Disclaimers: Once upon a time, I wanted a really good excuse to write a story that was basically nothing but sex (and a little romance). This, it appears, was it.

This is most definitely rated NC-17. As I just said... lots and lots of sex between two women. Additionally, this story mentions non-consensual sex (in the sense of master/slave sex).

Feedback is always welcomed at meghan@meghanobrien.com.

The Gift

by Meghan O'Brien

Janna struggled to keep an impassive expression on her face as she approached the castle. The soldiers she'd selected to make the journey with her rode along her flanks, their horses keeping pace just slightly behind hers. Janna reached down and gave her war-horse an absent pat as she scanned the intimidating building that loomed in front of them.

Four years, Edan, she mused, stroking a thick black mane. Four winters of war and this is my reward.

The invitation to visit with the King and attend the official victory celebration had found Janna hurt and exhausted, but quite willing to make the long journey to receive the royal gratitude she knew she had earned. Three winters as the commander of an entire battalion of the King's army, and an integral role in the decisive battle fought just two moons ago, had guaranteed her an audience with the King once the war was officially declared over.

She would have imagined feeling something more than the bone-deep weariness that consumed her as she rode through the castle gates. After all, wasn't this the crowning achievement of a life spent in humble service?

Janna looked down at the two members of the Royal Guard who met them just inside the gates.

"Commander Janna Arwyn," she told one guardsman, a tall, muscular man with alert eyes. "The King is expecting me."

He studied her for a moment and then bowed at the waist, sweeping his arm behind him. "Of course, Commander. Please, follow us inside."

She nodded down at him, and then cast her eyes around to share meaningful looks with her three companions. The two guardsmen turned and led them further into the city. Janna dug her heels into Edan's sides and followed. Her men trailed closely behind.

The King's aide met them at the castle doors. "Commander Arwyn!" he called at her approach.

Janna gave the wiry man a serious nod. "Good day," she said as she swung her leg over Edan's back and dismounted the intimidating horse. She stood almost a head taller than the King's most trusted advisor.

"It's wonderful to finally meet you," he gushed, a wide smile stretching his face. "I'm Devon, the King's right hand."

Janna reached out and took a smooth hand in greeting. Her own hand was calloused from years of training and fighting, and she fought to keep her embarrassment from her face.

I earned it, after all. She released Devon's hand, turning to gesture for her men to also dismount their horses. I never had a shot at having soft hands.

"The King has asked me to personally escort you to your quarters and get you settled in. A welcoming dinner is scheduled for tonight, but King Menos knows that you must be exhausted after your long ride -- not to mention anything of the epic battle you're surely still feeling -- and he wants to make sure you have a chance to relax before the feast."

Janna allowed a smile at Devon's rambling speech, and at the good-natured light in the balding man's eyes. "We thank you, sir, for your hospitality. I'm sure we'd all appreciate the opportunity to prepare ourselves for the King's dinner."

"Very good," Devon said, and turned towards the open castle door. "If you'll follow me, then."

He delivered Janna to her quarters first, and it was obvious at first glance that she had been given one of the most opulent rooms in the castle. The large bed was made with imported silk sheets and covered in a thick down comforter. Janna stood by it after Devon and her men left her, tracing her fingers over the expensive fabrics and surveying the ornate furnishings of the room with wide eyes.

"Wow," Janna murmured out loud. She let her gaze travel over the precious china, the shining gold, and the unbelievable craftsmanship that surrounded her.

For all the traveling she'd done while in the King's army, most of her days had been spent inhabiting army camps and traveling on horseback between sparse bases that existed only to serve the purpose of war. Never had she witnessed such luxury and riches with her own two eyes, let alone been in the midst of it, as if she had done something to deserve it.

Janna sat down heavily on the bed, and then jumped up again a moment later. She half turned and surveyed her backside. It wouldn't do to get everything all covered in mud and horse dust. She looked around a moment until she spotted an open closet door. Clean clothing hung within and she moved over to look at it in amazement.

"Nice," Janna commented. She reached out and took hold of the neatly tailored leather pants and silk shirt that had been left for her, relieved that she hadn't been given a dress strictly on the basis of her gender. She held the impeccably crafted clothing in front of her face, a lazy smile capturing her lips. The materials were thick, soft, and obviously expensive, and they looked to be roughly her size. "Very nice."

Her sword hung heavily at her side and, uncharacteristically, Janna couldn't wait to relieve herself of the burden. She got changed quickly, pulling off her armor and leathers with a sigh of relief. Sometimes she felt like she lived in those clothes. Living in an army camp most of the time -- albeit in her own secluded tent -- it was a rare treat for her to feel fresh air on her bare skin, or the soft whisper of expensive clothing.

This is the kind of thing I want to experience now, Janna mused as she pulled the silk shirt over her head. Simple pleasures, the kinds of pleasures a lifelong warrior has never gotten a chance to know.

Janna was ready for something more than war, death, and bloodshed. Those things had been her reality since she was old enough to hold a sword, and she finally felt as if she'd won the right to move past them.

She hoped the King would agree.

*****

Dinner was a pleasant but ultimately boring affair. The King seemed genuinely pleased to be in her company, and he didn't hesitate to shower her with praise and gratitude. Janna appreciated that her King was happy -- it was one reason she served so loyally -- but she was mildly embarrassed to be the center of attention.

As far as she was concerned, she had only ever done what she was meant to do.

Her men looked thrilled to be eating at the King's table, and they all listened to his stories with rapt attention. Janna smiled at the climax of each tale, enjoying the sound of mostly male laughter ringing through the hall around her. The King's wife, Queen Anna, and his daughter, the Princess Paloma, sat beside and across from him at the table, respectively. They were the only two other women at the sprawling feast, and their own laughter was polite and subdued.

Janna sat next to Paloma, ramrod straight in her chair and tense at the proximity of the young woman. Janna wasn't used to being around other women; though there were a few other female soldiers in the King's army, they were not many, and none seemed to possess the gentle femininity that characterized the King's wife and daughter.

Janna felt big and clumsy next to a dainty creature like Paloma. The girl held her utensils with slim, graceful hands, eating her meal with measured and delicate bites. Not for the first time, Janna wondered what kind of life she would lead if not that of a warrior.

"I hope you'll consider staying with us for a few days at least," the King said, and Janna snapped to attention at the sudden knowledge that he was addressing her. She looked at him with deferential eyes, giving him a grateful smile. "I'd very much like to thank you properly for your role in ending the Benzien conflict."

Janna kept her smile steady even as she smirked inside. The Benzien conflict, she repeated to herself. He makes it sound so civilized.

"We'd be honored to accept your invitation, my Liege," she answered. She looked around at her men, who wore wide grins that confirmed her words. "Your palace is truly impressive, and we are humbled to spend time in your presence."

"Fantastic!" the King said with a broad smile. "My son Dennis is away attending to matters of state until the day after tomorrow; I know he would be pleased to meet you at our annual Harvest festival. We're expanding it this year into a victory celebration, as well, and so I quite hoped you could attend."

"I would be honored, my Liege," Janna said, her voice sincere. "We all would."

The King gave her a modest wave of the hand, chuckling at her polite words. "Good, good," he said. "And please, relax and enjoy your stay. Everything that is mine I share with you, as loyal defenders of our kingdom."

Janna nodded. "Thank you, my Liege."

The King gave her a seated bow, and then beckoned over a young man wearing a white tunic. He quickly set about gathering the empty plates from the table, keeping his eyes down all the while. Janna murmured a quiet thank you as he took her plate. She was aware that slaves weren't thanked, but unable to suppress that part of her that never truly believed that some people deserved to be enslaved by others.

King Menos leaned over and gave the Queen a respectful kiss on the cheek. "My Queen," he said, "I must ask that you take Paloma and leave us now. We have business to discuss, things that are better left to men and warriors."

Janna shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Yes, my love," the Queen murmured. She looked across the table at her daughter, who gave her an obedient nod.

Paloma turned and gave Janna a smile that started in her lush green eyes and ended on full red lips. Janna smiled back, her face a study in polite detachment, as her heart pounded hard in her chest.

"It was a pleasure to meet you," Paloma said, and held out her hand expectantly.

Janna reached over and slipped her hand, palm down, beneath Paloma's waiting fingers. The princess's smile grew wider when Janna raised their hands to her lips, placing a light kiss on Paloma's middle finger while still maintaining eye contact.

"The pleasure was mine," Janna responded. She kept her voice even despite the mild flirtatiousness of the gesture. She had no ulterior motives in her interaction with the princess; the girl would shortly be betrothed, she heard, and despite Janna's natural physical response in the face of such beauty, she knew there was no possibility that the young princess could ever give her anything more than a schoolgirl crush.

Paloma giggled and withdrew her hand, standing up and smoothing down her skirt with nervous fingers. Janna fought to keep a blush from her face and avoided the knowing eyes of her men. The princess wasn't the first woman who had openly flirted with her, though Paloma was surely the most refined.

Most of the women who had approached Janna had been camp whores who traveled with the army and served the needs of her men. There had also been the odd barmaid or merchant's daughter in the towns they had passed through, much to the delight of her carousing men. It seemed that watching young women make a play for their stoic commander had been a favorite pastime of many of her soldiers. Had she ever taken one home with her, she imagined money would have been changing hands from all the wagering her troops probably did concerning her sex life.

Janna often wondered if anyone suspected the truth about that aspect of her life.

As the Queen and her daughter walked across the grand hall and quietly exited the room, Janna glanced at the King from the corner of her eye. She hoped he wouldn't be angry about his daughter's obvious admiration of the dashing female warrior. To her great relief, she saw the amusement twinkling in his eyes.

"Now don't you worry," he said in a conspiratorial voice, once the two women had left the room. "I'm not really going to insist that we go over anything of great importance tonight. I know you've traveled a long and hard road over these past years, and then again over the last few nights to come and join me in my home." The King reached up and tugged on his grey beard, shooting Janna a warm smile. "I just didn't want to introduce my offerings to you this evening in the presence of such girlish innocence."

Janna swallowed, feeling a light sweat form on her chest beneath the cool silk shirt she wore. Oh, no, she worried. And just what does he have planned that he can't tell me with his daughter here?

The King raised his hand and snapped his fingers twice, shooting an expectant look over at the young man who stood in the corner of the room, awaiting his command. "Marco, bring them in here, please."

Janna watched as the young slave who had served them dinner stepped through the service door for a moment before reappearing with a silent line of slaves following him inside. Janna could see two men and about seven women, all dressed in similar white tunics. The men followed directly behind Marco, while the women formed a silent parade after them.

Janna swallowed again. Hard.

"I want to make sure all of our guests' needs are being met," King Menos said, looking directly into Janna's eyes. "Fortunately, the palace is well prepared to offer you companions for the night to see that you're properly tended to."

Janna darted a quick sidelong glance at her men, who all sat with large grins of anticipation on their faces. Well, at least they're happy about this. She shifted in her chair, saying a silent prayer that her face wasn't as red as it felt.

King Menos gestured over at the line of slaves, still looking at Janna. "Commander, I'll invite you to take first pick. I assure you that the royal body slaves are all impeccably trained and perfectly suited for pleasurable service."

Janna froze. She was aware of the tight grin that played across her lips, but she felt none of the mirth it conveyed. She was well and truly being put on the spot, and she had no idea what to do. She glanced over at her men again to find them watching her with interested eyes.

I can't do this.

But Janna knew she had to do it. She couldn't refuse the King's gesture and, maybe even more importantly, she couldn't lose face in front of her men. It was one thing to refuse the company of the occasional woman in camp; Janna could always claim the need for absolute focus during wartime. It was quite another to be offered the company of one of the King's body slaves by the King himself. To refuse would draw unwanted attention, and Janna was terrified that she would be utterly exposed in the eyes of her men.

"Thank you, my Liege," Janna murmured. She pushed back her chair and stood, bowing slightly at the waist in the direction of her King. "Your hospitality is truly appreciated."

"Thank you, Commander." The King gave her a kind smile, full of affection and deep gratitude. "I hope you find my slaves acceptable."

Janna turned her eyes to study the line of young men and women for the first time. He actually thinks he's doing me a favor, she mused. She walked over to stand in front of the row of slaves, looking at the downcast eyes and subservient poses.

Janna quickly turned her attention away from the men. There was no way she was taking one of them back to her room. Not only did she feel a complete lack of interest, but the very idea seemed more threatening than anything she'd encountered in a lifetime of fighting.

No, it'll have to be a girl. Janna felt a rush of heat and fear suffuse her body at the thought. Ignoring it as best she could, she turned her attention to the young women in front of her. None met her eyes.

Janna walked to the head of the line and started a slow study of the women in front of her. She would have liked nothing more than to grab the hand of the first girl she could reach and flee from the room. Knowing that so many eyes were on her as she bumbled her way through something that felt so foreign was singularly unnerving.

Which one do I choose? Janna bit her lip in contemplation, walking down the line of tunic-clad girls. I just don't want to look ridiculous. I don't want to look like a fumbling idiot.

As she reached the end of the line, a red-haired girl suddenly raised her eyes to meet Janna's appraising gaze. She had striking blue eyes, the color of the ocean on a stormy day, and Janna only partially suppressed a gasp at the sight of them. Reassurance shone bright in her gaze, along with something else that caused Janna's heart to start thumping hard.

She's the one.

"Ah," the King said from behind her. "Excellent choice. I don't speak from experience, mind you, but I've heard many good things."

Janna turned and regarded the King with a polite smile, nodding at his words. "I think she will be just fine, thank you." She glanced behind her to gauge the slave's reaction to the words, suddenly self-conscious that the girl would resent being talked about like an object. Blue eyes were impassive.

I guess she's used to it.

"Your men are welcome to select their companions, and I'll bid you a good night," King Menos said, drawing Janna's attention back to the table.

Janna turned and bowed at the King. She tried not to blush under the leering, encouraging smiles of her top lieutenants as they stood and made their way over to the remaining slaves. They were all unmarried, and she imagined that each was thanking whatever force had garnered them an invitation to accompany her on this royal visit. Leaving her chosen slave for the moment, Janna strode over to where the King rose to his feet next to the table.

"Thank you for a most enjoyable meal, my Liege," Janna said, and bowed again. "And thank you for your continued hospitality and the invitation to spend these next days with you. I know my men and I are all looking forward to the opportunity to relax for a bit."

"It's my pleasure, Commander," the King said. Leaning over close to hear, he murmured, "We'll talk later about what happens next, now that this war is won. I want you to know that you'll have your choice of posts in Lyros, if you desire."

Janna smiled, bowing slightly to the King. A plum assignment in the capitol city was a significant step up, and something she would have to seriously consider pursuing. It was one of the most attractive options for tomorrow that she'd heard.

"I look forward to that discussion, King Menos."

"As do I," the King agreed. Clapping her on a muscular upper arm, he chuckled and nodded over towards the grouping of body slaves. "Now," he said, "go on and have a good evening. I've had a warm bath sent up to your room. Please feel free to ask a servant if you're in need of anything tonight."

"Thank you," Janna said.

"Good evening, then," King Menos said, and he turned and walked out of the hall.

Taking a deep breath, Janna turned back to her companion for the evening. The girl still stood in line, silent and watching. Her men had wasted no time selecting girls of their own; Marco nodded at the remaining slaves, and then led them out of the hall. When only she, her men, and the body slaves remained, Janna jerked her head at her men, indicating that they should join her near the table.

All three men turned and came at her silent command, leaving the four slaves standing in a silent group behind them. Janna waited until each of her soldiers stood in front of her before craning her neck and lowering her voice to address them.

"I'm sure I don't have to remind each of you that a soldier in the King's army respects all women, regardless of role or status." Janna pinned each of them with serious brown eyes. This had always been important to her; as a commander, she made sure each of her men was aware of her feelings on the subject. "The King wants us all to have a good time tonight, but let's remember to act like gentlemen."

Arden, a toothy blonde-haired man, gave her an amused grin. "Yes, Commander," he said. "And let me just say... I'm grateful to have the pleasure of finally seeing you succumb to someone's charms."

Janna fought another blush. She looked around at her men, her loyal soldiers, and allowed a crooked grin at the good-natured comment. Turning to Darius, she asked, "I suppose there's a pool that'll be paid out now, right?"

Darius feigned innocence. "You make us out to be no better than gossiping maidens," he complained.

Janna lifted an eyebrow at him. "Your point being?"

Her men laughed, and Arden clapped her on the back. Janna shared their good humor, glad that she had been able to forge a relationship with her soldiers that was authoritative without being alienating. Unlike her male counterparts, Janna had commanded through respect instead of intimidation. Being the only female commander in the King's army, it hadn't always been easy. It was at moments like these, however, that Janna was glad for it.

"All right, boys," Janna said when the laughter had died down. "You all have a good night, and I'll see you in the morning."

"Not too early, though," Jason said with a wide grin. Arden and Darius chuckled beside him.

"Not too early," Janna agreed. "Have a good night."

"You, too, Commander!" Darius said, and turned to collect the girl he had selected.

Arden and Jason also bid her good night, rushing to fetch their own companions. Within a few moments, all three of her men had exited the hall with eager anticipation, and Janna was left alone with the red-haired body slave with the piercing blue eyes.

Janna turned and faced the girl, who now stood with her eyes cast down to the floor. She hesitated to move closer to the slave, afraid of this next part of her evening. Putting on a stoic face for her king and her men had distracted Janna from the nerve-wracking reality of what this whole situation meant, and now that she was alone with the beautiful redhead, she was shaken to the core.

Janna's breath caught in her throat when the slave girl looked up at her once again. Blue eyes blinked once, twice, and then held her gaze with unflinching integrity.

She doesn't seem entirely broken, Janna thought. She knew it was the reason she had chosen the girl. Janna had been hooked the minute compassionate blue eyes found her nervous brown. There's more to her than she lets them see.

Janna imagined some kind of affinity with the slave. After a moment of blinking silently at the girl, she realized how she must look, and she shook her head with a quiet chuckle.

"What's your name?" Janna asked.

The girl looked surprised at the sudden question, and it took her a moment to answer. "It's Moira," she said in a low voice.

Janna took a step closer, shaken at the simple pleasure of the girl's voice. It was lilting and musical, softly accented, and it sent delicious shivers down the warrior's spine. The feelings, like the expensive clothing she wore, were unfamiliar to her. All of the awkward nervousness she'd felt around beautiful women in the past hadn't yielded the undeniable arousal she now felt flooding her body.

Oh, I'm in trouble here.

"Shall... shall we go upstairs to my quarters?" Janna murmured. She felt uncomfortable, uncertain; she had no idea how she should act in this scenario, and the only thing she knew was that she wasn't comfortable treating this girl like an inhuman object. "The King mentioned a hot bath... that sounds perfect right now."

Moira raised her head and pinned Janna with a steady gaze. The Commander resisted the urge to squirm beneath the look. Remember, you're the one in charge here. Not her.

"As you wish, Commander," Moira said. Quiet confidence shone in her blue eyes, and intelligence, and Janna felt a droplet of sweat roll down the small of her back at the sudden sure knowledge that there was more to Moira than she'd first imagined from a body slave.

She didn't know whether she was comforted or further terrified by that thought.

"Come on, then," Janna blurted, the command coming out gruffer than she had intended. She took three steps forward to close the distance between her and the slave, reaching out to lightly grip the girl's arm and guide her to the hall door. "It's just upstairs."

They walked to Janna's room in silence. Janna worked on controlling her breathing, mentally playing through what could happen when they got there. I wish I had a better idea of that part of it. The warrior turned to head to look at where the slave followed slightly behind her. If nothing happens, will she go and tell everyone?

As promised, a large tub full of steaming water waited for them back in her room. Janna led them inside and shut the door behind her, keeping her eyes on Moira as the slave kept walking to go and kneel beside the opulent bed. Her throat worked as she turned and regarded the bathtub, which looked incredibly inviting.

Should I invite her to take a bath? Janna blinked at the tub, and then at the girl, and then at the floor a short distance in front of her. I don't want to be rude or anything, but if she takes off her clothes... Janna was aware that her hands were trembling, and she curled them into tight fists at her sides.

Enough, she thought. You've commanded thousands of men, rode into battle with only the sword on your back and taken down hundreds of enemies... surely you can manage taking a hot bath with a beautiful young body slave. Janna cleared her throat.

"Moira, is it?" Janna asked. She hadn't forgotten the girl's name; she simply wanted to hear that sweet voice again, but didn't know what else to say.

"Yes, Commander," Moira answered.

"Would you like to join me for a bath?" Janna asked, and then immediately flushed. Oh, so smooth. "I mean... if you'd prefer to go first, or if you'd rather not..."

Moira rose to her feet beside the bed. She reached down and grasped the hem of her tunic, lifting it easily over her head. She wore nothing underneath. Still looking at Janna, she murmured, "As you wish, Commander."

Janna tried to remember to breathe. The eyes she tried to avert instead stubbornly explored full pale breasts with rosy pink nipples, a pleasantly curved belly, and silky thighs. Janna felt bathed in sweat by this point. She couldn't stop the unconscious licking of her lips as she stared at the patch of dark curly hair between Moira's legs.

"Get in the tub, then," Janna whispered. Her throat felt dry and her voice cracked slightly. She forced a scowl on her face, hoping to regain some feeling of control in this situation. "The water's going to get cold."

"You don't wish for me to undress you?" Moira asked. She gave Janna a careful smile, as if amused but cautious about Janna's possible reaction to the words.

Mortified, Janna blushed even harder. "I can undress myself," she replied curtly. "Just get in the tub."

The corners of Moira's mouth stayed just slightly upturned, and she gave Janna a deferential nod. "Yes, Commander."

Janna watched with appreciative eyes as the redhead walked to the steaming tub full of water. It occurred to her that Moira's creamy backside was a work of art. It also occurred to her that she had never been quite so turned on as she was at that moment.

Janna released a shaky sigh. Please let me get through this.

She pulled the silk shirt over her head as she approached the tub where Moira sat. Janna had never been a modest woman -- living as a warrior made that difficult, if not impossible -- and so she was surprised by how shy she felt under the intensity of Moira's interested gaze. Janna captured hooded blue eyes with her own, licking her lips again.

Oh, she's good. Moira stared at her with what Janna recognized as desire. Even knowing that it was a practiced response, a tactic of any decent body slave, Janna felt her body simultaneously relax and become bowstring taut with anticipation. She's really, really good.

Janna hesitated only a moment before undoing her leather pants. She kept her eyes on Moira as she pushed them down past her hips, stepping out of them when they pooled around her ankles. Naked, she crossed self-conscious arms over her chest, shooting Moira a quick look.

Moira nodded at her and reached out a slim, wet arm. The movement caused one breast to lift and break the surface of the water, sending a flood of arousal to Janna's center. "Let me wash your back, Commander."

Janna nodded back and, without a word, climbed into the tub across from Moira. The water was pleasantly hot, soothing subtly aching muscles and drawing a contented sigh from Janna. She relaxed against the side of the tub, eyes fluttering shut almost against her will.

It had been forever since she'd had a hot bath.

Janna's eyes flew open a moment later at a soft touch to her upper arm. Her warrior instincts took over and one arm shot out of the water to capture Moira's wrist where it rested on her bare skin. The body slave looked at her with wide blue eyes, a soapy sponge clutched tightly in the hand that Janna held.

Shaken, Janna released the redhead from her grip.

"I apologize, Commander," Moira said. For the first time, her eyes looked uncertain. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Janna nodded, embarrassed at her panicked reaction. "And I didn't mean to startle you," she said. Her eyes, seeking refuge from Moira's piercing gaze, drifted down to take in bare breasts and defined collarbones. She flushed again, the heat from the bath water making her feel on fire. Quickly looking back up at Moira's face, she asked, "Forgive me?"

Moira's brow creased as she took on a perplexed look at that. The slave cocked her head slightly, studying Janna, as if trying to decipher her. The frank examination frightened Janna, and she felt a harsh scowl capture her face in response. Moira blinked, and then lowered her eyes in submission.

"There's nothing for me to forgive," she whispered. Her voice was unsteady and tentative, as if she wasn't sure she was giving the right answer.

Janna bit her lip as she studied the young redhead. I'm off to a monumentally clumsy start, aren't I? Shifting where she sat, Janna half-turned and presented her bare back to the slave. Thinking it best to get them back on track, she said, "Wash me, then?"

"With pleasure, Commander," Moira murmured behind her. A moment later Janna felt the sponge again touch her back, gently, before Moira began scrubbing her with leisurely strokes.

Janna was shocked when the gentle massage served to relax and inflame her at the same time. She felt the tension drain out of her muscles under Moira's knowing touch. Janna leaned forward, closing her eyes, and pressed the fingers of two steepled hands to her forehead.

"Oh, God, yes."

Janna's eyes flew open as the languid moan escaped her mouth. She moaned again, unwillingly, when the pressure of Moira's soapy hands increased.

"Oh, that feels good," Janna murmured. She hummed in pleasure at Moira's obvious skill, delighting in the way all the tension seemed to drain from her body. Her arousal remained, but took on less urgency as she simply enjoyed the contact of the girl's soft, bare skin against her own.

Her arousal regained its urgency the moment Moira's hands slid from her back around to her sides, grazing the edges of her breasts with a feather-light caress. Janna sat straight up and gasped as all the mellowing effects of Moira's massage disappeared under the hot lust that consumed her.

Janna sat trembling under Moira's touch. She felt frozen by her overwhelming emotions, by the way she wanted nothing more than to turn where she sat and take Moira's mouth in a hard kiss, but didn't know how. She did nothing; she simply trembled, gasping for air as gentle fingers traced the curve of her breasts.

Say something, Janna scolded herself. I should be saying something, shouldn't I?

"That's very nice," was what Janna finally managed, and she said it low and husky, with a voice made rough with desire. "I mean... thank you..."

Moira interrupted her clumsy speech by reaching around to cup full breasts in small pale hands. Janna gasped and arched into the touch, praying that the slave wouldn't feel how her heart was beating hard in her chest. Slim fingers circled Janna's wet nipples, warming them before drawing away and letting the cool air raise them into erect points.

Janna thought her heart might explode. Quickly, she sat forward, pulling out of the girl's reach, and gasped for breath.

For a moment there was only silence, and then a cautious question from behind Janna's curved back. "Am I... am I doing something wrong, Commander? Are you... displeased with me?"

Janna shook her head, but she was unable to turn around and meet Moira's penetrating gaze. "You're fine," she husked. "I just... will you pass me the sponge?"

Without a word, a small hand appeared over Janna's right shoulder, a sponge held tightly by slim fingers. Janna reached up and accepted the sponge from Moira, trying not to stiffen as the redhead trailed her fingers down Janna's arm as she retreated.

Taking a deep breath, Janna scrubbed her body clean. She worked quickly, methodically, washing until she felt fresh. She never turned around, and Moira remained still behind her. When Janna was done, minutes later, she turned to look over her shoulder at the body slave. Moira stared at her with a fond smile on her face, arms crossed over her bare breasts. Janna's eyes dropped to Moira's arms, an unconscious frown forming when she registered the loss of such an enticing sight.

Slowly, Janna's eyes still pinned to her chest, Moira uncrossed her arms and dropped them to her sides. She bared her breasts again for Janna's gaze, and Janna licked her lips at the beauty of them. Janna growled in the back of her throat when pink nipples tightened under her heated stare.

Her self-consciousness reappeared when she realized that she was simply staring at the girl, saying nothing, ogling her naked body. Janna blinked, thoroughly disgusted with herself. Moira remained silent, but her smile grew wide and confident.

Janna tossed the sponge she held to the naked slave. "Wash yourself," she said, standing up in the tub. Moira's eyes followed her as she stood, and Janna squeezed her thighs together to stave off the arousal she found in the girl's heated appraisal. "Wash yourself and then come to bed."

"Yes, Commander."

Janna turned and climbed out of the tub. She wanted nothing more than to watch Moira wash herself, perhaps even to direct the body slave in the activity, but she couldn't get past her instinctive nervousness about throwing herself headlong into this increasingly intense situation.

What if I'm terrible? Janna reached the bed, pulling the covers down at the corner and sliding between the silk sheets and the down comforter. What if I don't even know what to do?

Janna's fears didn't have long to fester. Before she knew it Moira was done washing and she stood up, smoothing the water from her skin with hands moving over her breasts, arms, and thighs. Janna watched the sensual display from her position on the bed, moving an unseen hand beneath the covers to find the wet heat between her legs.

She was undoubtedly aroused.

Moira climbed out of the tub, retrieving a towel from a nearby chair and quickly running it over her body to dry off. Janna swallowed hard, staring at the body slave. Moira stared back, and after another moment of drying her body, she began to stalk forward to where Janna rested.

Panicked, Janna sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She planted both feet firmly on the floor, and then both hands on the mattress beside her hips. "Look, maybe you should just lie down for a while and I can... well, I mean there's a lot I need to... you know, I should really..."

Giving up on her fumbled excuse, Janna simply pushed off with her hands and attempted to stand up. She was terrified that Moira would get in bed with her. This whole trip -- and accepting the King's gift for the evening -- all of a sudden seemed like a threatening idea.

Moira stopped Janna's upward motion with two firm hands on broad shoulders. "Commander," Moira said in a low voice. She was strength and confidence, and her hands relaxed Janna's tension without hesitation. "Please, let me take care of you. Let me... let me relax you, Commander. I promise it'll be just fine, okay?"

Janna looked up into blue eyes that conveyed gentle understanding and she blushed hard, casting shy eyes to the ground. In that moment the young body slave did something no man or army had done to her in a long time; she utterly felled her defenses, and she reduced her to nothing more than nervous submission. Janna nodded, consenting to Moira's control, and Moira sank to her knees before Janna, sliding two hands up the length of bare legs and thighs.

Janna moaned at the feeling of skin-on-skin -- God, could that ever get old? -- closing her eyes and surrendering to the sensation of Moira's touch. Despite her lingering anxiety, her need had reached the point of no return. There was no stopping this now.

Not, Janna admitted to herself, that I really want this to stop.

A soft hand pressed against Janna's flat belly, pushing her back with tender insistence. Janna acquiesced and fell backwards onto the mattress. She sighed when she felt gentle fingers trace a path over her abdomen and then down to her thighs. When the caresses moved higher, spiraling inwards to cover her inner thighs, she moaned out loud. When in the midst of all the gentle touching, Janna felt the unmistakable sensation of full lips dropping a kiss on her center, she opened her eyes and gasped out loud.

"You like that, Commander?" Moira asked. Her voice was slightly teasing, but infinitely kind.

Janna felt entirely comfortable to nod with enthusiasm, groaning at the new sensation. "Yes, I do."

"Shall I give you more, Commander?" Moira whispered.

Janna shifted her arms so that she could prop herself up on her elbows and look down at where Moira lay between her legs. Her pale, beautiful face rested close to Janna's center, and Janna felt wanton at the abundant desire she felt pooling there. She lifted her hips slightly, gently bumping Moira in the chin with her pubic bone.

The redhead smiled and dropped another, much longer, kiss between Janna's legs. Again she raised her head and asked, "May I please give you some more, Commander?"

"Yes," Janna whispered. All her worries and doubts flew from her mind, and she was helpless to say anything but that. "Yes," she repeated.

Moira reached down, opening Janna with deliberate fingers. Janna shivered as the cool air hit her exposed arousal, and as she watched Moira stare at her with hungry eyes. As she continued to watch, Moira bent her head and licked Janna's center from bottom to top with the flat of her tongue.

Janna cried out at the touch. Her elbows buckled and she collapsed backwards in pleasure, reaching her arms above her head in an effort to find something to hold on to. Moira licked her again, and again, and then with slower and more concentrated strokes.

"Oh, my," Janna whispered. It was so much more than she had ever imagined. "Oh... Moira."

Moira hummed into Janna's center, the vibrations from her mouth drawing a hoarse cry from the muscular warrior. Her legs fell open in boneless surrender, and she felt Moira press forward against her thighs with her arms. The redhead stroked her hips with gentle fingers as she licked her, and Janna's toes curled with the bliss of it all.

Janna's mouth hung open and she squeezed her eyes closed as Moira pleasured her. Small noises fell from her lips without thought or reservation. Any feelings of self-consciousness were forgotten, any worries about this experience gone from her mind, at the heat and pressure from Moira's skilled mouth.

Janna reached down and tangled her fingers in Moira's red hair. "Oh, Moira," she said again. She stroked Moira's face with her other hand, lifting her head slightly off the mattress to stare down at the girl. "Moira," she murmured, and dropped her head with a whimper.

Moira moaned in response, increasing the speed and pressure of her tongue.

As Janna was pushed closer and closer to orgasm, she became aware of a kind of dim melancholy fogging her already cloudy head. A cold tendril of loneliness snaked through her belly, and she shut her eyes tight against it. She kept her hands on Moira's hair and face while her mind took over.

Maybe we just came home from supper at the tavern, Janna imagined, stroking silky hair. Maybe we raced home the minute we finished eating, unable to wait to touch one another. Maybe, she mused with a quickening of breath, maybe she spent the entire meal whispering to me over the table, telling me how much she loves me and wants me.

Janna arched her back and came with a hoarse cry, tightening her fingers in Moira's hair and pulling the girl's face into her body. Moira hung on as her body quaked with release, gripping her inner thighs with gentle fingers and nuzzling her center with her lips and nose. Eyes still closed, Janna whispered nonsense endearments without thought, swept away by the intensity of all the feelings still coursing through her body.

When at last the aftershocks faded away, Janna was left with the curious sensation of blissful sorrow. The experience had been beautiful and amazing, but, ultimately, not at all what she had wanted. She was unsurprised to feel tears leaking from her eyes.

Janna lifted a hand to cover her closed eyes, turning her head in shame.

"Hey," Moira whispered from between her legs. The voice was just as sweet and smooth as Janna had remembered, and it loosed a fresh wave of grief from her heart. "Commander, I..."

Janna bit her lip, willing herself to calm down. You're making a fool of yourself! She hastily wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffing hard. You're doing exactly what you didn't want to do... acting like a complete ass.

Janna managed a shaky smile, her hand still resting over her teary eyes. "Thank you, Moira," she whispered. "That was... well, it was wonderful."

"Commander," Moira said again. She slid her hands up Janna's upper thighs, drawing a shiver from the taller woman, and then up over her stomach, her chest, and her shoulders. Moira rose as she touched Janna, leaning over the warrior, and then she crawled on to the bed to recline next to where she lay. "Commander."

"My name's Janna," she whispered. Her face twisted with emotion, and she felt her cheeks flood with heat as she struggled not to dissolve into confused tears. On the one hand she felt wonderfully sated, and on the other she was sure she'd never been more alone in her life.

Moira was silent for long moments, and then she reached over and touched Janna's shoulder. "Janna," she murmured. She pulled Janna into a tentative hug, tightening her arms when Janna fell into her embrace without hesitation.

Janna snaked her arms around Moira's narrow shoulders, burying her face in her neck and pulling the girl closer to her body. They lay lengthwise on the bed, their legs dangling off the edge of the mattress. Janna stroked the length of a smooth, pale back with her hands, marveling at the texture of soft skin beneath her fingers.

I wish this were real.

Janna's breath hitched at the thought, and she felt slim arms squeeze her even more firmly. Her body trembled within Moira's embrace, no matter how hard she tried to regain her composure.

"Janna..." Moira's voice sounded hesitant, even a little nervous; as if she wasn't sure how free she should be with her words.

"Yes?" Janna whispered. "What?"

"Was that your... I mean, was that the first--" Moira paused, and then released a shaky breath. "Was it?"

"It wasn't my first orgasm," Janna said, and then blushed at the admission. She pushed her face into Moira's hair, mortified at how weak she must seem to this body slave.

"But it was--"

Janna drew in an embarrassed breath. "Yes," she interrupted. "Yeah. I know it's... it's pathetic, really." She pulled back a little to look at Moira with hard eyes. "And if you tell anyone--"

Moira shook her head, eyes wide, and stopped Janna's mouth with her fingers. "I would never tell anyone something like that," she said. The hurt was plain in her voice, and Janna stared down at a bare shoulder with sheepish eyes. "It was... it was beautiful," Moira whispered.

"It was?" Janna asked. She raised her gaze to hooded blue eyes, looking hard for any sign of dishonesty in them. Janna was adept at reading people -- her life had demanded it -- and she saw no indication that Moira was being anything but sincere.

The thought that this beautiful girl -- slave or not, she was beautiful -- would think that her tear-soaked first sexual experience was anything other than sad or pathetic floored her. It also set off a renewed burn of arousal so intense it momentarily took her breath away.

Moira gazed up at her and nodded. "I'm not saying it as... to try and please you, Commander. It really was just... it was unexpected and special. Thank you."

Having a body slave -- a girl forced to have sex with people like her under threat of punishment or death -- actually thank Janna for using her shook Janna to the core. She swung her head back and forth in mute denial.

Don't thank me. I don't deserve it... here's something that's supposed to be special, and I just take it from you. Janna blinked back more tears, reaching down and caressing Moira's cheek with the palm of her hand.

Moira leaned into the touch, staring up at her with a tender smile. "Really," Moira continued, shaking her head at Janna's sorrowful denial. "But why..." She reached up and wiped the tears that coursed down Janna's cheek away with the pad of her thumb. "Why are you so sad?"

Because this isn't the way it's supposed to be.

Rather than answer, Janna bent and took Moira's mouth in a sudden kiss. She closed her eyes, moaning as Moira parted her lips to accept her exploring tongue. Janna rolled over so that she was on top of Moira, reaching down and cupping the redhead's face with both hands. She kissed Moira with all the joy and fear and sadness and desire she felt inside, and then she kissed her some more.

Janna pulled back from their kisses with a gasp, looking down into smoky blue eyes. "Moira," she whispered. She ran her fingers through the girl's hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. "You're so beautiful, you know that?"

Moira shook her head, staring up at Janna with wide eyes. She studied the warrior the way one studies a particularly vexing puzzle, and Janna had to chuckle at the confusion in her gaze.

"Well, you are," Janna said. She ducked her head, suddenly bashful about her need to talk sweet to the body slave. Well, I refuse to share something like this with someone and not treat her like she should be treated. Lifting tentative eyes to study Moira's face, she smiled and traced one finger down over a petite nose. "I just love your freckles."

"Thank you," Moira whispered. "I, uh..." she paused and swallowed, looking almost scared. "My mother used to tell me that they were kisses from fairies. I... I know it's stupid, but..."

"No," Janna shook her head. She became pleasantly aware that her thigh was insinuated between Moira's spread legs, but she was more occupied with the feeling of gentle warmth that permeated her belly at Moira's shy revelation. "No, it's not stupid. It's just as charming as you are."

Moira rolled her eyes at the compliment. A moment later, she flinched as she seemed to remember her place, lowering her gaze in deference.

Janna laughed. "No, no... roll your eyes at that, please. I'm sure I sound like a sad and silly thing, right? You have every right to let me know that." She grasped Moira's chin in her fingers, smiling as she encouraged the girl to look her in the eyes. "I'd like... I'd like it very much if in here, we could just be Janna and Moira. Not the commander and the slave."

"Really?" Moira stared deep into Janna's eyes, as if trying to decipher her very soul. Janna smiled down in nervous anticipation, pretending more confidence than she felt. She didn't want Moira to see how she was trembling inside.

"Really," Janna said. "And you are really so beautiful," she murmured, and then she leaned down and dropped a string of kisses along Moira's lower lip. "So beautiful," she said again.

"So are you... Janna." The reply was slightly more confident, as Moira seemed to gain a trust in the kind of reaction she could expect from the warrior.

Janna smiled down upon Moira, and then dropped her head to take Moira's mouth; once, again, dipping inside just briefly before tracing her tongue along her upper lip. She moaned into Moira's mouth, feeling her hips seek friction with Moira's body.

Moira was a good kisser. In fact, she was an excellent kisser. She had technique and form and skill all down pat, and Janna was sure nothing in life could feel better than the sweet torment of Moira's delicious kisses along her throat and mouth.

"Moira," Janna murmured against the girl's neck. "So beautiful... you taste so good."

A warm hand settled on the back of Janna's neck, encouraging her enthusiastic kissing. Janna nibbled her way across Moira's collarbone, and then paused for only a moment before sliding her mouth down and taking a stiff nipple between her lips. Moira gasped and arched her back, digging into Janna's skin with blunt fingernails.

Janna squeezed her eyes closed, shuddering at Moira's rising excitement. She traced her tongue around Moira's nipple, and then nipped and tugged at her with her teeth. Janna was acting completely on instinct, driven by the simple desire to connect with the woman beneath her. She pressed her thigh against Moira's center, sucking harder through a moan at the hot wetness she found there.

"Janna," Moira gasped. She brought her other hand down to tangle in Janna's hair and, after a minute hesitation, pulled the warrior's head up to meet hers. "Will... will you kiss me again?"

Janna did as she asked. She took Moira's lips with a grateful groan, planting her hands on the mattress beside the girl's head. She began to rock against Moira, smiling into their kiss as Moira joined in her movement.

And then the kiss changed.

As amazing as their kissing had been until that point, it suddenly became something altogether different. The change came from Moira; Janna felt the girl relax beneath her, she felt a flood of slick heat soak her thigh, and she felt desperate fingers clutching at her back. Moira plundered Janna's mouth with an eager tongue, taking control of the kiss and stealing Janna's breath from her lungs.

Moira whimpered and hummed into their kiss, thrusting her hips up to seek friction with Janna's thigh. Janna broke away from Moira, dropping her face into her neck and closing her eyes in pleasure. For a moment she simply enjoyed the feeling of Moira taking pleasure from her body, and then she lifted her head with serious intent.

Moira gazed up at her with desire-clouded blue eyes. Janna stared down at her, and for a moment Moira's shameless motion faltered. Smiling, Janna gave the body slave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.

"I want to make you feel good, Moira," Janna whispered. She shifted and brought her hand down between their bodies, sliding her fingers over Moira's belly until she reached the damp curls between her legs. Janna exhaled shakily before dipping into the thick arousal that she found there, rubbing gently at the redhead's swollen folds.

Moira moaned and spread her legs farther apart.

Janna grinned, pleased at the reaction she'd caused. "Does that feel good?" she asked. She didn't even try to hide the excitement in her voice.

Moira nodded. "Yes," she hissed. She thrust her hips, moving back and forth against Janna's hand.

Janna grinned harder. She searched with her fingers and found Moira's clit, touching her in the same way she enjoyed touching herself. She bit her lip and looked down at the moaning girl, relaxing when she saw the obvious pleasure on Moira's face.

"How am I doing?" Janna whispered in a low voice. She colored at her shy question, but returned the blissful smile Moira gave her.

"Perfect," Moira murmured. She licked her lips and arched her back into Janna's touch. "You're perfect, Janna."

"Tell me what you want," Janna said. "Tell me how to make you feel good."

Moira blinked rapidly at that, and she emitted a surprised whimper. She stared up at Janna with wide blue eyes, reaching her left hand up to curl around the back of her neck and pulling her down for a quick kiss. With her other hand she reached between their bodies, finding and grasping Janna's fingers with her own. She closed her eyes and slid Janna's hand down over the length of her center, pressing against her fingers until she slipped inside of Moira.

Janna gasped at the sensation of being surrounded by slick heat. She could have never imagined a woman feeling like that.

"This is incredible," Janna whispered. Her voice trembled, but she was beyond caring. She stroked in and out of Moira gently, rubbing her fingers around the smooth inner walls that held her fingers in a tight grip. "I can't believe how good this feels."

Moira nodded. A strangled laugh escaped her, and it quickly turned into a purring moan. "I can't believe it, either," she said, and closed her eyes.

Janna knew she had to make Moira cry out in pleasure. She was driven by the sudden, burning desire to hear the girl's voice call her name, to echo throughout the room in ecstasy. She shifted and gazed down to watch the play of muscles in her arm as she worked between Moira's legs; she looked back up to smile at the rapture on the redhead's face.

"Your thumb, baby," Moira murmured, and then opened her eyes with a startled gasp. Looking up with slightly panicky eyes, she corrected, "Janna. Use your thumb to stimulate me while you're inside."

Janna leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on the girl's damp brow, and then shifted again to rest beside Moira. "Like this?" she asked, and moved her thumb up to rub at Moira's swollen clit.

"Yes," Moira whimpered, her voice strangled. "Oh, yes, just like that." She reached up and grabbed Janna's shoulder with desperate fingers. "Please don't stop."

"I won't," Janna promised. She increased the motion of her hand, holding her breath for a moment when Moira writhed beneath her in unthinking pleasure. "I won't."

Moira clutched at Janna's arm with her free hand, crying out her loud release. Her thighs trembled and she arched her back, nearly dislodging Janna from her position above her. Janna held on, still moving her fingers, fascinated by the way she seemed to control Moira's body like some kind of puppeteer. She felt more powerful than she ever had before; no sword, no battlefield victory, had ever moved her as much as this delicate redhead who shook and whimpered around her hand.

"Janna!" Moira called out, and then she collapsed limply onto the bed.

Breathless, Janna stilled her hand and leaned down to take Moira's mouth in a passionate kiss. Moira returned the kiss without hesitation, reaching up to wrap her arms around Janna's neck and pulling her down against her body. Janna tried to keep all her weight from settling on the smaller woman, but Moira persisted and Janna was happy to relent.

They broke apart from their kiss after a few moments, and Janna looked down at Moira with a proud grin. "Was that okay?" Janna asked.

Moira rolled her eyes again, returning Janna's smile. "It's clear that you are equally as talented at making love as you are at making war," she said.

Janna's face darkened at the innocent comment, and Moira seemed to shrink back in mild fear. Janna forced her mind to calm, intent on setting Moira at ease. "Good," Janna answered. She dropped a final kiss on Moira's cheek and moved to lie on her side next to the redhead. She reached over and tucked a wisp of red hair behind Moira's ear. "That'll make a career change easier, having a new skill."

Moira laughed, and the sound was musical to Janna's ears. "I'm not certain how that particular skill will lend to a new career... unless you're interested in selling yourself into slavery?" she said. Her voice was light, but there was pain behind blue eyes.

Janna saw the dull ache in Moira's gaze and a crashing wave of guilt consumed her. In an instant, she remembered who -- what -- Moira was.

And what I've just done to her. Janna turned on to her back to escape the suddenly too-intense blue eyes that stared at her, and she closed her eyes against the onslaught of emotion that overwhelmed her. I'm no better than her slavers, or any of the people who use her like a cheap t