Don’t take too long. No more than…two minutes. Then we need to get out of here.” He reminded her. Kordavo was doing this for her, for her peace of mind, as he didn’t want her to think the Dominion were simply cruel occupiers. He loved his people. He hoped she might come to appreciate their virtues, rather than just their vices. These were her daughter’s people too.
 
Solstice was silent for the remainder of the conversation. The mention of her mother put a bit of a damper on her mood and she could see the way Janus was glaring at her. She had spoken her truth, and she wasn’t ashamed of it. It wasn’t as though the Dominion had been entirely kind towards her. In fact the only reason she was even alive to be frosted in precious jewels and dawning an expensive gown was not even her own doing. It was Kezra’s existence and Kordavo’s fondness that had dragged her out of the depth of IB, not her ability to hold her sharp tongue. Her fingertips trailed gently over Kory’s bicep as the glaring truths were reintroduced into her memory. She was fond of this man. She might even grow to feel even more passionately for him, but that didn’t change their origin story.

“Goodnight, ma’am. Lord.” She regarded both Janus and his mistress respectively before she turned away right alongside Kordavo. She sighed at the question as it crossed Kordavo’s lips in his curiosity. He deserved to know, he deserved to learn anything about her that he wanted, but that didn’t make her want to avoid the topic any less. “She died.” Solstice said simply. “Though I’d rather we didn’t go into details while we’re at a party, darling.” She said flatly, doing her best to keep her mood even and prevent herself from feeling sorrow in a time that should be filled with light. She had a man at her side, she looked gorgeous, and the building was exquisitely decorated, though her heart couldn’t help but ache at the mention of her beloved mother. Kassandra has been absent in Kory’s life, but he hadn’t truly lost her the way Solstice had lost her own.

However, she perked up when he whispered to her about the prospect of calling home. Her eyes lit up, quite possibly brighter than they had ever been in Kordavo’s presence. It truly was her family and her home that made Solstice into the woman she was, and there wasn’t a thing she loved more for galaxies around. “Really?” She whispered. “You mean it?” She asked, trying her best to shroud her excitement. He never answered her verbally though he lead her through a collection of rooms and hallways with a bit of added drama as they brushed past the unfaithful pair. Soon she found herself inside the privacy bubble before she even really comprehended that this was really happening.

She watched at Kordavo typed away at the coding software with expertise. There was no question that this man was more handy amount technology than Solstice herself was, but she was more than capable of completing the code as soon as she set down in the car, still warm from Kory’s presence. She just stared at the screen for a moment, Kory’s hands resting on her shoulders and neck. What could she even say to her old man? So much had happened and her dad had been oblivious to it all. She doubted her people even knew of her survival. After all, she had disappeared on Skarvis 12 months ago. They had likely found her shop, but the princess herself was nowhere to be found.

“No.” She whispered, reaching one hand up and resting her pl over his knuckles. “Don’t go anywhere. You should be right here with me. My father will want to know the reason that has kept me away from home. You are that reason. You are single handedly responsible for my survival and relocation onto Vorzania.” She said simply, her fingers lacing with his. “Stay.” She whispered again, begging him in her own way not to leave her alone now. It was entirely too important to her that he stay.

Then she hit send and the call began to ring.

***

Things on Fraundia were tense. Solstice’s father had been dethroned and was looked down upon my the Dominion invaders. Luckily, However, he was still allowed to reside in his home even while it swarmed with men and women not so different from Kordavo himself. They were army brutes and politicians, scoping out the place for what they could reap. It broke the old man’s heart to see his planet being taken by the enemy. But even more devastating? He was going it alone. All seven of his children were now gone, all but one of which being lost to this bloody war. He had photographs of them lining his bedroom wall with candles of memorium flickering slightly beneath each one as he sat and just gazed into the eyes of the cold, lifeless photographs.

He missed each of them individually, and he would dream of seeing them again in the afterlife at night when he finally managed to close his old, tired eyes. He would spar with his sons and dance with his only daughter, Solstice Nabeshin, and the youngest member of the large, once royal, family back on Fraundia. He was so proud of his little girl. She was as good of a pilot as Fraundia had to offer, yet with more advanced weaponry and technology she had been taken down by some ace pilot early on in this war. The first familial loss to this war. He had grieved her the longest, her photo sitting right alongside her mothers as the both stared outwards into the room of Jebediah Nabeshin with matching red hair and blue eyes. His daughter was a spitting image of his lost wife and maybe, just maybe, that was what had made her death just a little more painful than the others.

“I should have protected you better, my sweet princess. I should have kept you out of this war, shipped you off somewhere you could have been safe. Though..” He let out a chuckle as he stroked his thumb over her cheek on the photograph, a tear welling in his eye. “You never would have stood for that, would you? You were never one to run away from a fight. No matter how I could of begged you.”

The Transmitter in the corner of the room went off with an authoritative tune. Jeb wiped the tear from his eye and strutted over to the desk and took a seat in the large, maple carved chair that sat before it. Assuming it was some Dominion power based on the coding he knew he had better answer or there would likely be consequences. Then his daughter’s image popped up on the screen as she sat, alongside a gentleman in Dominion garb, covered in jewels and looking more like royalty than he himself.

***

On the screen before Solstice and Kordavo the transmitted image of her father loaded up and gleamed before them. He was an older man, in his early sixties and far older than Kordavo’s own father appeared to be. E had snow white air that cascaded down neatly and framed his face before it kissed at his beard, also grey in color. He truly looked like some sort of godly figure, though worry lines and wrinkles caused by the stress of being a king adorned his forehead and the corners of his eyes. Though, when he looked upon his sweet daughter, the tears he had tried to wipe away were welling back up twice as fast as they had initially.

“Hey papa.” Solstice finally spoke up, her own eyes beginning to glass over. “Remember me?” She asked with a light chuckle as a tear fell from her eye to her lap.

“My sweet princess…” Jeb muttered, dumbfounded. For over a year now he had believed her dead. Yet… here she was. Alive and looking incredibly well. “You-you’re alive.”

“Yes, daddy. I’m alive. I’ve been on Vorzania for awhile now: one of the Dominion home planets.” She informed him. Though she could see the way her old man was eyeing Kordavo as though he were horse shit stuck to the bottom of his boot. She gave Kordavo’s hand a gentle squeeze for reassurance before she continued. “This is Lord Kordavo Chenoweth. He saved my life. And now he’s…” She started, looking up into his eyes as he stood over her behind the chair, his hand still lingering against her shoulder and neck. “He’s my boyfriend.” She finally said confidently. It was the first time she had really put a label on her relationship with Kordavo.

The look on Jebediah's face instantly softened now that he knew the man wasn’t holding his baby girl as some sort of hostage or making her make this phone call for some sort of personal gain. In fact, anyone who was willing to save his little girl was instantly one of Jeb’s favorite people, no matter what uniform they wore. After all, up until now Solstice had been dead, and now she was risen from the grave thanks to the hand of Kordavo Chenoweth. No. There was no hate for the Dominion soldier in Jeb’s kind heart.

“Lord Chenoweth.” Jeb addressed him respectfully with a nod of the head. “Thank you. She’s a good girl, son. Treat her well. And I expect you both to visit me soon.” He smiled kindly, looking up to Kory before he looked back to his daughter.

“There’s three of us, daddy.” Solstice said, tears streaming down her face, but she wasn’t sad. Nothing could make her happier in this moment than talking to her father, knowing that he was alive and well. This would be the first time Kordavo had ever seen her cry joyous tears rather than those filled with sorrow. “Kordavo and I have a baby girl. Her name is Kezra.”

Solstice looked back up at Kordavo, beaming proudly even through the tears that glistened on her smooth cheeks. He was the father of her child. He was her boyfriend, as she had finally admitted. And he was the only thing holding her and this family together. He had done this, all of this, for her and for Kezra, and she had never truly taken the time to be grateful for what he had done for her. The world was hard. This was and this place was incredibly hard on Solstice, but Kordavo was doing his best to shine light into her dark and make her happy and bright: a state he had never truly seen her in. She was wholeheartedly his in this moment.
 
There was something pleasing about the way Solstice beamed in excitement. It was similar to the flutter Kordavo sometimes, always, experienced in his heart whenever Kezra would beam and wiggle in joy when she looked at him. It seemed to him but a simple request, a little rule breaking which was uncharacteristic of him, but nothing overly indebting or laborious. In the private booth, he figured he might give Solstice total privacy but he looked at her sharply when she refuted the offer. At first he thought she meant to keep him there as some form of accusation but she stated it was because of her gratitude for keeping her alive. Maybe it would have been easier for all if you had died and not been subjected to…captivity here.

There was no time to refuse or protest. She intertwined their fingers and made the call. Kordavo could only pursue his lips. He felt his heart beat and stammer. What should he expect? This was not battle or intrigue. He was about to come face to face with the father of the woman he had beaten, kidnapped…and raped. Suddenly he felt the weight of guilt, another most uncharacteristic feeling. How could he face this man, the King of Fraundia? This was nothing like before. Kordavo had seen King Jebediah Nabeshin, in holovids and imagery but had never spoken to the man before. And certainly not in an unofficial and personal setting such as this. How did one even speak to a King, let alone the father of his baby’s mother and the grandfather of that same baby? There was no running or avoiding this now. He straightened his posture and steeled himself for what uncertainty lay ahead.

And there he was on the screen, a man both regal and wizened by age. What did he expect of a King? Here was a man with experience and wisdom, an elder that demanded respect without even requesting it. Kordavo felt more like a stranger as the two began their tearful reunion. He felt nothing himself but he tried to empathize. What if I was separated from Kezra for years? Anxiety and fear no doubt. The stating of his name drew him back and he affirmed his own steely gaze to the monitor and its camera, meeting the eyes of the King. He’s my boyfriend. It was the first real label placed upon his relationship with Solstice and frankly…Kordavo didn’t like it. It hinted of a lack of commitment and fidelity. They had a child together. Should they not have been more? But he had yet to ask her that question.

But Kordavo Chenoweth knew he now had to, to bring real honour and dignity to their bond.

Still he did not speak. He watched the slight changes in the expression of the King and wondered whether it was disgust or acceptance. Then he spoke Kordavo’s name and thanked him for his efforts. Kordavo still did not speak, only lowering his chin a little towards his chest in a half-nod of acknowledgement of the words. Don’t say that yet, until you hear how I claimed her. And why it was that I decided to keep her. The rape on Skarvis. The abandonment to IB. What of the delay too between her captivity and torture and discovering she was pregnant? The baby had made them. Kordavo would have acted too late to save Solstice had Kezra not sprung up when she had. There was much truth being concealed here and Kordavo in good faith could not accept any praise or gratitude.

Solstice then told her father of Kezra too, at last. She looked up at him, with that same demeanor of excitement she had when he allowed her this call to begin with. Something moved in his heart and body again. He looked down at her, lips quirking in a soft, subtle smile, and he reached out to stroke her cheek, wiping away some tears. He cared not that her father saw it. It was a genuine act of compassion, compelled without thought of what others might think, adding to its pureness. “We shall all come visit, Your Grace.” Kordavo said at last. “Us, and the baby. Soon. That is all I can promise.” He said, turning to look at the monitor, his strong hand now on the shoulder of Solstice. “There isn’t much time.” Kordavo then said more quietly to Solstice. Wrap it up. It was cruel, but necessary. If discovered, they might not ever seen one another again. And much of the influence of his family in the affairs and treatment of Fraundia might suffer.

He let Solstice finish the call. Doubtless there was much to say and tell but certainly not enough time. Their window was decreasing substantially at this point and they had mere seconds left. Once finished, Kordavo hurriedly typed in a system wipe and then even pulled the plug on the device. Reboot and repair was not his problem after that. Taking her hand, he led her out of the communications berth and back into the endless corridors and halls that would lead back to the party, not having lost any steam. Nor would it, over the next few hours. “I do not wish to return.” Kordavo said to Solstice. “It is a tiresome ordeal, one that will last for many long hours. I…we should go home to Kezra. We shall not be missed.” He stated, leading her through the station, skirting past passages that would lead back to the central hall. He cared not for appearances anymore. He had been left with an impression of family and that is what he wished to indulge more. That was his party to be had.

But as for the conversation with her father, he felt it might have raised more questions than having given answers. Yes, Jebediah and Solstice were both alive. Each seemed in good health. But what did the future hold for either of them? Solstice was secure in hers, as long as Kordavo lived. But what of the King, who’s world was now encircled by battleships and under the guns of a hundred thousand soldiers? “I do not know for certain what will happen to your father.” He said slowly and softly. “The treaty insists upon his abdication of the throne and he will be made to live the life of a private citizen of his world. Fraundia and its territories, with no further heir, shall be incorporated directly in the Dominion state, first as occupied worlds, then over time granted the legal status of colony world, which allows it some form of autonomy and independence within the hegemony as a whole. Dominion civic life will reign supreme and whatever ruling body over Fraundia shall be comprised of such.” He explained. Only if there was no heir, or heiress, to the throne of Fraundia, as most Dominion policymakers assumed.

But they didn’t know what Kordavo and Solstice might know. They reached the shuttle bay and a trolley took them past the hundred or so various vessels to their own. The Chenoweth pilots were not expecting them but quickly got off their asses to prep the ship. They would come back for Janus Chenoweth of course. That left Kordavo and Solstice alone in the main hold and he poured them another cup of wine each. They had been here for perhaps three hours. They had dealt with old rivals, dodged the press, ignored the gossipmongers, met his father, met his mother, met both of their mistresses and spoke to King Jebediah Nabeshin. That was all too much for Kordavo. He longed to get within a cockpit and fly away to be with his own thoughts. Most definitely, there was another way to go ascending into the heavens. Setting his empty wine cup down with a sudden smack, he turned to face Solstice in the seat next to him, grab the back of her neck, and yanked her over into a firm kiss on the lips.

And he would keep kissing her until the pilots announced over the intercom they were making the approach to home. It was nighttime over this particular hemisphere of Vorzania now. The stars were mingled with countless craft going to and fro, of carbon dioxide emitters spread across the sky, or larger vessels in orbit and stations of immense size. It was a world that never slept, that was artificial from the ground up, with billions of souls caught up in some aspect of life, continuous and never ending. And they were just two in the vast scheme of things, possessing something rare despite being among so many. Hand in hand, Kordavo walked Solstice into the building, of which they were now alone in, for the first time since Skarvis. Only those they wished to be there, like their daughter, were within a dozen floors and levels of their presence.

They found Kezra fast asleep and camera feeds showed she had been no trouble to the cheery toned robotic nurses. After peering at her, there wasn’t much else to do. Soon, they were returning to his quarters, jewelry clinking loudly in the empty halls and rooms as they did, catching the illuminating light in wonderful patterns at times, especially upon Solstice. “You look beautiful tonight.” He said in praise of her, still in a low tone despite their privacy and isolation.
 
“I have to go, Papa.” Solstice spoke, tears of sadness now welling in her eyes. She didn’t want to say goodbye, but this was more important than her own selfish wants. “You must tell no one of this call. It could get us all into a lot of trouble. I will speak to you again as soon as I can. I love you, Papa, and our granddaughter will love you too.” She whispered. “I can’t wait to come home.” She finally said, her finger hovering over the button that would once more shut the window between father and daughter.

“I will dream of you until then, little one.”Jeb muttered, nodding at both Solstice and Kordavo before the call ended and the screen went black.

Solstice shut her eyes tightly, shedding a tear from each of her sparkling orbs before willing the rest to stay at bay. This was a happy time. Kordavo has granted her the greatest gift he could have possibly arranged, and she was so thankful for that. Her only wish was that she could give him something just as sweet in return. The fear was impossible, but she would offer him her greatest affections that night. No more closed doors or cold shoulders. After all, he was her boyfriend. Should she not do her best to give him her all? Tonight especially he deserved all of that plus so much more. She should not cry.

She stayed out o his way, well assured that he was more capable than she was with the technology of his own planet. He was an ace pilot and a smart man. A bit of coding was well within his realm of capabilities. Solstice was sure of it. Upon completion, she toted alongside him gracefully. She had cleaned herself up. There was no sign that she had ever shed a tear or that anything at all worth mentioning had taken place. She was calm, content after the conversation with her father. Kordavo could throw just about anything at her now and she would be able to handle it with serenity and grace.

“That’s fine. I’m not much one for parties where everyone is either a stranger or dislikes me either.” She let out a small laugh. “I’m only here for you, Lord, and if your facial expressions are any indication you hate parties.” She teased him, lightly nudging his shoulder with her own. She was in an exceedingly good mood. Kordavo had seen her genuinely shine for the first time this evening. Since the crash landing she has been miserable, afraid. Kordavo himself, IB, and the Chenoweth household had all threatened to crush her under their burden in their own time. Solstice had felt the pressure building and it stress fractured her psyche day after day. Kordavo has never had her as anything besides broken goods. But tonight, in that moment, she felt more whole than she thought herself capable any longer.

Her face dropped ever so slightly at the mention of her father’s uncertain future. Kordavo has very poor timing when dropping bad news. Oh how Solstice wished he would have waited until she had marinated in her contentment just a while longer. However, with careful listening, her lips quirked up. Fraundia legislation would be sorely disappointed to find out their plans would be foiled. “Fraundia has an heir.” She smirked up at him. “And you’re courting her as we speak.” There was no discrimination against women as royalty on Fraundia. She would have her throne if Dominion government didn’t completely tear apart the monarchy. “And I want my father protected at all costs, Kordavo. I’ve already lost him once. I couldn’t stand to lose him again.”

She let that request of Kordavo’s influence hang in the air as they finished the journey to the bay, waited for the ship to be ready, then frank their wine alone in the cockpit with comfortable silence between them. Solstice didn’t feel so tense around Kordavo these days, even after their recurring scuffles and time apart. Although her composure could partly be chalked up to how much wine Kordavo has fed her this evening, she had a feeling it was something deeper in meaning. Solstice Nabeshin, a princess, was starting to fall for Kordavo Chenoweth, truly and wholey, for the first time since he had first pointed his blaster at her on Skarvis. But that didn’t stop her from feeling shocked when he so suddenly grabbed her.

She was tense, skeptical at first that he might be angry with her for a reason she did not foresee. However, instead of scruffing her like a dog he simply held her as he pressed in for a kiss. It was a long kiss, far longer than she had expected: lasting several minutes as the ship continued its ascent to Vorzania. However, Solstice was willing and happy to give him back every ounce of effort that he put into her. In fact, his sheer passion was enough to cause a stirring in Solstice’s womb. Such a stirring would greatly benefit Kordavo later. In fact, such a stirring left Solstice distracted as they traversed through Kordavo’s Home, visited their sweet baby Kezra, and made their way to Kordavo’s quarters. It nagged at her, refusing to be ignored.

“You look handsome tonight.” She responded, watching patiently as he keyed in to his private quarters and the two entered into the dark room in unison. All the overhead lights were off, and the only illumination came from the displays of various electronics within the quarters and the artificial light pollution that streaming in through the bay of windows just past Kordavo’s seating area that he had decorated with sleek grey furniture accents. The quarters as a whole were grand, just like the young lord himself. But Solstice wasn’t in the mood for admiring furniture. There was something else that called for her attention now in the dimly lit room.

The couple barely got past the doorway of the quarters before Solstice turned to Kordavo and reached out to stop him from walking away from her. “You are a man worthy of praise and admiration at these events, despite your disdain for the attention. However, if you chose not to let those people dote on your attributes, I hope that you’ll still allow me to dwell on your every characteristic, Kory. Let me admire you even if you stop everyone else from giving you the praise you deserve. You are no longer my enemy. And now I wish to dote.” She purred, allowing one hand to travel down the front of his broad chest. “Starting with how magnificent your body is, Kordavo. You are godlike in your attributes. This war has been kind to your masculine image, even to me.”

Wandering hands trailed up and down his torso before they found the shoulders of his military jacket and pushed it carelessly off of the man’s shoulders, reveling in the sound of it hitting the floor. Next she worked to unbutton his vest pushing it off of his shoulders just as carelessly as his jacket before she leaned in, pressing her stained, ruby lips to the curvature where his neck met his shoulder. “It’s a shame this uniform of your contains so much… clothing. All the more work for me in times like this.” She whispered before letting her teeth graze over his back in the darkness. It wasn’t long before diligent fingers tugged impatiently at Kordavo’s button up shirt. She untucked it from his trousers, leaving him looking uncharacteristically unkempt. However, that was exactly Solstice’s goal.

Sometimes a man needed to be a man for his woman, not just for his obligations.
 
Kordavo cast a glance of disbelief at Solstice when she declared herself the next heiress to the throne of Fraundia. Perhaps that was true, as he vaguely recalled hearing of the death of her brother and hadn’t heard of any other heir stepping up to the plate. That would make Solstice the next Queen. And the abdication of her father was only enforced because there was no other centralized authority that the Dominion could use to solidify their hold over Fraundia. No easy way to bring the masses into line and effect an efficient level of government beneficial to the Dominion. They didn’t know about Solstice. But Kordavo did now. And soon the others would as well. But now indeed was not the time to discuss that, such selfish concerns. “I’ll do what I can for him.” Was all he could promise in regards to her father.

He did not answer or even seem to acknowledge the compliment of his appearance. He did not like being vain and to him, in most cases in which he heard such praises, he felt it came from pretending flatterers and those trying to court his influence or attentions. Still, was that just a little tingle of delight he felt since it came from Solstice? She must have read his thoughts before she turned and anchored herself before him, reinforcing her words and assuring him it was not meant in falsehood or jest. She seemed to know him quite well in fact, his eyes locked upon her as she made her characterization of him. A part of him just wanted to prove her wrong, to slap aside her offer and simply do as he always did; take what he want.

Instead, he remained rigid and locked in place the moment her hand trailed down his chest. Blast, why did her touch always do this to him now? The reaction of him gulping hard was visible in his strong jaw for a moment, dipping down into his neck and then vanishing behind the covering of the collar of his military tunic. Kordavo was intrigued, that he could not deny, and wished to see just how Solstice, his very own Princess and possible Queen of Fraundia, wished to dote upon him. “You read too many fairy tales, I think. Too many…dramatic fairy tales.” He said in reply to her as her hands began to wander, but the growing smirk upon his lips showed it was only meant in jest. How should a royal act, if not with profound appearance and charisma, bordering on dramatic flair? Rather than annoy him, it was starting to amuse him. Quite fondly.

His jacket crashed to the floor, hands not stopping it. Instead they wandered to hold Solstice on either side of her slender torso, caressing around to lock with each other at the small of her back, entrapping her within his strong arms. His clothes came undone, unveiling his torso which hinted vast rewards beneath the final layer of a dress shirt, bristling with hard muscle. His chest was wide, his pectorals defined, and his abdomen chiseled. His shoulders were broad like iron and his arms possessing vitality in the budding veins along their length. He stretched his neck as she kissed it, while his hands moved to come to her own shoulders and begin sliding down the straps of her green dress along her own shapely arms. He didn’t let her finish undressing him, as he took to doing the same with her.

With a hard heave, he spun her right around and clamped her in place. Her dress he removed with vigour and clear impatience, jerking it down her frame and having it pool at her feet, leaving her in just her bra, undergarments, and jewelry which clinked with the movements he inflicted upon her. Spinning her back around to face him, his smirk was visible for a bare heartbeat before he crashed his lips upon hers, kissing her deeply, passionately, with swirling tongue and heated breath as he attacked her mouth. His hands were not idle. They swept around to her rear, squeezed, and yanked her body into his front, molding them together. Then they glided up her back to her bra, which was unclasped and dropped to the ground, leaving her breasts to press to his body. Next, they roamed back down and hitched into the inner lining of her undergarment, yanking it down her thighs and letting it drip down to her ankles, where her feet were still in heels.

Kordavo rather liked her in them. And in her jewelry. And wearing nothing else but those two things. His own cock was hard within his trousers, bulging outwards with desperate glee.

She was a goddess herself. Her hair seemed to glow as if sunlight from the day was still caught within her strands. Her eyes were like gemstones, brighter than the actual stones she wore. Her body was firm and no longer frail, having grown with the burden of motherhood. And quite profoundly, in his mind. He did not mind she might have been a little heavier here or more packing there. His hands relished it all, roaming across her back, down her thighs, around her hips, nails grazing her flesh so tenderly. A hand came up into her hair, yanking on it, forcing her face up to the ceiling so that his lips could better explore her jawline and down her own neck, peppering her with kisses and soft nips, which steadily grew into harder bites. He spun her again, towards the bed, leaning back into him.

And without care, he slid a hand down her torso and over her pelvic region, a finger already grazing and penetrating into her sex. His other gripped her breast. His face pressed to the side of hers, lips seeking hers once more. And in this awkward fashion, he stumbled them towards the bed. He kicked his boots off along the way, heel on the tip of his toes to yank his socks off after. He shoved her down onto the bed, bending her over and his own body planted behind, locking her there a moment. His hands went to his collar and tore off the undershirt he had one. She might feel a few of the buttons land upon her back as the garment was tossed aside. And then his strong hands came to her hips and with another heave, practically tossed her up and onto the center of the bed like a doll that weighed nothing. Soon he was mounting up after her.

He flopped onto the bed beside her, on his side, naked above the waist, remaining only in trousers. Kordavo reached over to bring Solstice back into his grip, hands under her shoulders to drag her onto his body, to straddle his hips and lay her naked body against his. Shivers ran all over his body and his hips were already grinding against hers as he began to kiss her again, tongues twirling between their mouths. His hands grazed up and down her sides, until he drew her up further to plant her breasts before his lips, which he suckled with great diligence for a moment before pulling back to look up at her. He was on his back. “Cake is what I forgot in our haste to leave. I did not have my dessert as I should have.” Kordavo said with a smirk, reaching up to place his hand around her neck. Not to choke, simply to hold. “You’ll do, I suppose.” He said teasingly.

“A Queen after all will need her throne.” He remarked, dropping his hand to join his other in yanking her up even further, upon her hips were nearly straddling his face. And his mouth was all too eager to receive her.
 
Solstice was patient and willing as Kordavo began to slide the straps of her dress off over her slender, yet strong, shoulders. Her whole body was calm and relaxed as she interacted with her muse. However, she sill gasped in surprise when he swung her around such that her back was to him and he unzipped and tugged her dress down along her shapely figure. She looked far better now than the last time he had seen her. Perhaps some added girth to her hips, thighs, and bus, but her stomach was tones and strong despite her recent pregnancy, and she looked overall stronger and healthier than she had been when he had plucked her from IB and all he times they had gone to bed together following that day. In the time Kordavo had been gone, Solstice hadn’t had much else to do save for work out and play in the simulators, so she looked like a vision once more.

Facing him once more, Solstice tangled her fingers into his short hair as much as possible given the lacking length of his locks while she kissed him back, her body pressed into his even though it was quite supple in comparison. Solstice was smaller than Kordavo and didn’t have nearly the muscle mass, but, as Kordavo knew quite well, that didn’t mean she couldn’t hold her own. Tis little woman was a firecracker, and she was shining bright as she stood in the clutches of Lord Kordavo Chenoweth: a man she had once been afraid of. She kissed him with a lustful sweetness one might expect from a woman, but it was not always the case between his pair. So many times before Solstice had kissed him with vengeance on the mind, not compassion.

Her bra and panties came off without a hitch, leaving her wearing just her skin in his presence. Well… plus a few flashy accessories like her over the top gems and the flashy gold-foil heels at adorned her feet. Kordavo’s urgent movements made her squeak a bit in surprise when he yanked hard on her hair hen flipped her around like she were a ragdoll. “Be careful with me.” She said, a chuckle soon following. “I might break. I have had a long day you know.” She eased, but her movements were willing even as she stood in his grasp knowing that Kordavo Chenoweth was anything but gentle. Her laughing stopped and transitioned into ragged breathing as is hand moved down eagerly to pleasure her without much warning. The stimulation caused Solstice to press back into Kordavo almost limply with euphoria which allowed her for the first time that evening to feel just how firmly his erection was pushing at the front of his trousers.

The next moment were a blur, unimportant when weighed against the sensation of the knowing finger teasing at her glistening sex. Before she knew it, she was bent over the bed and she could feel the small plastic buttons from his shirt. Would he take her like this? Now? She wondered. She was wet enough. He could have her at any time and her body could take it. He tossed her once more, up onto the bed were she lay, looking at him and panting as she eyed him. “That was a good shirt.” She teased him again, trying to make light of the situation before he moved her again, aligning their pelvic regions for the second time. The only thing stopping penetration were his trousers which his cock pushed desperately up against in an attempt to be freed.

Soon.

Solstice was easy to manhandle, never fighting him as he moved hr, only trying to figure out just what it was that he wanted, then he spoke of desserts and his substitution of choice and she smiled. “As you wish, my Lord.” She said with a small smirk as he moved her ips forward a final time. She could feel the warmth of is breath traveling over her clit and waiting labia. That sensation alone was enough to send a chill up her spine. “My lord. I do so believe that this will be my favorite throne so long as you’ll have me.” She whispered to him calmly, even with electricity firing in her nether regions.

Solstice reached forward, wrapping her hands around the the top of the headboard as she gently pressed her hips forward into Kordavo’s lips. The strength in her thighs held her up just enough that no real weight was on the man’s face as she rolled her hips in a slow fashion, but the soft carefully groomed lips of her woman hood kissed at his mouth in a coaxing gesture. Her clit bumped softly against his nose with each stroke and it made Solstice bite down hard on her lower lip. Please…. Her mind begged him as she pressed down harder on his lips. It had been a long while since Solstice had had a release. Though she hadn’t obeyed Kordavo’s demands that she should not touch herself during his absence, it was not as satisfying of a hulking man putting forth his greatest efforts to please a woman. And not just any hulking man, Kordavo himself. Even in her anger her mind always went back to him.

Solstice let out a groan, her back arching as she she continued to grind into Kordavo’s eager lips and mouth. It felt good: his lips and tongue trailing over her as she worked her hips into him. Her cunt drooling in pleasure as desire shot through her like lightning and her lips pared in pleasure. More. More. MORE. She though as she panting, already threatening to orgasm so prematurely. She needed a distraction. Her eyes glanced about as she remained upon her perch, until they found the window where she could see the reflection as their bodies meshed. The reflection was mostly a silhouette, but even so she could still see he bulging cock still strapped in Kordavo’s dress pants. That ought to be distraction eough.

She lifted, ripping her sex away from his mouth against her better judgement and she turned around, facing Kordavo’s feet. She lowered her loins once more, her lower lips smeeting his once b=more as she laid over his torso, her jewelry grazing over his abdomen as she leaned over him. She didnt grind her hips now, instead dhse reached down to unfasten his pants and reach in with warm hand to grasp his throbbing cock and release it from it’s prison. The weight of it in her hand was familiar, and she didn’t hesitate in withdrawing her hand only so she could spit in her palm and return it to his length. She stroked him diligently, reveling in the sight of his quivering erection and the bulging veins that ran through it as he continued eating her flower.

“Too bad I’m not taller. Id suck you like you’ve never been sucked before.” She whispered into the dully lighted room, grinning as she picked up the pace with her hand.
 
Breaking her had been all that Kordavo had once been concerned with. A part of him might say he had broken this Princess but not with the results he had imagined. And though he had not expected it, he did not say it was undesired either. And now, a severe change from who he had been a year ago and more, he did have some precautions about not breaking her again. Emotionally. Physically, well that was a part of the challenge was it not? And with how he was handling her, with the intense urgency in his grip and the fierceness of his eyes, it seemed relatively likely he might indeed leave her a broken, shaking mess when it was all over. Hopefully too, he might be there right beside her.

That race was on now. There was to be no limitations it seemed by their passions. The shirt mattered little. Her jewelry did not impede him so he did not touch it. In it and in her heels, she was in nothing else but her birthday suit. And still, Kordavo felt rushed about it all. He had to have it all, immediately, even though he already had it all for his own taking. Albeit not recently, as Solstice had put conditions upon his urges and wants but those had been unshackled tonight. Tonight, he gave in to an urge that lay dormant for many years and rarely awoken. Kordavo was going to fuck her. He was going to taste her. He was going to touch her and feel her and hear her and create a whole panoply of sensations upon which to indulge, all finding their source in her. Solstice would be his everything tonight.

Dessert time. He licked his lips quickly as he lay there upon his back, a hulking figure in the center of the sprawling bed. His torso bristled with tight muscle and his arms bugled their biceps as he reached up to grasp Solstice around her sides. She planted herself above his face and with a slow, deliberate descent she came down upon his ready and eager mouth. Kordavo watched for only a second before his eyes closed in an orgasmic-like delight, receiving her womanhood and all its treasures within. With little wasted time he inflicted a savage assault upon her folds with his tongue, dragging rapidly yet firmly like the swift strokes of a pen. He began to paint inside her, his tongue the brush and her juices the hue. He scented her sweet fragrance with every breath he took, nostrils to her pelvis. His whole body got what he wanted, Solstice, unbridled and unleashed upon him. He began to eat her out quite firmly.

She tried to tease him with soft brushes of her sex to his mouth. Kordavo didn’t let her. His hands nearly encompassed her slender ribs on both sides and he tugged her firmly to meet his tongue, unlatching her like a well fitted key to a hole. He lacerated her sex, left and right, up and down, or swirling deep like a drill. Always he alternated, tasting everything, wanting every experience. He returned to old nooks and folds as if it were new, despite his tongue exploring not seconds ago. His face danced with her womanhood as if he were kissing her mouth directly. Was there ever a more delicious taste than a lover, a mother of one’s baby, a Queen even? Kordavo didn’t know but he thought he found the answer. It felt like the answer to everything, for in his shut eyes and stiff posture, he felt a clarity of mind. And so he licked, and lapped, and ravished Solstice’s sex until she denied him for a brief moment to turn about.

The levels of impatience that spiked in that mere quarter minute as she lifted and turned were as hefty as the shaft she was focused upon. How dare she bereft him of his pleasure and want? Like an impudent child, he pouted and waited, though once more indulged in the next second as she was lowered back upon him. For a good moment he returned to his love making of her sex, until he felt where her hands were trailing. It caused him to jerk and twitch the moment her hand brushed to his manhood, erect and stiff, springing forth like a candle in the dark when she freed it. It pulsed with a significant heat, eager and ready, and shudders diluted into his body as she began to stroke it. Kordavo did not allow himself to stay distracted, focusing instead upon his prize seated upon his lips. His mouth was coated with her essence and yet still he tasted her inner most depths with relish. She was wonderful.

His hands clamped on her bent rear, keeping her embedded. There would be no escaping this final dash as he put forth all his vigour into his tongue, ignoring the steady ache of his jaw from remaining so open and wide to receive her sex. In its entirety he had it consumed, his tongue able to travel from its apex to its center. He wanted her to cum and to cum hard, to shudder and shake on his body. The jewelry stabbed and prodded but it was of no consequence. He would rather feel the squeeze of her thighs about his face. He suckled and licked until she was a heaving wet mess, trickling upon his jaw and coating his lips with it. He nipped and tongued, until like a formidable bear he was sated with her honey. He slapped her rear and indicated, if she could in her quivering mess, to roll over. If not, he simply thrusted her aside as if discarded. But Kordavo did not finish with his toys so quickly and he was rolling over her in the next.

Kordavo’s next act was to grab her by her red hair and drag her face and head up to meet his lips in a hot kiss. Leaning over her on his side, he quickly overwhelmed her back down to the bed with his size and strength until a need for breath broke him off. Then still holding her by the hair, he practically flung her from the headboards down towards the bottom of the bed, presenting her back and rear to him. He moved quickly behind her, jewelry clinking as he so ruthlessly and passionately manhandled her. He grabbed her hips, slapped her ass very firmly to turn the cheek red, and yanked her lower torso up to be level with his groin. Her knees bent, her back stretched before him, and forcing her to behold him by looking over a shoulder, he had her in a lovely position. His favourite. “You’re tall as you need to be, my little bird.” Kordavo noted, taking his long, erect cock in one hand and holding her steady with the other.

He brought the firm head of his shaft against her sex and began to graze it up and down. “Say the word.” He demanded of her. “Say what you want me to do to you. And say it with a Queen’s dignity.” He instructed her. He wanted her to demand that he fuck her. And he wanted her to say please. That was the word. Only then would he stop teasing her and give it to her. And if she tried to resist, being behind her on his knees, he could simply slam her back down on the bed. Physically, it did seem likely he was going to break her.

And then he entered her.

And he entered her deeply.

Two strong thrusts was all it took to stretch her out and accommodate him to his fullest. Kordavo, silent during her throne sitting, now let out a feral growl from his impressive height above as he watched himself be consumed within Solstice and her sheath. He could feel her walls squeezing him, the juices soaking about his organ. He looked down and marveled at how it could take him all and not break. Her cheeks spread, her unblemished back before him, and her hair disheveled and wild, Kordavo could not restrain himself for notions like consideration and gentleness. Into her depths he speared, impaling her, and he reached upwards to take her hair and wind it about his knuckles. He strained her torso and pulled back, putting most of the pressure on his grip and hair, high enough that her arms could barely reach down to the bed to support herself. His other hand came around her torso and outright squeezed a breast like a clamp.

Then with his machine like hips, well oiled and fluid, he began to pound her little butt and soaked pussy with long, severe thrusts. He shuddered her and the bed beneath with each movement, all his exertion and effort put behind each one. It was reckless and with abandon, his teeth gritted and every breath coming out like a grunt as he speared her, over and over again. Hard inch by inch shot to her depths, before withdrawn slowly and repeatedly. For a few good moments he ruthlessly took her in this fashion, before releasing her hair and breast to take hold of her sides, freeing her from the torturous grip. Then he began to pick up the pace, bucking into her with slick, wet noises of flesh stabbing flesh, filling the room in unison with his gasping and grunting. It was not pretty. It was not romantic. It was raw, in its pure form, a sheer unleashing of his want of Solstice, his baby’s mother. His lover. His…Queen.

Fiercely, hotly, with determination and driven by a fuel-less passion, Kordavo fucked Solstice until his hot seed flooded her battered insides and he collapsed upon her.
 
It didn’t take long. Even with the distraction of stroking the large man’s erection, the urgency of his tongue and lips was enough to push her over into an orgasm. Soon her hips stiffened in his grasp and she became more difficult to manipulate as her legs and hips twitched and her body was over taken by the pleasure of an orgasm. It had been months since her and Kory had had sex. Over half of a year she had gone without the touch of a man. And even the last few times they had gotten into bed together, Solstice had never been this passionate about it. About him. He was far more important now, and she wanted to give herself to him physically far more now than she had ever wanted to before.

And so she came in a cacophony of moans and screams for Kordavo, urging him on through her orgasm.

She hesitated when he smacked her bottom, trying to get a moment just to catch her breath, but of course that wasn't allowed. He rolled her over onto her back on the bed beside him with ease and was soon upon her once more with a fire that was far from extinguished. His fingers tugging harshly on her red tendrils, but no matter the stinging it caused to shoot through her scalp, she kissed him back with ease. Every time Kordavo kissed her he had so much passion bubbling in him. They were always intense kisses: demanding her affection and compliance. She was happy to give it to him.

Then he tossed her and she gasped in surprise before she landed on all fours at the end of the bed, looking over her shoulder to see him. He truly was a sight to behold, even as he treated her in such a manner, lining up their bodies for what she believed would prove to be a very steamy love making session, and the first time he had baraded her womanhood since the nurse had forbid it for the safety of not only solstice, but the life growing inside her. She was sure sinking back into her womanhood rather than her ass would be a welcomed change for Kordavo. After all, it would bring his woman far more pleasure now.

She chuckled a little as he demanded more of her with her words, and she rose a brow. “Oh? Does it turn you on to know you might be screwing a queen, darling?” She purred, taunting him ever so slightly as she remained, presenting herself with dignity as he stroked the head of his length against her weeping sex. “Fine then.” She smirked. “I want you to fuck me hard and long. Exactly the way a queen would deserve. Make me cum again, Kordavo. And cum with me.” She whispered, drawing her eyes away from im. “Please.” Every word was spoken with confidence and pride. She never whined or mumbled like a cheap whore because she wasn’t one, and they both knew it.

Then he entered her, and she moaned out in pleasure. She had missed having a man buried inside her young, malleable body. He could take her now and any night he wanted if he was going to stay this big and feeling this good. He filled her to her furthest reaches and then stretched her further with the girth of his erection, and it made her bite down hard on her lip between her moans and shrieks of pleasure.

He pulled hard on her hair, arching her back, and holding her steady as he pounded into her. Hard. And without any cushion for her to pull away from him or lessen the impact of his ferocity as he slammed in and out of her petite yet sturdy figure. And she took it like that for as long as he silently asked her to. But as soon as he released her she fell down on the bed in ‘head down, as up’ fashion.

They sang the song of their pleasures together and listened to the smacking of flesh echo off of the walls. It was vigorous, primal, and urgent. Two souls were intertwining with a mingling of flesh. Solstice had never been fucked like this before, but the chorus of her approval was echoing throughout Kordavo’s quarters. He pushed her further and further until a second orgasm had Solstice teetering over the edge. She panted as she drew nearer to her edge until she came in unison with the Lord. Her inner walls flooded with his seed and her own essence: filled so full that when he removed himself from her body, like a cork from a bottle, the combined fluids leaked from her glistening folds.

She stayed there, panting with Kordavo leaning over her back and holding her. The warmth of his hulking body seeping all the way down to her bones. It comforted her, made her feel safe and secure so long as he was there with her, and it made her heart flutter in her chest. It was more than just physical comfort. Kordavo was warming her soul and making her a different person. She was evolving to become the woman he needed her to be, and it was a process she enjoyed for more than she had expected she would. Was it love she was feeling? Or was it just a result of the mind blowing sex he had just gifted to her with a big, red bow?

He shifted beneath im and eventually climbed from the bed, reaching out and grabbing his jaw. She kissed him, softly and sweetly before stroking her thumbs over his upper lip and straightening the facial hair that resided there in a sweet gesture. “Lord of the Dominion. Father of my child. Sparkle in my eye. You are mine Kordavo Chenoweth. You’re mine.” She whispered, kissing him again. Any doubt that she had had was gone after tonight. He had gone out on multiple limbs for her, and he had earned his place at her side. So there he would remain so long as he deserved to be there. Solstice wouldn’t go anywhere. Her loyalty was his. At least for now.

She kissed him again then stepped away, treading to the window and stepping out of her heals as she made her way there. AS she stood, looking out over his world she began diligently unclasping each bit of jewelry and arranging them on a table at her hip neatly. They were beautiful. Extravagant. But they weren’t her. Solstice had a restless spirit and she yearned for the sky just as Kordavo did. She missed her ship, long abandoned on Skarvis, and she missed her home where she could run wild and free in ways that would be considered indecent here on Vorzania. She missed running through the gardens with bare feet and going swimming in the lake on her horse. She missed dancing through the halls of her father’s castle and having target practice on the back acreage. Solstice had never been known for being stagnant or regal. She preferred to be a wild spirit, but did Kordavo know it? Did he remember who she had been nearly a year ago on Skarvis? Or did he only see the woman who had been extinguished time and time again by the rules and expectations here on this planet.

“The war is over. My people are beaten. Yours are victors. I am loyal to them, but is it wrong that it doesn’t sting as much now as it once did? “ She asked, her eyes staring out into the darkness polluted with artificial lights. “I’m glad the war is over, even if it meant my father's defeat. Because if it still waged on you wouldnt be here and I would be raising our daughter alone in a world raging with war and surrounded by people who label me an enemy because I hail from the opposing team. I’m glad we lost if it meant I could have a family and be able to grow it in peace rather than in war.”

She was completely naked now. Unadorned by jewels or showy shoes. It was all natural. Just her, a woman, standing solitary in the darkness.

“I know you need more.” She whispered, her gaze unwavering as it stared outward. “To satisfy you I need to give you my all. I need to fully and completely submit to you when the time is right. I need to allow you to lash out at me, at my body. A rough fucking isnt enough for you, and I know it.” She whispered, but her mind wandered to the last time they had had vaginal sex. It had been painful. He had spanked and beat her with his belt until her ass bruised black. Her hands had been bound and he had not allowed her to fight back, nor did he stop when he heard her cry out in pain. No man had ever treated her that way before him, nor would she have allowed them to. But now? Things had changed.

“And I’ll give it to you, my darling.” She whispered, promising him her cooperation. “Tie me up. Hurt me. Fuck me so hard I can’t take it anymore, then keep doing it. Defile me like a whore. Use me like a toy. I can handle it. I can handle anything you dish out to me. Be as sadistic as you want to be, and I will greet you in the dark with eager masochism. I can be your other half in any way you need me to be. Just make me one promise, Kordavo Chenoweth.” She turned toward him, searching for his gaze in the darkness of the room.

“When you’re done using me... remember to love me.”
 
The room echoed with the shrieks and moans of their coupling. The bed shook and squeaked under their combined force, shuddering from every powerful thrust Kordavo inflicted deep into Solstice’s body. All the turmoil of the day, all its rigors and implications, were forgotten in those moments of pure and unbridled passion between them. This is how every day should be between them. There should be no filter and Kordavo didn’t give her one. It was in these moments that he was most honest, most himself, unleashing all his pent up frustrations and wants and desires into a body willing to receive it. There was no other sensation or feeling of delight than having a woman who was his very own. And he, hers.

She was under him, still. Panting laboriously, chest and abdomen rising and constricting, Kordavo felt his mind still reeling from the orgasm. It had only been…one, yet he felt like he was spent and exhausted behind his capability, in body and especially in his mind. His whole body shook with remnants of pleasing, tingling waves, diluting all across his physique like fireworks exploding in the sky. He lay upon Solstice, a heavy weight, and he had some semblance of a notion that he should crawl off of her but no motivation to move came. It was too enjoyable, to remain locked in this limp embrace with Solstice. It was reflective of his own mood. He just wanted to let everything go when he was with Solstice. Not a care in the world could bother him now. With her, he had ascended to such heights he felt infallible. He felt complete and whole. But the night was young. The moment was only beginning. When she crawled out from under him, Kordavo at least shifted onto his side.

Still he remained there on the bed, even as she stood and leaned over him, kissing him passionately. His hands only lazily held her sides, his eyes peering into her lovely face. She had survived his persistent thrusting upon her body, something he marveled at. He had not been gentle, yet she spoke of him and his role in her life with such praise. He felt the glimmer of a smile tug at his lips at her words and kisses. Such praise was new. He never needed it before to do what he did, taking what he wanted. Now it felt so much more when rewarded and granted. After a few final kisses with his lover, she turned and strode her way to the table, her silhouette a wonderful image against the backdrop of lights and the city skyline beyond. Kordavo sat up, simply drinking in the scene as Solstice made herself bare of any further impediments to her flawless flesh. He watched her remove jewelry after jewelry, placing each diligently on the side and Kordavo wondered if those lifeless ornaments would ever grace such a beautiful figure ever again. Probably not.

There was no impatience in his zealous passion to have her. Again, he felt risen to such heights that he became complacent. His prize was his, within his grasp, to be indulged whenever he wanted to and needed to. But as Solstice stood apart, looking over his home, beginning to speak of the new state of affairs between her, him, her people and his, Kordavo felt that zeal and enthusiasm rising again. Was this submission he was getting? It was indeed. She declared it. She voiced it without any filters, just as their actions were. He wondered if Solstice really meant it. What sort of capacity or maturity did one need to admit they had lost and that it was for the better? Some part of this submission felt wrong to Kordavo, that a piece of the best part of Solstice was being thrown out that very window. She turned to face him, after promising to allow everything he wanted and needed with her, and demanded only one price in return. To love her.

That determination was becoming vastly more obvious to Kordavo, in his mind and heart.

Her eyes were upon him and that was cue to rise, as naked as she was. His powerful body rippled as he stood, muscles glistening with a thin veneer of sweat that helped give definition to the ripped tendons beneath the taut flesh of his body. He crossed over to her in a few strides, never breaking eye contact with his Queen, not even to blink. He came to stand before her, towering high, and kept on pressing forward until he had backed Solstice right against the tall, cool window, that stretched from the ground right up to the ceiling. Their bodies grazed. His manhood brushed her thigh. Her chest was squished to his chest. He looked down at her, bringing his hand to cup her face, still not having spoken a word in reply to all her confession and declaration. He didn’t need to say anything. Not a word, except for one line as usual. “You are far too dramatic.” He whispered again, lips quirking in a smirk. He leaned forward, pressing his brow to hers, eyes boring into her own. “I already know.” He added shortly after, voice laced with thick confidence.

Then his hands grabbed her thighs and hips and yanked her right off the ground, scooting her higher until she was on level with his face, her legs raised and spread around his own hips and waist. His hands were under her, fingers digging into her flesh as he held her up. He looked into her face again. Kordavo ought to say something back. She poured her heart and soul out for him, gave herself to him and begged him to do all sorts of depravity upon her flesh. He was going to. He already knew. And so in turn, should she not know it as well? “I love you.” He whispered, so quietly and so spoken that his lips didn’t even seem to move with the statement. Had he even said it? Should he say more? From him, despite how it was spoken, was like a thunderbolt of a crash within his own mental. He never did care about someone in this fashion, never did wish such affection on them, or desire such passions and attentions. In any case, he wouldn’t give her any quiet time to reflect and respond to the statement. He adjusted her in his hands and once more brought her ravishing body down upon his upright manhood, impaling her in his grip, wedged between himself and the window, hot and cold.

Once Kordavo was within, eyes never ceasing in their lock upon the sapphire orbs of his lover, he began upon her once more. With slow yet firm thrusts, he squeezed into her depths and withdrew with steady rhythm. So much more he could have done. He could tie her. He could hurt her. But all Kordavo wished was the passion and the drunkenness that came with it. Pinning her to the window, Kordavo pressed into her hotly, driving to her depths and hitting her core. He gasped softly with each exertion, feeling his muscles tense and flexing right across his form as he held Solstice up. Anywhere she touched and felt there would be only the hardness of his flesh. And of course the hardness ploughing in and out of her, ceaseless and without pause. Kordavo huffed and pounded Solstice against the glass pane, but he was not unbridled. He was slow. He was sensual. Every inward spearing to her core was itself a moment and a treat.

His gaze stayed locked on hers. “Win or lose, I care not about that war.” Kordavo said softly to her as he took her, finding the words at last. “This is the only outcome. You and me. This is the only victory. And what we make of it. You are mine. I am yours. Nothing will stop us from wanting what we want.” Kordavo said to her, keeping one hand beneath her, bringing another to rest against the glass next to her head, his hand in her hair and behind her neck. She would have to take on some balancing aspects herself with her free hands and tightening her legs around him. Was there any other greater feeling than being clutched so firmly by one’s lover? “You are mine. And I’ll do with my Queen as I want. And I’ll love her for it. You are mine.” Kordavo hissed, repeating the phase and causing himself to go into a bit of frenzy as he began to really thrust into her, pushing himself to topple over the edge into the abyss of pleasure once more.

With a tight grip enough to leave bruises, Kordavo felt his dams fall apart once more and his walls crumble. He threw his head back and really began to buck into her, straining the glass behind. It was dangerous. Ruthless. Most definitely reckless. But the passion burned itself out on its own fuel as it finally overcame him in this madness, causing him to spew out his hot seed yet again into her depths. For a moment his body continued onwards, driving hard, until he came down with heavy pants and breathing yet again. His hand returned under her, to hold her, and he leaned forward to share a hot kiss with her. Ongoing, their lips danced as he hefted her up and slowly he turned, now leaning himself back against the glass with Solstice’s back towards his room. Then he stumbled forward, still kissing her, making his way precariously towards the bed, where he deposited her and continued to grind and kiss her. They were sweaty and yet united, messy with fluids upon their legs but in bliss. He could do more and more, each one more powerful than the last, until he simply collapsed from exhaustion. Yes, that was how it was going to be done tonight. There was too much fire to burn out.
 
I love you.

Three little words that made Solstice forget all the pain and heartbreak that had lead up to this moment. She had made Kordavo Chenoweth, quite possibly the coldest man she had ever met, fall in love with her. And she hadn’t even tried to. This had all started as a struggle for power between two unsuspecting enemy combatants and they had turned into, quite possibly, the couple of the century. A romance that had been built on the foundation of attraction and appreciation of the other’s skills had lead them down a path that now had them naked in each other’s embrace. There was nothing more beautiful than unexpected circumstances like these.

He loved her.

Did she love him? After everything, it was hard to admit to such emotions. Her love for him would disappoint so many people: His comrades and her own. He had made the choice seem so easy. He chose her. Again and again he had chosen to come back to her despite the fact that it would be so much easier just to call a nice Dominion girl to his bed. There would be no consequences if he choose one of his own people, but he didn’t. He choose the hot head princess- now queen- of the planet Fraundia. He chose the woman who had tried to kill him at least a half dozen times and who had cursed his name more times than one. The dam of his daughter. His father’s worst nightmare. A woman who almost everyone they met together looked down at as though she were a sapling in a redwood forest. He had chosen Solstice, and, for whatever reason, she had chosen him too. She loved him too.

She wasn’t given a chance to tell him. Her lips parted to speak, but he impaled her with his cock- forcing her to gasp for air rather than speak as her arms and legs tightened around him. There would be plenty of chances to tell him. Now she couldn’t bring herself to speak as he indulged in her womanhood for the third time that evening. The flesh was incredibly sensitive now on account of the multiple orgasms she had already had. Each thrust felt like sweet agony, causing Solstice to gasp and whimper in pleasure as her brow pressed into his and her eyelashes fluttered and her reath danced over his sharp features.

She listened to each and every word he had to say and nodded before opening her eyes to look up at him once more. “I’m yours.” She repeated, digging her nails hard into his shoulders and raking them across his flesh. It ripped skin and drew the tiniest beads of blood, but she didn’t care. She was too lost in the moment to worry about scratching him. Again and again her nails raked across his shoulders and back leaving behind welts so that his skin would remember her passions in the morning. She didn’t stop until her orgasm brimmed right along with his. She grabbed him hard: her nails and fingers likely leaving bruises on his shoulders as they came in unison, leaving them both panting with exertion and exhaustion.

Kissing him back was muscle memory now. Oh how the tables had turned. It used to be only Solstice wo would steal kisses. She would do it to degrade him: make him feel less of a man. Now he was the one to initiate the kisses more times than not when they were together, and there was no question that it was out of a sheer desire to touch her. To love on her. They weren't an attempt to belittle her, but if she had never kissed him with such cruel intentions back on Skarvis would they be in this position today? Or would Solstice have been just another POW who died during interrogation? Or, perhaps even worse, an enemy who Kordavo had shot dead once he was no longer of use to him? No matter what could have happened, what was happening now was pure bliss.

When her head hit the pillow she giggled beneath his still advancing lips before pulling back and looking up at him with her fingers running through his sweat dampened hair. She gazed at him as one would look upon the love of their life as her hand moved downward to cradle the sharp angle of his jaw. And gave him one last peck of a kiss then laid her head back on the pillow. “In case you were wondering, My lord.” Solstice whispered, her hand trailing over his neck shoulder affectionately. “I love you too.” She purred the words, still panting from receiving his passions. “But if you try to take me again tonight I just might die in your arms, and that would be a tragedy worth writing a play about.” She teased lightly, her eyes fluttering closed. She was exhausted. The evening had required a lot from her, and all together it was absolutely draining. Solstice was asleep before Kordavo even had a chance to say another word to her, but she never left his grasp.

***

When she woke in the morning she opened her eyes to find herself laid on her side: only inches away from her lover who was sleeping harmoniously. He looked peaceful- less stern than his usual sour face. They remained tangled in each other’s embrace. A lover’s passionate grip. She was careful aas she untangled himself from his arms and legs trying her best not to wake him. She had big plans for that morning, and they would all be a surprise to the man in the bed. It made Solstice’s lips quirk up into a smirk.

As soon as she escaped Kordavo’s embrace the entire room felt ice cold by comparison. She padded to the shower where she quickly cleaned herself of the evidence from last night's festivities and let the teaming hot water kiss every inch of her skin that Kordavo had missed. She searched in her nakedness for something to wear, the only article of her own in the room being the ball gown she had worn for the ball the night before haphazardly crumpled by the door. She let out a quiet chuckle before she pulled one of Kory’s simple t-shirts from his dresser and pulling it over her head. He was so much taller than her that it hung loosely over her body until mid thigh: easily covering all of her assets and maintaining her modesty. She pulled her wet tendrils over her shoulders and slipped out of the room alone.

A quick trip to the nursery to cradle Kezra to her breast was a part off Solstice’s every morning routine. She would whisper sweet things to the babe and hold the precious tiny person close to her warm flesh and beating heart: a sentiment that the robots were unable to offer. Afterward she traversed to her quarters and began to quickly pack what few things she had on this planet: All of it only filled one large box.

Upon finishing, she heaved the heavy box into her slender arms and huffed as she carried it out of her quarters and back towards the quarters of Kordavo. She opened the door and snuck in, trying to keep as quiet as possible so as to not wake her lover as she approached the bed: a mischievous smirk painting itself on her face. Once she was finally hovering over the foot of the bed she lifted the box with the strength in her biceps then promptly dropped it onto the mattress and, consequently, onto the fighter pilot’s feet as well: hoping to scare the hell out of him this morning.

“It’s moving day, my love!” She shouted, her excited voice bouncing off of the walls as well as off of the ears of her lover.

The whole scenario sent Solstice into an unrivaled fit of giggles that put her on the floor kicking her feet and rolling side to side as she laughed ruthlessly- her hands clutching her abs.

It was little moments like this that warmed her heart. If only she knew how fate would tear her away from this bed and this man all too soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom