I'm worried about what that wink meant. Does Cecil have a way out? A way to disable her? I need to tell Leomi what I did with Celyz. She threatens me with her weapon once more, leering at my body and I lose track, too taken by how forward she is being to risk admitting to what I did.

I hop on the table to put a little more distance between us but her sword doesn't waver, following my movement. I'm back at the starting point. I think quick, trying to find a way out of this but she isn't hesitating. There is a wild look in her eyes.

“I'll have my fourth dance now.” I speak up. This might be our last after all.

“Once you've answered my questions.” She replies with a hard tone.

“How about I tell you where Jessica was instead?” I ask.

My Lady freezes. I take advantage of her distraction to move back on the table and rearrange my clothes. She suddenly jumps on the table and pushes me down to pin me under her. She moves her knees to immobilize my arms and drops her weapon to seize my mask, restraining my ability to move my head.

“Tell me.” She orders urgently.

“For free? Not a chance.” I smirk, overjoyed that the simple mention of my name made her forget everything else.

She makes use of one of the rips in my shirt to slip her free hand inside and seize my right breast. Her palm brushes against my erect nipple and I shake under her weight, under the seductive caress. Leomi's expression is intense, a mix of desire and determination accompanied by an icy scowl.

I want to explore this side of her. I need to restrain myself, this isn't a good position... well it is. My sex is moist, I can sense that hers is too. I'm actually afraid of what happens next. My body isn't only trembling with excitement, there is real terror rooted in my bone's core about what she'll do.

“You don't really care about me, do you? It's all about her, isn't it.” I add, playing my part as Elizabeth Vil, taking refuge in it.

“I won't betray you.” She assures me, starting to shift my mask. I instantly activate the illusion construct.

“Again, you're avoiding the question.” I say harshly. Once my lower chin and mouth are revealed, she stops moving the mask. I can only see through one eye but that's not an issue. “You don't even want to see my face.”

“Shush.” My Lady whispers, laying her index on my lips and clutching at my breast. “We are what we are, both of us. But Jessica. Jessica is different.” She takes a deep breath. “You will tell me where she was and, after I've given you our last dance, you will tell me where she is. That is the deal. Nod if you agree.” I nod slowly, her will overpowering mine. I allow it, I want it with my entire being. “Good. Speak.”

“She was there the day of the ambush on the Princesses. She wasn't injured, I told Yvonne but she prevented me from telling you at the time.” I say, staring into the light gray abyss of her eyes.

My Lady collapses, her ass falling on my belly. Her expression distorting from shock to fury, her mouth opens and a cry of frustration escapes her. I attempt to free myself while she's still reeling.

“You didn't try very hard to tell me back then.” She suddenly utters coldly, gripping my breast without holding back.

“Aah!” I yelp in pain.

“What else are you hiding?” She asks, bringing our lips close together. She blows on mine, pushing the promise of a kiss. “I need to remain in power to protect both of you until we lose. It is inevitable, I know that now. Help me do that.” Leomi whispers. “Tell me what they'll do, tell me your plan.” She urges me, stroking the side of my face.

I melt, unable to resist the teasing. My legs are squirming, my sex demands to be touched. I want to escape her grasp for that reason only but she reaffirms her control and I give in. The slender fingers holding my breast release it to travel down my side towards my thighs.

“We're going to speak to the defenders, convince them to surrender and revolt against their officers if need be.” I tell her, barely managing to stop myself from revealing the crux of the plan.

“You're beautiful like this, so desperate for my touch.” My Lady says, her lips brushing against mine. “Are you mine?” She asks.

“I, I am.” I stutter, kicking myself for the hesitation.

Her hand pauses and she frowns, scrutinizing my lower chin. I swallow nervously. Leomi suddenly pulls away and gets off the table. I find myself staring at the empty ceiling, taking staggered irregular breaths, my wet lips ready and waiting for her.

“You're lying.” She utters.

“I'm not.” I say sitting up. “I needed someone after F... after the deaths and the duel.” I explain, reaching out for her. She steps back, pale and hurt.

“You slept with someone else.” My Lady murmurs in realization. She raises a glare full of wrath on me. My heart throbs in pain as the void shatters but it does nothing to abate my lust.

I jump off the table, having no clue what to do but pushed forward by the pressing need to salvage this. She intercepts me, grabs my arm, and throws me against the wall to grab my throat.

“I'm still yours, I swear.” I speak up but my words fall on deaf ears.

“It wasn't her! It was not!” She screams in anguish.

“What?” I ask taken completely by surprise.

“Tell me you didn't touch my Jessica!” My Lady says in a threatening tone.

I detect that the hand around my neck is glowing with a bright heat through my limb's sense. Unfortunately, the image I have of her body is simple information that doesn't connect to my feelings.

“It wasn't her.” I affirm. She doesn't let go, reading my lips. “It wasn't Jessica.” I repeat myself.

How did I get to a point where I'm brought to say this to save my life? I can't even bring myself to smile, the dissonance is disturbing rather than amusing. I would die for her, but not like this, she would never forgive herself.

Leomi remains silent, digesting my words, evaluating. After a moment, the flow places over her palm is reabsorbed and she releases me. I notice how she clenches her vagina and takes a deep breath to cool down.

“I've pardoned a lot, Elizabeth. Odo's execution was justified. Patrick got what he deserved. I trusted you. I focused on your intentions rather than what you did to bring them to fruition. But this!? No. I see now that I made a mistake. That we are a mistake.” She tells me with regret, trying to move away.

My Lady is lost in her thoughts, distracted. I grab her by the shoulders before she can escape and slam her against the wall, reversing our positions. She is able to take it in stride as I have little strength to leverage against her, too hungry and tired from the morning I spent feeding the Rykz.

“No. We're not done until you give me my dances. I'm the only hope you have to find her, you know that.” I utter, struggling to control myself. I see her hesitation and press my chest against hers. “You want this, you desire me.” I whisper in her ear. I don't miss the effect that I have on her, how she embraces me with her body, rekindling the flame she smothered.

“How can I believe what you tell me, woman of little virtue?” She asks, shivering.

“You can't.” I admit with a mad giggle. “But I'm yours, you're free to... take.”

I push us off the wall and take her in my hands, my left arm around her waist while my other one guides us into a slow swirl. She reluctantly goes along, her iron appears to finally be swayed by the moment.

“You say that, but you held somebody else in your arms.” She accuses.

“And you're using me while wishing that it'll allow you to reunite with your true lover.” I counter, exploring her buttocks with my left hand. She intercepts it and puts it back in its place.

“This is a mess.” Leomi sighs, melding into the lazy dance. “What am I doing?” She asks rhetorically. “I can't stand being in the company of these Nobles whose truths are uglier than your lies.”

“Then join me.” I offer.

“You just burned that bridge, Elizabeth.” Lance shoots my proposal down. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Whatever you want.” I utter in a short breath.

“Is that so?” She whispers, taking the lead and angling our course.

We spin and I notice that we're on a collision course with the table. Just before I hit, she lifts me up to throw me on it. I land on my back. I blink in surprise now that I can see what expression she's wearing. Her calm face is a far cry from the wanting expression I want to see.

She steps in and splits my legs, caressing my thighs. I fall into a feverish daze that chases the oddity from my mind. I reach out to seize the front of her uniform to pull her in but she swats my hand away.

My Lady then passes her fingers under my shirt and runs them over my lower stomach, right above my intimacy. Her nails dig into my flesh and a small moan escapes me. Her face grows cold, a victorious smirk moving in at my confusion. She steps away from me.

“That's it?” I ask, panting and baffled. “I thought you wanted this as much as I did!”

“This is payback, not play.” She replies in a hard voice. I have some trouble grasping her meaning with the change of pace. “You got your dance and the next will be the last, I'll decide whether I can hold any faith in you then.”

“You can't put me in this state and then just... stop.” I utter, past the point of simple arousal.

“I certainly can, after what you did behind my back.” She replies firmly, walking out of the room.

“Fuck that!” I scream in frustration, bashing the table with my left limb. Crack. I jump off and pursue her. “I could go find someone else.” I threaten.

“That's okay. You'll be thinking about me the whole time anyway.” Leomi throws back. I might have caught some worry in her voice but without seeing her expression, there's no way to tell for sure.

“Aarh!” I groan, breaking into a run to catch her, unable to help the grin on my face despite my sexual dissatisfaction. She toyed with me, like back then.

She stops only once she finds the kitchen, staring inside with a surprised face. I slow down and join her side. Yvonne and Edusa are sitting at the table, alone. Leomi grits her teeth and reaches up to my mask to set it back into place.

“Where are they?” She questions them.

“Who, my Lady?” Edusa asks, standing up with a fist over her heart to salute. I frown.

Yvonne's eyes wander between my torso and my Lady's ruffled clothes. I glance down, finding that my torn shirt is revealing much of my anatomy. I take it off and turn it around to put it back on.

“The two prostitutes!” Lance exclaims.

“There was no one when we got here.” Edusa replies slowly.

“What's going on here, Leomi?” Yvonne asks, locking eyes with her friend.

“I'll explain later.” My Lady replies shortly.

“Why are you two.” Yvonne starts.

“Later!” She cuts her off angrily.

“You'll tell me why you both look like you just fucked right fucking now!” Yvonne presses, standing.

“We didn't.” Leomi replies defensively.

“I'm glad you're better, Leomi, I really am. But what is this? Did you forget Jessica?” Yvonne says with a disbelieving expression.

“I haven't.” She quickly glances at me. “We'll, talk, later.” She repeats, no doubt choosing her words because of my presence. Yvonne seems to be about to protest but Leomi cuts her short. “Shut up!” She orders. “You lied to me about the ambush.”

“You told her!” Yvonne turns her glare to me.

“Under duress.” I say. My Lady's cheeks turn pink. I smirk behind my mask.

“You were in no state to do anything, Leomi. Even if you were in your best shape, what could you have done?” Yvonne explains herself, hands twisting with unease.

“Traded myself for her.” Lance counters spitefully.

“Celyz wouldn't have agreed to that.” I comment calmly.

“Wait, you know that manipulative bitch?” Yvonne asks, hand flashing to her sword. Ah, I really should keep better track of my lies.

“She's done more for me than any human except my parents.” I comment, feeling my left limb tremble in angry hunger. I wonder whether it is echoing my feelings or I am mirroring its own attachment. Must be mine, it shouldn't be able to understand human language. “Now is not a good time to test me on this.”

“She's the Red Dwarf.” Edusa comments warily. I notice only now how guarded she is, watching my movements with apprehension.

“We have a lot to talk about, Yvonne. Later.” Leomi says, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

“This ends now. I can't believe I have to say this.” Yvonne ignored her friend once more, shaking her head. “Jessica deserves better than this.”

“It's complicated, Yvonne. Elizabeth works for the Rykz like Jessica.” Lance explains, obviously unwilling to share her inner thoughts on why she's with me.

“So, you are using me.” I intervene.

“I... No. I'm just.” She stops short, closing her eyes. “Please, Elizabeth. Can you just leave instead of making this worse?”

“I'd like to hear this.” Yvonne says, stepping in.

“No wonder you stopped short of.” I start.

“Enough!” Leomi screams in frustration, cutting me off. “I have too much shit to deal with, I'm done taking part in this charade. Jessica broke up with me, she was very clear in that she wants nothing to do with me. Elizabeth is far from a perfect woman, but she saved my life and has promised to give me answers about what happened to Jessica. I am currently reconsidering our relationship because she cheated on me. There done, conversation over, Yvonne.”

“This is far from finished, Leomi.” Her friend replies, but does settle down.

“Putting this aside.” My Lady continues, turning to me. “The shroud of deception surrounding you seems to have only grown deeper since we met.”

“You'll have to decide whether you want answers about Jessica or Elizabeth Vil.” I reply, shrugging.

“I assume you're not going to tell me how that Madame slipped away.” She says.

“I honestly don't know, although I do have an educated guess.” I reply.

They must have found several underground passages that didn't go to the castle, I wouldn't be surprised if Cecil chose this place simply because it also gave her a way to escape.

“Yvonne, how about you tell us your news.” Lance says.

“It's not much.” Yvonne says, throwing a quick glare my way. “His Majesty, King Cenwalh, agreed to transfer the Rykz Princess held at the Institute to Port-Odo under heavy guard in prevision for future negotiations.”

“That's good news.” I say slowly. “But far from conclusive.”

“What do you mean? This saves Meria!” My Lady exclaims.

“It does not.” I sigh. “Leomi, the Rykz have set their sight on the city. There is no stopping Grikyz now, it's just too late.”

“No.” She denies. “We have what they want! We can call a truce and prepare talks.”

“You have a bargaining chip that Caeviel won't give up for cheap.” I counter, unfazed.

“You're letting your hatred for Nobility stand in the way of the negotiations you claimed were your aim!” She accuses me.

“That's Celyz' view on the matter so there is no point in convincing me.” I reply, not denying. “The Rykz want the Izla as a stronghold to launch attacks on the mainland. They think that this would be the only kind of threat that would be liable to bring Caeviel to the table with an honest desire for peace.”

”I can't let them take Meria, you don't understand. They have a history of displacing populations, Elizabeth, if not straight up slaughtering who remains. They cannot be trusted if... if the negotiations fail.” She says.

“So much for my standing in the way.” I comment. “You seem about as confident in the Court's will to trade most of the Izla for the Princess as I am.”

“I'm trying.” Leomi says, dispirited. “What else can I do?”

I consider what to say, pushing away the possibility of admitting my relationship with Celyz, her capacity for empathy even towards a human like me. She isn't wrong to have so many doubts about me, I wouldn't trust myself at this point.

“The Silver Hive won't do anything to put Cetyz' life at risk. If there is still a chance to save her, they will be careful about their moves and that means that the Izla's population is valuable to them.” I explain. “To put it in perspective, there are only a few thousand Princesses. Each one is precious to them.” I give them a half-truth, unwilling to give precise information given to me in confidence.

“I'll... I'll see what I can do.” Leomi says with a dark expression.

“What are you planning?” I ask, worried.

“You expect me to answer that after all your deflections?” She replies spitefully.

“You're right.” I nod. “Don't do anything stupid.” I restrain myself from pushing. We'll be seeing each other tomorrow night.

“You're not going to let her go, my Lady, are you?” Edusa speaks up. “I remained silent until now, but this isn't right. She betrayed you, she isn't trustworthy.”

I flinch but remain silent, unable to contest her words. I turn and start making my way back to the side door.

“I am. I wanted to interrogate her two accomplices but there is no gain to be had in starting a fight with Elizabeth here. I recall you applauded Odo's death, my personal issues with her shouldn't impact your judgment of the situation.” Leomi says. I detect her moving to place a hand on the young woman's shoulder. “Whatever happens to us, she represents the Rykz' will to end this conflict.”