I chuckled. "If they're old enough, I won't protest."
"Eh, gotta start 'em young. Two weeks at most." Dirthin said.
"They'll sleep like stone." I laughed.
"I bet they would." He agreed.
"I wonder what fur colors they'll have." I said.
"Hopefully something more to go with your stripes than my stark silver. It doesn't exactly blend in." Dirthin replied.
"True," I said, almost missing the tracks that led from the sea, "but you are most gorgeous."
"I've never understood how. I am unnatural." He said.
"You look divine. Most metallic colored creatures have some sort of divinity to them." I replied. One had come up here, the other two further down the shore.
He chuckled, "I doubt that's my case."
I approached him and looked him in the eyes, "I assure you. You're highly attractive. From your muscles, to your voice, your sweet looking eyes, and your general size. Regardless of whatever purpose you've been born, you're one of the best people I've ever met. Not many can have that said of them."
He coughed into his hand, "Sorry, seems I let my ego slip a bit."
"You can be vulnerable around me. I'll just cover it up." I said, stroking his cheek.
"I doubt that's something I'll be able to do so easily. But I'll remember your words." He said.
I smiled at him and gave him a hug. "I hope you'll have someone you can be vulnerable with one day."
"Maybe when I finally stop working so much." He said.
I poked his nose, before pointing out the tracks of the spotted Lions. "The mainland of the Empire is that way." Which was indeed where the tracks had come from. "Two came up there, one here."
"Now how do we make a deterrent for these?" He asked.
"I know of nothing to keep lions away, clearly, but I know how to attract them." I said.
He cupped my face and said, "You certainly do."
I rubbed my face against his hand, purring lightly. "A noise-maker would probably work."
"Mmm. Could try that." He said.
"I'm really not sure what else could prevent them. Though I could just tame one or two if any more show up. They make very good deterrents." I said.
"Deter them with themselves. Ok." He said.
Cheekily, I grinned and said, "You can tame them by feeding them."
"Then I guess that works with all lions." Dirthin replied. Playing along with me.
I giggled. "I think I'd have to try much harder to tame you."
"I don't know, you keep feeding me that cheesecake..." He replied.
I laughed. "Want to try some Empire food?"
"Alright. Is it sweet as well?" He asked.
"Hmm. I'll make some badam kheer. You may like that after some curry. Almonds sound good." I replied, heading to the house.
"I don't know what most of those words means, but sounds good." He said.
"Do you like spicy?" I asked. "I haven't made you anything spicy yet."
"I don't know, I haven't really tried much spice." He said.
"Then I'll hold back on yours. It can be painful." I said.
"Hm. That sounds like it could be interesting." He said.
"We'll see." I said, entering the house and preparing our meals. I made our curry seperate, making his so mild it barely had any spice, and making mine as spicy as anyone from the Empire could handle. Then I made the dessert. Rice, milk, sugar and almonds boiled until thick and creamy.
Once the food was ready, I served him his food with a milky chai tea, and asked him to try his curry. Which he complied with. "Hm. That's a little burn." He noted.
"Do you want to try mine?" I asked, getting my food ready and joining him.
"Sure, why not." He said.
I raised an eyebrow. On a seperate small plate, I mixed some of his, and some of mine, with some rice and offered him a bite of it, then taking a bite of my own. He struggled to keep his composure. He sputtered. Trying to fight the reaction.
"My tongue is on fire." He choked out.
I raised both eyebrows and hopped up, and heading to the kitchen for some fried potatoes I'd had leftover from a different meal. I also grabbed more of the badam kheer. I came back, to his own struggle of fighting the spice with watery eyes.
"The chai won't help, lovely. Here eat these." I said, giving him the potatoes. "Eat the kheer, too."
He followed my instructions, and after eating all of the badam kheer and fried potatoes the burning subsided, he said, "And people eat this because they enjoy it?"
"Aww, baby, you're too cute." I said, kissing his face and petting him. "Many people like spicy. Many others can't do spicy."
"I believe I am in the camp of 'can't do it.'" He said.
"That's ok. I'm not gonna judge you. You're still super sexy. Just also insanely cute." I grinned. "Does your mouth feel better?"
"A little. I'm sure I don't have taste buds at the moment, but better." He said.
I stole a kiss from him, going to the kitchen and getting him another slice of cheesecake. "Here we are, this'll knock out any tingling left over from the spicy."
"Hoh, a just reward." He said, eagerly accepting the cake.
I sat back in my seat, finishing up my meal. "Good?" I asked, once we'd finished.
"Yeah, I uh, enjoyed it. Most of it." He said.
I giggled, giving him a hug. I felt like he was the most adorable thing at the moment. Which caused me to be extra affectionate. "You're so cute."
He scooted his chair back and sat me in his lap. "And you are stunning."
I snuggled up to him, feeling like we'd returned to how we were before I ran.. just before we'd learned I was pregnant even. It was a comforting feeling. "The spotted lion is bigger than the winged lions and the fleecemane. But not by a lot."
"I'd still like to face a winged lion eventually. I feel it could be an interesting fight." He said.
"Well, I know what parts they live in if you want me to show you on the map." I said.
"Sure, but later. I feel like it's been ages since I held you." He said.
I repositioned myself so that I could wrap my arms and legs around him. "You're so cuddly."
"I am. Is there an arena in this empire?" He asked.
"Yes, but it serves as punishment. Killing people is actually illegal in the Empire except for very specific situations where your life is threatened." I said. "Murderers and rapists are sentenced to the Arena. The survivors of the Arena are secretly killed by Raiden. It's alleged that they are 'pardoned' if they survive ten rounds of lethal combat. They aren't."
"Damn. Now that's a good job." Dirthin said.
I smiled. "It's not bad, I suppose."
"You constantly get to fight the best of all arena fighters. Your job literally keeps you fighting but not for weeks at a time." Dirthin said.
"Are you weary?" I asked.
"Not at the moment, but usually." He replied.
"Is that why you like to be held?" I asked.
"Not sure. I'm not so good at looking into my mind." He said.
I sighed softly, just holding him for a moment. Really, he was more holding me because of our size difference. "... I have missed this a bit." I commented.
"That is simply because I am so damned comfortable." He said.
I laughed. "My belly is a little inconvenient to being cuddled up as closely, though. I hadn't thought a few inches would be this different."
"You never really think it will till it happens." He said.
"Do you hope for a son or a daughter?" I asked.
"I don't think it'll particularly matter." He said.
"No? I think most hope for a son. My mother wanted one. My father won, though, as he wanted a daughter. At least that's what Barak said." I replied.
"I suppose most would want a son. But I don't suppose it will really matter." He said.
"I understand that you won't care, and that it won't really matter for your home continent, but the cub will be royalty to this continent and the Isla." I told him.
"True. I suppose a son would have a lot easier of a time there." He said.
"I won't make them marry." I said.
"No political non sensory, huh?" He asked.
"As little as possible. There is things that'll be unavoidable since I'll be officially crowned Kohi soon." I sighed.
"You ever need a substitute royal guard, let me now." He said.
I smiled and said, "Haah, don't remind me. Raiden will be appointing people for that."
"Eh, maybe I'll slip him my resume when I punch him in the face." Dirthin said.
I laughed, "Oh, the uproar that'd cause! The Emporer may award you a title or grand prize."
"Hah. I'd steal his job." Dirthin said.
"Would you want it? You'd literally have a hand in everything in the Empire, including the Emporer's safety, managing the spies, the merchants, any guilds that exist.. going to public functions.." I looked at him. "He has no free time, in fact, escorting me here has been probably the closest thing to free time that he's had."
"I just wanted to fight the Arena people." He clarified.
"I had thought so. I could talk to Raiden and see if it can be arranged. The only rule is the public can't know." I said.
"Fine by me. I don't even live here." He said.
I smiled. "I'll ask him later." I snuggled my head under his, readjusting myself to get comfortable.
He began to do a deep purr. Listening to him, I was soon lulled into sleep. I slept through the remainder of the day, waking just before dawn the next day in my bed, in Dirthin's arms. He woke as soon as I moved.
"Good morning." I said.
"Morning, sleepyhead." He replied.
"It's your fault." I pouted. "Cause I wouldn't be pregnant without you."
"I mean, that is a very accurate statement. I can accept blane in this. But you can't say it wasn't fun." He said.
"Oh, it was fantastic and very fun." I said. "I would never argue that. Nor would I actually change it."
"Me either. Had a blast." He said.
I gave him a kiss and said, "Glad to hear it."
He returned the kiss, and squeezed my body lightly. "You ready to get up and get some food, or do you want to lay in bed for a while?"
"Mmm. I've gotta tend to you. Is there something you want?" I asked.
He stroked the top of my head, lightly rubbing my ear between two fingers, before cupping my cheek and saying, "You."
I placed my hand on top of his, kissing him. This was enough to get us started, with his hands expertly unclothing us and exploring my body. When he decided to insert his fingers in me, I decided to pleasure him with my mouth. My purring seemed to further excite him, which led to him releasing from being much to into the moment, which my own release followed.
I licked him playfully, receiving an equally playful slap on my butt. He pulled me up to him for kisses, and entered me shortly after. His gentleness both frustrated and excited me further. He seemed to be intending to keep himself gentle. He only gave up on it when I begged for it. Once we finished, we lay, catching our breath.
He sighed deeply, "Alright. I think we could have breakfast now."
"Missed me for three weeks, hm?" I teased him, getting up and stretching.
As he was getting up, he said, "Yeah, I suppose I was."
"What would you like for breakfast?" I asked.
"You don't have any of your dishes from the homeland? So far, they've all been amazing." Dirthin said.
"Mm. I can make something.. Okonomiyaki. Stuffed pancakes. You'll like it." I smiled, heading to the kitchen.
He followed me and helped me prep the ingredients just like always. I cooked the Okonomiyaki and made a special sauce for it. Savory and sweet were a good combination in the morning.
Once everything was ready, Dirthin said, "This is really nice. I ought to try settling down some time."
"Think so?" I asked, setting the table with him. "You'd be a fine husband when you're ready to be."
"I hope so. I already know several men my age who have been married twice. I'm hoping to be one and done." He said.
"You're close to my age, aren't you?" I asked.
"I'm twenty-three." He acknowledged.
"That's a bit old to be marrying, isn't it?" I asked, picking on him.
"Ha, ha, ha. That's the same thing my brother says. I should get a woman. Start a family." He grumped.
"Well, you will have a cub of your own soon." I pointed out. "Eat your breakfast."
"Alright, alright. Let's eat." He said.
I giggled and kissed his cheek. "Honestly such things aren't very pressing for males. Plus it's hard to find someone to settle down with if people just want to use you for your possessions and strength."
"And yet, those are the things that make me feel like I have value." He said.
"You have value by being alive." I replied.
"Personal value, sure. Societal value, not so much." He said.
"Fuck society." I said. "Pompous, self indulgent children who break whatever isn't theirs. People have value."
He chuckled. "You're gonna be a fine ruler."
"As long as I'm not a pawn for Asmodeus or the Empire, I suppose you're right." I said.
"I don't know much about the Empire, but Asmodeus is easy to divert." Dirthin said.
"If I do too much outside of the Empire's expectations Raiden will kill me." I said.
A flash of rage crossed his face. "Well, maybe we should just make you the ruler of the Empire. Then Raiden can go lick somebody's boot."
I placed my hand on Dirthin's. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." I got some food on the fork and offered him the bite, which he took. "I can't say I'd appreciate becoming an Empress, but if you'd like me to, then I suppose I could do so."
"I just want you to be safe, and if some Emporer somewhere is going to try and kill you if you don't do as he says, then I think it would be better if he didn't exist." Dirthin said.
"Alright. I'll see what I can do." I replied.
"We have plenty of people we can send for something like this." Dirthin said.
"I doubt your family wants to be involved in political mess." I smiled. "I do appreciate the offer."
"Maybe not, but we do everything to protect our own." Dirthin said.
I leaned my head against him, munching my breakfast. I pondered over my options mentally. "I don't actually know what your family does. But if I secured the Empire under my control, I could give you all access to the entire globe."
"We are merchants who handle othere issues along our trade routes." Dirthin explained.
"Then access to another continent would help." I replied.
"Yeah, the business would grow exponentially. The Lucky Stone would be your ally and your shield, but that's a double edged sword. With that much influence, any adviser worth their salt, would tell you we are a threat. That we should be wrangled before we rip this Empire apart. My brother does not do half measures. Our king is only in power as long as he leaves us alone, and he knows it." Dirthin said.
I shrugged. "If it's something you both want, I won't mind being a stepping stone towards spreading your wings."
"Maybe a few years ago, but James wants to hand off the business. Isarial changed our family. I'd say for the better." Dirthin said.
I shrugged and said, "If that's the case, there is no benefit on your side. So we just won't worry about it."
"That sounds like a solid plan. But we'll still need to do something about him to ensure you'll stay safe." Dirthin said.
"It's alright. I'm pretty safe." I said. "I just have to do things carefully."
"That is certainly not something I am well versed in. That's why I am, thankfully, not chosen for the political missions." He said.
We'd pretty much finished our breakfast by now. "I suppose I should go through the process of legalizing my residency in your continent." I sighed.
"As long as you don't announce who you are, I really don't think they'll notice." Dirthin said.
"It's unlikely to be unnoticed. Don't you think?" I asked.
"That really depends. If you walk around like a normal citizen, they probably won't notice you. You walk around with an entourage and guards, they probably will." Dirthin said.
"It won't be safe for me to not." I sighed.
"You are right. Unfortunately, I do not know much about traveling dignitaries and the processes that go with it. James may be able to help with it." Dirthin said.
"I doubt he'll like the headache." I said.
"Oh, it'll probably be some form he'll hand you. I doubt it'll be much of an issue." He said.
I chuckled a little. "Well, maybe I should discuss it with James if he has bothered with the legal aspects of things. I wouldn't want to further complicated things for you or your family."
"Oh, I'm sure he's delved into it. All he ever does is read. Issue orders." Dirthin said.
I smiled at him. "Have I sated you properly?"
"In which regard?" He asked.
"Any I can help you with." I replied.
"My curiosity of these new lands has yet to be sated." He said.
"Oh right," I said, standing up, and tugging his hand to get him to follow. "I never let you read my Uncle's books."
"Ah, yes. The books." He said, standing with me and following me to where I'd stashed my bag. I leaned down, fetching a couple of geography books and one about the unification of the Empire.
"Which do you recommend I start with?" He asked, taking the books I'd offered.
"This one is more about the creatures and land. This one focuses on the people part of history. And this one is only a little older than us, being about this continent becoming an unified Empire." I said.
"Hmm. I suppose I will start with the history." He said.
I nodded, letting him settle into reading. I sat at Raiden's desk writing down my goals, and game plans. While I was doing this, I heard a tap on the glass behind myself. I turned, seeing a crow, and opened the window. It dropped a stone, and held out it's leg, where a paper was tied. I got into the desk, giving it something shiny and some dried bread to eat.
I checked the stone, then checked the note. The note detailed what I should do with the stone, and included the name of a spy that would be arriving within hours of my receiving the crow. I slid the stone into a small round table and turned it, locking it in. It lit up for a moment, before the entire table lit up with runes.
Looking up from his book, Dirthin asked, "What's happening? And do I need pants?"
The runes scorched into the table as the lights faded. "This will allow me to reach dignitaries and others I deem important, once they recieve a tool that will allow it. It makes it so my words are heard by the intended only. For example, if I call you and you're in the room with you brother and nephew, they can't hear me. And yes, we'll need pants. Maybe a bath."
"Hah, fine." He said.
"Or don't. I'm sure Atagone would like the view." I said. "I know I do."
"Well, whoever this fellow is will have to get over it. This view is currently on reserve." Dirthin replied.
Giggling, I said, "We have enough time for a bath. Do you want to, or just pants?"
"Hoh, a bath wouldn't be too bad." He said.
"And you can keep reading your book through the bath." I grinned.
"That's dangerous for the book. I could. But it's dangerous." Dirthin said.
I headed out of the room, and to the bathroom. This tub was big enough for the over eight foot tall Raiden to lounge in, so it was roomy for us. I started filling it up, and added the special scents to the water. The water was nice and toasty, too. Once the bath was ready, we got in.
I started scrubbing him down with my usual shampoo. It'd make him smell so good, and be ultra soft. Plus I liked to feel his body. I noticed he had a growing issue he was trying to suppress. I decided to make it worse. Straddling his lap, though not close enough for his erection to touch me, and began massaging shampoo into his mane.
"It smells good, doesn't it?" I asked, pretending to be oblivious.
"Yes, it does smell quite good." He said.
"You'll be ultra soft after this." I told him. "It's my favorite shampoo."
He pulled me in close to him, sniffing me, "I thought this smelled familiar."
I squirmed in his arms, "Mhm. Like it?"
"I do. Might even confuse some of the fighters I get into fights with." Dirthin said.
I continued to work the shampoo through his mane, towards the front now. "I could make you some with a more manly smell."
"What would be a more manly smell?" He asked.
I leaned back thoughtfully, looking at him. "Mm. Yes, rosewood would suite you beautifully."
"I have no idea what that smells like." He said. "I'm sure it's a wonderful scent. Just like my view."
I leaned forward against him, cupping his balls, "A wonderful view, mm?"
"Oh, you're just teasing all of my senses, huh? Smell, sight, touch.." He said.
I smiled and said, "Am I teasing you?"
"Yes, you're teasing me, and I believe it's on purpose." He said.
"Think you could prove it?" I asked, leaning my tender chest up against him.
He gently caressed my back, "I never bother with proof."
"I'm happy to tease you." I said, running my finger up the length of him, before returning to shampooing him.
"And I enjoy your teasing. A lot." He said.
"You're distraction me." I scolded him. Mock frowning.
"I'd apologize if I felt bad." He said, caressing my hips.
I started purring for him, enjoying the gentle pressure of his hands. I began rinsing his fur out. "You'll have to sit above the water if you want me to shampoo your lower bits."
He complied, getting up on the side of the tub. "It's a little cold up here."
"Hm?" I asked, I'd been paying attention to his member. Dutifully, I began shampooing the bits of him that had been underwater.
"I said it's cold up here. The water is much nicer. Though I'm certainly not disliking what's happening now." He replied.
I laid my head against his thigh briefly, "Poor man. I'll wash you quickly."
"Well, don't finish me too quick. That's no fun for anyone." He said.
Feeling a little evil, I pretended to intend to lick his erection, but leaned back from him instead. "I suppose you're right."
He stammered a little, before saying, "That was mean."
"Excited?" I asked.
"If you can't tell that I am. That is a problem." He said.
"I can see it here..." I said, lightly touching his tip.
"This is very affective and unique torture." He said.
I licked him, before saying, "Time to rinse off."
"Purest of evil." He groaned.
"You could always ask for mercy." I teased him.
"At this point I will beg for mercy." He said.
I made room for him to slide back into the tub, "I didn't say I'd be merciful." I joked with a grin.
"Understand that I would be on you right now if I didn't wish to be careful." He said slowly.
"You're not going to hurt the cub unless you directly hit it. It is surrounded by water. When it's closer to being born is when it'd be dangerous to be rough." I informed him.
"You should not have told me that." He said, capturing me before I realized I needed to flee, and positioning me over him. He proceeded to rub himself against me, getting payback for my teasing.
It didn't last long before my slickness caused him to unintentionally slip inside. This was the end of his control. Holding onto me firmly, we had an incredibly intense session. We both were out of breath by the time we were finished. I felt incredibly tired, but sated. It took a few minutes for my brain to kick in and remember that we were expecting someone.
I looked up at him, lounging in the tub, looking satisfied. "I forgot we were supposed to have a guest."
"That Anthony person?" He asked, unconcerned.
"I don't remember the name." I said, sheepishly. "My mind isn't fully working."
"That's quite alright. I suppose we should get up and get dressed then." He said.
I groaned and cozied into his chest. I peeked up at him and said, "But this is so nice."
"It is. They can wait." He declared.
I grinned, though I started to fall asleep. I distinctly heard my stomache growl before I dozed off. By the time I'd woke, he'd dried me off and put me to bed. I got up, feeling incredibly hungry. I dressed in loose clothing and headed to find my lover. He'd been reading in the next room. Seeing that, I headed to find the person Raiden had sent.
They were outside still. Well. She. I offered to let her in, she opted to hand me the things she needed to deliver and left. So I took the bundle of papers upstairs, where Dirthin was reading and got started on looking through them.
"Ah, did you meet our guest?" Dirthin asked.
"Yeah.. real chatty lionfolk." I replied.
"Funny, she called me chatty as well. Also the Queen's Consort." Dirthin said.
"... You like that?" I asked.
"I found it rather amusing. She seems like a real treat. I couldn't tell if she wanted to fight or just leave." Dirthin said.
"Leonin enjoy fighting for fun. Lionfolk fight for blood. They're very violent and easily provoked. That one is a spy, but more of the striker sort. Also, a consort is a spouse to someone of higher authority that can't be called their equal." I explained.
"Yes, but it's fun to say. Queen's Consort." Dirthin said.
"Want that title?" I asked.
"I don't know." He said. "Think I'd rather just be part of your harem."
"Didn't take you for a sharing sort." I replied.
"No, I'm certainly not." He said.
"Considering marriage puts our cub at disadvantage." I noted, reading one of the notes about the economy of my Isla.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean if I marry someone and have a cub with them, they have more legal claim to the throne than my first born." I told him.
"Hm. Well, that is mighty inconvenient." He noted.
"At the same time, though. That could free them. They wouldn't have to take on the responsibilities that comes with being my cub." I said.
"I suppose it would depend entirely on them." He said.
"True. I suppose even if that does occur, I could fix it by giving you a different title." I said. "I'd just have to make you the most noble."
"The most noble? Dirthin the most noble." He said, amused.
"Mm. Queen's Champion would work." I said. "You wouldn't ever need to do anything about it unless someone challenged me that I couldn't just have a guard handle."
"Hm, sign me up." He said.
I set the papers aside for a moment, and went over to him, tucking myself against him where I wouldn't disturb his book. "Is the life of royalty one that you wish for our cub to have?"
"I can't say I know much about the life of royalty. So I can't really give you an answer." Dirthin replied.
"Well, it's a lot like being a merchant, everyone wants what you have, they are falsely friendly while plotting against you.. though, you can never wear the same thing twice, lest everyone thinks the palace is poor, which causes mass hysteria. You must have manners and not rise to provocation, you must know all of the ways to address everyone and no one is your equal, or you're weak." I sighed. "Nothing ever actually belongs to you, yet everything is within your hands. War is something you can command on a whim, and if you leave your home place, it is considered adequate provocation to start a war."
"That sounds.. terrible." He said.
"Oh, you have experienced people who want you for what you have and who you know.." I reminded him, "Royals deal with that, only it's abuse of power if they do bed them, or if they are a woman, hello," sarcastic wave, "then they are weak and easily manipulated. A fool for love and mocked."
"That is true, I have been through that." He said. "As your champion, I think you should just let me kill people. Or, I could not be your champion and no one links it back to you."
"Well, giving you the title gives you a level of immunity to kill people on the Isla, and if I become empress, in the Empire." I said. "Again, murder is illegal here."