Lenore's POV:
Anthony spent most of the day training with Collin for his trials. He came to our chambers at night exhausted but not too tired to make love to me. My nights were erotic but my days monotonous and I knew I needed to find purpose besides warming his bed. I was an intelligent, accomplished woman and I think a lot of my distress came from idleness.
Anthony was supportive of me but he wanted to approve my decision and being he was the king, I felt this was a reasonable request. Ladies of court were returning to the palace from their holiday and I was to greet them upon their arrival. Since I became queen, ladies of the court always wanted an audience. They want the power and position which comes from being close to the queen but their vanity and manipulation was never appealing to me.
I received them one by one as they came through the line with civility and poise. We smiled and discussed basic matters of state and family. Niceties kept me entertained for a bit but as the day moved on I was finding little joy in my royal duties.
"Good day your majesty," a kind voice said as she bowed in reverence. The young woman was dressed well with her dark hair pulled back.
"Good day my lady," I said. "I'm sorry but have we met before?"
"No your majesty," she said. "My name is Mariah and I have been traveling in foreign lands since your majesty came to live in the palace. My name is Mariah of Balkmora. My father is the Duke of Balkmora and at your majesty's service."
"Oh, the land by the sea? I have always wanted to visit your home country and have heard of its beautiful beaches with picturesque views," I replied. Balkmora was a beautiful place by the sea. It was acquired by Anthony in conquest years before and has been a peaceful and prosperous land in our kingdom. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance Mariah. Did you enjoy your travels?"
"Yes your majesty. I visited many places and learned many things. I was pleased to come home, but must confess my heart longs to discover and partake in adventures," she said. I loved her tenacity but was completely caught off guard by her honest response. I stood beside her not knowing exactly what to say. As if she could tell my distress she replied, "I'm sorry your majesty. It seems I have been away from court for too long and have forgotten how to interact with civility."
"No need to apologize Mariah and I appreciate your honesty. I am just not accustomed to conversing with a fellow adventurer. Mariah perhaps we could have tea this afternoon if you would oblige me." I said.
"It would please me greatly, thank you your majesty," she replied with a smile.
The servants prepared tea for us by the waterfront in the west garden. I loved this spot because of the beautiful flowers and water fountains. We sat and enjoyed tea while making small talk about the weather and the latest news of court. When the opportunity was right, I bridged the conversation to Mariah's travels and adventures.
"So tell me Mariah," I said. "Where did your travels take you? I have not been to many foreign lands but love to discover and plan to travel, myself."
"My mother passed away 2 years ago, your majesty and my father felt it best that I accompany him when he traveled for matters of state. I enjoy painting and playing the flute so while abroad, I studied the arts and admired their cultures," Mariah told me.
"How wonderful!" I exclaimed. "I play the harp as well. Perhaps someday we can play a duet together." I took a sip of my tea trying to level my voice and not sound too excited about the possibility of an actual companion who was cultured and had a working mind.
Her eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect. "Oh that would be wonderful, your majesty!" She replied. "My father said that I would do best at court to be seen and not heard. He feels society is not ready for women who are cultured and have that ability to formulate a rational thought. I am pleased to know her majesty appreciates learning and the arts."
"Well Mariah your father is correct. Women are admired for the beauty and temperament, not a working mind but you will find I am not like most women," I said as I smiled inwardly. We continued to discuss her travels and our interests. Mariah was not an accomplished rider but did know how to ride a horse. She enjoyed walks where she could bring her art supplies and paint the landscapes. She loves astrology and reading. I felt we would become good friends.
It was late in the day and we were still conversing, unaware of the hour, when Anthony and Collin arrived. I laughed out loud at a story Mariah told me.
"I'm glad you are having a good time, wife, as we have been looking for you and are ready to eat dinner," Anthony said as he put his hands on my shoulders, sneaking up on me from behind.
"Are you dear husband. I didn't realize you needed me to fix you a plate," I said in a joking manner. I stood from my chair and placed my hands around his neck pulling him close to me for a tender embrace.
Mariah was uneasy by the leisurely conversation Anthony and I were having. She said nothing and sat nervously in her seat. Collin was staring at her but when I noticed his gaze, he looked away.
"Your highness may I introduce you to Lady Mariah of Balkmora," I said. "She has come back to court after time abroad traveling with her father. I made her acquaintance today and we are already becoming dear friends."
Mariah stood and bowed to his majesty. "Your majesty, it is nice to make your acquaintance," Mariah said in a dignified manner.
Anthony nodded in approval. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance my lady," he replied. "May I introduce Lord Collin of Telamore."
Collin stared into Mariah's eyes and bowed politely. "My lady," Colin said.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance my lord," Mariah replied. They stared into each others eyes and I could sense there was a connection between them.
"Mariah I have appreciated our talks this afternoon but I feel I must take my leave. Will you join me tomorrow for a mid morning stroll? I walk through the gardens each morning and would love the company," I said.
"It would be a pleasure your majesty," she replied.
Anthony, Colin, and I said our pleasantries and left for dinner. Anthony had the servants bring us a delicious feast to our personal dining hall. Collin seemed distracted during dinner and did not say much. Afterwards, he took his leave and went back to the guest quarters. I couldn't help but think his mood had changed because of Mariah. There was an obvious connection between the two. Only time would tell if my intuition was correct.
*****
Collin's POV:
Throughout dinner I couldn't stop thinking about Mariah. For hundreds of years I've trained so I could master my storm of emotions and I had never been so delightfully unsettled. Her beauty, her smell, the sound of her voice… A title wave of emotions, I was totally wrecked. I needed her scent and her touch. I needed her fucking body penetrated by my member. I needed nothing more than to bury myself in her as I stared and claimed her soul.
It was primal, like my ancient elven blood demanded that I claim her on a deep level so she was eternally mine. A bond far beyond her human understanding or control. Finally I found my mate and she fucking had to be human. Elves rarely mated with humans but she wasn't just any human, she was special and I couldn't stop my claim on her even if I wanted to. It was a primal force beyond my ability to control or deny. She was mine and now I just needed to figure out a way for her to realize it.
At dinner, I took my leave earlier than usual because I wanted to be alone where I could invade her thoughts. I went back to my chambers and got ready to settle in for the night. I laid down on the soft mattress and began to calm my mind so I could find her. It wasn't difficult, I knew her well even though she barely knew me at all.
Mariah was thinking of me and reflecting on our first meeting. She obviously felt our connection and her goodness and purity of thought made my cock hard. I continued to observe her from a distance getting off on just being in her head. As she settled in for the night and fell asleep, her dreams became less innocent and more erotic thinking of me. I couldn't just observe her unfiltered dreams, I had to invade them so I could feel her touch. I was illogical and showed no self control but I couldn't stop myself from igniting her sexually.
I let her mind lead as I responded to her every desire. She came multiple times in her dreams as I kissed down her body and claimed her sex in my mouth. I tickled and licked as her pleasure pooled its sweet release. She cried out my name as I fucked her on the beach, in the forest, and any other location her fantasies took us. It was sinister and I got turned on by letting her lead but refused to cum. I wanted to build the pleasure as long as she fantasized about it so I spent the entire night touching her naked body. I grabbed her hands and willed her to touch herself in her dreams. Her body responded as her fingers stroked her sex and and touched her folds. In her dreams I told her to pinch her clit and whispered dirty things to her so she came hard grinding his hips on her sheets. She moaned in her sleep and cried out my name as I willed her to keep pleasuring herself. Then as the sun rose, I brought her climax to a breaking point and left her unsatisfied.
"Sweet Mariah fantasize about me again tomorrow night and I'll make sure you finish," I smiled and kissed her passionately then left her mind. Oh how cruel and wicked I felt teasing her but I needed her to fantasize about me again so we could have a repeat performance.
The calm and stoic disposition I had spent centuries perfecting was completely shattered by this human girl. God I hope Anthony wouldn't be able to sense the complete havoc going on inside me. I didn't want him to find out yet but I knew it was only a matter of time before I'd make my claim on Mariah known.
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