Joy in Ropes

"Tighter."

"Milady--"

"I said, 'tighter.'"

"Regrettably, I can't do that."

With a huff and a sigh, she whipped around to face her courtier, auburn curls swishing. "And pray tell, why not?"

"I... would cut off your circulation, milady."

She blinked, pink tinging her cheeks. "Oh... yes, I... imagine that would be bad."

"Milady, I ask that you trust me with these matters. One must show restraint."

She snort-laughed. "A rather fitting choice of words, don't you think? And please, no more 'milady.' I told you; when we're together like this, call me by name."

Now it was his turn to blush. "I can't! That's most improper!"

She sighed, though it was more out of amusement than irritation. "My dear courtier... you speak like that when I'm in such a state? By your hand?"

The princess rose, leaning up to meet her courtier face-to-face. Rope wound around her, pinning her bound arms to her chest. A bikini harness held her breasts firm and secure, and beneath her rose gold nightgown, rope wrapped around her ankles, legs, and thighs.

"You... you have a point..." mumbled the now red-faced courtier. 'Though by my hand, by your request...'

"Well? Call me by my name, courtier. Or shall I order you by royal decree?"

"That won't be necessary... Mara."

She smiled and leaned in close, nuzzling her courtier's cheek. "There. Was that so difficult?"

He shook his head no, letting out a small squeak of surprise as Mara turned around and fell back into his arms, the top of her head just below his chin. "Now, then."

The courtier blinked. "Now...?"

Mara clicked her tongue. "Is binding me all you wish for tonight? You have a lovely, sweet, intelligent, powerful, noble lady at your mercy in her own bedchambers. No one to disturb her until morn. No one expecting you. Surely you can think of all sorts of things to do with me before the sun rises."

She was coaxing him, he knew. But he'd be lying if he said improper thoughts hadn't crossed his mind. Thinking was one thing, however. Acting on them, another beast entirely.

"Ah... um... is there anything in particular you'd like me to do, mil--Mara?"

The princess tutted. "That won't do. I want you to take the lead. Do what your heart desires." She paused. "Hm, though... if things get too intense, will you stop--"

"Yes, of course!"

"--when I say the word 'radish.'"

"O-Oh... yes."

Mara chuckled. "It would do you well to listen before acting, my dear courtier."

Nodding, he moved his hand over the princess's bound form, trying to make up his mind what to do first. Mara watched intently, heart thundering in her chest as she waited for that first touch. Slowly, his hand descended...

... coming to rest on her shoulder.

"What... are you doing?"

"P-Patting your shoulder?"

There was a moment of silence that felt as though it was far longer than either of them knew it was.

"Have I had a breakup?" asked Mara flatly. "Did I make an error at court?"

"N-No? Neither of those things."

Sighing, Mara jerked herself into an upright position and faced her courtier. "I understand this is new territory for you, my dear. But I implore you to think the slightest bit with your lower half. I've allowed you indulgence in ways many dream of with their partners. Voice other concerns if need be, I welcome open forum, but, to be frank, it's rude to leave a lady so wanting. And furthermore--"

"Snrk."

Mara paused, feeling her face heat up in a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Is... is something amusing to you?"

"A tad." smiled the courtier, stifling another chuckle. "It's rather... funny to see you giving me a lecture when you're bound up like this."

Mara screwed her face up in a pout, before a small giggle escaped her lips. Then another. Then her courtier followed suit. In no time, the pair were all giggles, the sheer absurdity of the situation overcoming them with mirth.

"Y-You're right, I suppose." commented the princess. "This is a charmingly amusing situation."

She sighed as she leaned against her courtier. Laughing as hard as she did, the night hadn't been a total waste. Just as she was about to command him to untie her and she went off to bed, she felt his hand cup her breast.

"A-Ah!" squeaked Mara, her breath and heartbeat quickening. The thin fabric of her nightgown offered little--if any--resistance, his rough hands sinking into her soft flesh. "D-Dear?"

"I suppose all I needed was to shake out the tension." smiled the courtier. "Thank you, Mara."

"My pleasure."

Gently, he pulled her close and leaned into her ear, whispering only two words. "In time."

Mara's eyes widened greater than she thought possible. Just as she was about to reply, the courtier's second hand joined her chest. Her breath hitched and she instinctively arched her back, letting out a low shudder at the sudden touch.

Spurred on by Mara's response, the courtier began massaging the princess's breasts. Slow, kneading movements in a rhythm almost hypnotic. Warmth bloomed between her legs. Muscles tensed and strained against rope that held her fast. She couldn't recall the last time she'd felt so exhilarated, except maybe the time a warlock from an enemy nation tried to kidnap her and she beat him into a coma with his own staff.

This was infinitely better.

The courtier, all apprehension to the wayside, leaned forward, guiding the princess with him. He gazed longingly at Mara's exposed neck, lowering his mouth to kiss the exposed nape. He smiled against her skin as she let out a surprised, aroused gasp.

"H-How did you know about that spot!?" she squeaked out, face bright red.

"I didn't... but I'll commit it to memory, Mara."

"Oh, you wicked maaaaaaaaahn!" Her outburst became a moan at the tail end, Mara melting into her courtier's touch with a sigh. His hands continued to grope at her chest, while he lightly peppered the back of her neck with kisses.

One hand left her chest, slowly moving downwards. Stopping just at her upper thighs, gently spider-walking to rest between her legs. Mara shivered, biting her lip as her body warmed up even more. How badly she wanted to urge him to continue, but with him fully taking the lead, she was more excited to see where he would go.

'Would she be angry if I damaged her underwear?' the courtier thought. 'They're pure silk, I doubt I could pay her back in this lifetime... no point in thinking that, I suppose.'

Mara's heart rate quadrupled as her courtier's fingers lightly pulled her panties to the side, his fingers pressing against her womanhood. "You're... quite aroused, Mara." he whispered into her ear.

"And... hah... whose fault... is that?"

His response was to press his finger inside, earning a loud moan the princess barely managed to suppress. His finger wormed around inside her, seemingly drawn directly to the spot that would have the most effect on her.

Mara's eyes nearly rolled into the back of her head as her courtier's finger proved her walls. She'd done this plenty of times before herself, but it was so different with someone else. With someone she loved and trusted. Someone who had her like this.

His free hand, no longer content with simply working fabric, slipped beneath her nightgown to grasp the bare flesh. "Oh! Dear!"

"... ame..."

Mara managed to get just enough of her senses to ask what he meant.

"My name... could you call me by it?"

"Very well... Simon."

It felt so different hearing it from her lips. In that low, husky voice dripping with want and need. He slipped in a second finger, smiling as her back arched and she moaned.

Soon, the room was filled with the sound of her moaning, and the rhythmic schlicking of Simon's fingers working their way inside her. Simon had gone from simple squeezing of Mara's breast to teasing her nipple, the little bud hard as stone.

Mara was approaching her limit. She was riding a cloud of sensations the gods themselves couldn't hope to climb atop. Her breath was ragged, hair stuck to her damp face, her nightgown sticking to her sweaty body.

'More...' she thought, hoping and praying Simon could understand her desire. If anyone could, he could. 'Please, more.'

Sensing Mara was nearing climax, Simon followed his own desire, pressing his thumb against Mara's clit, giving her neck a small but powerful bite at the same time.

The sound that came from Mara would've woken half the castle were her room not adequately prepared. She all but slammed against Simon as her orgasm had her straining against her ropes and her body glowing red. Barely two hours ago, she'd looked so prim and proper, the ideal royal. Now she looked as though she'd spent a day in the fields. And she'd never felt more satisfied.

"I love you, Simon..." she whispered dreamily.

"M-Milady!?"

"Mara... and you heard me..."

-/-/-/-/-

The morning broke, and Mara, as always, greeted it with a stretch and a smile. She grunted softly as she cracked and popped her bones, giggling to herself as she remembered the previous night. Mara found it so comical that it took being "helpless" at her courtier's hand for him to finally take the lead. And when he did...

A pleasurable shiver coursed through her body and she smiled wider. She'd never forget last night as long as she lived. Looking over, she saw the sleeping form of Simon, curled up and content. The ropes from last night's fun lay over the side of the bed, a heady tingle sparking between Mara's legs as she saw them.

She so badly wanted to experience it again, but knew that self-denial would make it all the sweeter the opportunity for more fun would present itself. With her typically busy schedule, though, she wasn't sure when that would occur.

And then, an idea struck.

-/-/-/-/-

"Meditation, milady?" repeated one of her maids.

"Yes." Mara replied. "I've taken it up recently. It's supposed to be good for the soul. Quite the introspective experience. So every Friday, I request not to be disturbed between the hours of 9pm until midnight."

"I see... I'll inform the rest of the staff, then, milady." After a quick bow and curtsy, the maid scurried off.

As she walked, the maid had to giggle. The cover of meditation was a good one, but the Princess had been careless; the now-fading rope marks on her body were plainly visible. While she'd inform the rest of the staff of the princess' new hobby scheduling, she'd be sure to gossip as well. Seeing their princess happy was a joy, and knowing why was just added spice.

Life around the castle was becoming more interesting by the day...

[END]