The air was cool the following morning, a loud rumble of thunder high above the Mansion, the pitter patter of the rain against the high windows. Kane shifted slightly his arm wrapping around Aishanis waist easing her back against him. The air of the room was prickling with a warm heat that announced the arrival of the summer storms in full force. Another rumble of thunder rattled through the building, a quick flash as lightening split the skies outside.
He settled himself against the back of her neck placing soft kisses, his hand slipping down against her flesh and over her hip bone, his finger dipping slowly between her thighs in search of her warmth, another gently kiss at the base of her neck, tempting her back to the waking world as his explored her beneath the sheets.
His mind sunk into her scent only for his mind to be yanked back to focus by a loud rap on his chamber door, a low groan of frustration uttered from his throat as he kissed the back of her shoulder.
“And that’s what I get for daring he to live” He muttered half in annoyance half to no one but himself as he slipped free of the covers and walked to the door, opening it just enough to see the Mansion Guard on the other side looking nervous with a note in hand.
“Care to explain why anyone would disturb me, despite instructions not to do so?” He barked angrily the frustration more than evident with each word.
“Yes milord, my apologies, but we received word from the outer towers that an Elveran convoy is headed toward the mansion” The guard replied quickly each word seemingly getting higher with panic
“Yes, well those come by now and again, we are on the main trade routes I would expect no less” Kane bit back
“Yes milord I know, but there is a second carriage with them, a bounty hunters carriage” The guard replied, the terror in his voice now all too apparent
“Oh” Was all Kane replied looking back toward Aishani “Do we know which team was sent?”
“Red and Black milord” he replied slowly
Kane nodded slowly his eyes now closing in a quick calculation “Keep them out of the mansion, if they step inside without my express permission make them aware it is a direct violation of the treaty” Kanes words were measured, when they reach the gates ensure I am informed immediately, and with that he closed the door leaning back against it his eyes watching Aishani as she looked back to him.
“It seems our window of hiding you has passed, they have sent their two best hunters to bring you in, fortunately for us, this is going to be no more than a waste of their time” Kane seemed almost amused by the last of his words “Still we should be ready to greet them when they arrive”
While the air was crisp the following morning, it was still warm beneath the duvet with the sleeping form of Aishani beside him. The best source of heat was skin on skin contact, while it was not just for survival but an intimate act in itself. During the night, her hair had shifted and exposed her neck, offering no restraint to the guidance of his lips to the nape. A gentle purr parted her lips with a sharp inhalation of breath, those meticulously smooth petals parted easily to greet his rousing of the new day. Her body reacted with joy, as he felt the slickness of her warm hot tunnel, hips beginning to roll back into him, pinning his manhood between those plush warm embrace of her cheeks. Her mouth-watering aroma wafted to him, taunted him and now stronger than before with the musk of her arousal well spoken.
She adjusted to face him, diving down to bite against his neck, when the knock on the door interrupted them. Aishani glanced with her eyes to the intrusion, appearing just as frustrated as he was to the interruption, but as he left her side the remaining heat was upon his fingertips as well as the glisten of his stirring of her pot.
Aishani rose from the bed to stand near it, a statement to the Mansion guard at which he was intruding upon. Folding her arms over her breast, while walking with the sway of her hips like an exotic beast, a hand placed on Kane's shoulder while leaning her cheek upon his bicep to watch the man. Meaning to make him uncomfortable with her presence so exposed and nonchalant. Aishani listened quietly while never speaking but her nails ran up and down Kane's back, reminding him of the vixen at his side and listening.
When the conversation was over, Aishani glanced up to Kane with a strange wolfish, predator’s smirk upon her lips. "Mmn. They move quickly. Then let the games begin." She stated in the glorious rich purr, moving about the room to gather her clothing, purposefully leaning down to deliver him a view of her dew kissed petals.
Kane moaned inwardly at the sight of her wetness, a silent curse slipped from his lips as he slowly made his way to dress himself, opting for looser pants and the lightweight shirt that allowed freedom of movement, it also made him look a little larger than he was.
“Some days I think the fates just enjoy torturing old men” He sighed softly, there was another knock at the door as Kane strode to open it the guard now looked even more terrified than before “They are here, and not too happy we forbade them entry into the mansion”
“I doubt there are” Kane replied amusedly “Come my dear, let’s go greet our guests”
They made their way down the stone spiral staircase and in doing so the argument at the door grew increasingly louder, as they crossed the main hall to the pillar entranceway the figure making all the noise came into view, tall and fiery redheaded, her eyes blazed a brilliant emerald, stood behind her was a leaner form of Kane the two of them looking less than pleased at been held up.
“By order of High Council, stand aside or I will rip your fucking throat out” The female bit angrily
“I’m sorry milady but Lord Kanes orders were explicit no one under Elveran flags were to be allowed into the Mansion under any circumstances, doing so would be considered a breach of the treaty” The guard squealed back in a panicked tone.
“Of course he did” The man replied, he seemed considerably calmer than the female who was simply growing angrier as the moments passed.
“Let them pass Alistair” Kane stated softly from behind him, the guard bowed in reply and the two entered stopping just before Kane whose hand was firmly entwined in Aishanis.
“You’re not going to turn her over are you?” The man started his voice oddly calm
“She is under the protection of Elcarus, and as by the treaty is exempt from any and all attempts to remove her from our grounds” Kane replied
“Of course she is, Jesus Dad do you make a habit out of protecting every waif and stray that runs to you for help?” The female snapped angrily “Mom is really pissed off at her, she took something from the castle and mom wants it along with her head”
“Aerian, you know as well as I do, your Mom has never reacted out of a rational thought in her head, if she did I wouldn’t have been lied to for the better part of 200 years” Kane shrugged softly “She turned control of Dentarius over to me, what occurs here is of no concern to her”
“Do you know what she took? Why half the Elveran forces are out looking for her with orders to kill on sight?” The man replied now his tone softer and with an edge of cold intent
“As it occurs I don’t” Kane turned to Aishani “I should probably have asked that, but aside from that this looky likey here is my half-brother Hades and the hot headed red head is my daughter Aerian, they are the best Bounty Hunters in the entire realm which is why I’m guessing my ex-wife swallowed her pride and sent these two after you”
Aishani watched him with a smirk coiled on those luscious lips, her fingers fixing the last buckle to her leather under breast corset, causing those dutiful mounds to plump in the rich glory of the delicacy that Kane had indulged in and would have again if it was not for the interruption. "You are not the only one that the fates enjoy torturing." She commented her tone held in the rich purr of amusement. Aishani moved to stand near him, but, as he turned to the door again, her hand smacked his behind, though, she moved with him.
A dark brow lofted to the guard, she looked to Kane then to the man, but curled her hand within his. It was not a plead for strength, Aishani had her own but this was to sate the arousal with his contact upon her flesh, for the time being. She nodded to him, while walking with him down to the main hall entry. Her golden eye drank in the scene before her, while remaining calm, yet, the corners of her lips remained in amusement to the presentation of the red head and slimmer version of Kane.
Aishani met Kane's gaze when it was turned upon her for an answer, but, her eyes were fixed on Hades and Aerian. "For the record, I did not take...anything, shall we say. It was dropped into my hands by an imbecile that was going to use it against me. Then it was spent in a plot that made me be the culprit because things easily can be passed off on those of our...kind. One was a necklace that is silver, cross with diamond and emerald gems, the power from it whispers an augmentation and this individual was to use it to control me. Fuck if that would ever happen. So, I took it from him and since the bitch of a Queen held such in her power, I kept it because everyone has a right to choose their path and not have it controlled."
She then turned her gaze to rest upon Aerian. "To clarify things, I came to him and it was his option to turn me away. I would have managed with or without him. I came here because I heard of the treaty. He is the first to show me something other than bitterness and hatred."
“Oh I bet Dad just leapt into your arms” Aerian growled, the anger burnt cold behind her eyes as she looked Aishani over “I get why he doesn’t like Mom, but he has fallen from one pretty girl to the next and always wind up broken and hurt”
Kane sighed softly before his eyes met Aerians, compassion of a father mixed with the anger of rebellion.
“And just why is it your mother decided to hire you, of every bounty hunter in the land, why you two?” His voice was low and each word carefully chosen.
“Because you’re less likely to kill your own family?” Hades smiled a wicked flash of knowing in his cold blue eyes the only discernible trait that they were indeed not the same person.
“And the only two able to walk on Elcarus grounds without seriously risking the treaty” Kane finished firmly “We all know how this goes, Aerian gets pissy for a day or two then gets over herself, Hades has no intention of acting on his orders because if he did, well there’d be more dead bodies on my lawn”
“He has us there Aerian” Hades chuckled softly
“If that necklace is augmented, then we can only assume it was meant for you, so how do we know she isn’t controlling you?” Aerian bit back though the anger was beginning to fade
Kane looked to Aishani then back to Aerian “Because she came here for help, she has been hunted, if she had any intention of doing me harm, I wouldn’t be standing here now, she has had ample time to take my life”
Aerian glanced to Aishani her voice lowered “If you turn over the necklace, I’ll have it sent back to my mom, my father may trust you but for the moment it’s worth noting the last time my father trusted someone he raped and beat my partner to death”
“Which is why you were in Elvera” Hades added firmly “We get it Aerian, your mad at the world, your mad at your parents and you feel we all let you down, no one could have seen that coming, if he returns to Dentarius he will pay we promise you that” Finally Hades stepped forward past his niece “So while she’s done been grumpy and mistrustful, I’m Hades Elcarus, brother to well you get the picture, I will ask you return the queens property without further incident, I’ll make sure she gets it and any charms on it are broken, the Queen gets kinda cranky when I don’t execute those I’m supposed to but to even attempt to take your head would mean he’ll take mine” his voice had a tone of amusement “Don’t suppose you know what kind of augmentation is placed on that damn thing do you?”
"It is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all, Aerian. You may do well to remember that. There is pain in everything, anyone does, and be it upon another or themselves, situations are not always black and white, there is a grey line that most overlook." Aishani spoke in that rolling purr, while maintaining the presence of a strong women full of prowess.
She listened quietly as Hades and Kane spoke, flicking her tongue upon the plush lips while contemplating something in silence. Then glanced to Aerian, the purring chuckle parted her lips. While the expression never extended to her eyes. "It is truly a pity, Aerian, that your anger and temper gets the best of you. As far as the bit on Kane torturing and raping the past woman. The fuck do I care? I have been in far worse situations, little girl. Your threat means little to me. There is no way for me to ensure that the augmentation would be removed, Aerian. Your word is not good enough on this. No one should hold such a power. Yet, here you stand, Hades. Trying to be diplomatic and a bounty hunter. Amusing. Besides, the necklace isn't with me." She added casually, drawing out the words in that soft roll in her voice.
“My dad wasn’t responsible” Aerian bit back defensively “Well at least in the it wasn’t him sense” Aerian sighed darkly “The man responsible ran the moment Maya died, took his little slavers caravan and disappeared, I will however find him” She shrugged softly and then headed down the hallway muttering angrily
“She plays hot headed but she’s a sweet kid really” Hades shrugged softly “As for my playing diplomatic, I kind of have to this is my father’s house after all, and while I travel under Elveran command, I am Elcarus, see the dilemma there?”
Kane drew Aishani close to him, a sign of his protection as much as it was of his affection “We can trust her Hades, you know she didn’t do it, you have no need to question her word”
“But she doesn’t have possession of the item, which is going to annoy our dear Queen, but then you seem to have that effect on her regardless of anything else” He shrugged softly “It’s tragic really”
Kane nodded in reply as he looked past Hades to the convoy beyond, noting each for a moment “Supplies?”
“Same old, grains, roots, supplies for the healers, no more than normal” Hades replied softly “Band of raiders tried it on with us but your hot headed daughter saw to it that their own blood was all they saw for their troubles”
“She kills far too easy sometimes, I fear the toll it takes on her” Kane sighed softly, the toils of fatherhood flickering through him
“She’s angry Kane, and whether she admits it or not that is why she came home, she needs our strength, so give her it” Hades replied sharply “I’m sure she will apologise for her actions” He grinned softly “Eventually”
Aishani watched Aerian in silence, a subtle tilt of her head found her with her golden eye fixed to the fiery woman, a smirk forming on her lips as the daughter of Kane walked away. "A front makes perfect and logical sense. Angry and lashing out at the world whenever given the chance, even at times no excuses needed. I was there once. Perhaps different situations but with an outcome similar."
She turned her attention back to the two men, "Too much testosterone. No one HAS to do anything; you are speaking it more of an obligation. But, that is understandable given the name tied to this location. It appears, you have not yet entirely chosen the truth of the matter. Though, I see you stay near to Aerian, after all being part of the Elveran guard and her daughter of the Queen by blood, that which means little to me, to perhaps, keep her out of as much trouble as possible?" Aishani simply chuckled with a slow shake of her head. "Then let it annoy the Queen, she can bite her own tongue off for sending you for an item that is imbued with controlling properties."
Aishani curled herself at Kane's side in a sensual manner, while running her nails upon his chest, though looked in the direction Aerian left to at his words. "It takes a toll on anyone, being the instigator or victim. Such is a necessity at times in life; survival of the fittest. She doesn't appear to be the type to apologize in words."
“When he can’t protect her someone else must” Hades replied simply “Now I need a drink” he bowed gently then made his way past headed for the now busy main hall.
“That went better than I thought” Kane mused softly “Despite suspecting I don’t need to I will still apologise for my daughters arrogance, he temper comes from her mother” He sighed softly “But she is right. At least in that because of me Maya was taken from her, that I cannot make up to her, sadly Devin fled the city long before I had chance to follow, I suspect he crossed through Elvera knowing I wouldn’t follow out of a matter of pride, the deepest scar my daughter has is perhaps the only one I cannot ease”
He turned into Aishani holding her for a moment kissing the top of her head, and act to steady his own emotions “We should check that enchantment once we have time, as you say such power should be given to no one and the power I put in that necklace is already more than it needs to be, though I admit it was supposed to be a defence against her powers not an aid to it”
Aishani tipped her chin in acknowledgement to Hades, while glancing up to Kane. "No apologies needed, I know pain when I see it and she is struggling with such emotions. Devin is a fucking piece of shit and deserves no lest to choke on his own vomit." While the last sentence was sharp as daggers, the words were still swept into that delicious purr.
Brought into his arms, that aroma was spent to his senses, mouth-watering in every essence of such but offered him a sense of solace. "Scars can fade in time, though I would be a hypocrite to say as such. Eventually they are not as deep as before and less noticeable, but, that is not to say the mark is not there. There are many different angles to each view, do not be so hard on yourself, this is simply the card that fate has dealt us. We either crumble or rise above it. Aerian simply needs guidance, not someone to treat her like she is fragile. In my former society, women were the stronger breed and men were the lesser, even the highest ranked male was below the lowest ranked female. It was the way things worked."
She glanced up to him again, her hand at his side kneading into his tunic with kitten-like ease and possibly contentment. "Indeed, but, doing so at this moment is not wise with your daughter and Hades present. I did say the necklace wasn't WITH me. But, I do know of the location, trust me. Such is very safe." Aishani then curled her hand around his neck to bring him down and press her luscious lips against his for a long moment, her tongue slithered past his own to toy and caressed the length, suckling his lip in the departure. "Do you not have things to do this day, Kane? I would not wish to keep you from duties; I do know how much you despise them at times."
Kane melted into the kiss deep and longing as his arms drew her tight against him, a low moan escaped him against her tongue.
“I do have things to attend, I would also like for you to join me in this, and today is a day I could do with just a little more support” He smiled softly
His hand crept down to cup her ass pushing her tight to him so she could feel the length of him pressed against her “Otherwise I must drag you to bed and have my wicked way with you” a soft chuckle escaped his he let her slip free of his grasp
Aishani's plush lips formed into a smirk. "I am here for you Kane, as you need. Indeed, I will join you." Her lush behind fell into the palm of his hand, as though, made solely for him and his claim, writhing her hips into him even more. Looking down the delightful view of her exquisite bosom was crushed against his chest. "Promises, promises. The bed can wait...or it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be a bed, the grass suited us last evening as well." To the lower from his grasp her nails pranced down his chest with a wink, stepping back and allowing him for the lead of the day.
Kane grinned playfully with a smile of intent as he led her back through the house toward a stable hand “Ready the horses, we have a day and half ride to the outer province, I will be handling the investigation out there myself” HE stated firmly, the stable hand bowed and headed off to carry out his instructions.
They reached the main hall Hades was as usual regaling those around him with grand tales of heroics, as always greatly embellished to ensure he looked the hero, todays tale was that of the dragon war and him taking out a dragon by himself, a half-truth but more so than usual with him.
“I trust you cannot burn my house to the ground this time?” Kane snapped over him causing Hades to throw him a look of disgruntled annoyance “What the last time I left you here along you dropped a dragon on my house” The two of them laughed and Kane caught Aishani by the waist leading her off to retrieve their weapons.
Aishani followed him; once again, he was reminded by the nearly soundless padding of her feet that she was not wearing shoes. But, her presence was always stated at his side with the delicious aroma that often stirred in the shift of air through her hair and dusting upon her skin.
She tilted a head to Kane's words with the stable hand, though, never questioned. Aishani always was taking in the hallways and paths taken, almost as though she was imprinting such into her memory. But it was went nearing Hades that she watched the interaction between the two brothers, even if one was only a fraction of the other. She looked to Kane as he took her by the waist, through the leathers he could feel the worn surface was smooth but also the feminine sway of her hips that caused the fabric to softly whisper her sensuality.
Since she left her weapons within Kane's bedchambers, that is where they ended up. The night previous, she dropped them near to the chest and then she settled on the bed to situate the weapons belt and lifting each leg to strap the throwing knives upon the powerful thighs. A small pouch was at her hip and she dipped within to gather a leather tie, gathering her hair to work into the high pony tail that Kane saw the day before their intimate moments. This revealed her neck, still remaining with the flecks of scars and caused her essence to ooze into his senses, then she wandered to gather her boots, slipping each foot within.
"I have left my cloak in the room that was to be my sleeping arrangements." Just as she was to pass him, Aishani leapt up with her ankles linking behind his back, to crush her lips against him imprinting the essence upon the surface, but, then disappeared to reappear at the door to his room, leaving to cross the hall to her own and gather the cloak.
There was a hunger in his reply to the kiss, her scent was once more penetrating the very deepest parts of his sense, she would find his response that of a man starved and hungry for affection, not because he hadn’t had it but because it was a hunger that brought his very being to life around her.
Kane was about to leave his room when he was blocked by Aerian, his head tipping awkwardly
“Another telling off about how much I’ve let you down?” His voice was soft and no trace of malic of anger
“No, but a request, you will need a tracker out there, if things are as reported and there’s truth to the rumours you know there is none better than me, please” Her last word was almost a plea to him as he watched her, his mind determining her angle or at least her motive.
“Sure you’re just not trying to execute my guest?” HE hadn’t wanted to say irl but no discussion of their actual relationship if there even was one had occurred and as such to call her anything but for the moment was simply improper.
“Just being back, and not being back since …. I will apologise” Aerian replied softly “I was improper and impolite, Uncle H and I already suspected she’d been set up I just, seeing you and her and it’s odd for me you know”
Kane simply stood in thought his eyes settled on his daughter before he swept past her to wait outside Aishanis chambers, Aerian simply remained in his doorway.
He caught Aishani's scent before even seeing her, now, standing across the hallway behind Aerian with her arms folded over her chest. Though, she remained silent, simply watching daughter and father. Her golden eye shifting to Kane as he made a move to her, but Aishani pushed from her lean against the wall, now the cloak over her shoulders and fabrics concealing the figure with threats beneath.
Aishani tipped her chin to Aerian when the woman would watch her father move, but, looked to him. "I will wait for you. Apparently, you and your daughter have things to discuss and I will not interrupt that." She stood now before Kane lifting her gaze upwards with a stand on her toes and a press of her lips against his neck, swept by a flick of her tongue and placing her hand on his chest in the passing with her fingertips in a brush.
As she walked away, down the corridor, her presence haunting him but slowly lifted, as now he was left alone with Aerian.
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