Heirs of St. Valyssa Pt. 03

Mutually satisfied, Felix and Trajan began to quickly dress themselves. Trajan stood before one of the several mirrors in their chamber, and hastily threw his clothes on. Men of Saint Valyssa's line tended to be lithe, slim and dexterous. Although Trajan was uncommonly tall and muscled for a man of The Holy Blood, his stature was not as great as some of the barbaric tribes that lived at the fringes of Imperial territory. He was fair-skinned, with short-cropped yellow hair, and golden eyes that declared his noble lineage to one and all. He had the high cheekbones and a square jaw that made him look almost stereotypical of a noble, well-bred imperial knight. Many at court said that he bore a strong resemblance to Her Excellency's grandfather, the previous Emperor. Like most men of The Holy Blood, Trajan kept himself clean-shaven.

Trajan watched Felix don his priestly robes and amulets. Felix had the slight build that was much more typical of The Holy Blood. He was several inches shorter than Trajan, and at least a hundred pounds lighter. Though Felix still had the draconic eyes and scales on his hands that marked him as one of The Holy, his eyes were a much more mundane brown. Felix's hair was shoulder-length and heavily curled. Although Felix preferred to be clean-shaven, he was less studious about it than Trajan.

Trajan buckled his sword back into place, and raked a comb through his bright yellow hair. Felix smoothed out his robes, and straightened his sacred amulet. Once the two men had finished their hasty grooming, they strode back over to the door. Gloria had apparently been waiting just outside, and seemed to be expecting them to open it,

"Boys, I would have gladly assisted the two of you with your... preparations."

The demon-spawn woman conjured a cloth, and wiped delicately at Trajan's sweaty brow. She turned to Felix, and began to correct the mismatched buttons on his pants. She stood uncomfortably close to Felix as she unbuttoned and re-buttoned his trousers.

"All you had to do was ask."

"Miss, you can try to charm him all you want. Old Astaroth is sorely mistaken if he thinks you have anything to tempt our comely priest with."

René's silky-soft voice called out from an alcove nearby. Trajan and Felix had not noticed his presence; the cutpurse was as good at hiding himself as he was at opening doors. Like their escort Gloria, René was a demon-spawn. However, René's skin was a more brilliant ruby tone than the servant's scarlet-brown. He had long pitch-black hair that he flicked dramatically away from his face. As he approached, he made a playful grab for Gloria's waist, which she skillfully dodged. Though René was famously agile when the opposite sex was involved, Gloria was more agile. She gave René a teasing wink, then turned to walk down the hall.

"I just can't understand you, Felix. What's not to enjoy?" René said, with his eyes forward, blatantly gazing at Gloria's firm ass.

Felix scowled at René, and said in a low, angry whisper, "You're speaking too freely!"

The serving woman turned and gave Felix an inquiring look,

"I am sure Savina was unaware of your preferences when she selected your company yesterday evening. Master Felix, I think we can send for one of my brothers who will gladly assist you."

Felix continued to scowl at René, as his point was proven. This was the first that Trajan had heard of any male servants, or any men at all for that matter. This changed Trajan's assumptions about the safety of their group, and their ability to survive whatever temptations Astaroth might have in store for them. Brother Felix was a devoted priest, and a good friend, but he had been something of a cad in his younger years. Trajan hoped that Felix's singular vision for completing their mission would hold out over whatever pleasures Lord Astaroth's manservants could offer. René laughed sharply at the mild chaos that he had caused. As much as they needed René's help, Trajan found it hard to respect him. The burglar was not a man who had any sense or thought for self-control. Over the last two years of travel together, René had left a trail of broken hearts and stolen virtue across The Imperium. René was as good at opening a pair of legs as he was at opening a locked door.

As the three men were led into the grand feast-hall of Astaroth, Trajan idly wondered if any of Astaroth's serving girls now carried René's seed, and what sort of price they had extracted from René for the pleasure of their bodies. Brother Felix's repeated warnings echoed in Trajan's mind. Astaroth would do everything he could to tempt them, to sway them from their mission. There was a reason that Astaroth, Lord of Carnal Desire, was the final guardian before they reached the realm of Ba'al, and their ultimate goal.

Trajan and his companions were led into the great feast hall of Astaroth's palace. In the last three days, the group had been kept to the smaller guest halls. According to Savina, the servant who had greeted them upon their arrival at the palace, Lord Astaroth and his Lady Amara were away, entreating with the subjects of their realm. Savina told them that they were welcome to the "more intimate and comfortable" setting of the guest halls while they awaited the Lord and Lady's return from travel. Once they were alone, Brother Felix cautioned them that this delay was more than likely a tactic for Astaroth to gain information about the travelers, to better entice them before allowing passage to Ba'al's realm.

Scores of infernal guests, most of them feminine, filled the hall. Scantily-clad succubi of every pleasing form sat at tables, waited on by the stunningly beautiful servants of Astaroth's palace. Trajan noted several scattered individuals who at least appeared to be human. Possibly warlocks, or other mortals indentured to the service of Astaroth. Or denizens of Astaroth's realm? Trajan did not bother to consider it any further than that; his journey through six of the seven realms of sin has taught him that appearances often deceived. And besides, anyone being feasted in Astaroth's hall certainly had to know what they were getting into.

Gloria led Trajan, Felix and René towards the head table. They passed by a long table where their companion, Arannis, was already seated. Arannis was a feminine elf with long blue-black hair, and green eyes. Out of the four companions, they were the least likely to succumb to Lord Astaroth's brand of temptation, and the least of Trajan's concern right now. Trajan noted with amusement that Arannis had the look of someone being held hostage while a doe-eyed succubus desperately tried to continue the conversation. No doubt, René would have given his left hand to trade places with them. Arannis' tone was flat, disinterested and almost exasperated.

"While it is not incorrect to call me by feminine language it's considered impolite by Elven standards to inquire about my gender, unless you're-"

Trajan had heard this a thousand times by now. Pure-blooded Elves in The Imperium were a rarity, and a curiosity wherever they went. Most people did not know that the particulars of Elven language did not allow for gendered pronouns, unless one was actively courting another. Most Elves, Arannis included, did not have an ounce of sexual desire unless they had been struck by a fit of lust, divinely inspired by Orpheus, the Elven deity of passion.

Gloria pulled out a chair at the head table to show where Trajan should take a seat. As he settled into his place, Gloria trailed her fingers along Trajan's neck, and whispered into his ear,

"Lady Amara wishes to express her thanks for your patience these last three days. She specifically asked that you sit next to her tonight."

Gloria's lips brushed against Trajan's earlobe; the low alto tone of her voice sent a shiver down his spine, and caused a fresh stirring between his legs. He shifted uncomfortably to avoid Gloria's hand on his upper leg.

Gloria smirked, and led René and Felix off to another table. Within The Imperium, most took note of Trajan's noble features, and seated him accordingly. It was not unusual for the group to be separated by their hosts. While René gladly allowed himself to be separated, Felix paused a moment and locked eyes with Trajan. He felt the familiar strand of the Priest's thoughts in his own head; a hastily-cast spellwhisper. Mind-to-mind, and protected from listening ears.

There is a threat here. They've separated us on purpose. Be careful Trajan. Don't drink too much, and mind the mission.

Trajan nodded gravely at his friend, and conjured a memory from earlier in the evening. He forced the image of Felix's flushed and aroused face into the priest's mind,

You be careful as well.

Trajan would have liked to see Felix's reaction to being the one getting admonished for a change. However, Gloria was seemingly aware that something unspoken had transpired between the two men. She hastily dragged Brother Felix away to another table in the crowded hall. With their eye contact broken, Felix and Trajan could no longer pass spellwhispered messages to each other.

The guests seated near Trajan were all women of uncommon beauty, even when counted against the standards of Astaroth's palace. Trajan hid himself behind the comforting veil of courtesy, and exchanged only meaningless pleasantries with the demonfolk who were plainly attempting to discover some secret weakness, fetish or longing of his. Though the bald-faced sexual nature of the conversations would have made the court gossips blush in shame, the exchange was not all that different than any other noble dinner or ball at the Imperial Palace. Trajan's mother was a favorite cousin of The Empress; as a young man, Trajan had been present at endless banquets and galas. He was no stranger to the sort of verbal fencing that was necessary when socializing with the ambitious and powerful.

Conversation at the table fell into a sudden hush. As Trajan set down his glass, he realized that every eye in the room was focused in his direction. A moment later, he realized they were not actually focused on him, but rather next to him. She had arrived.

Trajan realized that, if the servants and highborn guests of this banquet were beautiful, then the woman he looked at now would require an entirely new word. Her skin was flawless, and a deep, rich shade of red. Her long hair was the same pitch-black as René's, though it fell in cascading waves down her back. She had full lips, large, inquisitive copper eyes, and a strong, defined shape to her jaw. Trajan had half expected that Lady Amara would wear a gown of the same translucent, shimmering cloth as her servants, or bare herself nakedly like so many of the succubi in attendance. However, her breasts, navel and loins were covered by a black dress that seemed too simple to be clothing such a woman. She wore a small, golden diadem on her brow, with an amber jewel that matched her eyes. The other guests stood, in deference to their lady, Trajan rose awkwardly to his feet, almost embarrassed to be in her presence.

Trajan almost didn't notice the male demon on Amara's arm. He was shirtless, lithe and well-muscled, with tight-fitting black trousers. The dark red tone of his skin matched Amara's perfectly. He had the same full lips, long, black hair and defined jaw. Though, his eyes did not match Amara's perfectly; they were a shade darker, and did not have the same light behind them. He had a pair of heavy, black wings that matched his trousers, and a pointed, red tail that flicked back and forth like a tomcat's. For a moment, Trajan wondered at who he might be. Then mentally kicked himself; there was only one man that this demon could be. Lord Astaroth did not wear a crown, or any other vestment of his station.

He doesn't need to, Trajan thought. He glanced away from his hosts for a moment, and quickly scanned the crowded hall. Hoping to catch Felix's gaze, Trajan wondered what his friend thought of this man, and if the priest had any thoughts of breaking his sacred vow to their mission.

Lord Astaroth and Lady Amara seated themselves. The Lady nodded, indicating that her guests were free to be seated. Lord Astaroth scanned the room briefly, and called out. The Demon Lord's voice was a deep baritone that rumbled across the hall and seemed to settle in Trajan's chest

"Bring Vespera and Sable out to entertain us."

Servants immediately began clearing the area in front of the head table. Three large, muscular demons carried over a cushioned lounge chair, similar to the one Trajan had reclined on earlier that evening. A naked succubus with milk-white skin, rosy-pink wings and thick earth-colored tresses reclined on the couch, and held a black leather strap in her hand. She playfully slapped the strap at the demons that bore her into the hall. Trajan tried his best not to imagine what, exactly, she might do that would entertain Astaroth. He almost didn't notice the other succubus enter.

The second woman looked as though she'd been chosen to be the exact opposite of the pale succubus on the couch. This second woman had dark, bronze skin, black wings and tightly coiled hair that was the color of honey. In contrast to the succubus on the couch, the darker succubus was still clothed. Though, barely so. She had a sort of black vest that was fastened around her back and between her wings; it covered her breasts, belly and the inside of her thighs, but precious little else. The dark succubus strode over to the paler one, and snatched the leather strap away from her. Trajan could see now that the strap was a leash, and the other end was fastened to a collar on the pale succubus' neck.

The dark succubus pulled hard on the leash, dragging the paler girl off the couch, and forced her to crawl over to the head table in front of Astaroth. The pale succubus looked up at Astaroth with a longing expression. Her voice was high and sharp, like a crystal bell being struck.

"My mistress Vespera would like your permission to use me."

Astaroth smiled, and nodded his assent.

Vespera, the dark-skinned succubus, pulled on the leash and commanded Sable to lie on the couch. Vespera's voice was deep and full, almost as though a feminine form of Lord Astaroth's.

Sable obeyed, and crawled back over to the couch. She reclined and threw her arms back over the side of the couch. With her arms held up and behind her head, Sable's breasts were lifted higher, and tilted up towards her audience at the table. Trajan heard a loud clicking sound as Vespera fastened manacles to hold Sable's arms in place. Sable giggled as her mistress came back around the couch, and trailed her fingers around Sable's pale, pink nipples. Vespera leaned close and made as though she was going to suck on one of the perky tips, but she drew her mouth away at the last moment, and turned her attention to Sable's feet. Sable whimpered to protest, but was silenced when Vespera lightly tapped her with the end of the leash.

Vespera caressed Sable's pale calf, and ran her down the succubus's leg until she found Sable's ankle. She pulled Sable's foot to her mouth and gently kissed the top of it before bringing her foot back down, and latching a hidden clamp around her pale ankle. Sable squealed lightly and strained against the bonds, as though to show their audience that her leg was firmly in place. Vespera then turned to Sable's only remaining free limb. She assertively pushed Sable's thighs apart, baring her wet, pink pussy before everyone at the high table. Trajan heard the click of another restraint, but all he saw was the wet, hungry opening between Sable's legs. With her arms tied behind her head, and her legs forced apart by the restraints around her ankles, Trajan thought that the succubus looked like she'd been served up like a fine dish. His cock began to throb.

Vespera paused to admire Sable, before she turned around and approached Astaroth,

"Father, may I taste her?"

"Yes."

Vespera sprawled herself out on the end of the couch and placed her face right between Sable's thighs. She began slowly licking up Sable's pussy, stopping at the top to gently draw circles around Sable's clit with the tip of her tongue. Sable lightly strained against her shackles, and moaned slightly. Trajan could hear the soft sounds of Vespera continuing to kiss and lick the paler succubus.

"She tastes so good, Father."

Vespera began licking harder, throwing her head into the motion, and slid her fingers inside of Sable. She sank her fingers deep inside, and began massaging Sable's clit with her thumb. Sable's moans grew louder, and she began trying to writhe around on the couch.

"Oh, you're getting tight."

Vespera slowly pulled her fingers out of Sable, and held up her hand to show how it shone with Sable's wetness. She locked eyes with Trajan and began to seductively lick her fingers clean. Her unnaturally long tongue wrapped around her finger, lapping up every trace of Sable's fluids. Vespera moaned her approval at the taste, and turned back to Sable. She started playing with her in earnest now, sucking on Sable's clit, sliding her fingers inside, stroking her g-spot, and drawing out increasingly loud cries of pleasure. As Sable's pitch and volume increased, Vespera's licking and massaging slowed. The bound succubus began to gasp for breath and pleaded with her mistress.

"Mistress... Vespera please... Let me cum."

Vespera looked up at the head table. By now, her face was dripping with Sable's fluids. She wiped some of the glistening fluid off her chin, and licked it from her fingertips. Vespera climbed up onto the couch with Sable, and entwined her leg around her captive. Vespera pressed herself into Sable, and reached down between Sable's thighs. Her fingers slowly began to inch towards Sable's shuddering, wet pussy. The two succubi began to make out, their tongues intertwined as Vespera's hand reached Sable, and began to massage in quick, small circles. Sable moaned, almost screaming as she strained and writhed against her restraints.

"It's too much... Mistress. Please. Let. Me. Cum."

Vespera smiled wickedly, and hissed into Sable's ear, "You have my permission to cum."

Sable's cries of pleasure filled the hall as Vespera's spell was lifted, allowing her to fall headlong into the orgasmic rush that Vespera had inflicted upon her. While her body was seized with pleasure, Sable strained against the shackles and began to squirt. Her juices soaked the couch, and left a small puddle on the floor nearby.