When our lips part, I climb atop of her and rest my face between her sweet breasts. Her breathing is rapid as if mine but her heartbeat is at peace while mine is booming like an accelerating drumbeat. Liz can't help but bite down on her bronze flesh.

“Ow.” Leomi protests.

“Mine.” My sister proclaims.

“Indeed.” My fiancee says with a sweet smile.

“Why couldn't you just be happy to see me?” I let the question out without thinking.

“Because I love you and it hurts.” Lance replies as her traits tighten.

I chortle because that statement couldn't be any more accurate. We were supposed to be getting along better. I rise over her just a bit to seize her tiny nipple in my lips and suck it, causing her to skip over a few breaths.

As her rib-cage rises and falls in rhythm with my aspirations, pain fills my chest to remind me I've not the endurance for a second round. She must know this because she reaches around to grab my ass, squeezing it without doing any more.

“We loved it, we needed to fuck but you gave us so much more.” We tell her.

“You're both welcome.” Leomi says with a pretty smile.

I rise to my knees which I then place on her shoulders, looking down on her sharp visage and white hair spread around her head like a halo. My heart pinches for her.

“You know...” She starts, showing no anguish at being pinned down.

“Let me talk.” I cut her off. “I want children. If I survive to the end, it'll become my priority, Leomi, and I can't conceive them in violence. It won't be an issue for a while but, if we can't get over this together, then I don't know what I'll do.”

“I'm sure we'll be able to find a way.” She replies with a reassuring smile and tone, failing to understand that the violence in our relationship is the concern.

“We need to grow out of this phase because it isn't what we want for the future, there is enough of it in our life.” I spell it out for her.

“And I want you in me right now.” Leomi replies with a frown. “Hard.”

“Why change the subject?” I ask with a slight scowl.

“I'm not.” She counters with a serious gaze.

I don't understand her point but I go along with it because my trust for her is twisted and far from complete but it does exist. I turn and reach out to her wet pussy.

I seize her labia full in hand and then thrust my major and ring-finger inside her vagina, hard like she asked. She feels tender inside, moist and warm, pulsating as I was to demand more of me which I oblige.

“Hrm.” She grunts as she lifts her waist to be taken even deeper.

Her strength and posture make me dearly regret being so weak right now as I would spar with her in bed as well as on the training field without end this day. Sadly, I'm already on the verge of crisis so I pull out of her to lick my fingers clean of her excitement.

“Cool down, kitten, and you'll see my point.” I tell her.

“My thinking isn't muddled because you make me horny, Jess. I've been as I am for as long as you knew me. I've gotten better but I will never completely change, nor do I want to.” She barks. “Are you rejecting me now?” Her question roils with such insecurity and pain it throws me into free-fall.

I experience a stretching pain in my heart followed by spikes of acute agony. I drop atop of her, causing her to fall back to the ground as I grasp for air. Panic quickly takes over Leomi and she wraps her arms around my lower back to pull me in tight.

“Shh, it's okay my jay, I don't think you are.” Lance hurriedly tells me. “I know you want us to be better, I do too. It won't happen quickly but we'll work it out my love. We're going to spend the next few months together, this can be a goal we share.”

Her words manage to soothe me, enough that my heartbeat slows down and the pain lessens. I teeter on the brink for a while, until she flips me around to cup my breast and sex to begin massaging them with her wispy magical hands.

“She needs rest and peace right now.” Liz speaks up.

“I know I got riled up, Liz.” Leomi responds apologetically.

“No, she wanted something you couldn't give her so quickly and should've known it.” My sister says with a groan.

Her fingers slide between my inner and outer lips while her tips occasionally penetrate me, giving me the physical expression of her love I need so much after her words struck my feelings.

Having been taken to the point of orgasm not long ago, our flesh is very sensitive yet Leomi's touch never goes too far. She makes us feel ticklish and electrified in turn but never allows us to experience pain, only tenderness that gives me a sense of peace I've rarely felt in her arms.

“Rhm.” Liz grunts. “You somehow got better at this.”

“I experimented quite a bit on myself in the absence of you, to the point I became painfully raw a month ago, so I should hope so.” Leomi replies luridly. “The fact we're angry at each other and sex is violent doesn't mean we aren't making love.” She whispers in my ear with a soft voice.

I scowl and pull myself from her arms to get up. She follows up with a slight frown. I reach out and place my palm on her cheek to make it clear this is very serious to me.

“Leomi, I love you and I won't ever reject you. But, there is enough death and violence in my life that I don't need more in privacy. I like it rough at times but we can't keep crossing the line without consequences.” I honestly tell her.

“I don't disagree Jess, but what came over this?” She questions.

“The fact we can't be relying on blows to communicate.” I flatly tell her. “I said what I had to, including things I didn't mean, how about you do the same about your feelings for pushing me away in Meria?”

Lance's posture straightens but then she stops moving entirely to remain there, frozen. I make a thin sad smile and wait patiently for her to find the words to respond.

“Isn't it obvious? I could've hurt you if you remained and I couldn't bear it.” Leomi finally utters between grit teeth.

“That's a consequence of your emotions, it doesn't tell me what's going on within you.” I gently tell her. “I'm touched you're trying to preserve our relationship but you can't do it by pushing me away, the same way manipulating me isn't saving my life.”

“There isn't anything going on.” Leomi utters snappily.

“Don't lie to us.” We return. “How did you grieve your mother?” I ask directly.

“It's none of your business.” She coldly responds, stunning us with this intimate rejection.

I stare at her, shocked by the response and finally realize she's not done a thing but repressed it all. Leomi suddenly leans down and picks up her dress to throw it back on. She doesn't even soothe the creases before heading out.

“Where do you think you're going?” Liz barks.

“Out of here, I don't need this! I came here to see my fiancee, not be ambushed and criticized when you've sidelined my aims for yours while risking your life without regard for how I felt when I heard you were being hunted down!” Leomi yells.

“What the fuck? I did think of you but I wasn't going to sit down and fucking weave you a scarf like a good little girl.” I scream.

A twitch shakes my left cheek and pulls on my scar. Leomi snaps around with a furious expression but someone suddenly knocks on the door and interrupts us. I hurriedly grab my towel and throw it around my torso.

“Miss Jessica? There's been a lot of noise coming from your room during the past hour, some of our custumers are complaining.” A man speaks up with a polite tone.

“Get lost.” Leomi coldly responds.

“I apologize but I cannot.” He replies.

“We'll be out soon.” I throw out to end this.

“Very well, will the two of you require dinn...” The servant starts.

“I said, get lost.” Leomi interrupts as she raises her hand at the door.

A golden glow appears at the center of her palm as she begins shaping a kinetic construct to blow the door. I stare for a short while in disbelief at what she's doing unable to react.

She launches the kinetic cube she made after a few seconds and I barely manage to reflexively dismantle it before it hits using the connection I have to her energy through our mutual pledge.

Leomi tries to resist but my knowledge of kinetic force manipulation gives me the edge and she fails to stop her construct from unraveling. She snaps to me with a furious expression which I return because I never expected she would lash out at a defenseless stranger, no matter how unfortunate his timing.

“So it's like this? You'll oppose me in all things?” She coldly questions.

“All things? This is insane, he's doing his job!” I counter, incensed.

“Yeah, right.” She dismisses with pointed sarcasm and a scoff. “You're being contrary because you're hurt, the same way you don't want me to succeed.”

“You're being paranoid.” I accuse. “I've made it clear I disagree with you on many things but I'll not oppose your ambitions, I love that you're so driven.”

“You've already scuttled my plans!” Lance repudiates. “Whatever you do seems to help my cause but, in the end, it's merely you gaining more control and notoriety for yourself to advance your goals! Mirus' gold will now be turned against us because of what you did, the Hospitaliers will never gain the foothold it needs to help people in that Kingdom which needs it the most!”

“Then wage war upon them!” I argue in frustration, experiencing the grief we tried to have her let out. “When did you become so jealous of us?!”

Why further blame us for Vikiana's death? We already blame ourselves. A ghostly pain seizes our absent left arm and our right hand starts shaking. Our hatred, fear, and bloodlust mix with our resentment for the accusation.

“Jealous? Of what? Your ability to do whatever you want without caring about my feelings?” Leomi coldly questions. “Like fucking that Rykz?”

My heart tightens at the rebuke, I feel crushed from within by all the feelings. I fall silent and immobile, afraid and furious. Liz reacts very differently to the emotions, she coats our arm in flow and strikes out with it. Leomi crosses hers to block but my sister strikes with kinetic force.

Lance is thrown at the door with such speed it breaks when her back hits and she crashes in the hallway to roll on herself. The servant thankfully stood by on the side and wasn't hit but he's now gaping at my golden arm.

He flicks to Leomi and his eyes widen in recognition. He runs away with a pale face. She stands back up with a bloody lip and nose, the anger on her sharp traits is unmistakable.

We expected her to fight but she turns and leaves without another word, seeing her depart like this makes us feel even worse guilt about what we did. Especially because we were the ones to reproach her about violence yet used it in the end.

Most devastating of all, she had the self-control to follow my expressed wish and not escalate the conflict by retaliating. Still, in a burst of unwillingness, I throw my towel aside and run to my pouch to grab my change of clothes.

With a short breath, I put my change of clothes back on before using flow to rapidly fasten my armor and weapons on myself. Then, I grab the rest of my luggage and rush to the front desk where I find a graying middle-aged man.

“I'm leaving, how much for the door?” I hurriedly ask.

“There is no need, Dame Freepath.” He replies with a weak voice while trying to push coins to me. I realize it's the same amount I paid to have the room.

“I pay what I owe.” I tell the man, offended.

“We'll have many more custumers once it gets around the two most famous women in the capital at this time came here, Dame Freepath.” He responds with more confidence.

I scowl but, since I have no time to argue, I snatch a gold coin from my pouch and throw it on the counter before rushing out. I find several groups of people discussing in the street, causing a small commotion.

“Where did the woman with white hair go?” I snap to a carriage driver that isn't gossiping.

“I don't know but Duchess Lance resides in the Imperia Hotel at the center of Kruzser, Dame.” The man hurriedly replies.

I nod to show my thanks and stomp off, unable to run and unwilling to make a spectacle of myself by doing so since dozens of eyes are following me. It feels like everyone knows who I am but it's very unlikely to be the case.

It takes me a good hour and a half asking for directions to find the hotel during which I witness many shocking things in the capital. Not only are supposedly complex constructs being used very liberally for innocuous tasks such as blowing dust off a porch but people are freely sharing their flow.

The education level of Kruzser is far ahead that of Izla Meria, not to mention the more restrictive Kingdom of Mirus. Stories from provinces must be shocking and close to incomprehensible to those who've lived here their whole lives.

Still, a large portion of the population I've seen bear scars of war such as missing limbs, fingers, eyes, or mere cuts to their forearms and face. These warriors must understand what life is like under Nobility and they are those who recognize me most often.

In the rich center of Kruzser which is filled with expansive stores and impressive workshops, I encounter flow-artists operating in the street as well as in stalls. They offer customization of jewelry, weapons, armors, they draw ephemeral pictures in the air or create complex musical pieces for people to enjoy.

I would never have dreamed of such a profession and it shocks me to the point I've almost forgotten my anger when I arrive at the hotel. Ironically, this freedom displayed by the people living here makes me further resent Leomi for her rash reaction to the servant's intrusion.

The front of the Imperia Hotel has a long and large porch surrounded in verdure to receive carriages. The name of the hotel is engraved in large golden letters on its facade.

There are four warriors armed with bastard swords and wearing chain-mails standing guard on either side of the double-door leading inside where two butlers, a tall man and a lithe woman, wearing black and white clothes await guests. As I walk up, the woman steps up and gives me a bow.

“Dame Freepath.” She greets. “I welcome you on behalf of the Imperia Hotel.”

“That's a first.” I comment, surprised because I expected such a high-end establishment to rebuff me on account of my still dusty armor.

“Perhaps but it remains a fact.” She responds facetiously.

“Is Leomi in?” I ask directly.

“The honorary Duchess Lance is indeed present at this time, would you like me to call upon her on your behalf?” She politely asks.

“No need, just tell me where to find her room.” I respond.

“It is the only one in the eastern wing of the last floor, but I believe Lady Lance's sword-sworn currently stands guard so you may need her permission to meet the distinguished honorary Duchess at this time.” The butler tells me with a singing voice.

“You let anyone in so easily?” I ask, feeling a pinch of worry over my kitten's safety despite everything.

“Only those with close relationships such as spouses, consorts, and fiancees are allowed to directly disturb our guests, Dame Freepath.” She explains.

I nod, barely reassured, and go through the double-door they open for me. As I step in, I experience a tingling of flow over my skin and spot dozens of discreet golden runes across the hotel's inner walls.

The building's defenses appear extensive although likely far from enough to stop someone with access comparable to mine. Still, it would be very unusual for a titled Count or Countess to attack such an establishment and it wouldn't be ignored by the Order whose Main Temple is located nearby.

The staircase is decorated with signed paintings of various historical figures, including an aged drawing of a Noble who I read conquered and collapsed a Rykz Hive in the south-east during the early days of the Empire.

As I was told, I find Yvonne sitting on a luxurious padded bench near a door in the eastern wing of the hotel. She is reading a bundle of pages tied together by hemp with an intense expression on her face.

“Hey you! The dumb brunette dazing off over there!” I bark with an imperious tone.

She startles and jumps up to her feet as her right hand flies to the hilt of her sword. She blinks a few times but finally recognizes me. Her expression quickly turns sour.

“How is Leomi?” I ask with a sad smile.

“She's probably crying considering she doesn't want me or you to see her right now.” Yvonne replies frankly but with a concerned frown. “What happened?”

“We got into a fight.” I tell her with a sigh. “Both said things we meant but not really.”

“Give me details, girlfriend.” She gently presses.

“We still can't agree over our goals.” I reply.

“Hadn't you resolved this?” She questions.

“We did but...” I pause. “Leomi said she would deal with the impact of my actions and I don't think she lied or means to take back her words. I'm not sure what her problem is.” I trail off. “No, that's not true. I think she's still reeling from Vikiana's death and it's screwing her up, she got mad when I implied as much.”

“It would.” Yvonne agrees with a sad voice.

Crack. The loud noise of broken wood causes me to jump and half-draw my sword before settling down in realization Leomi likely threw a chair against a wall. I head for the door but the sword-sworn blocks me.

“Crying, huh?” I question her, heavily implying she lied.

“There are many ways to grieve.” Yvonne explains. “I do believe she is truly shedding tears right now. It wouldn't be wise to push her if she's not ready.”

“I need to talk to her, Yvonne.” I intently tell my friend, hoping to convince her with the emotion in my voice because I'm afraid to admit to what I did to Leomi and, for the same reason, neither can I force my way in.

“You will, Jess.” My friend replies with a smile. “But not now.”

“Then.” I pause, feeling angry but so much more guilty about striking Leomi now because my inability to admit what I did is forcing me to face the shame I feel for my action. “Tell her that I'm sorry, and that I know I'm breaking our promise not to apologize but that it's all I can think to do right now.”

“Okay, I will.” Yvonne gently assures me.

I turn around and walk back downstairs with my tail between my legs like a beaten dog, feeling confused and angry at myself but also at Leomi. We're lost, unable to figure out where we stand with Leomi or ourselves. The twitch in our right hand doesn't go away even as we aimlessly walk the streets to admire the relative freedom of the capital's people.

a