The Dread Lord of Essos

Chapter 90

Arianne had never known a bed so soft, and she reveled in the cool weight of silk sheets wound around her ankles. However, Harry slowly peeled the sheets away, kissing every inch of her skin as he uncovered it. He started at the arch of her foot and worked his way up to the swell of her calf. He paused to suck lightly on the sensitive skin below her knee, and she squirmed. Arianne was both ticklish and delighted by the attention. The gentle stubble on his cheeks scraped her thighs as he moved higher, and she rewarded him by parting her legs, baring herself shamelessly.

He leaned in as if to taste her, and his lips brushed her swollen clit, but then, to her irritation, he bypassed her slit entirely and followed the curve of her hip with small, hungry nips. “Tease,” Arianne accused, though there was no heat in it. Harry only grinned as he reverently explored her belly and ribcage. Arianned gasped and twitched when he licked her belly button, but unfortunately, he didn’t remain there long. His lips continued their upward trek until he reached the underswell of her healthy breasts.

Arianne couldn’t stand to be ignored, not when she was wet and wanting. She arched her back, pushing her chest up until her breasts pressed against his chin. She took his head in both hands, threaded her fingers through his thick hair, and guided his mouth to her dark, swollen nipple. The moment his lips closed over it, she moaned in satisfaction. Her nipple was so stiff and sensitive it almost hurt, and when he sucked, she felt the tingle between her legs grow stronger. She rolled his head from one breast to the other, greedy for the same rough attention, and Harry conceded, sucking and biting gently at the wide brown areolas that marked her as unmistakably Dornish.

He must have felt her growing impatience, because his hand slid down between her parted legs. His fingers part the folds of her cunt, finding her slippery and hot. His thumb circled her clit while two fingers pushed inside, and Arianne bucked her hips and ground herself shamelessly against his palm. She wanted more. She always wanted more.

She reached down, found his cock, and stroked it. Her cheeks heated up when she realized that not only did the tips of her fingers not touch, but she could also fit two more of her hands on his impressive shaft. Harry lightly bit down on her nipple in response, and she laughed, delighted by the way he pleasured her. He was clearly well-practiced. She used both hands, working his length, and Harry groaned into her breast. The vibrations of his groan tickled her nipple and made her toes curl.

“Are all Dornish women so impatient?” he asked teasingly. His voice was muffled by her flesh.

Arianne wriggled her hips and pulled his face up to hers. “Not all of us,” she lied, knowing full well that all Dornish women were indeed impatient when it came to receiving pleasure. She bit his lower lip, then kissed him. Her tongue slipped into his mouth, and she moaned when he sucked on it.

He moved above her, bracing himself on his forearms, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, crossing her ankles high up his back. His cock pressed against her entrance, and she reached down to guide him in, gasping at the hot, blunt pressure as he filled her. She clenched around him, squeezing as she had been taught by the prince’s paramours, and Harry gasped at the incredible sensation.

She smiled up at him triumphantly. “Does that please you, My Lord?” she purred, and then did it again, milking him in slow, rhythmic pulses.

He thrust, and she tilted her hips for maximum contact. She knew her own body, and she was not afraid to use it. Every time he withdrew, she flexed her pussy and rolled her hips, grinding her clit against him. She felt her orgasm quickly building, and she chased it shamelessly.

Harry’s rhythm became more urgent, and he dropped his head into the crook of her neck, breathing hard. “Gods, you’re …”

She cut him off with a kiss, swallowing whatever he had meant to say and replacing it with a moan. She raked her nails down his back and over his ass, leaving bright red welts. “Faster,” she whispered into his ear, and he complied, slamming into her so hard the bedframe rattled.

She came loudly and explosively. Her pussy clenched tightly and squelched wetly as it sucked hard on his invading shaft. Her legs locked around his back, and she bucked wildly as her pussy fluttered uncontrollably around him, dimly aware of his own climax as he buried his face in her hair and groaned. She milked every last drop from his cock before letting go.

He collapsed beside her. His chest was heaving, and there were a few pebbles of sweat on his brow. Arianne rolled over and pressed her lips to his shoulder. She licked the salt from his skin, then nipped at his ear. “You’re not done, are you?” she teased.

Harry laughed, pulling her against his side and wrapping her up in an embrace that was surprisingly gentle. “With you? Never.” Arianne smiled in satisfaction, squirmed harder against him, and cuddled into his arms, playing the part of the blushing princess.

They dozed for a time, and Arianne relished the warmth of his body and the faint tremors of pleasure still rolling through her. When she finally slipped out of bed to wash herself, she looked in the mirror and saw a woman who looked thoroughly pleased with herself.

She dressed in nothing but a light linen shift left hanging open, and she padded barefoot to the shaded balcony, where she could look out over the city she hoped to call her own. The sun was bright, and she stood in the archway with arms crossed beneath her bare breasts, watching the people bustling in the square below.

She could get used to this. She could have everything she wanted. All she had to do was outmaneuver every other viper in this nest.

Arianne ran her tongue over her lips, still tasting Harry there, and smiled. She wondered what Ellaria was up to. The other woman had excused herself with a sly wink and a promise to return, and Arianne suspected she was off seducing someone important, or perhaps collecting information.

She heard a noise behind her, and Harry appeared, completely naked. His cock was half-hard, and it was dangling low between his legs. Just seeing that impressive slab of meat made her want to pull him straight back to bed. He slipped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her head. “What are you plotting?” It was almost like he knew exactly what she was thinking.

She leaned back against him, her eyes never leaving the city. “I’m not plotting … I’m planning. There’s a difference.”

He laughed and kissed the side of her neck. She pulled him into a slow, deep kiss, and all traces of playfulness were gone. There was a deep hunger to her kiss, and Harry seemed to sense it.

“So, Princess,” he said, when they finally parted. “What’s next?”

She smiled up at him. “Breakfast,” she decided, and the sunniness of her expression was only slightly marred by the wolfish gleam in her eye. “Then you can give me a tour of the city.”

‘My city,’ Arianne secretly corrected herself.

The Dread Lord of Essos

Arianne spent more time than usual in front of the mirror that morning, running her hands down the length of her thighs, the fat of her hips, and the soft skin of her belly. The luxury of such idle vanity was new to her, but she luxuriated in it now in the high-ceilinged chambers that Harry had given her for her own private use. She had her pick of a full wardrobe. It was all newly tailored by the best local seamstresses. Racks groaned under the weight of rich silks, light cottons and linens, and the scandalous dresses that were all the rage in this city. She had options now that she had only dreamed of as a young woman. Now, she could choose who she wanted to be and how the world would see her.

But this was not a day for subtlety. The dress she selected was shameless. It was as white and sheer as the foam on a breaking wave. The bodice was little more than two narrow bands of cloth that arched over the rise of her breasts and knotted behind her neck, leaving her shoulders and most of her torso bare. The skirt was split recklessly high at both hips, and with every step, her legs flashed in and out of view. She wore nothing underneath, and she did not intend to hide that fact from anyone. Arianne had been taught that her body was a weapon, and she meant to wield it like one.

She perfumed her hair with a fine oil scented with jasmine. Arianne checked her makeup by turning her head from side to side and puckering her full lips. Seven Swords had the best makeup in the world, she had discovered. It was all she would use from now on. She slipped a pair of strappy heels on her feet that showed off her small, painted toes.

When she was satisfied with her look, she stepped out onto the balcony, letting the morning sunlight warm her skin. The city below was unexpectedly beautiful. It was a patchwork of red clay roofs, golden domes, and sharp spires. She tilted her chin up and let the cool, pleasant wing caress her face. She imagined herself as a queen surveying her domain. The thought pleased her so much that she laughed aloud.

Arianne made the journey down the castle, where she knew Harry would be waiting. Harry appeared at the bottom of the staircase with a handsome smile. He was waiting for her, and he held himself with confidence, as if he were perfectly at ease. Arianne swept down the steps, making sure to sway her hips so that every man and woman who watched from the courtyard below could see what they were missing.

Harry whistled when she reached the last step. “You’ll cause a riot in that, Princess.”

“I should hope so,” she replied, putting one hand on her hip. She twirled for him, knowing full well what the spin would reveal, and when he grinned, she felt the warmth of pride fill her.

He offered her his arm. “Are you ready for your tour?”

“I am,” she said, sliding her hand into the crook of his elbow. She leaned in, lowering her voice. “But I do hope we can find a nice quiet spot to … relax.” Harry chuckled at the true meaning of her words.

The two of them set off through the winding corridors of the keep. Servants, guards, and courtiers parted before them, and Arianne drank in their stares. She had never been shy about attention, but here, she found herself hungry for more. Every glance, gasp, or whisper was a little taste of power. It was as intoxicating as any wine.

The doors at the far end of the hall opened to a sun-drenched terrace, overlooking the palace gardens and the sprawling sea beyond. Arianne stepped into the light, letting the wind whip at her skirt and send it fluttering like a banner. Only the cleverest stitchwork kept her from indecency. Harry’s gaze lingered on her bare skin, and she smiled, angling her body so he could see more.

There was a sudden shift in the air, and a shadow swept over the terrace. It was so vast and sudden that she flinched. Arianne looked up and felt her breath catch in her throat. The black dragon descended with the sound of a hurricane. Its wingspan must have covered half the gardens, and the downdraft sent leaves and dust swirling in wild spirals. The beast landed surprisingly gracefully, and it folded its wings with a leathery woosh. Its scales shimmered like burnished armor, and its menacing eyes pinned her in place.

Harry noticed her awe and fear and squeezed her arm reassuringly. “Never fear. Daemon won’t hurt you,” he said, and the trace of laughter in his voice made her want to smack him.

Arianne forced herself to walk down the stairs toward the dragon, who watched her approach with the patience of a very large cat observing a very small bird. She had admired his two dragons from a safe distance, but standing before one was something else entirely. The heat rolling off its hide raised sweat on her bare skin, and she could smell the sulfur of its breath. “He doesn’t bite?” Arianne asked.

“He bites, but only if you give him a reason,” Harry said. He reached up and stroked the beast’s snout with easy familiarity. “Here. Let me help you up.”

She gulped loudly. She had no idea that Harry was going to take her up on the back of a beast. Though she tried not to show it, she was terrified. Plummeting to her certain death wasn’t something she wanted to do today.

Arianne hesitated for a moment, then accepted his hand. Harry lifted her onto the dragon’s back. The scales were smooth and so warm that it felt like lying on sunbaked stone. She slid forward, feeling the shape of the beast beneath her. The powerful muscles flexed every time the dragon shifted. Harry mounted the dragon behind her, and his arms settled naturally around her waist. She could feel the bulk of his body against her back, and he did nothing to disguise his amusement at her nervousness. In fact, he was being downright playful. His hands caressed her bare thighs, making her squirm. She was about to say that this was neither the time nor the place for such naughty activities, but she didn’t have time.

“Hold on,” he said with his mouth close to her ear.

Arianne gripped the beast as hard as she could, determined not to show any more fear than necessary. There was a lurch and a sudden tilting sensation, and then the world dropped away beneath her. She shrieked, but the wind stole the sound from her lips as the dragon carried them effortlessly into the sky.

The city unfurled below them like a map. She could suddenly see every alley, market square, and rooftop. The sensation of flying was like nothing she had ever imagined. Her hair whipped behind her, and the white straps of her dress repeatedly slipped aside under the power of the wind, exposing her naked tits. Below, hundreds of eyes followed their progress, and Arianne threw back her head and laughed, feeling wild and victorious.

Harry guided the dragon in wide circles, banking so low at times that she could see individual faces in the streets. She could see their mouths agape, either in amazement or in terror. Arianne waved to the crowds, and more than once, she caught sight of women glaring at her.

They soared higher, flying over towers and domes, until she could see the nearby river winding toward the distant sea. Everything seemed possible from this height. She could practically see the borders of his kingdom, and she wanted to press her will upon it. Harry’s arm tightened around her, and he shouted above the wind, “Are you afraid?”

“No!” she shouted back, and now, she actually meant it. “I want to see everything!”

He laughed, delighted by her enthusiasm, and angled the dragon toward the skyscraping castle. The wind screamed past her ears, and she held on with both hands as the dragon pulled into a dizzying spiral. They circled the castle, and Harry leaned forward and said, “Keep your eyes open.”

Suddenly, the dragon stilled his wings and dropped, plummeting straight down the length of the castle. Arianne screamed again, but this time it was from a rush of pure exhilaration. At the last second, the massive wings snapped open, and they leveled off, streaking over the rooftops.

The dragon’s shadow stretched across the whole of the city, and Harry took her on a slow, thrilling tour. He pointed out the business and housing districts, the winding alleys where street performers danced, the stately administrative spires, and the marble amphitheater. Everywhere below, people stopped and stared, or craned their necks from windows and rooftops. It occurred to Arianne how strange and small they all seemed from above, as if she and Harry were the only people who mattered. The sensation of flight never lost its edge. Every swoop and bank sent a thrill through her, but after the initial terror, she found herself leaning into the wind, daring it to strip her naked in front of the city.

Harry then guided the dragon away from the city proper. They soared out over the blocks of farmland that ringed the capital. Below, the landscape was a patchwork of neat fields and orchards. On the outskirts, huge herds of cattle, sheep, and pigs grazed under the watchful gaze of mounted herders. The dragon passed so low that the animals scattered in panic, and the men shouted, trying to shield their faces from the blast of wind and flying dust.

A blue river ribboned through the valley, and Harry tracked it, following its bends and curves. They passed over a stone aqueduct bridged with arches, then a cluster of waterwheels that were surrounded by hundreds of blacksmith cottages. Here, the air was blissfully warm and damp, and Arianne inhaled deeply. She could smell the scent of growing things overwhelming the sulfur of the dragon.

Harry shouted into her ear, “There’s a spot ahead I want to show you.”

She gripped his forearm and playfully ran her fingertips down it. He angled the dragon into a gentle glide, and they swept over a rolling hilltop toward a vast expanse of orchard. The trees were heavy with fruit that their branches arched over the narrow cart-lanes. Harry kept the dragon aloft until they reached a secluded glade at the heart of the orchard, where a shallow, reed-choked pond glittered in the sunlight. He brought the dragon down in a slow spiral and landed so softly that Arianne barely felt the impact.

As soon as the dragon had folded its wings and settled into the field, Harry gracefully dismounted. He turned and reached for her, and Arianne swung her leg over and let herself slide down the dragon’s flank. The heat from its scales seeped into her bare thighs and ass. She landed less gracefully, but Harry caught her with both hands and spun her once before setting her down. Her feet sank into the thick, dewy grass.

Around them, the orchard was alive with song birds and the distant drone of bees. The dragon slithered off to the edge of the pond and began lapping lazily at the water, sending up clouds of steam. Arianne let her eyes roam over the trees. Their trunks looked gnarled and ancient, and each one was heavy with yellow plums, ripe figs, and juicy peaches.

Harry stood with his hands on his hips, just smiling at her as she ran her fingers over a trellis of grapevines. “This place is beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked, sweeping his arm to take in the orchard and, by implication, the whole of his kingdom.

“I would be happy to spend the rest of my days here,” Arianne said truthfully, and stepped closer. She toyed with the knot at the back of her neck and let the thin straps of her dress go slack, but she didn’t let the garment fall. Not yet anyway.

“Taste one,” Harry said, and before she could react, he plucked a grape from a low-hanging cluster and held it up to her lips. She parted them, took it whole, and bit down with a pop. The juice burst over her tongue, and she sucked the sweetness from his fingertip. She then released him and made a show of licking her lips. Harry’s eyes darkened with lust.

Arianne took a step backward, feigning retreat, but Harry followed, never breaking eye contact. They circled each other in the dappled light. Harry caught her by the waist and pulled her against his chest. She could feel his heart thumping in his chest. He kissed her, and she let herself be devoured while threading her fingers in his hair. For a while, they just kissed, and Arianne found herself laughing, unable to recall the last time a kiss had made her feel giddy.

Harry broke the kiss and teased her. “You know, I only brought you here for the fruit.” She obviously knew that was a lie.

“Then pluck me. I’m ripe and ready to be devoured,” Arianne teased back, and she shrugged the dress off her shoulders. The white silk slid down her body and puddled at her feet, leaving her naked and unashamed. She stood in the sunlight with her skin glowing and her nipples hard in the morning air.

Harry stepped forward and kissed her again. His fingers caressed her bare shoulders, her spine, and the soft curve of her hips. Arianne closed her eyes, trembling slightly, and guided his hand to her breast. He cupped it gently, then rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger until she moaned.

They toppled backward onto a thick carpet of clover, and Harry’s hands explored every inch of her supple body while his lips peppered kisses from her breasts, down to the hollow of her belly. The grass was cool, making her shiver. Arianne pressed her heel against the small of his back, urging him closer.

She wanted him with a hunger that surprised her. She wanted to be taken raw and unrestrained. As Harry removed his own clothes, Arianne wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. She laughed when his skin pressed against hers. He was warm, and his muscles were rock-hard. His muscles weren’t the only thing that was hard, she discovered.

Arianne pulled Harry on top of her, feeling the weight of his body and the delicious friction of his cock against her thigh. She ran her soft hands over his chest as his lips sucked on her neck. Arianne’s eyes fluttered, and she mewled cutely. Her pussy was soaking wet, and she couldn’t wait any longer.

She reached between them and guided him in until he pressed against her entrance. She hesitated, breathing heavily, and then she tilted her hips and took him inside in a single, perfect thrust.