CHAPTER 14

The something coalased around Celia the moment she spoke. It all came in a rush, her thoughts drowning in the flood of new sensations, new information, new perspectives.

Violet’s soft hand trailed over Celia’s shoulder, and Celia’s world narrowed, focusing in on that point of contact. She smiled as the whirlwind in her mind settled to a faint breeze, ideas resolving themselves in ways she couldn’t quite dwell on. Her eyes slipped open, then flicked to Violet, and she froze. It wasn’t her appearance. The elven woman didn’t physically look any different. Same long beautiful hair, same intelligent knowing eyes, same rune pulsing like a heartbeat. It wasn’t that. She just felt different.

Celia cast her eyes down, bowing her head. Ghostly whispers flowed over her, rewarding, teasing, playing. A smile tugged at her lips unbidden, but certainly not unwelcome. Violet’s fingers slipped under Celia’s chin to guide the warrior to look up. There was a warmth in that expression, one that brought to mind how Gella had looked the night before she left. “It will take some time,” Violet said gently. Before Celia could ask what it was that would take time, Violet continued. “Stretch out and get comfortable, Celia.”

It was delivered casually, but it was still a command. For a brief moment, the idea of refusing crossed her mind. Why would she? It seemed like an impossibility. Violet wanted her to be comfortable, so she would be comfortable. Tabby’s voice drifted across her mind. She orders, I obey, and I feel amazing. Simple as that. She did feel really good, and it was just as simple as that. Maybe not to the same magic-altered degree, but Celia smiled at the memory anyway. There was something to the cat-girl’s straightforward way of thinking.

“I’m going to ask you some questions, Celia.” Violet’s voice instantly captured the warrior’s attention. She felt drawn, tugged, taut, pulled by invisible threads. “Just let the answers come.” Celia nodded, and Violet returned the gesture. “What are you, Celia?”

“I am your knight. Command me.” The words slipped free, and Celia felt them lock into place. She was Violet’s champion. Not forever, but she didn’t worry about when it would end. Her smile just went bright and wide. “I… I am?” She asked with burning excitement. It swirled, nearly dancing, bright. It was as though she was being lifted, a fantasy only recently gained already being fulfilled.

“You are,” Violet affirmed. “Gella and Aversa both saw your potential. I think it is only fitting that this is the role I give you.”

The mention of Gella and Aversa seemed to open a cold draft of doubt. Both women had claimed her, and both had something to back up their claim. Aversa of course had her blade, and Gella had the contract and… and something else. Something that felt very important, but she couldn’t put her finger on it right then. “Ma’am, why do I feel like there is something very important I am forgetting?”

“You were wonderfully receptive while in your trance, so some confusion is to be expected,” Violet said, exuding effortless calm. Celia nodded, her icy spear of doubt fading away. Violet was in control. She had things well in hand. As if echoing her thoughts, Violet continued. “Do you remember what your purpose as my knight is?”

The answer again sprang to her lips. “Yes, Ma’am!” She said with enthusiasm. “I am going to help you win the game against Aversa.” She cocked her head, but Violet’s soft smile reassured her, and the assurance was like a drop of pure happiness falling on her soul. She had a purpose, and Violet would make certain she was being used to the fullest. “Ma’am. I don’t know what kind of game this is,” she noted thoughtfully. If she was going to help Violet, she needed more information.

“To solidify control of the manor under me.” At that pronouncement, Celia felt a hot sick swoop in her stomach. Something about that was very, very wrong. The confusion on her face must have been clearly evident, because Violet continued. “Gella isn’t here to be in control, Celia. Aversa is the opposing team, and everyone besides you and I are pieces to claim. Once the game is over, everyone will be right where they belong,” she soothed with a wistful smile. “I can’t wait.”

A game. That made sense. She could help Violet with that. It was much like sparring, in a way. She could fight her hardest then, and this was just a different kind of contest. Everyone will be perfectly safe, something deep in her mind provided. She focused on it, finding a kind of formless authority, entirely separate from Violet herself. It was subtle, almost hidden, and it promised that no matter what, everyone would be safe.

“Ma’am, is there something else to this?” Celia tapped her head. “There is something else here.” She smiled sheepishly, remembering how many people had slipped ideas past her. “Something new, I mean.”

Violet nodded. “Like any game, there are rules. Teaching them to you like I did – knowledge, but not awareness – ensures an even playing field.”

“That makes sense,” Celia agreed. “The rest of the manor. Are they all aware of the game?”

“They are, at least in part. It’s a game we’ve played before. They’ve all gotten very good at playing their parts, too.” She smirked. “And as to that, I have my plan for victory. I am curious though. What would you do first?

Celia sat back and thought. She and Violet had to take the whole manor. That meant Tabby, Lauren, Damian, and all of the Heralds. They needed to be discrete, of course. Any attempt they were caught in would alert the others, ruining any advantage surprise gave them. Securing magical control would be the best course of action. Something about that felt wrong to her, but the authority dismissed that. It would protect them from a counter-attack from Aversa, and boost their offensive capabilities.

“We need to bolster our side’s magical forces,” Celia mused. Of the Heralds, there were only two spellcasters, so that narrowed the targets significantly. Which ones were they, again? “Our aim should be to take… ah, yes. Clara, Joshua, and of course Lauren.”

Violet nodded approvingly. “My thoughts exactly. Of those three, who do you think we should convert first?”

Celia frowned slightly in thought. Clara and Joshua would, of course, be with the rest of the Heralds. She had a growing friendship with the group, but that was hardly something she could count on to help her capture them. Yes, two battlecasters would give a significant advantage in subduing others, but she dismissed them for now. That left Lauren. Her friend. She smiled. The pinkette would make a wonderful addition to their side, not just for her magical powers, but for her smile, and her warm personality, and…

Her trail of thought stopped dead.

“Ma’am?” She asked in a worried tone. “We’re not going to change Lauren, are we? Make her into just a game piece, or a-”

Violet’s finger silenced Celia, and the elf shook her head. “I know you care for her, Celia.” A warm smile flitted across Violet’s lips. “I care for her deeply too. Rest assured, she and Tabitha and everyone else will be perfectly happy once we’re done.” She removed her finger, and Celia smiled at her gratefully. “Lauren should be our first convert, then?”

Celia nodded eagerly. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Then I shall leave the execution of this to you, my knight,” Violet commanded. The order, laced with implied praise, flowed through Celia and left a feeling of warmth and a happy smile behind. “For the moment, I suggest you get some rest.”

Celia nodded and slipped off the bed before stopping and grinning. Had she really just been discussing strategy and tactics with Violet while completely naked? The realization prompted a little flush of embarrassment, but no instinctual need to cover herself. Violet was perfectly safe, and the elven woman had seen her naked often enough by now. She turned and gave Violet a look of mock judgment. “You’re not aiming to make me a near nudist like Tabby, are you, Ma’am?”

Violet slipped off the bed with a small smile of her own. “We all make allowances for our dear beast girl’s oddities,” Violet mocked, but not without warmth. Her hand went to Celia’s back, and with a feather-soft touch, guided her toward the closet. “I personally prefer clothes that flatter and accentuate, within the bounds of practicality.” Violet produced a dressing gown, and Celia dutifully put it on, noting how it hung from her comparatively slender form. “Like my maid’s uniform, for instance.”

Celia couldn’t suppress a sharp intake of breath at the insinuation. Did Violet mean to make her wear… Violet gave the warrior a single knowing smirk, and the warrior flushed.

“Perhaps,” Violet said, answering the unasked question. “Goodnight, Celia.”

The casual dismissal was laced with subtle warmth, and Celia couldn’t help but dart forward to kiss Violet’s lips. The elf didn’t seem fazed by the suddenness of the action, and accepted the kiss with deliberate grace. “Goodnight, Ma’am,” Celia got out in a giddy rush, before turning and walking back toward her room.

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Celia’s dreams were a chaotic whirl. Faint memories of old nightmares held at bay by only the most tenuous of threads. She wandered through the hallways of Cair Dwemor, warped and twisted in a way that made perfect sense. Heavy smoke and shadow dogged her steps, and the light above her seemed to fade. She looked up and saw a torch that she knew had been burning bright and clean moments before, now guttering out.

Things shifted, and now the room was choked in thick dark smoke. The flame of the torch flared, Red-Orange and angry. It was dangerous. Uncontrolled and chaotic. The flame burst out, towards her, consuming her, unmaking her, and -

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Celia’s eyes slammed open, and for a brief terrifying moment the warrior couldn’t remember where she was, or what she was doing. Ideas, memories, thoughts and commands, they all swirled together, each demanding her attention. Desires to submit which felt older than they were, feelings of love and security which felt dangerous, lurking fear that came from nothing, and things she couldn’t even name threatened to drive her to panic. Her heartbeat was like thunder in her ears, and she gasped for breath.

The door to her room opened, and Violet slipped in. She stopped when she took in Celia’s bedraggled state. “Celia, remember your role, if you please,” she said clearly, fixing the warrior with a firm and steady gaze.

The words washed over the chaos like a fresh mountain breeze. Panic surged at something – something about sunsets – before it faded completely and her mind latched onto the words. She remembered what Violet had told her. She was Violet’s knight. Her champion. Fears and worries subsided, pushed to the background, as Violet stepped to the bed and took one of Celia’s hands in her own. “I know bad dreams when I see them, Celia. Anything I need to know?”

Celia nodded gratefully. She trusted Violet. She was perfectly safe and comfortable with the elven woman, just like with Lauren. Talking about her past was hard, though, and even with Violet there to reassure her memories were tangled and thorny. It intruded on things she didn’t want to know, things that she shouldn’t know. The parts that hurt. A spike of panic and pain lanced through her head, and she cringed, bringing her hands up to bury her forehead in them.

Violet simply placed a hand on Celia’s shoulder, rubbing her thumb in little circles soothingly. “Celia, pause the game, if you please.”

Her mouth opened, words coming out before she could process what she was saying. “The game is paused.”

For a brief moment, she couldn’t remember where she was, or what she was doing. Then, it passed, and she frowned. That had been the same thing she’d woken up to, hadn’t it? But it hadn’t felt nearly as disorienting. She took stock. Nothing much seemed to have changed, she still felt… well, she felt like Celia. There was something else, something shrouded in fog just beyond her perception, something she wasn’t supposed to know, but it felt safe. And either way, she found she couldn’t think about it without being lost in a pleasant fog moments later.

She looked over at Violet. “What… what were we talking about?” She didn’t normally forget herself like that. After a nightmare, maybe, but in the middle of a conversation? Not until Cair Dwemor, she sighed. She shook her head, looking at Violet, and cut off what the elf was about to say. “This is another mind game.”

Violet nodded. “Well done, Celia.” If she noticed the tiny shiver of delight Celia had on hearing those words, she didn’t make a point of it. “I felt I should pause it, though.”

Celia cocked her head. “Why?”

“These nightmares you have. They are persistent, are they not?” Celia shrank away from the elf’s searching gaze. “When my Lady returns, you should speak with her about this. Dreams are a matter of the mind. Let her help you.”

Celia didn’t answer right away. Her eyes went to the rune on Violet’s forehead, then down to her hand. Violet kept running her thumb in soothing, sweeping shapes across Celia’s bare shoulder. Circles, figure eights, other patterns. The silence stretched on, Celia not sure what to say.

The warrior considered the offer, and more than that, what it spoke to about the elven woman. Violet wasn’t like Lauren or Tabby. They were free to choose their chains, and Violet… wasn’t. She was kind, if aloof. Was that by necessity, some aspect of her condition? Celia had sparred with her as well, and been overwhelmed handily. There was dedication there, likely demanded by Gella, but she would have had to have been training since before the mage had branded her. Celia could find common ground there – to be set on a path, dedicated to seeing it through. She decided she could consider Violet a friend, or at least a comrade. And that made two friends that had urged her to see Gella.

She never would have considered making friends with an obvious thrall, let alone an assassin or maid. Those things hadn’t entered into her life as a mercenary. But thrall or not, Violet seemed to have made her peace with it, and Celia could do the same. Even if it still scared her. It wasn’t her burden to bear.

“I’ll consider it, Violet,” she finally agreed, grasping the maid’s hand firmly.

Violet’s smile widened. “Wonderful.” She sounded honestly happy, and Celia returned that smile. “Are you ready to continue?”

Celia nodded, and Violet looked into the warrior’s eyes, then seemed to come to a decision. “Celia, resume the game, if you please.”

Celia braced for the feeling. The disorientation, the fog embracing parts of her mind while lifting from others. It left her refreshed, and she stretched her arms over her head. What had she just been talking about? “Was that more commands for your knight, Ma’am?” She asked easily.

Violet nodded with a knowing smile. “Something like that. You need not pay it any mind.” Celia didn’t. “How are you feeling?”

“Feeling very good, Ma’am. Ready to start the day and… and…” She had to capture Lauren. For a game. That… felt very strange, but she was certain that was it. “I… need to capture Lauren, right?” She asked, hesitantly.

Violet nodded, looking unconcerned with her champion’s faltering resolve. “Yes. She needs to be captured and brought over to our side. It’s part of the game, and she will feel fantastic after. No harm will come to her.” Violet’s smile sharpened. “And doesn’t it feel good to do as you are told?”

Celia let out a soft, happy moan, as that question evoked a little feeling of right that sent little prickles of pleasure racing down her spine. “It does,” she agreed.

“I can understand your confusion, though.” She held out her hand and Celia took it, letting herself be pulled to her feet. “Grab a change of clothes. I think we should take a bath before breakfast.”

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“Celia, take a nice deep breath, and let it out slowly, if you please.” The command phrase was hardly necessary, but Celia found it strangely delightful to have what she was already going to do be forced upon her.

She took a deep breath of the lavender-scented humid air, and slowly let it out through her nose. The water was laced with something of Violet’s own design, a heady scent that was making her mind feel as thin as the steam from the bath. She had watched as Violet added the potion, then as the elf took the counteragent to it, with quiet acquiescence. Slipping into the water had felt like part of her was dissolving like the potion had.

The part that was left was so very light, so open and sensitive. Violet’s voice whispered in her ear, and it felt like delicate heavenly caresses, easing her words into Celia’s mind without a hint of resistance. Her limbs were clumsy, weak and soft and Violet’s kisses on her neck made remembering why she might not want to be soft extremely difficult.

“You’re feeling so warm, so safe and comfortable.” She was, too. The water was the perfect temperature, Cair Dwemor was a veritable fortress, and Violet was making sure she felt very, very comfortable.

“Yes Ma’am,” Celia managed to mumble. “Safe, warm, comfortable.”

Violet shifted slightly, moving Celia so the dreamy warrior could more easily relax against Violet’s breasts. Hands held Celia lightly around her waist, and talented lips pressed kisses along bare shoulders and up Celia’s neck. “The perks of being on my side, Celia,” Violet breathed. “Tabitha and Lauren would love to feel like this, wouldn’t they?”

Dreamily enticing images of the soft sweet priestess and the lithe tawny cat-girl danced in her mind. Each of them would feel so dreamy, warm and safe and comfortable just like this. Lauren would get extra giggly. The pinkette was always so cheerful and Violet’s wonderful potion was making even Celia feel a little like giggling. Moreover, it would be something to watch Tabby’s normal excitability slowly melt and soften under the potion. Would she purr and cuddle like a mundane cat, or would that smoldering sensuality claim her totally, a dreamy sleepy cat in heat?

A purr of pleasure escaped Celia’s lips as slick fingers teased around her nipple, and she gave a dazed giggle when she remembered they were hers. “Mmm, yes Ma’am,” she breathed happily. “They would love this, I’m sure.”

“I will make sure of it.” Violet sounded so confident that Celia couldn’t help but agree. She certainly had the skills for it. Her potions, her demeanor, everything lent itself to be so convincing. Her slow, meandering thoughts hit a sudden mild bump. If Violet served Gella, then why would Celia…

“Ma’am, if this is a game-” Celia cut off, as her thoughts suddenly crashed into a foggy void. Bliss, wonderfully blank, warm and perfectly content. A subtle current of pleasure trickled over her, and Celia sighed happily. It passed after a moment, and she blinked sleepily as she tried to get her bearings.

“You were saying something?” Violet’s voice in her ear sounded incredibly pleased about something, and that alone made Celia smile.

“If I was, I don’t remember,” Celia said softly.

“Then it couldn’t have been that important.”

Celia nodded, slipping back into the hazy formless reverie. Soft sounds of lightly moving water and both women breathing ran beneath the steady hum of the manor. She floated there, with the hum, mind slowly joining the drugged steam until Violet’s voice brought at least a small part of her back.

“You’re being such a good girl, Celia.” She squirmed against Violet’s warm slick body, smiling at the praise. “You want to capture Lauren for me.”

She nodded eagerly, fantasies of Violet skillfully slipping Lauren’s will away from her again bringing a rush of heat along her body. She wanted to give that to her friend. Ideas tumbled and flowed along her hazy mind, impossible images of using magic to ensnare the pinkette, combining it with the holds she had learned as a warrior. None held her attention for long, her mind was far too insubstantial for that, but they delighted her nonetheless. “I do,” she agreed. “I want it.”

“When you bring her to me, I’ll make sure you are rewarded well.” Celia almost protested. She didn’t need a reward. She was Violet’s knight, and serving the beautiful elf was its own reward. But something deeper flared up and stilled the words. If Violet had decided an extra reward was warranted, then who was she to argue?

Celia nodded wordlessly, earning another gentle kiss on her neck. The kiss was broken as Violet moved towards the door. “We’re going down to breakfast now. Lauren can dispel these lovely warm clouds in your mind then.”

Hands guided her up and out of the water. Splashes and patters filled the intimate space, and she let herself be turned around and wrapped in a towel. Violet, beautiful and so poised, took her time to carefully dry every inch of Celia’s body. An edge of something flashed in Violet’s eyes. “Celia, be perfectly still, if you please.”

Seven words and Celia was robbed of movement. Or perhaps it had been seduced away? Seduced sounded so much more accurate. Violet’s words had slipped in, reminded her how damn good it felt to do as she was told, and then ensured she would do as she was told. She stood statue-still while Violet carefully rubbed the towel all over her body. Each twitch she couldn’t express, every time she wanted to beg Violet to touch her, every little thing added more heat to an ever-growing pool of desire.

She trusted Violet, trusted her as much as she trusted Lauren. Hazy memories of laying on Lauren's lap, just as immobile, flitted past. The realizations she had reached then applied here too. This wasn’t slavery, this was service. Service to people she trusted, people that obviously and deeply cared for her.

The towel moved between her legs, and the hazy heat suddenly burst alight in a sharp spike. A moment later, Violet’s voice captured her attention. “Celia, remember that obeying is better than cumming, if you please.”

She whimpered, the quiet needy sound slipping involuntarily from between lips that no longer obeyed her. The night before, the new truths Lauren and Violet had so carefully worked into her mind. The burning need, the ache and desire, they were building blocks to something deeper. Pieces that helped Celia feel even better, even as her body cried out for more base pleasures. “Serve and obey, Celia. Capture Lauren for me.”

Celia wanted to nod, to cry out, to signal her eager acceptance. Her body listened to Violet though, staying nearly perfectly still. Without an outlet, the fire within raged ever brighter. “Celia, move as you wish, if you please.”

She nodded, stumbling as she dealt with controlling herself through the wave of desire. There was a twinge of the same comfortable embarrassment she felt earlier, in that weakness before another. Words started spilling out of her mouth, babbling agreements and needy begging, no real substance to it. She just wanted. Violet held her, letting the babbling die out, before bringing the warrior back to reality with a kiss. “Good girl. Now let's get some breakfast.”

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They met the priestess, dressed in a light powder blue dress that accented her hair, on the way into the dining room. Celia flushed as she saw her, unable to do more than just wave in flustered silence.

“Oh! That’s different. Did she try some of your special bath oils?” Lauren asked brightly.

“Oh yes, she was certainly enjoying herself,” Violet replied deftly. “Would you clear her mind before breakfast? I’m sure Tabby would appreciate Celia actually tasting whatever that amazing smell is.”

With a “purifier la drogue,” Lauren’s magic blew away the haze from Celia’s mind, but left the more important fog in place, ready to act.

It was a kind of folded and stuffed egg dish today, with the warm fluffy egg and a medley of spiced vegetables and meats making for a hearty and filling breakfast. As she’d come to expect of Tabby’s work, it was delicious.

The cat-girl herself, dressed in her usual open white robe, was oddly subdued as she served them. Her smile was there, still sensual, but… lacking confidence? Forced? Why? And she was scratching at her neck, too. Celia puzzled over that, wondering if Tabby had clued in that the game was afoot. If so, she needed to inform Violet, but… no, Violet was here. She’d have done something if it was an issue.

So Celia just watched as Tabby seated herself, and remained there for less than a minute before taking her plate and moving past Lauren, who gave her a soft glance, then pulled her chair out further. Tabby sat on her lap, and the cat-girl’s expression eased as the priestess began running a hand up and down her back.

If it wasn’t related to the game, then what was it? The others already knew, clearly. But she had seemed so distraught. Even if Tabby was on the other team, Celia still cared for her outside the bounds of the game. The cat-girl’s smile at Lauren’s ministrations eased her immediate worries, but she still was a little disturbed. “What’s wrong, Tabby?” Celia asked hesitantly.

Tabby started, glancing at Celia as though she’d forgotten the warrior was in the room. Then, she sighed. “I miss Mistress,” she said, a trace of unease in her voice.

Lauren left a lingering kiss on Tabby’s cheek, and the smile widened. “I miss her too, Tabby,” the priestess sighed. Using her other hand, Lauren used the side of a fork to slice a piece of egg off, then speared it and brought it to Tabby’s lips. “She’ll be back soon. And besides, haven’t you been planning something?”

The reminder perked Tabby up significantly, and Celia froze. Right. The ominous promise. When the cat-girl’s emerald eyes turned back to Celia, they were full of mischief, and her smile melted into a sultry one. Tabby wasn’t on their team yet, and her plans might interfere with Violet’s. Especially since Celia didn’t know what those plans were.

She had to get Lauren on their team before then. Tucking into her own breakfast, pausing to savor the taste of it, Celia thought about how she might accomplish that. Misdirection was right out. Even if Lauren couldn’t detect lies like some priests could, all she’d have to do is look at Celia with those lovely pink-rimmed eyes and any lie she might try to weave would fall apart. And physically forcing Lauren into anything left a sick hollow feeling in her stomach. She wouldn’t abide anyone hurting the priestess, and that included herself.

She eyed how smoothly Lauren had redirected Tabby’s dour mood. The cat-girl was now giggling in the priestess’s lap at something she had said. She was so accommodating, so friendly, and… She stopped, suppressing a grin. Could it be that easy?

Steeling herself, she put on an innocent face and called out. “Hey, Lauren?”

The priestess stopped, glancing at her. “Yes?”

“After breakfast, could we talk in the living room?” Lauren was always willing to help, but Violet had said they were all aware of the game. Even so, Lauren might…

“Of course,” Lauren agreed happily, then turned to Tabby. “I’ll be there just after sunset to cast the spells you need.” She caught Celia’s confused expression. “It’s just something for-”

Quick as lightning Tabby darted in and silenced Lauren with a passionate kiss. There was a surprised jolt from Lauren before she melted into the kiss and returned it. Celia watched in a mix of desire and comfort as two of the most beautiful women she knew fell deeper and deeper into the embrace. There was a tiny whisper of jealousy, even, smothered by the fact that both women would happily trade places with Celia if she asked. Or even include her.

She glanced over and saw that even Violet was admiring the two. It was with an air of aloof detachment, of course, but with how much attention she was paying to the elf she could make out the small warm smile.

When Tabby finally broke the kiss, gasping breathlessly, Lauren looked dazed. “It’s a secret, remember,” Tabby chided. She slipped off Lauren’s lap, moving to drape her arms over Celia’s shoulders.

She knew she shouldn’t, knew it would interfere, but there was still the urge to pull the girl into her own lap for a taste. While she was distracted with that, Tabby moved to whisper in her ear. “When the bells chime seven, come to the barracks. Or I’m dragging you there myself.” With a wink, she spun on her heel, brushing Celia’s face with the tufted tip of her tail, and scampered off somewhere in the mansion.

After breakfast was finished Lauren smiled softly and nodded toward the living room. “I’ll be waiting for you.” But before Celia could join her, Violet’s hand settled lightly on her wrist, and she froze.

“Help me with the dishes, Celia.” A command, not a request. Simple enough. She gathered the plates and followed Violet into the cavernous kitchen, noting the odd chamber Violet was neatly placing them in. There were what looked like runes and lines on the inside, ones that looked almost angry. Fire? Why would it be using fire?

Violet closed the chamber, tapping a gemstone on the door, and the everpresent hum of the manor seemed to shift, now emanating more distinctly from the strange device.

“So it uses the same power source as the rest of the manor?” She asked curiously.

Violet cocked her head. “What do you mean, Celia?”

“That hum. The mage’s tower back in New Gyr had a similar hum, and I heard this exact tone from the silver pipes downstairs. Isn’t that how magic sounds?”

Violet paused, and Celia blinked at the sudden intensity of her gaze. But a moment later, it was gone, and Violet was smiling again. She continued before Celia could even ask what just happened. “It is, and it does, yes.”

Whatever had come over her seemed to have passed as she moved to the door. Celia frowned. “Ma’am? What are you going to do?”

Violet turned back over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. “To prepare for you and Lauren, of course.”

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Lauren was seated on one of the couches in the living room, and a memory of the pinkette with empty eyes sprawled on that couch brought a flash of heat with it. She smiled softly. Lauren had obviously enjoyed that, and she was about to enjoy it again.

“What did you want to talk to me about, Celia?” Lauren asked cheerfully. Her smile lit up the room.

“”I… I wanted to…" She stammered, words beginning to fail. She wanted to do this. Of course she did. And she knew that once Lauren fell she would feel amazing. She didn’t doubt that Violet would take care of the priestess, either. So why was this so hard?

Lauren giggled and patted the couch next to her. It struck Celia for a moment how different the priestess could be – carefree or caring, distracted or focused, always loving. She was learning, more and more, that carefree was the preferred mode. And that would make things easier. She hoped.

Celia sat down, and Lauren gave her a quick hug. The pinkette felt so nice, warm and gentle, with the slightest hint of rose perfume. She resisted the urge to take a deep breath, to become lost in the moment. She had a mission. Slipping back she looked into Lauren’s cheerful open expression. “Lauren,” she began slowly. “Can I try putting you into a trance?”

She braced herself. She didn’t know how the priestess would react. Concern? Enthusiasm? Simple acceptance? Declining would throw her plan into disarray, so that was the worst scenario. She might be able to come up with something on the fly, but it would complicate things, and she would be in danger of failing the task Violet had set out for her. She bit her bottom lip in worry, then relaxed as Lauren nodded enthusiastically.

“Oh!" She exclaimed, smiling wide. “I’m glad you’re feeling more comfortable here.” She looked around the room. “How would you like to start?”

Celia blinked. She had hoped for acceptance, even expected enthusiasm, but… something about the reaction gave her pause. Lauren did know this was a game, right? Surely she did. She…

A warm haze settled over her mind, stilling her worry in an instant. Of course Lauren knew. Violet told her that everyone in the manor knew. Her thoughts cleared again, leaving her content. She was doing her duty perfectly.

“How about a flame, like you used in my old room?” Celia suggested.

Lauren nodded. “I should teach you some more tricks sometime,” she said distractedly. “Give you options.” She moved off the couch, busying herself with the empty hearth for a moment. She laid strips of wood from a nearby basket there, then whispered something, setting them ablaze before relaxing back onto the carpet. The fire spread its warmth over the room, and Celia smiled to see Lauren relax just a bit from that alone.

She sat behind Lauren, preparing herself mentally, but the priestess surprised her by laying back against her chest, snuggling closer for comfort. Looking down into her eyes, Celia saw the playful glint in them and smiled. Lauren grinned back.

“It’s important for the subject to feel comfortable when going into a trance, you know. And I’m very comfy now.”

Surely if Lauren were aware of the game like Celia was, she wouldn’t… warm, soft clouds gathered. She was doing perfectly. Lauren trusted her, so of course the priestess wouldn’t suspect anything. The warm contentment melded with subtle arousal as the fog again lifted. Her arms had found their way across Lauren’s tummy, and the feel of the warm, soft girl was making it very hard to focus on anything besides scent, skin, beauty. “You’re very pretty, Lauren,” she breathed out, then flushed. She hadn’t meant to say that, but it had just felt right. It… felt right… and there was something more there, something she couldn’t capture before it slipped from her focus.

Lauren giggled, and Celia couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you, Celia. You’re very pretty too.” She turned and pressed a light kiss to Celia’s arm. “You were about to hypnotize me, though?” She chided playfully.

Right. She needed to focus. She settled herself, found her focus. The flame before her helped. She knew flames, and she could use this, show Lauren what she knew. A few calming breaths later, she nodded.

“Just look into the flame, Lauren.”

________________

“The flame is all I see. Its warmth is all I can feel, and the words are all I can hear.” The voice saying those words was calm, even, detached. Celia breathed in, keeping herself on a razor’s edge. She felt the warmth of the flame all around her, and saw the flicking dancing swirls. The world around her was distant, unimportant. The flame commanded all of her attention, but she couldn’t give in. Not for fear of what would happen, but because she wasn’t the one who needed to.

“The flame is all you can see. Its warmth is all you can feel, and the words are all you can hear,” she murmured, though for each you she silently thought I instead. The words spilled, pulled by the flame. Heat ran along her body, a soft heat, not nearly the raw passion that service had brought, but heat all the same. She blinked, slow and controlled, keeping the flame in her mind but forcing herself to stay grounded.

“The flame is all I can see. Its warmth is all I can feel, and the words are all I can hear,” the words repeated. The voice wasn’t hers, and she wanted to hear more of it, but she had to set that aside. It didn’t matter. Nothing but the flame mattered. Being this deep, dancing on the edge, was an advantage, but she couldn’t let it ruin things.

“The flame is all you can see. Its warmth is all you can feel, and the words are all you can hear.” It felt so good, so warm, to repeat and agree. Watch the flame, feel the warmth, hear the words. Perfect and so easy to follow. But she wasn’t supposed to follow, she reminded herself. Not now.

A voice in her ear pulled a fraction of her attention away from the flame. “Repeat after me. Lauren, you will see the flame even when you close your eyes.” It wasn’t Lauren’s voice, there were words. She was supposed to follow those words, right? But they hadn’t been meant for her.

“Lauren, you see the flame even when you close your eyes,” a voice sighed.

“Lauren, close your eyes. Be silent and still. Sink into the flame.”

Unsteady, unsure what she should be doing, Celia lost her hold, and she sank. Heat stopped radiating with a hiss, and she stopped seeing light behind her eyelids. She was left in a void, a faint sensation of a body against hers the only thing she felt. She simply floated. There was nothing to do, so she did nothing.

Slowly, that void began to disturb itself. The peaceful, dark, empty quiet of her mind lit with tiny flashes, sparks of thought and curiosity that were getting harder and harder to ignore without something to anchor her. Eventually, awareness returned, and Celia remembered where she was. The living room at Cair Dwemor, sitting on the carpet, the room still warm, and a body still against her chest.

Discomfort crashed into her all at once. Her throat was sore, and her eyes were watering. She was stiff and aching from spending far too long in one position, unable to even move unconsciously because of the weight in her lap. A warm weight. Lauren! A cold wash of panic scoured her nerves. How long had it been? What happened, and -

“Celia, be calm, if you please.” The panic ceased, and Celia took three slow, deep breaths. Her mind stilled, the panic flowing away, and by the third breath she was centered. Violet stood over her, looking smug and satisfied both. “I grew concerned when you were gone for over an hour.”

An hour. She had spent an hour staring into the flame alongside Lauren. She had wanted to get her friend into a trance, and the flame had been the perfect focus. And Celia had drawn on the memories she had of Lauren doing the same to her… Celia shook her head, freeing the last of the cobwebs. “Yeah,” she began, looking around for something to soothe her throat. Gods above, she felt so drained. And if she felt like this… Her eyes went wide and she looked up at Violet. “Do, do I just tell her to wake up? She has to be feeling just as sore as I do.”

Violet shook her head, then frowned. “She’s more used to this than you, but she might feel some of it after this long. Just have her follow and obey me. I’ll make sure she is taken care of.”

She grimaced. “No, Vi, she needs a drink, and probably to stretch out.” Game or no, she needed to make sure Lauren was taken care of, and –

“Celia, remember your role, if you please.”

Celia’s mind roiled. Perceptions altered and a sense of warm pleasant certainty took over. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head. “Ma’am?” She asked, hoping for some clarification from the elven woman.

“You performed very well, Celia.” The praise evoked a happy smile and a bloom of warm pleasure. Lauren was obviously in a deep trance, and Violet was pleased with her. “Now, have her stand and obey me, then you can go get freshened up. I’ll take care of Lauren.”

Celia nodded, leaning in close to Lauren’s ear. “Stand up.” The priestess smoothly rose to her feet, and Celia did the same. “The next voice you hear, you will obey instead of mine.” She nodded to Violet, who carefully took Lauren’s hand.

“Follow me, Lauren.” That was all it took, and the entranced pinkette walked off with Violet hand in hand toward the staircase. “Go get yourself taken care of, Celia. Once you’re done, bring a pitcher of water and some glasses up to my room.” The command given, the warrior hurried along, seeking the pleasure of obedience.

She returned to the kitchen, ignoring the pins and needles in her legs. How did someone get used to something like that? It didn’t matter. They would pass, and movement would be the best way to hasten the process. After downing a quick glass of water for herself, she filled the pitcher and was about to leave when a very satisfied purr drew her attention to the doorway.

Tabby was leaning against the wall, emerald green lines flickering on her skin. Her tail swayed back and forth. “I know what you’re up toooo,” she sang.