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Episode 17:

Save the tears for judgment day

An exasperated breath escapes my throat as I take a seat in one of the chairs in the main hall. You were already seated, waiting on me upon my arrival. My dress was of a more formal attire than you had seen previously. A professional-looking business skirt of black and gold, my hair up in a bun with gold sticks holding it in place.

"I know it has been a few days my pet, I apologize. I try to give you a few hours of my time each day, but I had court business that simply had to be attended to." I give an apologetic bow of my head to you then smile.

I nod at the questions. "Yes, of course, I have duties as all of our family do. As you will also no doubt have if you choose this path."

My teeth show in a grin at your eagerness and I shake my head. "Now now... the days go by quickly but there is still time for that decision. For now, let us enjoy the time we have together."

I tap my chin in thought. "Where did I leave us, my sweet?"

My ears lift at your reminder. "Ah yes... thank you." I hum as I pull the golden sticks from my hair, letting it flow down over my back. I shake my head a few times, letting the locks flip about as my ears twitch to and fro. "There... now then. We left the hotel and headed for sir Harold's home..."

#

"I think I have a greater understanding of what you are and how you do things now." Lorelai spoke the words in a business-like tone to me, while we sat in the sedan.

'Is that right my Lady? What can you tell me?" I asked her curiously, lifting my ears in focus.

Her palms rested on her lap while she looked out the window, the scenery blurring by while we rode to house Sandshore. "It's as you suspected, you claim power through your abilities and some of it lingers. The more in tune you become with an individual, the greater your powers will grow. It's as sir Val predicted, it's not unlike a loop, with each pass the power grows a fraction for you and the partner, I could-"

She hesitated before lowering her voice. "I could feel it... and you did it a great number of times..."

"I did... and I will do it even more next time, my sheep..." I whispered the last of the words in a faint breath.

Her teeth clenched and I saw her cheeks darken faintly before she cleared her throat. "Not that... I mean the cycling of energy... after the initial shock... well, you were doing it dozens of times a second. Even when we were leaving... just the act of touching was making the cycle happen and I don't think you even realized it."

"You're right, I wasn't focused on anything but... w-well... you." I grinned and met her eyes.

The sheep's eyes softened for a moment, but she gave me a nod. "I think it's second nature to you now. Anyone you grow close to and share such contact with... both of you will be stronger for it."

"I get the whole looping analogy but it still sounds so odd... " I frowned and rubbed the back of my head.

She smiled and showed a finger. "Let's put another spin on it. Imagine if I had you do a single push up."

I tilted my head but nodded. "Alright, I can play along... so I do one push up, there's nothing to that."

"Correct. Now imagine if I took a special camera and recorded you doing this push-up. Then when I played the video back to you, your body gained all the benefits of that push-up." The sheep looked into my blue eyes with her brown ones, seeing me process it.

"That would be a really cool camera..." I laughed the words with a grin.

"Right... well, in this case, the camera is kind of like your power." She tapped her finger against her knee. "Keeping with the analogy. Imagine if I then opened that video and set it to repeat, but I didn't stop there. I also opened the video again and again. So, now you have ten videos playing on repeat. You're doing ten push-ups in the time it takes to do one and you're gaining all the benefits."

I frowned at the thought of it. "Seems too good to be true... is there a catch?"

Lorelai thought on the matter. "Well... you don't fully feed, in fact you lose energy doing it. That would be a major issue if you weren't using blood as an energy source. The other thing is this would only work if the person fully opens to you."

"But... I drew forth Sarnai's power and I sure as hell didn't give her anything back or ask her." I spoke the words and willed black flames to my fingertips.

"Yes, but I would guess some faint bit of your own energy still fed back into her, you're still learning to control it. Also, you only drew forth a small fraction of what you would have done, had you been intimate with her." The sheep cocked a brow at my glare.

"Ugh... I would sooner stab myself in the face then think to lay with that bitch..." I snarled the words.

"She is a beautiful woman when she is not enthralled by her hatred. It's tough for me to see, because I saw her and Elias from before." I saw a brief look of remorse in her brown eyes before she looked down. "If only I could reach her..."

"You think their relationship could be salvaged?" I asked her pointedly.

"Now that you are involved? Unlikely, but I wish I could save her and perhaps restore their civility towards one another." The sheep gave me a nod. "I think you're better for Elias these days, he spent so much time and energy just trying to keep their relationship stable.."

I showed my teeth in a cocky grin. "Do you believe I'm good for you?"

The look she gave me said she wasn't going to humor the talk. "Time will tell."

I gave her a pout and clicked my tongue before snapping my fingers and willing the black flames out. "So what should I do, Lorelai?"

"Your ability to harness powers is a strong one, but without proper training, it will do you no good in the end." She moved her hand to mine and gripped gently. I looked back into her eyes and saw the gaze of my sheep staring back. "Be strong my rabbit... work hard, get life experience, and make love like a hurricane. The rest will come in time."

I flicked my tail and grinned at her words. My hand gripped hers and pulled her to me. "I will my sheep... and hurricane Alice is about to land on your shores!"

Lorelai gave me a wide playful grin, then snorted out in a giggle. "Ha... your wordplay... it needs work my rabbit..."

I blushed and gave an awkward smile. "W-well... at least my play in the bed is good."

"Oh, it's phenomenal..." Lorelai moved for my mouth and gave me a quick kiss before sitting back. Her composure returned and she shook her head. "If Sarnai were to strike out against you or your house without just cause. I would lay her low... it would pain me to do so, she is special to me, but I would."

I shivered and nodded my head. The will and power I had felt from her during our lovemaking, made me certain she could do it with little effort. "I believe you..."

The sheep lifted her finger. "Understand if she finds a clause for hostilities though, I would be forced to stand aside."

I flinched and shook my head. "Y-yeah..."

"Rest assured I would have her number though. If she hurt you, I would strike her down at my first opportunity." The sheep showed her canines and I felt the malice roll off her.

I cleared my throat before speaking out. "Ah... what would warrant open hostilities?"

Lorelai sighed and folded her hands back in her lap. "It's very rare... it needs to be something extreme. The last family war was in the seventeen hundreds. The lord of the house declared open hostilities when one of his family members was struck down by the other houses member. They had been suffering from extreme tension for decades when it happened."

"Kind of like how Silverpaw and Blackpaw are now?" I asked curiously.

She gave a nod. "Elias has offered to mend wounds, but Sarnai wants nothing short of his life."

"Oh, she's going to get something..." I growled the words and clenched my fist, feeling my rage burn inside me.

"Alice..." Lorelai spoke to me gently.

I looked upon her and saw the concern in her eyes. "What?"

She gave me a hard look before speaking in a precise tone. "If you come to blows with Sarnai again, it will be a very different outcome. She knows what to expect and will not let you lay a finger upon her. She will come to battle at full strength and knowing what to expect from you. She would handily slay you, of that, I have no doubt."

I frowned and cut my eyes away from hers. "So I just wait for the inevitable?"

The sheep reached out and grabbed my chin, similar to how she did last night. I felt her jerk my gaze to hers and she met my eyes with a hard cold stare. "You do what I told you earlier. You get stronger through life, not through chasing an impossible goal."

"Impossible is it?" I huffed the words bitterly.

"For you at this moment as you are? Yes. In a year or two, who knows." She released my chin and settled her hands back into her lap.

"Will I even have a year or two?" I spoke the words with a frown.

"Baring Sarnai losing her mind completely? Yes you should be fine. I will see to that." Lorelai spoke the words in a matter of fact tone.

"How will you do that?" I tilted my head at her words.

"She levied several lethal attacks at you and even assaulted you once the duel had concluded. A council sanctioned duel I might add." Lorelai gave a nod. "I plan to issue an official warning to her. She will know exactly what I and the rest of the council will do if these hostilities do not cease."

"And she won't just defy it and strike out anyway?" I fold my arms, my teeth showing.

"She won't. Sarnai loves her family and would not drag them into certain death. She knows her family couldn't stand before the whole court, it would be suicide."The sheep spoke the words and looked out the window as the car started to slow.

"She's going to be so pissed." I hummed the words in amusement.

Lorelai gave a shrug. "We are here, remember your word and be on your best behavior."

#

We stood before a large mansion, not unlike the one my own family resided in. The architecture was drastically different though, the building looking to be mostly composed of brick and clay. It felt appropriate to the desert setting with its contrast of browns and oranges in the design.

The massive lion greeted us at the entrance. "Lady Lorelai and Lady Alice. Welcome to my home." He bellowed the words out in a hearty greeting, showing his large teeth proudly.

Lorelai gave him a nod and turned to me. "Well, lady Alice. I wish you good training. Harold is one of the greatest warriors on this planet, you are very fortunate to have won his interest in tutoring you."

I looked upon the sheep and gave her a respectful bow. My eyes met hers and I gave a smile to her. "Thank you, lady Lorelai. I wish you safe travels."

"Take care, sister." Harold showed her a wide smile and gave a bow.

I couldn't help but frown as she walked away from me, feeling the keen loss of her presence. I imagined she was feeling the same.

"Come on in, we will get right to it." Harold spoke the words cheerfully before he turned from me, but I stayed put and didn't move.

He looked back at me curiously and I cleared my throat. "Beg your pardon, my lord. Do I have your hospitium?"

Harold showed me an approving grin and nodded. "Yes, sister. My home is yours and you have my hospitium."

I smiled and followed behind him, pushing past the threshold and into the cool air of the mansion. "Before we begin, I would like to introduce you to my wife, Mino."

My ears lifted in surprise. "Ah, I didn't know you were married, sir Harold."

"Of course, we've been together since before the radio was invented." He growled the words and I could hear the pride in his voice.

I wasn't surprised when I saw Mino was a powerful looking woman. She was about a foot shorter than her husband, but still towered over me. She appeared to be a tigress with orange and black ears. She had a large heavy tail that whipped and coiled like Katrina's and her eyes were a deep brown. She had a very dark skin complexion and wore loose-fitting robes and leggings. The hair on her head was a dark shock of orange that matched her tail and ears.

I gave the large car a polite bow. "Nice to meet you, I am Alice of house Blackpaw. Thank you for allowing me into your home."

Mino folded her arms and looked back at Harold. "You didn't tell me she would be a rabbit."

"Does it matter? She is a warrior of our court and seeks to become stronger, what more reason do I need?" The lion folded his own arms, leveling his wife with a strong look.

"This is house Sandshore, not a petting zoo. We have no place for prey here!" The cat showed her teeth, hissing the words and showing she wasn't intimidated by her husband's stance on things.

"Mino. I have already offered her-"

"Now hang on Harold..." I spoke the words out calmly. The cat shot her eyes back to mine to see my blue eyes had shifted to red. I shot her a cocky grin and flexed my hand. "Now look, Mino... I don't want to cause a rift in your little marriage here."

"I do not appreciate your tone with me, prey." She showed her teeth in a growl.

"Hah... that's a good one... I Will tell you what... I hear you call me prey one more time, I'm going to knock you on your ass, how's that for an appropriate tone?" I tilted my head and dropped my duffle bag on the floor. My ears were folded down now and I tilted my head with a cocky grin on my face.

"This is not why you were brought here, Alice." Harold frowned and looked between us.

"Stay out of this, Harold... this is between me and the prey!" Mino snarled the words and lowered her stance.

"Apologies, sir Harold. I will try not to leave any permanent marks on her." I shifted my own stance and willed forth my flames. The blue fire erupted from my fingertips and ears and I gave her a motion of my hand, beckoning her to come.

"I do not know what sorcery you think you wield, but it will not save you!" The tigress sprang at me with blinding speed.

I won't lie, she was fast but she had nothing on Elias or Katrina. I saw her moves coming as if she were in slow motion. She hadn't thrown an attack so much as simply pounced at me. I sprang to the side and brought my right knee up, planting it right in the large cat's stomach.

Mino spat out and clutched her stomach, doubling over similarly to how Sarnai did yesterday. I half wanted to heel drop her, but decided to take a more gentle approach. "Promises made..." I hummed the words and swept my leg under her, sending her to the floor right on her ass. "Promises kept..."

I folded my arms and willed the flames out, both the cats staring at me stunned. Mino took in a controlled breath and glared upon me hard. I raised my brow and clenched my fist. "I told you if you called me it again, I would put you on your ass."

"Are you quite satisfied, Mino? Does she meet your approval?" Harold sighed the words and whipped his tail about.

"Yes." She hissed the word and stood, brushing herself off. "I apologize, I wanted to see if you were worthy of my husband's time."

"Then challenge me to an arm-wrestling match next time, for fuck sakes..." I grumbled and snatched my bag up. "Are we good? Or do you plan to ride my ass this whole visit, Mino?"

"We are good, I may seek to challenge you again now that I know what to expect. However, my home is welcome to you." She gave me a quick bow and turned away.

I watched the tiger walk away and looked over at the lion. "Hell of a girl you've got there, must be crazy in the sack." I spoke the words playfully and offered him a grin.

Harold gave a laugh and smiled. "I love that woman, though I'm surprised she went so slow. I guess she didn't expect you to bring so much to the table."

"Slow eh?" I frowned at the idea of her holding back, a part of me wanting that rematch right now.

"Well, let me show you the armory." Harold bellowed the words and started off. I quickly followed behind him.

We walked to the center of the house which had an elevator installed in it. I looked up at him curiously. "Really, an elevator?"

"There are only two ground floors, but we have seven subterranean floors." The lion spoke the words as we stepped into the elevator and jabbed the 'six' button.

"So I need to make a request of you, lady Alice..." His tone of voice became awkward and he rubbed the back of his head. The demeanor was shocking and the last thing I ever thought I would see on someone like him.

"Uh... of course, sir Harold. What is it?" I lifted my ears curiously.

"We will be training and we will inevitably make contact with one another several times. I know you are a succubus and I request you keep your powers at bay during that." He spoke the words apologetically and looked away, as if he were asking me to do something mortifying.

I put my fingers to my lips and giggled. "You worry I will seduce you, lord Harold?"

He growled at the words and cleared his throat. "I simply know what is possible and I smell lady Lorelai strong upon you so..."

I felt panic well up in me and quickly thought up an excuse. "I smell of her because we had to share a room and there was only one towel for the morning bathing. Please do not think anything happened between us."

"My mistake then. Regardless, my request stands." The lion gave me another apologetic bow and the doors opened to the lower level.

We stepped out into a massive room. The area had training mats, weapon racks, and even a gun range. It sprawled out deep into the earth and I could see it being a place you could host a martial arts tournament in. "Wow..." I spoke out in awe, trotting about curiously.

Harold cleared his throat after a minute and I looked upon him. I frowned realizing I never answered his request. "Ah... sir Harold, here is the thing about my power."

He raised a brow. "Go on..."

I gave him a childish grin. "I can swear an oath now, but it won't do any good. My power of enthrallment would not work upon you."

"And why not?" He asked me in a curious demand.

"You are strongly in love and married to boot. I would have to work very very hard to enthrall you, much more so than an accidental touch or grapple would accomplish." I gave him a gentle smile. "However... I like you sir Harold, you are a strong powerful man, and though you are rough around the edges, I can see you are a kind man too."

The lion showed his teeth in a grin and I could see his naturally dark skin take a faint bit more color in his cheeks. "Thank you for your kind words. Yes, I love my wife and never want to hurt her... well outside of training and the bedroom that is." He let out a roar of a laugh.

I gave him a grin at the words and dropped the bag I carried, before standing straight and offering him a bow. "Out of respect for you and your wife, out of gratitude for you opening your house to me." I cleared my throat. "I Alice Blackpaw give you my word, I will not try to coax you into bending me over and taking your feral sexual tension out upon me..." I gave him a cocky grin as I spoke the words. "Though the thought had been present in my mind leading up to this until I realized you were married."

Harold gave out a shocked laugh. "Truly?"

"Of course, I like sex. I'm a succubus, remember?" I spoke the words playfully with a grin, then fixed him with a hard look. "However! I like protecting my master and family more. So let's get to it! You have my word, there will be no sexual stuff."

"I would be lying if I said I somewhat regret mentioning it now..." He gave me a grin and I saw his eyes wandering over my small body. He then gave a nod and started walking. "However, I love Mino more than anything. Thank you for your pledge."

I followed after him and he walked to the deepest wall of the room. I hadn't been able to see it from the entrance until the automatic lights picked up our movement and turned on. The wall was covered and I mean covered in every kind of weapon you could imagine.

Swords and daggers of every shape and size. Nets, spears, hooks, and even blades you placed upon your boots. Harold looked over the collection proudly. "What do you think?"

"This is amazing... there are hundreds of them... I don't even know what some of these things are." I walked along the wall admiring them, my tail flicking about excitedly.

"Hundreds? There are eleven hundred and twenty-nine different weapons upon this wall." He spoke the words proudly.

"Wouldn't that still count as 'hundreds' sir Harold? You would need at least two thousand for me to say 'thousands'." I stuck my tongue out at him playfully.

"You are a smart ass, Alice." He spoke the words with an amused tone in his voice.

"I've been told that a few times..." I scanned the wall and smiled. "So what's the story behind this wall?"

Harold showed his teeth with pride. "I have trained under a master for every one of these weapons."

"A-all of them? How is that possible?" I stammered words, shock filling my voice.

The lion gave a shrug. "I love combat and I've been alive over a millennium. I have to find something to do to fill the void of time."

I pursed my lips and nodded. I was quickly realizing my master was not the ancient thing I first imagined him as. I raised a finger. "Sir Harold, May I ask a question not related of this?"

"I do not see why not, go ahead." He gave me a wave of his hand.

I frowned and put my hands on my stomach. "My master... Elias. He is nearly six centuries old. I thought he must have been some amazing and powerful being at that age. Yet you probably double that, and who knows with Lorelai..."

"If you're asking is he young compared to the council at large, the answer is yes. He and Sarnai are the youngest members of the entire council. They were an exception because of their unique powers and Lorelai's influence. Normally one cannot even be considered for a position until they have a millennium under their belt." Harold folded his arms behind his back and gave me a direct look. "Why do you ask?"

I showed my teeth and looked away. "Because the time will come that I may have to face Sarnai in true combat to protect him. I know I stand no chance..."

"Age breeds power, Alice. However, you know what breeds more power? Training and dedication." Harold put his hands on his hips and showed me a wide grin. "You stand no chance now, but in time that will change. I have seen how you move and learn, how you adapt. That time will be sooner than you think, so worry not. I believe in you." He roared the words loudly at me and I felt his will and energy ride up my spine.

I shivered and raised my ears. "Yes, sir!" I spoke the words excitedly and clenched my fists. "Now what?"

Harold thrust his hand outward. "Now you choose a weapon, you choose something and I begin training you to be a master of it."

"O-of all of these? But... there's so many!" I looked around the wall, feeling lost.

"Choose what calls out to you Alice. Do not pick something for utility or ease of use. Deep down you will know what is for you. We have nothing but time, think about it." Harold folded his arms and stood there, like a statue.

I strode the wall back and forth, looking over the myriad of things. The swords and spears I kept coming back to, but I didn't feel they were for me. I saw the large hooked scythe on the wall and imagined how cool I would look, bathed in flames, swinging the scythe around like the grim reaper. My tail flicked and I grinned like a little kid, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought perhaps not.

Over an hour passed while I poured over the items, yet one thing kept coming back to my eye again and again. I made up my mind and grinned as I collected the weapon and moved back over to Harold. "I want to learn how to use this!" I presented the lion with the rolled-up whip.

His amber eyes looked to the whip and he gave a nod and collected it from me. "The whip is an interesting weapon. It will offer you reach and versatility in your fighting." The lion quickly coiled back the whip and cracked it faster than a bird would flap a wing. I saw a nearby training dummy's chest split open, the padding pouring forth from it. "A well-placed strike can sever limbs you know."

My eyes widened at the display and then he reared the whip back and struck it along the weapon wall. The tip wrapped around the stock of a mace and he pulled it off its display, pulling it towards him through the air. Harold caught the mace in his off-hand. "You can use it to disarm as well, or even trip your foe."

"That's so cool!" I huffed the words out and grinned.

"They come in various materials too. You can even make them out of chain or barb them with blades." The lion cracked the whip again and pulled it back. The length of material wrapped around his arm before he let it slack and fall into his palm, the whip rolled up once more. "It is a challenging weapon and offers no defensive benefits if an opponent gets too close. A sword would offer more practicality and be easier to learn."

I shake my head and give a stubborn glance to the lion. "I want to learn that."

Harold showed his teeth, the look in his eyes saying he approved of my determination. "Then we start right away!"

#

I was to only be at Sandshore for two days, but Harold and I trained as if we were possessed. Hours bled away and the days began to roll by. Some days I didn't even bother to sleep and just trained through them. I wasn't stopping at the whip though. I was also training my control over the fire, blending the two together to make them my own.

Over two weeks passed while I trained. Of course, I kept text messages up with everyone and even had Lorelai message me a few times. My main focus was on the training though, my family and loved one's defense a constant in my mind.

My final night at Sandshore came and I found myself in the armory with Harold. The lion stood across from me, arms folded over his large chest, his eyes looking down to meet my own. I stood across from him with my own arms folded, staring back into his red eyes with my equally red ones.

"Alice, you have shown amazing progress. I dare say you may be one of the most dedicated and astute pupils I have had the pleasure of working with" Harold spoke the words of praise and my heart filled with pride.

"Thank you, teacher. I do not deserve your kind words, but it means a lot to me." I spoke with pride and respect, I had learned a lot these last few weeks, both about the whip and myself. I had also learned more about Harold and I now had a deeper respect for him.

"You will continue your training with both the whip and gun when you leave here, I assume?" He asked me curiously.

"I will. My weapons, my fire, and my thaumaturgy. I shall weave them all into a cohesive combat style that is mine and mine alone. Then I will bring that power to bear against any and all that would do harm to my family or loved ones." I spoke the words without a shred of doubt in my soul.

"You spoke like a child with talent when you first arrived. Now you speak like a warrior with purpose. I... am proud of you." He spoke the words sharply and I felt my eyes grow wet.

"I... T-thank you..." I blinked at him and offered a smile.

"Save the tears for judgment day, Alice! To me!" The lion drew forth the large halberd that had been resting upon the ground next to him. He lowered the blade of the polearm and set himself into a stance with his knees bent.

I spread my feet and bent at the knees. I gripped my whip, giving the air a few loud cracks. My left hand quickly darted to my tooth and I cut my thumb to allow blood to flow from the wound. "Here I come!" I shouted the words, my eyes shifting to white with black energy crackling through them.

Springing off my toes I launched myself forward red flames erupting from my hands and ears. Harold braced and I stopped short and brought my whip forward in a violent lash. The lion's halbert blurred as he parried it, the sound making a sharp metallic clang upon the steel of the blade.

"Is that all?" He roared out and took a mighty lunge forward, swinging the blade up in an arch towards my chest. I crystalized the blood on my palm and simply shoved my hand against the blow of the blade, holding the strike, my arm shaking as he pushed against my force.

Harold showed his teeth and magnified his strength, I felt the blade overpowering me. I simply let him make the swing while holding the blade. He flung me aloft into the air and I lashed the whip out as I sailed over his head. The lion roared out in pain as I tore the leather into his back, easily tearing through the combat jacket he wore.

"Very good!" He snarled the words as he quickly jumped several feet out of my range before turning to face me. "Never forget the trick of turning an opponent's force back at them."

"Are you gonna give me a lecture or fight me, kitty?" I cooed the words mockingly and flung my left wrist into the air. Several sharp blood shards formed and trained on Harold, before flying to him faster than bullets from a gun.

The lion showed his teeth and rushed through them, his halbert blurring as he deflected each one. He lunged off his feet in a leap and brought the blade down atop my head. I showed him a grin and simply moved closer, letting the blade slam to the floor. The lion blinked as I moved right up to him and slammed my forehead to his own.

Harold roared at me and reached a free hand to grab me, but I had already darted away to gain some distance. "Don't lose your head in battle, old man." I hummed the words mockingly.

"I do so love your cocky mouth!" Harold showed his teeth in a grin and reached for the halbert shaft.

I showed my own teeth and quickly flicked my whip, the material wrapping around the shaft of the polearm and jerked hard upon it. The halberd dislodged from the floor and scattered out into the room several yards away. "You would love it even more if you weren't married, Harold."

He looked shocked at the maneuver and gave me a grin before growling. "Pride before the fall, right?" He flexed his hands and launched himself forward.

I ran the whip past my fingertips letting blood coat it, then willed my flames forward, red and shadow moving up the length of it. Harold bore down on me and I lashed the whip at him viciously.

The lion simply took the blow upon his massive hand and I felt him grab at the end of the whip. I yelped out and tried to pull it back but he simply held it, letting the flames burn into his flesh. With a show of force, he pulled hard and simply wrenched the whip from my hands.

I grit my teeth and set my stance but he was upon me in a blur. I felt his now bloody and burned hand grab my throat and he hauled me up into the air before slamming me down violently into the floor. I yelped out weakly and blinked up at him with one eye open, my tongue showing in a weak pant.

"You did very well... I feel confident sending you home with those skills..." He spoke the words and I felt his fingertips brush my throat and slide down to my collar.

I bit my lower lip and felt the familiar coursing of energy between me and another that was showing interest in me. It stood to reason, he and I had been beating one another to a bloody pulp for weeks, all while building strong bonds. "T-thank you teacher..." I panted the words and blinked into his red eyes with my own, seeing the look of hunger.

"The curve of a hip..." He growled the words and I felt him grab my hip hard. I grunted out and blushed, shaking my head at him. "The firm roundness of breasts..." He snarled and shoved his other hand over my left breast, kneading it through my top while I panted out and squirmed my hips. "These things do nothing for me... but a powerful warrior..."

I shook my head again and blinked upon him. "Harold... you are spoken for and I gave my word..." I shivered and felt him squeeze my breast hard, his other hand kneading my hip curiously. "Ha... calm yourself..."

He growled in challenge towards me. "I will not. I bested you and I have every right to you now!"

I didn't want him to stop, if he forced it forward I would happily partake of him, my oath was to not seduce him, but this was his own choice. Still, he had bragged of his wife these last several days, spoke lovingly and fond of her. The pride in his voice was insurmountable when he spoke of her victories.

His hand moved under my shirt and pushed against my stomach, sliding up towards my breasts. I snapped my teeth together and did the only thing I could think. I slapped the hell out of the moron.

Harold roared in fury at my blow and grabbed my wrist. "You think you can stop me?"

"Open your fucking eyes stupid!" I spat out at him, my irises blazing red. "You wouldn't shut up about Mino this whole time! Will you now betray her? Is that the extent of your love?"

The lion gave me a shocked look and I saw the words sink in. I showed my teeth and gave him a bitter little laugh. "You think I'm afraid of you taking it? You can't rape the willing, Harold. Bend me over, tear my clothes off and ravage me, I will be grateful for the energy. I've not fed properly in weeks!"

He gave me an ashamed look and pulled his hands from my body. I showed him a hungry grin. "You think I wouldn't lay with you in a heartbeat?" I staggered to my feet and rolled my shoulder. "However... I have not used any of my power and you are not a warrior razing a village... my word will be intact and you will have to live with the consequences, not me."

Harold shuddered and rose to his feet fully, gripping his wounded hand while looking away. "I have shown you great disrespect, forgive me lady Alice..."

I gave a laugh and bit my lower lip. "You kidding? I'm not gonna lie Harold... the idea of you 'raping me' sounds fun as hell!" I air quoted the words and gave a frown, placing my hands upon my hips. "Seriously though... You are spoken for. Do not throw that away for a romp with me. I like you but I will not stay with you, I have a master and..."I counted on my hand. "Technically I guess two boyfriends and three girlfriends."

"Ha! You get around, don't you rabbit?" He showed me his teeth in a grin and I could see his composure was back.

I offered him a smile and moved towards him, placing a hand upon his chest. "Harold... I do like you and I would lay with you eagerly. However, that is a scenario you would need to clear with your wife."

He gave me a nod and moved a hand to embrace me gently. "Thank you... I am flattered you think as much."

I smiled and pushed into his chest, enjoying the contact. "Of course..." I cleared my throat and leaned back before meeting his eyes with a serious glance, my teeth showing. "Or both of you... if she were interested..."

I saw his cheeks darken blatantly at that and I gave him a coy grin before pulling from his arms and collecting my whip. "I shall have to get me one of these when I get home."

"Keep it." Harold spoke out, pride in his voice.

"I cannot. I know this was your whip you trained with. The one your master gave to you." I looked upon him and frowned as I rolled it up slowly.

"A weapon is only as good as it's master. It deserves to be with the one that will take care of it. I spread my disciplines out, you will focus upon it. You will become a much greater whip master than I ever will. Please take it, if nothing else as a memento of our time together." He gave a polite bow after speaking the words.

"Well, I can't say no after all that... Thank you... Teacher..."

#

I was a little sad to leave Sandshore, but I told Harold I would come to call at least once a season so we could spar. I also encouraged him to speak to his wife about me if he thought it was something she would be interested in.

It was tough on the flight home, I half wanted to slip into my dozing seatmates dreams and ravage them. I hadn't properly fed in weeks and was going crazy.

Upon exiting the airport my eyes were greeted by the one thing I had truly missed the most this whole time. My curvy little black cat in one of her snug tops, her heavy breasts hugged tight in the material. My eyes flushed red while I walked over to her.

"Alice, I've longed fo-" She huffed out as I silenced her with my mouth. I pushed her up against the small limo she had been waiting at and shoved my tongue into her mouth.

Katrina shuddered and gave in right away, her tongue rolling against my own eagerly. I broke from her mouth after several moments and reached for the door of the car, opening it and pulling myself in, dragging her in with me. The driver had barely pulled from the curve and I had my hands on her pants, jerking the zipper down and peeling them off her curvy hips.

"Ha... Alice... my love..." Katrina moaned the words, offering me no resistance. Her hips lifted to help and I stripped the tight black pants and her red panties off in one tug. There was no hesitation, I moved my head right between her legs.

"You missed me as much as I missed you I see..." The black cat moaned the words and ran her fingertips through my hair and rubbed at my ears. I nodded my head eagerly while I lapped at her folds, feeling her energy pour into me as I drew forth a release from her.

"Ha... drink deeply of me my love, I had plenty of blood before I came to fetch you. I knew you would be ravenous..." She moaned the words again then gave a soft gasp, as I suckled messily against her sensitive little spot. My cat cried out and I felt her love for me flow through my hungry soul.

Things shifted from there and I found myself laid across the seat with my own pants and panties gone. My lovely cat had a moment of inspiration and decided to take charge of things. I was thrilled to have it. After what almost happened with sir Harold, I was more than happy to be held down and taken.

I clenched my teeth and folded my ears when I felt her dripping folds push against my own, her curvy hips grinding and moving impatiently in jerky motions. "Ha... ha... my rabbit... don't make me wait this long for you ever again..." She moaned the words while gripping my leg, holding me possessively while taking me on the limo seat.

"Yes, my cat... ha... anything you want..." I moaned the words, my ears drooped while I looked up at her, happy to have her taking me and overbearing my will. I clenched my teeth hard, feeling her coax another from me, our energy mingling but my body taking the majority of it. I hadn't fed this deeply from a partner since the first of our days together.

Katrina let out a fatigued pant but continued to work her hips. "Ha... you were famished... my poor little bunny... Your cats gonna make it all better, I promise..." She cooed the words and jerked her hips hard against me. I gasped out and folded my ears, feeling her force another from me while I shivered.

"Ha... Kat... my love... d-don't push too much..." I panted the words and looked upon her with concern.

The cat gave a pant and reached to the cup holder and found a sports bottle. She took a long pull from it and I felt her energy coming back. She closed the nozzle of the bottle with her bloody tongue and cut her red eyes to me. "Shut up and get off more, rabbit!" She spoke the words in commandment and resumed her eager movements.

My heart leaped at her dominant display and I nodded my head rapidly, feeling her drenched folds and sensitive spot rubbing against my own. "Yes, my love... ha... right away..." My ears folded and my tongue lolled as she took another from me.

She tended to me the whole car ride home, almost an hour of uninterrupted time with my cat. By the time we arrived, she was a worn-out mess and I was ready to go run a marathon. I just stayed in the car with her for a while, holding her against my chest. We both kissed and held one another, enjoying the afterglow.

"I really missed you." Katrina purred the words, hugging close to me, nuzzling under my chin.

"I know my cat... I missed you as well. Dreadfully so..." I moved a hand to stroke at her jagged red hair and cute little black ears.

"Did you get some good training in with sir Harold?" She spoke out curiously.

'I did! I feel even more competent in protecting you now!" I spoke the words with a proud grin on my face.

"Ha... shouldn't I be the one protecting you?" Katrina gave me a cute grin, showing her teeth.

"Well then let's just both focus on protecting each other. Well, that and protecting those two dogs... they are hopeless without us." I hummed the words playfully.

Katrina giggled and nodded. She then set me with a look and raised an eyebrow. "How did the other part with Harold go?"

I smiled upon her and lifted my ears. "My love... what are you saying?"

She cleared her throat and spoke out pointedly. "How was he in bed?"

"I dunno, you would have to ask his wife." I spoke the words with a grin.

Her eyes widened. "Really? You did not feed for almost two weeks?"

I pursed my lips and shook my head. "I fed on blood."

She hissed and glared at me. "That is so dangerous! I would have never agreed to this had I known you weren't feeding properly."

"H-hey... it worked out, relax my cat!" I hugged her close and rubbed at her ears.

Katrina pouted but gave me a gentle nod, relaxing into my arms. I grinned and held her tight, happy to have her by my side once more.

#

"I settled into a routine of things after that. The days whisked by with family time, training, and lots of sex." I hum the words lovingly as I recall it before looking upon you and nodding. "Yes, I went to see Gloria at least once a week. I would also be called away for council business at least a few days out of each month, funny how that works, isn't it?"

I nod at your words. "Of course, I still went to see Val, how could I not?"

With a wave of my hand, I huff out. "At any rate... let us jump ahead a little, my sweet pet. All I could do now is repeat the same positions with the same people again and again. Let me think..."

I tap my chin in thought and then lift my ears. "Ah... so about two seasons later... spring was in full bloom and something very interesting happened..."

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