CHAPTER 17

Celia hadn’t bothered to dress herself or her girls for the walk back to the main part of the Grotto. Her bare feet padded along the stones, but that wasn’t an issue, and Celia spared a silent thank you to the sculptor – magical or otherwise – who managed to make the floor so smooth. It was slightly uneven, but even so, it was perfectly smooth on the soles of their feet. Then she winced and changed that thank you to a curse, as Electra’s water-slick foot slipped out from under her and sent her tumbling.

Well, injuries would just complicate things, wouldn’t they? Never mind that she wouldn’t want to see her fellow warrior hurt in the first place. With a quick step, and enough attention paid to ensure she didn’t wind up falling too, Celia let go of Electra’s leash and moved to catch her. She’d just managed to brush fingers across soft skin before the entranced woman met the ground with a muted thud. Shit. The other leashes forgotten, Celia knelt by Electra. After all, she was Vi’s knight. Wasn’t protection her duty?

“Are you alright?”

Electra’s glazed eyes stared through Celia for a moment, before focusing on her, and Celia let some of her worry bleed away as her thrall nodded. “Lauren, can you take a look?” She said, turning to look at the priestess.

Lauren wasted no time in kneeling beside them both, and shifted Electra’s leg. Celia’s worry redoubled when she saw a cut leaking blood. How did she get cut? On what? Or had she been cut before, and this had just pulled stitches, and…

Before she could even get a word out, though, Lauren laid a calm hand on her shoulder. “Take a deep breath Celia, if you please.” That sudden motion cut through her panic, and she recentered herself as her body breathed out. “Wonderful, Celia,” Lauren's soft sweet voice praised, the pinkette smiling warmly. “Go get a towel from the pool, wet it, and come back. I’ll take care of Electra. She should have told me, anyway…" She muttered as she began to focus.

Celia nodded and hurried to comply. Making sure to be mindful of her own footing, she found a discarded towel and wetted it. It took a few seconds for Celia to realize… Lauren had used the phrase! It hadn’t even registered in the moment. She smiled wistfully. Even playing the submissive, Lauren was still looking out for everyone.

Sodden cloth in tow, Celia hurried back, and let the tension drain as she saw Lauren inspecting Electra’s now-unmarred leg. “Good as new,” the priestess chirped happily, before accepting the robe and using it to wipe around the wound, leaving no evidence the warrior had ever been hurt.

Between Celia and Lauren it was easy enough to lift the tanned warrior to her feet. “Alright girls,” Celia began, smiling a little wider as Clara and Electra subtly came to attention. “Make sure not to slip. But that aside? Let’s go make an entrance.” Regathering the icy ends of all three leads, she started again toward the thumping music of the main chamber.

________________

Celia had thought that her appearance would cause some reaction. Even with her altered perceptions, she knew how out of character it would be for her to be leading three gorgeous women on magically crafted chains. So when she arrived at the main cavern only to be greeted by nearly everyone paired off with their own groups, not sparing more than an idle glance for her, she had to fight the urge to grumble.

From her vantage she could see Eirinn and Tiffany, with eyes that were still only for each other. They were entwined on a couch as before, slowly kissing and trailing their fingers all along each other’s body. Tiffany let out a single pleasured gasp before Eirinn silenced her with a passionate kiss.

Celia led her girls past without earning so much as a glance.

Moving further in, she spied Damian. The silver-haired warrior’s pale skin was decorated with the same red whorls as her own. That actually stopped her train of thought for a second – she’d have expected Gella’s brother, of all people, to be more permissive. She was about to go and show off to him, knowing he’d be at least appropriately surprised.

But he was clearly occupied by the figure kneeling before him. A figure slowly swaying a midnight black tail. One more step around a pillar and the rest of Selene came into view, dark skin on full display. Magically inscribed whorls, noticeably black even on her dark skin, decorated a body built very much to Tabby’s blueprint. But where the monk’s body seemed to lack anything but muscle, bone, and the barest hint of cushioning, Selene had some softness to her. A part of her mind that was very distant at that moment noted the beastkin didn’t look like someone who fought.

The rest of her mind was engrossed in the sight of the beastkin’s lips sliding all the way down Damian’s impressive cock. His hand was buried in her hair, and Celia watched in fascination as his muscles shifted ever so slightly, guiding her in a deep and slow motion along his member. When she reached the tip, Selene slipped her lips just free enough to give the head a loving kiss before slowly taking it all the way down her throat again.

Damian groaned deeply, and Celia could see him just start to buck against Selene’s experienced mouth. Instead the captain of the Heralds took a deep breath and let it out in a long slow moan in time with the beast girl’s ministrations. Finally after a few more long bobs Damian’s focus shifted and he blinked in surprise at Celia. And… she had been staring, hadn’t she?

“Celia!" He exclaimed, before being cut off by a shuddering breath. Selene twitched at the sound, and gleefully took Damain’s entire length down her throat. Celia watched in lurid fascination as Damian’s face screwed up in an expression of utter delight and Selene’s throat worked to swallow deeply. Slowly, almost languidly, she slipped Damian out of her mouth and gave the softening head a last lingering lick before rising gracefully up to her feet. She glanced at Celia and her girls, and nodded approvingly.

“Mmmm. You all look yummy,” she breathed, gaze so full of smoldering heat Celia swore she could feel it linger on her skin. She watched the cat-girl leave, tail swaying enticingly. Well, at least someone appreciated Celia’s efforts.

“You look… different,” Damian offered awkwardly, slipping his own robe back on. He looked beyond her to Clara and Electra. “Is she treating you alright, ladies?”

A momentary flash of irritation shot up Celia’s spine. These girls were hers, at least for the moment. Of course she was treating them right! Who was he to ask? She stepped in front of them and looked into Damian’s eyes. “They are mine, Damian,” she said, unwavering steel in her voice.

He studied her, looking almost confused. A moment later, he broke into a smile. “I apologize, Celia,” he said easily. “Can I talk to your girls?”

The hot irritation melted away, replaced with a sense of pride. “Go ahead.”

Damian again looked at her thralls expectantly, and a tingling thrill of delight rose along Celia’s body when she realized that her girls wouldn’t even speak to their own commander right now without her permission. With a gesture from her, they moved to speak.

“She treats us very kindly,” Electra said in a relaxed and distant voice. “Feel safe with her.”

Clara just nodded along with an easy smile.

Celia looked at Damian defiantly, and was gratified a moment later when he nodded. “Looks like they’re in good hands.” After giving each of his Heralds a last glance, Celia noticed his eyes taking her in. She adjusted her stance just a bit, flaunting her toned body for him to see. He ought to see her not just as another warrior, but as a woman as well.

“You can do more than look, Damian,” she offered, stepping close enough that she was sure he could feel the heat from her body. She saw the desire in his eyes, and his hand almost rose up, before something shifted in his expression. Desire and need drained away from his face, leaving a collected and focused warrior behind.

“Enjoy the party, Celia,” he said with a nod and walked toward the front of the grotto.

Celia frowned, her rhythm broken. “What just happened?” She turned to ask Lauren.

“I don’t think Damian enjoys playing with us like that,” the priestess supplied, watching Damian greet one of the men from Wand’s Reach. “Vi and me, I mean.” She glanced at Celia. “And now you, too.”

“What about Tabby?” Celia asked, noticing the obvious exception.

Lauren just giggled. “Can you imagine anyone saying no to Tabby for long?”

Enticing images of the lithe woman sprawled out on her nest of cushions, lost in a heated memory, danced across Celia’s mind. Normally, she’d agree, but… there was a renewed sense of purpose, steel drawn and set. “I bet I could,” she smiled wide, and only grinned at Lauren’s confused expression.

________________

Ignoring the various groups of people distracted with each other, Celia led her cadre toward the bar, where Tabby was holding court. The cat-girl stood behind the polished wood, bottles and glasses blurring through her hands while she mixed drinks. Some of the liquids and some of the bottles were glowing and shimmering in the drifting light, and Celia had to wonder if that was just for effect, or if the drinks themselves were enchanted. Even odds, honestly…

“One Sparkler, coming up,” Tabby announced, putting the finishing touches on a glass of metallic blue liquid before handing it off to Daniel. The muscular smith took a big gulp of the drink, then caught sight of Celia and his cheeks bulged. Celia froze for a moment. His eyes were watering. Did she need to ask Lauren… but he just swallowed and let out a bellow of a laugh.

“Daray’s hairy sack, Celia!" He cackled. “Wha happened to th’ wary lass who was afraid I’d touch yer sword?” She flinched, despite herself, but he didn’t seem to notice. “Yer jus ‘bout the last person I expect to see leading a gaggle o’ beauties around by th’ neck.” He shook his head with a wry chuckle, taking another gulp of his drink.

“Damn right she is.” Tabby mused, her green eyes wide with interest. “I would love to know what happened after I sent Lauren to check on you?”

Celia suppressed a snort. She wouldn’t complain about an opening like that. “I would be happy to tell you, but, you see–” She cut off, darted in for a kiss which Tabby eagerly accepted, though her face was a mask of surprise. Her tongue slipped in and danced with Tabby’s, and the surprise morphed to mischief, earning her a very pleased sounding purr. The warrior let her eyes slip shut, indulging in every sensation. Indulging, but not being swept away. She was powerful. She was in control. She was the mistress of the swelling desire sending lines of fire along her body.

When the kiss broke for breath, Tabby was looking at Celia with an expression filled with dangerous promises. “Sure you’re ready for all of this, Celia?” Tabby taunted, gesturing at herself, and the work of art that was her body.

Celia grinned back, feeling in control, energetic and focused as if she were about to spar. “Try me.” She tugged on the chains of ice. “Girls, let's show Tabby a great time.”

________________

Sensation washed over Celia. Soft lips on her nipple, grazing sensitive skin with the very edge of teeth. Fingertips leaving trails of molten heat along her tummy before dipping between her legs. A gasp of delight pulled from her lips, chased with a heartfelt groan of pleasure. Warmth surrounded her, naked skin sliding along her own bare body.

It had begun with Tabby pouncing on her, emerald green energy swirling on her skin. The blonde warrior was fairly certain at the time she had caught the cat-girl. There was a faint recollection of taking her to a free couch, but after that, it was a blur of pure need.

The sparkling magelights shone on the naked bodies of Clara, Electra, and… oh, Lauren had been needed for something. No matter. The priestess was hers already. The mage and the warrior were laying side by side, focused entirely on each other’s pleasure from the sounds they were making… Had she commanded that, Celia wondered? She couldn’t quite remember. But then her attention was caught by Daniel.

He was naked as well, muscled body shiny with sweat. His member stood out ramrod straight while he worked his hand up and down its length. “I think he wants you, Celia,” a delighted voice whispered in her ear. A soft tail wrapped around her waist, and toned arms snaked across Celia’s shoulders. She swallowed and nodded, railing against the heat Tabby’s touch brought. “I think you want him too,” Tabby continued, her fingertip pressing one stiff nipple and teasing little circles with her nail.

Instinct and control, duty and need warred within Celia. She hesitated. She wanted to be dominating and powerful, but she needed to be a good knight for Vi, and her body demanded she stop thinking and just do! Her own metaphor betrayed her; there was no steel to sink into, nothing but plush softness and smooth stone. Tabby’s careful touches, the moans of pleasure and delight, the pure presence of Daniel made gathering her thoughts next to impossible. She felt something buckle and with a heated, desperate groan she nodded.

She wanted Daniel, but she didn’t want to be taken. “On… on your back!" She ordered him. The smith’s bushy eyebrows rose, and he chuckled as he obeyed. Laying out on the cavern floor with his hands folded behind his head, he openly marveled at Celia’s body.

At that moment she felt so good, so desired and sexy and incredibly turned on. The heat pooling in her pussy ached to be sated. As if in sync with her need, Tabby’s lips returned to her ears. “Take him, Celia.”

She crawled over Daniel’s body, lips drawn to kiss his sturdy legs. Submission and dominance clashed, which one to choose? She couldn’t decide. Daniel’s manhood lay before her, towering up, and it seemed to fill her vision. She wanted to kiss it, to take it in her mouth, as she had seen other girls do before. To please, to give. Another urge demanded she claim him with her own body, to make him please her. She whimpered, as the two powerful urges clashed and it was suddenly Lauren’s calm sweet voice in her ear. She had come back? “Celia, do as you please, if you please.”

The clash ended, and the external need to dominate vanished. The ache between her legs remained, it urged her forward, demanding attention. Attention she was positive Daniel would provide, given the right encouragement. Her kisses along his legs brought her closer to his shaft, his heady scent of male need filling her nose. She lifted her head to look into Daniel’s eyes. “May I?”

Confusion washed over the large man’s face. He glanced behind her, then smiled understandingly. “Go ahead, lass.” She shivered in delight and smiled happily, before kissing the heated purple tip before her. Dominance was fun, but this was so much nicer.

The smith was large, larger than Samuel had been. Her lips eased over the head and slowly down until she felt it touch the back of her throat. Immediately her eyes watered and something visceral made her stop. “Don’t try and force it, Celia,” came Tabby’s patient voice as the cat-girl’s warm body slipped down next to hers. “The tip is the most sensitive part. Start with that,” she instructed, easing Celia off Daniel’s cock and giving it a lick with the broad part of her tongue.

Daniel moaned, and Celia swore she saw the big man buck his hips a little. “It takes practice, like anything else,” Tabby purred, her tail lazily swaying back and forth.

Celia watched, a quiet respect for Tabby beginning to grow even against the thrum of demanding desire distracting her. The energetic beastkin seemed to know just how to kiss, how to hold and touch Daniel to keep him right on the edge, and loving every second. After only a few moments Tabby nodded at Celia. Wordlessly she urged her to crawl over the smith’s body, straddling his waist. The heat of his member on her inner thigh made a deep part of her demand he slip it inside her. “Fu– Fuck me!” She cried out, unsure if it was a command or a request.

Looking down at the man’s face, she saw his naked desire and it drove the heat swirling through her higher. Celia wanted this, she needed this, and the phantom voice in her mind whispering that it was better to obey than to cum was satisfied. She was obeying, she had been told to do as she pleased and right now that was… oh!

Daniel had maneuvered himself inside her! Before, with Samuel she had been lost in their dream. Now she could feel it so much more intensely. Rational thought fled – there hadn’t been much left – as Celia became solely focused on the sensations. Rough calloused hands on her breasts, sending sparks of pleasure down into her core, meeting the molten heat rising up from her pussy. Daniel’s cock slipped easily in and out of her folds, a point of concentrated heat. She moaned and cried, shutting her eyes tight.

She took a deep breath, the scents of spring water and sweat filling her nose. The subtle flower perfume mixed with musk, teasing and tempting Celia to let go and simply be in the moment. The faint sounds of hushed conversation passed by, nearly unnoticed under the moans and sighs of bliss. When she opened her eyes and glanced to the side she was both shocked, then quickly thrilled, to see Weaver watching her along with her girls.

Weaver’s eyes were wide as windows, and Celia gave him a lust drunk grin just as Daniel thrust up hard into her. Somehow, she felt his manhood grow hotter inside her, and his thrusts grew more and more frantic. Soft hands and a tufted tail brought her attention to Tabby once more. “He’s so close, Celia.” Celia nodded eagerly. “You get to control it, when he cums and even…" She giggled, “where.”

Celia nodded frantically, the surge of her own release building swiftly. “In you? All over your beautiful body?” She giggled again, “Or maybe you want to see him decorate one of your girls?” She still had her girls, and there was still a whisper of soft desire to command and control them. She could still be dominating, right? The two didn’t have to conflict. Nothing was stopping her, and it did… it did…

Celia cried out sharply as the rising heat claimed her entirely, her body clenching and milking Daniel’s cock. Her efforts were rewarded a moment later when she felt him release deep in her body, spreading liquid heat filling her with pulse after pulse.

Celia came undone. Grinning and sighing, she let herself sink into that wonderful afterglow, limp and languid… Only she couldn’t. Tabby’s skilled hands were on her body, now much more sensitive than before. Every knowing pinch of her nipple or clever kiss and lick on her neck was pure fire. Words evaporated like steam, the warrior near helpless to Tabby’s sudden resignition of her passions.

“Fuck, Celia, you look so sexy when you cum,” Tabby mrred between kisses. The warrior felt it, felt so desired, needed. In the haze of passion she wrapped her arms around Tabby, desperate for any increase in the amount of beautiful cat-girl touching her. She felt Daniel softening slowly inside her, and half-noticed as the smith easily lifted both girls and set them on the bench. That strength was impressive, but any consideration of anything else fled as Tabby’s fingers found her dripping slit.

Slender fingers eased deep, swirling and hitting spots that made Celia shudder. Tabby slipped free entirely too soon for Celia’s preference, offering her two fingers coated in something pearlescent. The thick scent of shared desire clouded Celia’s mind further, and she opened her lips, tasting it. It was hot, salty, and… oh! It was Daniel’s cum. “Did you like that, Celia?” Tabby cooed with obvious delight, to which Celia could only nod. “Good. I have so many things to show you.”

________________

She blinked a few times and the Grotto sharpened out of the haze. Recollection, hot and enticing, came with it. Lying back on the couch with Weaver’s hand’s on her breasts and his fingers in her pussy, drawing noises of ecstasy from her. Kissing and savoring Clara’s nipples while the mage bound Celia’s hands behind her back with ice. Because Celia had ordered her to. Watching Daniel and Weaver share a passionate kiss while Lauren and Electra knelt between their legs and bathed each cock in licks and kisses. Tabby flitting in and out, always kissing or touching, keeping the interest and passion high. She recalled, oddly clearly, a few times drinking a class of cool something, and Lauren’s gentle hands infusing her body with vigor.

In the present, she felt warm skin, slightly rough and definitely male behind her, and turned her head to see Weaver’s hand on her side. She was on a couch, cuddled to his chest, the archer looking astonished and incredibly pleased. She smiled at him. Words escaped her, and a slight embarrassed flush colored her cheeks as she once again remembered why. Thankfully, it seemed Weaver understood, and didn’t press for conversation, letting her luxuriate against him.

She glanced to the side to see Daniel getting his cock sucked leisurely by Selene, the smith’s hands buried in her hair and rubbing her twitching ears while the cat-girl’s midnight tail twitched wildly. On another couch, she spotted Trevor, the Herald’s other archer. His dark skin was coated with sweat while Joshua – one of Brawna’s Touched? She was starting to realize she didn’t know much about them beyond combat abilities and sex – was slowly pumping his hand up and down Trevor’s shaft.

She almost instinctively looked away as Trevor suddenly erupted over Joshua’s pale skin, but… that was normal here. There wasn’t anything wrong with watching, and the pair hardly seemed to mind, what with Trevor slipping his hands in Joshua’s firebrick colored hair and pulling the priest up for a passionate kiss. They cuddled together, and Celia’s attention was stolen again when Daniel finished with Selene, flopping back bonelessly while the beastkin swallowed and giggled. He waved her off with a satisfied grin and she spun on her heels, playfully swatting him with her tail.

She smiled, then winced as she realized… she got complacent! Not only had she made no progress with Tabby, the sly cat-girl had left her feeling drained. Wonderfully so, but still! She hadn’t been able to enforce Violet’s will… but it wasn’t all for nothing. Even as she was rebuilding her resolve, she smiled wryly to herself. Trying to get at Tabby through sex was like trying to fight a forest fire with a candle. So, what else was there? She let herself sink further in thought for a moment before Weaver nudged her. “Everything alright, Celia?” He asked with a note of worry.

“What?” She asked, flustered and rising quickly from her contemplation.

“You looked miles away just now. Copper for your thoughts?”

“You couldn’t afford them even at that price,” she snorted, enjoying the earnest smile the joke brought. He was rather good company, all things considered. “Nah. Just wondering how anyone could resist Tabby.” A true enough statement. She didn’t need to be informing the other team about her plan. Trying to tease some information out, on the other hand?

She hadn’t expected Weaver to offer anything more than his condolences and commiseration. To her surprise, though, he chuckled. “Well, you would have to ask Morgan about that.”

Celia sat up, intrigued. “Morgan?” She repeated. “The elven archer?” They weren’t very social with Celia, and always seemed vaguely amused for some reason when fighting her. “Do they not come to these things?” She asked, slipping away from Weaver and into her robe.

Weaver shook his head. “Not usually. They’re not a prude, but I’m pretty sure they prefer things to be more personal than that? If they’re around, then they’d be upstairs in the barracks.”

Celia nodded, considering that. “Thank you,” she murmured, hastily tying the robe shut around herself and putting on a set of slippers. She noticed the look of confusion on his face, and shook her head, thinking quickly. “I want to get one up on Tabby. Don’t tell her, okay?” With a wink, she was off to the stairs. ________________

Leaving the party was like emerging from a dream. Down in the Grotto, there had been a pervasive feeling of permission, that as long as the whorls were right, anything was allowed. Back up in the main barracks, with its smell of armor polish, old sweat, and leather, she suddenly felt quite exposed. She pressed on, surety in her mission and her own growing sense of self esteem aiding her.

It was easy enough to spot Morgan. The elf was lounging in a dark green shirt and leather breeches at one of the round tables near the kitchen area. And they weren’t alone. Johanna and Robert were both there as well. They were older then most of the other Heralds, in their mid thirties, if she was remembering correctly. Johanna’s blonde hair was pulled into a tight sleek ponytail, exposing slightly elongated ears that denoted the presence of at least some elven blood. Her hard green eyes looked over the hand of cards she held, framed by a handsome pale face that was contemplating her next move.

“Give it up, Jo,” Robert barked good-naturedly from his seat. In contrast to Johanna, his hair was coarse and dark and cut bristle-short. He was wrapped in a robe which hung loosely off his shoulders, baring his hair-covered chest. Celia knew the man loomed over all but Daniel when he stood, and the pale green tint to his skin picked him out as having some orcish blood.

Johanna’s eyes flitted from her cards, to the small pile of coins in the center of the table, then back to her cards before she lightly tossed them in. “Fold,” she sighed almost musically.

“Aye, but it seems the game must be put on hold,” Morgan purred, their voice soft and lilting. Their aquamarine eyes pinned Celia in place from beneath a short bob of dark green hair. Elvish green, not the dyed color of that artificer in New Gyr. “What comes, Celia?” They paused, raising an eyebrow. “Aside from you, of course.”

The other two chuckled, turning in their seats to nod at Celia. “Now, this is a surprise,” Johanna laughed. “Don’t tell me you’re already bored?”

“Overwhelmed, more like it!” Robert countered. “It can be rough for a first timer, and, well…” His dark brown eyes went up and down her body. “You seemed like you’d be the last person to join something like that.”

Celia looked away to hide her alarm. “I wanted…” She took a breath and steadied herself, meeting Robert’s gaze. “Tabby offered to show me how she lives.” A lie, yes, but not too big of one. She had offered that with the party… “She promised it was safe, so I said yes.”

Robert held her gaze for a while before shrugging and turning back to the card game. Johanna’s gaze was more searching. “And yet you’re up here with us?

Before Celia could explain, Morgan shook their head. “Robert had the right of it. Overwhelmed,” they proclaimed, their accent bending the sounds slightly. “Her eyes give the game away.” The elf’s smirk widened. “Like a frightened rabbit’s, they are.”

Celia balked. “I am not frightened!” That might have applied before, but she had a purpose, a mission, and a goal now. Outmatched, maybe, and unsure of the way forward, definitely. But afraid?

Johanna rolled her eyes and returned to the card game but Morgan arched one of their eyebrows. “Then enlighten us, Celia Evergleam,” Morgan challenged. She tensed, despite herself. They couldn’t do anything with her Name – probably – but she liked to think she could learn from failure. Even if her track record disagreed. “Why are you up here? I can all but guarantee we fine fellows will be a poor substitute for the pleasures below.” Robert chuckled at that and Johanna sighed heavily.

“Weaver mentioned you had a way of resisting Tabby?” She struck out boldly.

Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “Did he now?" They said softly. “Did you not consider that I might just be strong of will?”

“Don’t try that. You stare at her as much as any of us,” Robert called, and Morgan sighed.

“Oh, do be quiet,” Morgan sighed. They turned back, eyes once again pinning Celia in place. “So, you seek a way to keep the pretty kitty at bay?”

She swallowed in the face of Morgan’s aquamarine stare. Their stare was hardly as transfixing as Gella’s, but there was something of the same feeling there. She pushed past the memory and forced herself to focus. “Yes,” she confirmed.

“And why, pray tell, if your goal is to see how she lives?”

Celia prepared her lie, though the flush of embarrassment was real. “She can keep her head already. I want to level the playing field.”

“I see,” Morgan said softly. “You will have to tell me how this goes, of course.” They wandered away from the table toward their trunk, and a moment later returned with a bundle of something pale green and bound with twine. “The smoke from this will… distract the pretty kitty.”

A distracted Tabby could be much more easily enthralled, Celia thought while moving to take the bundle. Morgan’s hand snapped around her wrist. “I treasure my herblore, Celia.” The elf’s voice was low and firm. “I will give you this, but with two conditions.” They waited for Celia to nod. “First, you owe me one.” Celia nodded easily to that. “And second, Lathallen will not get her sneaky fingers on this. I’ve told her my price for my knowledge, and she has yet to pay it.”

It took Celia a moment to remember that was Violet’s given name. Aversa was the only other person she’d heard use the name. But that should be easy enough to agree to, since she hadn’t seen Violet all night. And if Violet hadn’t stolen the information already, she probably wouldn’t from Celia either. So she nodded again, and Morgan’s grip loosened. “If I find out that Lathallen has gotten hold of it…" Their smile turned wicked. “You’ll find out what else my herblore can do. Enjoy the rest of the party, Celia.” With that, Morgan dismissed her and turned back to the card game.

________________

The party was still in full swing when Celia returned to the Grotto. The tightly wrapped bundle of plant matter clutched in her fist, she was about to start her search for Tabby when the cat-girl’s voice filled the room, magically amplified over the music. “I hope you’re all having a wonderful time,” she called, to a general cheer from the group around the stage.

Tabby was standing next to her friend Selene, which could make getting her alone tricky. Tabby, of course, stood proudly without a stitch of clothing on. Selene was actually wearing something, but somehow managed to be more scandalous than Tabby, with how the light blue outfit draped suggestively, revealing more than it hid. And it shifted as she moved, showing a different patch of dark thigh or more than a hint of her soft tummy.

Then the music changed to something softer and intricate, and Selene began to dance. Celia’s attention was captured instantly, watching the lithe movements perfectly timed to the music. The song started off slow and sensual, Selene swaying her arms above her head while her hands formed intricate signs…

Wait. Selene was captivating, yes, but something about it felt… off. Indeed, as she looked at the Heralds around her, she saw more than a few gazing with unusual focus, as if all they could see was the dance. Celia took a deep breath, and pulled her attention fully away. When she chanced to look back, she simply saw Selene, a beautiful and seductive woman, but not one supernaturally captivating.

“She can do that much stronger, you know. She keeps it contained when she dances for friends,” a familiar sweet voice spoke from behind Celia. The warrior turned and found Lauren, back in the silken robes and with a glass of water in each hand. She offered one, and Celia gratefully drained it.

Leading them away from the stage, the priestess slipped down onto a couch and patted the cushion next to her, and Celia slipped to sit next to her obligingly. “I was a little worried when I saw you bolt up the stairs,” Lauren began, searching Celia’s expression carefully.

“It wasn’t anything like the first time,” Celia assured the priestess. “In fact, Weaver gave me a lead to something we can use for…” She trailed off, looking around. Nobody was around, no faint footfall or motion to brush against her instincts. The party was distant, and muted. “For Violet’s plan.”

Lauren blinked, then grinned excitedly. “Really?”

Celia grinned back. “Yes. Morgan apparently has a way of keeping Tabby distracted.” She unclenched her fist, showing the slightly crushed bundle. “I’m not supposed to let Vi actually get it – they have some deal there or something – but I can use it, and whatever it is, they said the smoke from it will keep her distracted.”

Lauren peered at the bundle curiously. “Distracted?”

“I tried getting her into a trance earlier today.” Lauren giggled, and Celia shot her a playful glare, tightening her fist again. “It seems our kitty…” Celia paused. How had Tabby turned so quickly from Gella’s Treasure to her kitty in her mind? The cat-girl had been nearly as friendly and welcoming as Lauren, and though it had taken longer, Celia felt the same sort of fondness she felt when thinking about the priestess.

“Our kitty…” Lauren prompted.

She could consider what Tabby meant to her after the cat-girl was officially on the team. “Our kitty,” she continued, “has a very interesting reaction to being called a pet.”

Lauren just blinked. “Well… yes. She does like that.”

“Well,” Celia soldiered on. “If I can get her all distracted and hazy with the smoke, and I’m pretty sure that’s what they meant, then use her collar to help her think of herself as Miss Violet’s pet…”

Lauren grimaced. “Oh, Celia. I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

Celia frowned. What flaw hadn’t she noticed? It would get Tabby under Violet’s control for the game, and Tabby certainly seemed to enjoy the idea of being a pet. The cat-girl’s normally cheerful exuberance had been muted in the absence of Gella. Was that it? “It will make her feel better until the game is over and Gella can take over again,” she said, then stopped. Take control again? Why would…

She winced. What had she just been thinking about? “We need to do our best to win the game for Violet, Lauren.”

The priestess shook her head. “Being a pet isn’t just what Tabby does sometimes, Celia,” she explained with a strange sense of urgency. “It’s what she is. And using her special collar to do it?” Lauren met Celia’s eyes. “How would you feel if someone you trusted stole your sword for a fight against you?”

That idea froze her. That would… that would be unacceptable. If that was how Tabby would feel… Doing something like that just for this game felt wrong. However much she wanted to win, she didn’t want to trample on something that might be as sacred as her sword was to her.

Lauren smiled reassuringly. “Though, if you have a way to get her that dazed and relaxed I could probably get her on our team.” A thoughtful look crossed over her face. “I just need my paints…” She reached up to a tiny stud earring Celia had missed and pressed it between thumb and forefinger.

“Paints? What?” Celia asked, bewildered.

“Just wait for it,” Lauren giggled.

They didn’t wait long before something slid out of the shadows, resolving into the impossible silhouette that was Violet’s armor. Celia started. That patch of shadow was too isolated to have hidden her approach. “Magic?” She guessed.

Violet shook her head, standing up gracefully. “Nothing so fantastic, Celia,” she answered simply. “It is easier to go unnoticed than one might think.” She turned toward Lauren. “What do you need?”

“The orange, black and white body paints from my room, please, and my special brush.” Lauren responded happily. “Also that little collar with a bell you like making Tabby wear.”

Celia caught the ghost of a smile on Violet’s lips. “I see. Bring them back here?”

Lauren shook her head, her pink hair swaying. “No, let me think for a moment.”

While the priestess was deep in thought, Celia gestured to get Violet’s attention, then hid a smirk. Morgan had told her not to give it to her, but if she wasn’t paying the price… maybe she just didn’t know what she was missing. “I got something from Morgan. I’m not allowed to give it to you, but they implied it would have useful effects on Tabby.” Violet looked at her, seeming to consider something. Was she going to order Celia to give it to her anyway?

Thankfully, Lauren spoke up before she could. “I know where. The moonpool at the back of the Grotto. Meet us there.” Violet’s gaze lingered on Celia for just a second longer, before she nodded and slipped back into the shadows. A moment later it was as if she had never been in the room.

“Come on, Celia,” Lauren said enthusiastically from the doorway. She followed.

________________

The moonpool had been accurately named. The basin was formed of pale white stone that glowed softly, contrasting with the onyx that made up the room around it, flecked with tiny crystals that shimmered faintly. When one looked at it from the entrance, a curtain cutting off outside light, it looked for all the world to be the moon brought to earth.

The rest of the Grotto felt magical in the way the fae had – almost human, almost natural. This room, then, was Aversa. Something far beyond. “Is… this made with magic?” Celia murmured, watching in fascination as Lauren strode right to the pool and trailed her fingers along the water, making luminescent ripples.

Lauren shrugged. “I never asked.” Looking over her shoulder, she giggled. “You get used to the unnatural and strange living here.”

Never a truer word spoken, Celia considered while Lauren walked around, seeming to stride comfortably amongst the stars themselves. She leaned down, and Celia heard a muttered “Lumière.”

A ball of light pulled itself into existence above her open palm while she peered around the rocks. A few moments later, the priestess beckoned Celia over.

Celia inspected the small crevice in the stone that Lauren indicated. It was small, shallow and fairly narrow. She was about to ask what Lauren wanted to show her when Lauren’s idea clicked. Taking the bundle she wedged it in and wiggled it back and forth, securing it in place. “Do we light it now?” She asked, glancing at Lauren.

“If Tabby smells the smoke, she’ll know something’s up,” Lauren noted. “Let's get her warmed up a little bit first. Oh, this will be so much fun!” She spun on her toes, heading back to the entrance, extinguishing her magical light as she went. “Go ahead and get in the pool. I’ll be right back.”

Celia watched her go with a fond smile. It was difficult to be overly worried about anything with Lauren around. The smile turned to a grin as she thought about what was coming. Lauren, Violet, and Tabby all on the same team. Victory all but assured. The thought filled her with pride and contentment. Was that induced? Probably, but it didn’t matter. And… them working together wouldn’t end at the game. They would be a team. A place to belong. She let herself imagine it. A place where she could let down her guard, and…

A white hot lance of pain shot suddenly across her mind, making the warrior yelp out loud. On instinct, she breathed in. Breath… and out. Suddenly lightheaded, she tensed, but there was nobody. Nothing to fight. Right? Taking deep breaths of the humid air, the pain and heat slowly faded. Violet’s compulsions whispered in her mind, urging her forward, and she was grateful for the enforced distraction. She had a cat-girl to contain and convert.

She heard Tabby’s voice approaching the curtain, and quickly slipped into the tub, fixing a relaxed smile on her lips. She didn’t need to force it for long, though. The water felt fantastic. Swirling in it left streams of glittering white mist to rise and fade in the air, and Celia spent an enjoyable few moments simply watching it, taking in the sight.

“It certainly catches the eye, doesn’t it Celia?” Tabby’s silky soft purr slipped into Celia’s ear. “So easy to focus on–”

Whatever Tabby was going to say next was interrupted by sputtering and giggling. Then there was a sound of something faintly splashing into the water. Celia whirled as fast as she could half submerged in the pool to blink at Tabby’s dripping wet face. Lauren flashed a grin as she slipped next to Celia. “I didn’t bring you here to try and get Celia all dreamy, Tabby.”

“I mean, she was already all doe eyed watching the pretty sparkles! Wouldn’t have been much to do on my end.” Tabby protested, earning a mild grumble from Celia.

“Wasn’t!" She protested.

“Was so,” Tabby shot back. She took a deep breath and ducked her head under the water, moving with a swirl of green energy that left water making thunderclaps in her wake. Just before she surfaced, Lauren whispered in Celia’s ear. “Pretend to fall for her attempts. Distract her.”

Tabby erupted from the water, sending a cascade of droplets that sparkled in the light. Pretend? How was she supposed to do anything else but be caught, with how fast Tabby was moving? Her short dark hair was slicked down against her head, and her pointed ears twitched towards her prey. Water decorated her tawny skin, sparkling and enticing as it dripped between her breasts and lingered on her dark nipples. Celia moved toward Tabby and embraced her, the cat-girl melting eagerly into Celia’s arms.

Lips met and Celia shut her eyes, savoring the feel of Tabby’s slightly rougher tongue delicately teasing her own. Her hands slipped down silky soft heated skin, finding the firm globes of Tabby’s butt. For a moment she flashed back to her first meeting, the cat-girl launching herself at the warrior and where hands ended up there. “Gods above, Tabby,” Celia whispered during a break in their kiss. “You are gorgeous.” Her breath was heady with the passion a seemingly simple kiss had ignited.

Tabby’s eyes were bright and excited, her breath coming in soft little gasps against Celia’s lips. She grinned. “I know.” Winking, she threw her weight against the warrior, knocking them both into the water.

The world became a confusing jumble of kisses and water. When Celia broke the surface to take a much needed gulp of air, breathless for multiple reasons, Tabby was still grinning at her playfully. Almost predatory, in fact. She looked ready to pull the warrior right back into the heated hazy depths she was so good at invoking when Lauren’s pale arms wrapped around Tabby’s shoulders. Lauren whispered something Celia couldn’t hear into one tufted ear, which made Tabby giggle.

“Lauren here just let me in on your secret,” she giggled. A stab of panic shot through Celia, but she kept her face composed, and relaxed as Lauren confirmed her suspicions with a wink.

“Been having fun fantasies about seeing Lauren and I together?” Tabby teased. She turned to hug Lauren just before Celia’s confusion became apparent. The warrior was left feeling bewildered until a subtle gesture from Lauren directed her gaze toward the wall. Almost hidden among the fragments of starlight in the wall, Celia could just make out a few wisps of smoke and a tiny glowing ember.

Celia turned her attention back to her friends, openly admiring them. Tabby was her usual passionate self, of course, but Lauren seemed to be matching her. Their lips would meet, and Lauren would sigh happily, teasing her slender fingers into the water between Tabby’s legs. When Tabby went to meet her, Lauren would coo and kiss her way down to Tabby’s perky breasts.

“Keep looking forward, Celia, if you please,” Violet’s voice whispered in Celia’s ear. The command seized her body, and if it hadn’t, she had already been tensing to spin to face whoever had snuck up on her. The warrior sat in the warm glittering water, unable and unwilling to look away from the sight in front of her.

Lauren was carefully maneuvering Tabby to rest against her, keeping her stable and righting the cat-girl from every sluggish move she made. Every time it looked like the cat-girl had gathered enough of her wits to ask questions, Lauren’s gentle lips would kiss them away, all the while her fingers drifted and touched all over Tabby’s lithe body.

“Lauren has learned a great deal here, Celia,” Violet’s voice tickled past her ear. “About her body, about the bodies of others, how to give and endure pleasure.” One of the elven woman’s hands crept across Celia’s shoulder, and she gasped softly. Just that tiny touch was a jolt. Before she could moan, Violet’s other hand covered her mouth. “Just focus on our dear Lauren. If I am right, she’s nearly done.”

Celia nodded, Violet’s command still locking her eyes on the spectacle. Tabby seemed quite content to lay her head back on Lauren’s breasts, limp body floating in the water shimmering with pearlescent light. Lauren’s hands reached to either side of Tabby’s head, pressing in her temples, and moved in small, tight circles. Lauren leaned down and whispered into Tabby’s ear, eliciting a lazy smile, then slid her fingers down the cat-girl’s slick tummy to stroke her glistening pussy.

Celia couldn’t help but focus on the sensual scene, her own hand brushing along her thighs. Tabby looked so blissfully lost. Her eyes half shut, and a silly grin on her lips, all while Lauren continued massaging her temples. Almost without thinking, Celia whimpered needily. “It’s quite a sight, isn’t it, Celia?” She nodded, not wanting to break whatever spell Lauren was weaving over Tabby. “She’s reminding the pretty kitty how good it feels for her to obey.”

Celia nodded again, feeling the truth of that statement clear in her mind. It felt amazing to obey. She knew that more than well enough by now. Her body was beginning to cry out for attention just from the sight of Tabby knowing that. “A fact you know so well, Celia,” Violet continued, echoing her thoughts. “Obey.” A kiss smoldered on Celia’s shoulder, and only Violet covering her mouth once more kept her cry from going above a muffled whine. “Once Lauren converts Tabby, the game is all but won. And my loyal obedient teammates can all celebrate together.”

There was something in Violet’s voice. A sense of satisfaction twined with longing. Strange, but Celia hardly bothered thinking deeper when that promise held such delicious implications. Back in the manor with Tabby and Lauren, the game finished. Would it be in Lauren’s room, with the gentle priestess taking charge? Or Tabby, urging them all to abandon themselves to pure pleasure? Or…

With a jolt, Celia’s daydream broke, and her fingers pressed deeper inside herself. Something faintly whispered that pleasure was to be shared, but how better than by being with all three girls? “Looking forward to that already, I see,” Violet’s voice teased in her ear. “But we need to focus for the moment.”

Celia whimpered and teased her folds lightly, slowly pulling her hand away. “Ah ah ah, Celia.” Violet’s voice took on a slight edge. “Celia, don’t play with your pussy at all, if you please.” Why?! The blonde warrior let out a high needy whimper, the heat in her body flaring. How was that fair? Pleasure at being denied pleasure? She tried focusing past the heated haze clinging to the edges of her thoughts, but all she could see in front of her was Lauren instructing Tabby to drive herself into more and more of a frenzy.

“Please,” she whispered to Violet. “Can I look away?”

Her voice was softer than she’d intended. She was independent, fierce, a knight. She shouldn’t have to ask for permission to turn her head. But a deeper, more powerful part, the part woven with Lavender words and pink hands and silver eyes, all disagreed. She could be a strong knight and warrior, and still be independent. It didn’t mean she couldn’t be soft sometimes, to allow herself to need. Violet, thankfully, seemed to understand. “Celia, look where you like, if you please.”

Closing her eyes, Celia tried to find something else to sink into. Stone. She could be stone. Unmoving, unyielding… but glowing. Soft, and shaped, magic or tools or something having molded it into… She broke that train of thought, chasing away the distractions of gorgeous women sharing the pool with her. Everything else was swamped in that wonderful distracting heat. But, if everything was heated, then…

She stopped trying to fight through her building arousal. Instead, she sank into it. It flowed through her and a soft needy mewl escaped her lips. She could feel everything. The water lightly splashing across the tops of her breasts, the subtle currents across her stiff nipples. The heat and sheer closeness of Violet behind her. The scent of Tabby’s arousal mingling with the wet humid air of the cavern. She let it all in, washing through her mind and body. Violet’s order kept her hands away from her folds, but it was her own determination that kept them still in her lap. Finally, she opened her eyes.

It was precarious control, untested, but it was control she had earned. Turning and nodding to Violet, she met her eyes with confidence. “I’m ready.”

“Ah, just in time,” Violet noted, gesturing toward the other side of the pool. Lauren was carefully guiding Tabby to her feet, one hand under the cat-girl’s chin. The priestess was unyielding, keeping Tabby’s gaze directly on her own pink-rimmed eyes. She carefully led Tabby out of the pool, glittering water running in enticing rivulets down each of their bodies.

Violet urged her to leave the pool, handing her a large fluffy towel. “I’ll take care of Tabby.” With a dry smile, she added, “I have experience drying off girls too lost in another’s power to notice.”

Before Celia could say anything in response, Lauren suddenly put her hand to her lips. “Oh gosh! I forgot!” She looked nervously around the room. “I need to get rid of…”

Violet handed her a familiar looking wand, rolling her eyes fondly. “You need to clear the markings already on her. I thought you might.”

Lauren smiled warmly and took the wand. “Thank you, Violet.” The elven woman nodded as she wrapped the towel around Tabby. Celia watched Violet move with practiced efficiency to dry the cat-girl’s body without disturbing whatever relaxed state of mind Lauren had lulled her into.

Taking her own towel in hand, Celia began drying off Lauren, who gave her a quick grin before focusing all her attention on Tabby. “How are you feeling, Tabitha?” She asked. As she spoke, the whorls on Tabby’s skin faded away.

“Sooo good,” Tabby murmured, her voice distant and soft. Celia luxuriated in the surge of desire hearing that tone brought.

Lauren noticed Celia’s expression, and covered a pleased giggle with her mouth. “Hand me the collar with the little bell and my paints? They’re over there, near Violet,” she whispered to the warrior.

Celia looked at the items. They didn’t look like anything special, but by now she knew looks could be more than deceiving here. The first was a simple collar, soft pliable leather with a tiny silver bell at the front. If it had been smaller, Celia could easily imagine it around some noble’s house pet. Then again, with what Lauren had in mind, that’s where it would be going. The paints were unfamiliar, smelling different from the acrid scent she was used to, but she collected the pots of white, black and orange paint without comment.

“Now, Tabitha is going to stay relaxed and asleep,” Lauren continued while Celia brought her what she’d asked for. “I’m going to paint a new role for you. Do you remember how good it feels to make my art come alive?” Tabby nodded, and her purr was a low rumble of pleasure. “Such a good girl,” Lauren said adoringly.

Violet stood, and moved next to Lauren. “She is all dried off,” she reported. “Tell us what your plan is.” Celia thrilled at the note of iron control in Violet’s voice, savoring that surety of purpose.

This close to the priestess, Celia could see the tiny intake of breath that followed the command. It seemed she wasn’t the only one to feel that way, and it made her feel a kinship with Lauren. Celia smiled tenderly up at her. She didn’t need to share any words, because she could see the look in Lauren’s pink-rimmed eyes. The priestess wasn’t ashamed of her reaction, rather she was thrilled by it.

“Celia gave me the idea, actually,” Lauren began, taking her brush in hand. Celia blinked in surprise when the handle began to glow. “Tabby wouldn’t be a pet to another person. It’s not who she is.” She spoke as though the enthralled cat-girl weren’t present. And she couldn’t help but feel a rush of desire when she suddenly understood that in a very real way, Tabby wasn’t.

Lauren first dipped the brush in orange paint. “But if I paint another cat-girl, a wild one, for Tabby to be until the game is over? And that cat-girl is a pet? That would be much easier for her to accept.” The moment the brush touched Tabby’s skin, the cat-girl sighed softly.

The paint left the brush in a strange way, evenly applied no matter how skin met bristle. Celia could only barely tell where pigment ended and uncolored skin began. “A wild tigress, feral and free,” Lauren continued thoughtfully. Celia stepped back and watched in fascination.

“The brush is enchanted for evenness and reinforcement of suggestion,” Violet supplied, and Celia couldn’t help but start. She had moved so quietly Celia hadn’t heard anything, despite the room being otherwise quiet. “With how lost in her mind Tabitha is, the role Lauren is painting for her will be much more persistent. This will be more than effective.” Celia heard the touch of fondness in Violet’s voice, and it warmed her.

Celia couldn’t help but continue to watch as Lauren sealed Tabitha away inside her own mind. The priestess worked carefully with the brush, murmuring encouragement and instructions as she did. Even as deep as she was, Celia heard soft gasps of pleasure from Tabby.

“Your memories wrapped as carefully as can be, right next to your sleeping mind,” Lauren murmured while her brush colored Tabby’s tummy a creamy looking white. With little spots of dark along orange-painted arms, she gave the next instruction. “No need for your abilities as a monk. They can sleep with you.” With each pass of the brush, the gasps were less and less controlled, more and more feral.

Finally, Lauren knelt between the cat-girl’s legs to extend the white coloring from her tummy to the hairless lips of Tabby’s pussy. “Let your desires be uncontrolled and free, primal and unrestrained,” she finished with a kiss right on her slit. “And last, your name, sealed with a kiss.” That pulled a wordless yowl from… well, the now-nameless cat-girl’s enthralled body.

Lauren stood up, quite pleased with herself. “Well done,” Violet praised. Celia looked from her beaming friend to Violet and back to the cat-girl who, moments ago, had been her friend. A creeping feeling started in her stomach, the same one she felt when Violet had Lauren under her spell. “That’s not…” She swallowed past the uncomfortable growing dread. “She's going to be alright after, right?” The thought of the cheerful pink priestess carefully sealing her away with a kiss was both red hot and icy cold in tandem. “You didn’t take her away, or–”

Before she could finish Lauren looked suddenly appalled. “No!" She insisted, more force in that single word than Celia thought she’d heard from Lauren combined. “I would never.” She turned and looked at the cat-girl that… was still Tabby, just not now, then. “Once the paint is rinsed off, the effect will end and she will be as right as rain.” Celia felt the worry abide some, but then remembered something the cat-girl had said the night she returned to the manor.

She’s played with my memory. Made me forget my name. Made me forget everything outside the manor.

“You… you’ve done this to her before?” Celia asked, more fascinated than worried now.

“Not exactly like this,” Lauren conceded. “Less paint, usually. Similar enough though.” Her smile brightened and she stepped forward, taking both of Celia’s hands in her own. The warrior felt her friend’s soft palms envelop her fingers and looked into those warm pink-rimmed eyes. “I made you my artist’s model, remember? And I put everything back right where it was.”

Celia had to admit that Lauren was right. If there was anyone she would trust to not only seal away her mind, but put it back afterwards, it would be Lauren. “So?” Celia began after a moment. “What now?”

“Someone needs to actually tame her,” Lauren supplied. “I assumed you would be doing that, Violet?”

The elf looked the orange-speckled tiger-girl up and down, then raised the collar with the jingly bell. “I have a few ideas on how, yes.”

________________

The nameless cat-girl struggled and fought, but she had no way to escape from Violet and Celia. She just wasn’t strong enough, and they were easily able to pin her between them. The girl hissed and spit, thrashing and invoking curses in heavily clipped Common. Lauren endured it all with a gentle smile, caressing the cat-girl with the tips of her fingers until finally her struggles began to wane.

“What? Want?” The cat-girl growled, a sound that Celia found distinctly unnerving coming from Tabby’s mouth.

“To make you feel good,” Lauren responded in such a calm and serene way that it took the wild girl a moment to answer.

“How?” She finally asked.

Lauren nodded to Violet, who nodded to Celia. “Follow my lead,” was all Violet said before expertly cupping one of the kitty’s breasts. Nimble fingers brushed and teased along the perky tit, dancing over orange and white paints. The cat-girl’s fight against her slowed down, and Celia cautiously began to mirror Violet.

The cat-girl’s breath got faster and huskier, and her eyes held more curious arousal than anger now. Between Violet and herself, Celia maneuvered the cat-girl so she could lay against her while Violet supported her midsection. Lauren shifted opposite of the elf and resumed stroking the cat-girl’s short hair. “We only want to make you feel good, pretty girl,” Lauren soothed, and Celia shivered in desire at the tone. When they were done with this game, Celia decided she was going to ask Lauren to talk to her that way.

________________

Violet’s finger flicked the bell, and a sharp chime echoed through the moonpool chamber. “Good girl, Amalia,” Violet praised, and the cat-girl arched her back and keened in wordless pleasure. Lauren was gone, having left to keep an eye on the rest of the party and to make sure no one came looking for Tabby.

“Very good, my pet,” Violet continued calmly. “Again. What do good pets do?”

Celia watched the sweat trickle from Amalia’s brow. The tigress shifted and bucked, never hard enough to break free of the thin silken ropes Violet had apparently had on her, but in desperation for any stimulation. Between Celia and Violet they had teased the cat-girl to the edge over and over, and each time Violet linked it to the sound of the tiny bell chiming. “Obey!” Amalia cried out, and was rewarded with a single flick of the bell.

Violet nodded to Celia, who slipped her hands down Amalia’s body as Violet had instructed her. Feather-soft touches on pebble-stiff nipples thrust up to meet her fingertips. Followed by a slow trail down a clenching, sweat-slick tummy toward the radiating heat between Amalia’s legs. She wasn’t to touch her directly, simply to brush up and down her outer lips as gently as she could. Her fingers came away utterly soaked even so. Celia had found Amalia enjoyed her own taste quite a bit, so the essence-coated fingers slipped into the cat-girl’s mouth where a desperate rough tongue lapped away every drop.

Celia’s mind was a balancing act. Desire against duty, both accepted and neither eclipsed. Celia couldn’t help but bite her lip as she watched. Tabby was no less beautiful as Amalia, and Celia’s body simmered at their closeness. Violet’s eyes flicked to her with an understanding look. “We’re nearly there, Celia. You’re doing so well. I’m proud of you.” Duty mixed with desire for a moment, welling up inside Celia and breaking out as a wide smile. She nodded firmly, feeling confident and focused on helping Amalia be the most relaxed, most pleasure-addled pet Violet could have hoped for.

Violet’s gaze returned to the squirming cat-girl, and Celia watched while the elf expertly ran the tip of a single finger up and down Amalia’s drenched folds, drawing loud needy mewls out of her. “Yes, pretty kitty. You obey, you feel pleasure,” she murmured. “No need to think. No need to wonder. Just” – she flicked the bell again – “obey.”

This time, the reaction to the bell left her whimpering and nuzzling desperately against Celia, and the warrior looked to Violet for permission. A single nod, and Celia repeated the teasing touches. Violet made a gesture, and she obeyed, drawing her nails across the inside of Amalia’s spread legs. “O… obey. Don… don’t think!" The tigress gasped out.

“Pets don’t think,” Violet confirmed, ringing the bell again. Amalia twitched and cried out, but Violet clearly had no intention of giving her mercy, and rang the bell again. Desperate, wordless begging echoed in the ethereal room. “Pets obey.”

Celia watched, duty swelling and desire deepening. She knew from experience just how thought-shattering it could be to have release held endlessly out of reach, and Violet had undoubtedly mastered the art. She looked down at the pleasure-wracked and tear-stained face of the woman that had been Tabby, and couldn’t help but lean down to kiss her forehead. “Just let go, pretty pet,” she whispered, surprising herself. “Let yourself fall, you’ll be caught and cared for. Be mine. Be ours.”

The look she received from Violet was enigmatic, but not displeased. Amalia shut her eyes tightly, and Celia watched as the cat-girl’s tension mounted, then seemed to vanish all at once. “Your pet.”

Violet nodded in appreciation to Celia, eyebrows raised slightly, but that only made her swell with pride. The elf’s skilled fingers quickly brought Amalia over the edge after that, rewarding her for the words. Teasing touches turned to careful pets and reassuring brushes over orange and white painted skin. “Good pet,” Violet praised in between touches.

The elf carefully shifted so she was bearing Amalia’s weight, fixing Celia with a commanding gaze. “Go find Lauren, let her know the cat-girl is ours,” she instructed, then her look turned searching, and she smiled. “You can go back and wait for us in your room. We will be up shortly, once we deal with Damian.”

The building aching need, now that duty no longer needed to balance it, was practically overwhelming. Before she could even ask for permission, Violet just nodded. “Celia, you may touch yourself again, if you please.”

Celia beamed. Relaxing in her amazingly comfortable bed and enjoying herself sounded wonderful. But first… she looked over at the woman that had been Tabby.

Amalia was laying dazed in Violet’s lap, the elf carefully petting her. Celia felt a bit of responsibility toward the girl. Walking back, and for the moment ignoring Violet’s questioning glance, Celia knelt by Amalia. She pressed her head against the cat-girl’s, cheek against flushed orange-painted cheek. Amalia had said your pet, and while that could have been toward them both, she still felt the same sense of responsibility towards her that she had for Clara and Electra when they had surrendered to her.

“Relax, pretty kitty,” Celia soothed, running her fingers softly down Amalia’s neck. “Violet will take excellent care of you. Obey, feel, and don’t think.” She watched the barely lucid cat-girl writhe and squirm in delight.

Violet’s fingers slipped under Celia’s chin, tilting her head to meet amethyst eyes. “Well done, Celia,” she said simply. “And you can rest assured, I will take excellent care of her.”

________________

She found Lauren at the bar mixing a drink for Clara. She handed it off with a suggestion that, since the party was wrapping up, she might want to take Electra with her to bed, then turned to Celia with a questioning look. “It’s done,” Celia reported happily. “And she’s waiting for you. And once you're done here, I’ll be waiting for you all.” Despite herself, she giggled. She couldn’t help it! Finally freed of duty, for a moment, she felt… free.

Lauren's gentle warm smile fed her heat. She could imagine all the wonderful ways Lauren could make her feel good, but those were for later. “Oh! I’ll be right there then,” she chirped, looking around. “Most everyone is winding down for the night anyway.” Slipping out from behind the table, she gave Celia a quick kiss. “Go on, then!" She giggled, heading off toward the moonpool.

________________

The cool night air was bracing after the heat of the Grotto. Heatless torches glowed around the courtyard, which gave her more than enough light to see the way back toward the manor. Wearing her shirt and breeches loosely, carrying her boots in her hand, she slowly walked back, looking up at the brilliant night sky.

Somehow, despite how consuming her desire had been, and despite the pleasant brush of fabric across her nipples or the slowly seeping wetness between her legs, Celia was caught in a reflective mood. Gazing up at the glowing moon as it cast the distant mountain peaks in glimmering white, she sighed happily. Had one night really changed so much about how she felt here? Individually, everything had felt fantastic. The pleasant ache in her body was testament to just how much she enjoyed it. She grinned. Perhaps it would be different in the morning. After all, if desire really could be so… easy, so freeing… Perhaps she might even ask for her thoughts to be nudged, and–

“Oh my,” a voice Celia hadn’t heard in days murmured, snapping her out of her reverie. She turned, and saw hair like silver under the moon, and gray eyes shining bright. Gella. Her dark leather armor had some dust around the boots, and her expression was tired. “My pretty little knight,” she chuckled, looking up and down Celia’s disheveled and flushed body. “Whatever have you been getting up to?”