Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (5 page)

After kneeling before the Queen and being bid to rise, Cassie took her seat next to Nera. Accepting a cut crystal goblet filled with an innocuous-looking pink liquid, she sniffed it cautiously and was delighted to find it smelled of fresh strawberries.

The beverage was called Jul, the Queen explained. It tasted as good as it smelled, and it went down so smoothly that Cassie was certain it was not alcoholic; it lacked the distinctive taste and burn of an inebriating drink.

She had downed two glasses before she realized how wrong she was. A delicious feeling of languor came over her, and she was suddenly very happy. She felt so happy in fact that a giggle escaped her, causing the Queen to look at her closely.

“Have a care with Jul, Cassandra. It is quite potent, and the effects are . . . well . . . Let me just say that it will heighten ALL of your senses.” She grinned wickedly and winked at Cassie, who raised one eyebrow questioningly. In the next moment, she became acutely aware of Mika, who had appeared at her elbow with a plate of food.

She was seized by a sudden heat and a desire to have him now—on the table in front of her and before all of these people. Her body throbbed with need, and she squirmed in her seat as a look of comprehension covered her face.

“Ohh . . . I get it now,” Cassie said thickly, and the Queen laughed out loud.

“Perhaps, you should eat something before you ravish every slave in this room,” Nera said with a grin on her face.

“I think you’re right,” Cassie replied, squeezing her thighs together to ease the throbbing in her loins.

Cassie found the food delectable. The flavors were so intense and delicious; she couldn’t remember ever having enjoying a meal quite so much. Apparently, the Jul had heightened more than just her sexual appetite.

Finally, she was so full she couldn’t swallow another morsel, and she set down her fork. The fork had barely hit the plate before Kai appeared to remove the soiled dish, smiling into her eyes as he moved around her.

Arn placed a fresh goblet of Jul and another of water before her and was delighted when her hand ran up the inside of his thigh.

Throughout their dinner conversation, Cassie found herself liking the Queen more and more on a personal level. Nera was well-loved by her people; of that, Cassie had been sure. Now, she could see why. The woman was intelligent and witty, strong and decisive, and yet, she was also approachable at the same time. Nera told her she was the only child of the last monarch and that she had ascended the throne when she was fifteen years old after her mother died in battle.

Cassie was fascinated to learn that the Queens of this world fought shoulder to shoulder with their warriors. They did not stay behind in safety, but met danger head-on. Nera then told her of the troubles they had been having with the Trevians.

“They are a nomadic band of barbaric females who are constantly on the move. They despoil whatever they touch, wherever they go. We in Erla make a point of trying to live peacefully with our neighboring countries, but the Trevians have no regard for peace. They are a race of savages without an ounce of dignity or compassion amongst them.” Nera’s lips compressed. “You should see what they do to pleasure slaves.” She did not elaborate, and Cassie felt sure she didn’t really want her to if the automatic shuddering of a passing slave in response to the Queen’s words was any indication of the nature of the horrors which had been committed.

“The men in our country are, by nature, very passive and submissive. They do not need to be forced or treated cruelly.” The next words she spoke quietly, “It is my belief that Mika’s former Mistress was of Trevian blood. Brunga was very different from my other warriors and had always been so.” Nera eased back and took a sip of her Jul.

“I did wonder how and why the men could be as happy as they seem to be in their roles here,” Cassie said cautiously. “So, are all of the men of this world submissive?”

“No. There are regions where the men are very different in temperament. We do have peaceful relations with those countries even though our philosophies are so vastly different. We trade and hold the occasional summit, but, I have to tell you . . . It is difficult for me to speak to a man as an equal during occasions such as those.” Nera laughed as if the whole idea was comical.

“There has not been a summit since I was very young and my mother was still the Queen. It may be getting close to that time again. It is just so hard to summon the desire to mingle with those countries when there is peace, though.” Nera shrugged and took another sip of her Jul as her eyes came to rest upon a handsome blond slave, who approached with more of the delightful beverage.

From his seat nearby, Mika watched his Lady carefully. He saw the heat in her eyes and the flush which spread from her face, down her neck and onto her chest. All of Cassie’s slaves knew well the effects of Jul on a woman, and they knew what would be required of them when their Lady was ready; they were all very much looking forward to the experience with their new Mistress.

Seeing her arousal fed Mika’s, and he moved closer to her leg, boldly running his hand down her calf. At his touch, Cassie found his eyes and smiled, putting her hand atop his head, luxuriating in his silky tresses as Mika practically purred in his happiness.

She took a sweetmeat from a tray on the table and ran the sticky confection across his full lower lip before placing it in his mouth. His beautiful golden eyes closed in the bliss from both her attention and the delicious treat she fed him.

Cassie took a deep drink of her Jul and continued to pet Mika’s hair as she looked about the room.

“Cassandra,” the Queen spoke, “I was most certain I was going to meet my end when you appeared this morning. I cannot thank you enough for entering the fight and saving my life. Those wretched beasts would have taken great pleasure in ending the life of the Queen of Erla.” She heaved a sigh. “The thought of my beloved Danai being left to rule at so young an age is terrifying to me. She is my only child, and I look forward to when the two of you will meet. She is five cycles now, and I believe you will be an excellent role model for her.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I look forward to it also,” Cassie replied.

The party was in full swing, and the Jul was working its magic on the attendees. Inhibitions were dwindling, and the circulating slaves were receiving a great deal of attention—especially from the warriors.

Pleasure slaves as fine as the ones chosen to serve at the Queen’s parties were a special treat to the lower warriors who were honored with an invitation. It was a chance to sample some of the finest men to be had, and they were clearly taking full advantage of the opportunity.

Nera clapped her hands to call for attention, and the room slowly quieted.

“Lady Cassandra, will you have your men dance for us?” Cassie’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

“Of course, Your Highness,” she replied, and, by the time she turned to her men, they were already standing to obey their Queen.

The musicians, who had been playing quietly in the background, moved forward and began to play a sensuous rhythm to which her men began to move and sway.

Cassie’s eyes were locked on their figures as they moved. The look in their eyes told her they danced for her pleasure alone, and the knowledge sent a thrill of desire through her already stimulated senses.

A female slave silently refilled Cassie’s glass, and, transfixed by the graceful movements of her men, she drank more of the deceptively refreshing beverage. Suddenly, even thirstier, she downed the entire contents of her glass, which was again quickly refilled by the slave who lingered near her chair.

Cassie was truly enjoying the Jul; it was light on the tongue and so delicious that it was easy to forget how significantly it both aroused a person and lowered her inhibitions.

As she watched her men sway and writhe, she knew that even without such a beverage, they would turn her on. Her body was on fire, and as she glanced around the room, she could see they were having a similar effect on the other women present. Even the slave girls eyed them with desire.

“They are amazing, aren’t they?” she said to Nera without taking her eyes off of them.

“Indeed,” she replied as a lascivious smile covered her face. “Cassandra, there is a topic I feel I should have discussed with you earlier. You needn’t worry about pregnancy. My physician will supply you with an herbal contraceptive so you may select when you wish to have a child,” the Queen said with a smile.

Cassie inhaled and tore her gaze away to look down into her cup, which she was amazed to find empty. She waved away the slave girl and set her cup down, knowing she had imbibed far too much, since her insides felt like they were on fire with sexual desire.

“Thank you, but there is no need, My Lady. I can’t have children. I learned that when I was married,” Cassie said as she swallowed down the bitterness she was long accustomed to feeling regarding this topic. Nera looked at her with pity and patted Cassie’s arm, uncertain as to what to say.
 

Cassie’s men finished whipping the women in the room into a frenzy of lust and made their way back to her amidst the cheers of the women present. Her mouth went dry as they approached and knelt in front of the Queen and their Lady, very effectively changing the subject.

“Well done, pretty ones,” Nera said. “Rejoin your Mistress before you are ravished.”

Mika, trailed by the others, smiled into his Lady’s eyes as he made his way to the side of her chair. He was delighted by the want he saw shining in her beautiful blue-green eyes, and when Cassie grabbed his arm and tugged him down for a very thorough kiss, he was happier still. The crowd of women roared their approval of her action, and Cassie laughed a little self-consciously at her lack of propriety.

Nera laughed and punched Cassie lightly on the arm.

“I think you are quickly becoming accustomed to our ways,” she said, sending a sidelong wink at Cassie. Nera took a moment to admire Kai’s rearview as he sat down near his Lady. “I am feeling almost sorry for our darling Mika; he will be quite exhausted come morning.”

“Damn right he will!” Cassie responded, and then blinked in surprise.
 

Where had that come from?

She felt drunk, but not drunk in a way she had ever experienced before now. She was in control of her faculties, but she was completely uninhibited and incredibly horny.

She drew in a deep breath. It was late, and the women in the room had been steadily consuming Jul and wine. Their actions were becoming more and more rapacious with the available slaves, and Cassie knew deep down inside she should have been shocked at some of the activities which were openly being enjoyed, but she wasn’t. In fact, the scene before her only served to feed her lust.

“Your Highness, do all feasts turn into orgies here?” Cassie asked. Nera laughed.

“Only the good ones!” Their eyes met, and they both burst out laughing, and it took Cassie several moments to recover.

Cassie felt she could grow very fond of Jul.

That little voice inside of her was working overtime to get her attention, but she was steadily ignoring it—even when a warrior across the room pushed a smiling slave down and straddled him in front of everyone.

She squelched its protests further when Nera pushed a beautiful brown haired slave at her, ordering him to kiss her Commander as it would please her. She knew she should have been revolted by the outright carnality which was unfolding before her, but instead, she found her arousal spiraling out of control.

Pulling her mouth from the Queen’s lovely slave, she stood and bowed to the Queen, who blinked up at her with a smile.

“Excuse me, Your Highness. I am ready to retire.” She didn’t slur, but she felt very intoxicated upon standing, and she reached out to steady herself on Mika’s strong shoulder.

Mika had been watching his Lady closely. She was not accustomed to Jul, and he could see how aroused she was becoming. His own desire was raging. He knew she would take him tonight, and he indulged in a private, selfish desire. He wanted her to choose only him. Even though he knew the amount of Jul she had consumed would require the ministrations of all his fellow slaves this night, he couldn’t help the possessive feeling. It was most likely that she would have them all, and possibly, she may need them more than once before the effects of the Jul wore off.

Mika and his new brethren were already well prepared to fall in love with their Lady; she was lovely, a courageous warrior, and she was so very kind to him—to all of them. The thought of touching her and pleasuring her was overwhelming, and even if he died in the attempt, he would bring her the greatest pleasure possible.

Mika desired nothing more than for his Lady to care for him. He desired her affection, and affection was something he had long been denied by his previous Mistress. He was more than ready to be everything she would ever require.

“Of course, Cassandra, go. Enjoy your slaves, and we will talk further tomorrow evening.” Nera nodded to Cassie, who bowed and descended the dais, heading for her chambers and the opportunity to revel in the delectable male flesh which would soon ease the ache between her thighs.

Entering her chambers, Cassie took Mika’s hand and yanked him against her. Her mouth fused to his as delicious waves of pleasure washed over her. The feel of his body flush against hers was beyond stimulating. Mika, beautifully willing, sobbed into her mouth as he returned her kiss passionately.

Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck and jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist, then sliding slowly down until his hardness pressed against her throbbing center. They both moaned as their mouths separated.

She attacked his mouth and throat with kisses and bites, squeezing her legs tighter about him to increase the pressure on her core. Mika’s mouth worked down the side of her neck as she felt the heat and hands of the others as they moved in to contribute to the pleasuring of their Mistress.

Cassie turned her head and captured Aidan’s mouth with hers as his hands deftly removed the top of her gown, thus displaying her breasts to their questing mouths and hands. Cassie arched her back and leaned into Arn’s broad chest as two mouths found her breasts. Aidan slid his hand expertly down her belly, and his talented fingers found her throbbing center, bringing her to climax within moments.