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Sun Kissed

Act 3: Sublimity

It was the next day, and Spica barely got any rest. All throughout the night he was dominated by thoughts of Aoi, replaying the events of the day in his mind on an infinite loop. Meeting with her at the hotel, feeling their hands touch, taking her to the suitors, taking her to get candy, eating dinner with her; everything. He could still hear her divine voice, could still feel her heavenly touch, and could still see that godly body.

Was it wrong to imagine the Empress in those dancer's garbs? To see her heavenly body become something so erotic? She even seemed to taunt him with that question of whether or not he wanted to see her dance. The question had to be rhetorical; his answer was obviously yes.

But of course, he couldn't tell her that. Where did his role as her guide end and his desires as an admirer begin? Was there even a clear divide between the two? He knew guards were supposed to be professional, placing the lives of their clients above all else. And, yes, Spica would gladly put his life on the line for the Empress... but it wouldn't be just a professional courtesy.

There would be more behind it...

Right now he was focused on heading towards Menat Hotel, ready to start the Empress' second full day in Jyotisha. His every step brought excitement with him, almost to the point that he was rushing to return to the Empress' side. But these feelings were quickly dashed upon his arrival, where he saw a large contingent of Jyotisha's Armed Forces standing guard outside.

Not Blackguard. Jyotisha's Armed Forces.

Something was going on, and no one told him when he was leaving home.

Quickly Spica pushed himself through the droves of people collected outside the hotel, breaking through to the rim where he could see the entrance to the opulent hotel. As expected, he saw Sultan Adhil... and his father, Heze. Tensing up, Spica's teeth began grinding against one another, and he stepped forward.

A hand fell on his wrist.

“Nuh-uh-uh! Spica!” a familiar voice rang, “I wouldn't go if I were you!”

He turned, his eyes falling on Zaniah. Much like yesterday, she was fully dressed in her Blackguard attire, while he was dressed more casually.

“Zaniah, what's going on?” Spica asked, “I've come for the Empress.”

“I know but...” she looked past him towards their father and Adhil, “Today, the sultan and empress are meeting. Remember, she is here for a reason. I'm not sure what though; everyone's kept it a secret. So...” she shook her head, “There will be no guiding from you today, at least until they return.”

“Hmnn... mmff! But...” Spica palmed his chest, “Why didn't anyone tell me this!? I... I...” he closed his eyes and stepped back, “I would've just... stayed at home I guess...”

Zaniah frowned, knowing what he really felt. Disappointment. And, no, it wasn't with the meeting; he knew it would have to happen sooner or later. Instead Spica felt sad that he wouldn't be able to spend time with the Empress today. She could read it on her brother's face, even if he tried hiding it.

“Come on, let's... ah...” Zaniah said, only to cut herself off.

Raising an eyebrow, Spica followed the trail of his twin's gaze and looked at the entrance to Menat Hotel. Emerging from within was Aoi, causing the crowd of people to shift. In the madness of Orion's Belt, the Empress was easily drowned by the crowd. But now, she was the focus of everyone's gaze.

Dressed in one of her opulent kimonos, this one was different from the others. It had long sleeves, and was pulled up to her neck, with a large belt around her waist. Much like in the gala, her hair had been done up in an opulent manner, making it seem as if she was heading out to yet another function. Seeing her caused Spica's heart to thump; why was Aoi always so enthralling?

“Haaah...”

He sighed, and again, Zaniah noticed that change in her brother. She opened her mouth to say something to him, but grew silent when Adhil offered Aoi his hand. She grabbed it, taking it into hers as the sultan began leading her off towards a carriage in the distance. And in that moment...

“Tch...”

Zaniah noticed her brother's hand clinch into a fist. Was he... jealous?

“Spica...?” she whispered, though he shook his head.

“I'm fine...” he said as he turned around, “I'll just head back home I guess.”

Shaking his head he turned away from the Empress, just as she was stepping foot on the carriage's steps. But a curious twitch occurred within Aoi's body. Her ears flicked, her tails jerked, and then her head turned. Gazing through the droves of people, she saw him in the distance, his back turned towards them. And despite Adhil tugging her forward, she called out--

“Spica...?”

And despite the distance between them, he heard her. Both Zaniah and Spica turned to face Aoi, surprised to hear his name leave her lips. Even more so for the young man, who came face to face with the Empress.

“Spica,” she called, her hand stretched out for him.

“Spica?” said both Adhil and Heze at the same time.

The two traded glances, before looking into the same direction as the Empress. And, yes, among the crowds was Spica, much to their surprise. He was equally as surprised, even pointing at himself in a confused manner.

“Empress...” the young man muttered, “You...”

“Come here, Spica,” Aoi further called, causing him to look at Zaniah.

Now it was their turn to trade quizzical glances. Aoi wanted him? Aoi somehow saw him? On one hand Spica had again become a spanner within Adhil and Heze's carefully laid plans. On the other hand, the young man was clearly excited by the prospect of being near the Empress again. It showed on his face as he suddenly became so terrible at hiding his emotions.

Zaniah didn't say anything however. She just pointed forward. He nodded.

Breaking through the droves of people, Spica made way for the carriage and then stopped. His gaze was first locked on Aoi's outstretched hand, only to slowly look up towards her face. That smile of hers; so bright and strong. It led him in without a second thought.

Spica grabbed her hand. Aoi pulled him inside.

The soft seats of the carriage cradled him, but his eyes were locked on Aoi and Aoi alone. She too stared back, retaining that warm smile which made his heart melt.

“Good morning, Spica.”

“Good morning, Empress.”

It took Spica far too long to realize that they weren't alone.

He looked over towards the opposite side of the carriage. His gaze met Heze's and Adhil's. Both his father and his sultan stared at him like he was an anomaly, and it wasn't like he could say much. He honestly shouldn't be here! But Aoi's call was like a siren; he just could not deny her.

“Well now... this is interesting,” said Adhil with a chuckle, “Heh...! Well! Good morning, my dear Spica! How are things?”

“They're... fine...?” he muttered back, “A-apologies... I wasn't expecting to be here...”

“Neither was I...” Heze replied.

“I too must apologize,” Aoi spoke up as she bowed her head, “Again, I have messed with your plans, Sultan Adhil. It's just that...” she pulled back up to look at Spica, causing him to blush, “Spica was such an amazing guide for me yesterday. He showed me many of the sights here in Jeera. From Orion's Belt to Restaurus, and everywhere in between,” she clinched his hand gently, “He is a lovely guide, and he makes me feel safer being with him.”

“S-safer...?” he repeated, his cheeks turning red.

Was this what Zaniah had witnessed when spying on them yesterday? Heze wondered this as he gazed upon his son and the Empress. Spica wasn't acting like the cocky, brash, hasty, skilled yet arrogant young man he knew him as. Instead, his son was acting bashful, shy, timid and awkward. He was blushing a lot, constantly averting his eyes, all while nudging his body closer to the Empress. Heze even noticed how Spica clinched back upon Aoi's hand.

“Hmph! Hm hm! Hmm! Hm hm hm! Hah hah ha!”

“What is so funny, Adhil?” Heze asked as he gazed at the sultan.

“Nothing, old friend, nothing,” Adhil replied as he waved his hand through the air, “I'm just being reminded of days past. Now then...” he tensed up, “Empress Aoi, I hope you are prepared for a rather long carriage ride. It will take some time before we arrive at our destination.”

“I am,” she replied with a bow of her head, “I look forward to the unveiling of your project.”

“Project...?” Spica repeated, “Say... what's going on here, sultan?”

“Yes... ah, young Spica, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Heze has kept even this a secret from you,” Adhil said, causing his eyes to slid into a quizzical stare.

“A secret... what is...?” Spica looked at his father, “What are you all talking about?”

Though he stared at his captain, Heze remained silent, as if refusing to speak. He even went so far as to cross his arm s and look away, appearing indignant, though Spica didn't understand why. It only further reminded the young man that he shouldn't be here. But while Heze was content to leave his son in the dark, Adhil was not. He'd learn the truth soon when they arrived, so might as well tell him now.

“Spica... Jyotisha is dying,” the sultan said, taking the young man aback.

“It's... what...?” he muttered.

“Haaah... well... perhaps saying it's 'dying' is a bit extreme,” Adhil remarked, “It's more like... Jyotisha is drying. Yes, that's it. It's thirsty, my dear boy. Water is the cradle of life, and this is no different in Jyotisha, even if it is a desert. Nothing and no one can survive long without water, and the harsh sun here makes sure it dries out a person quick. For centuries, we've gotten by on our basin. However...”

“Our basin... wait... you mean the Big Dipper? What's wrong with the Big Dipper?” Spica asked.

“It's drying,” Adhil answered, “The past three years, we've noticed that it is growing lesser and lesser, and we have yet to figure out why. In five years time, it will be less than 50%. In ten years, it will be all but gone. I don't think I need to explain to you why that is a bad thing. Haaah... Big Dipper has kept Jyotisha alive for centuries! So its steady decline is alarming. And that is why Aoi is here.”

“But how would she...?” Spica said, only to cut himself off.

Grabbing tighter upon her hand, he turned and faced Aoi. She looked back, a warm smile on her lips. It took Spica a few moments to think, realizing what was going on, and why Aoi was here. Big Dipper was drying out, and here was an Empress with the blood of divinity, one who used her awesome power to summon a storm strong enough to wash boats to a watery grave.

Again his eyes pulsed.

“Empress,” he said, “You're not here to trade things like money or textile... you're here to give us water, aren't you?”

“Kyuhuhuhu! So perceptive of you, Spica,” she said, her cheeks turning red with blush, “You are correct; I am here to give Jyotisha rain. Adhil tells me that it has been three years since you've last had rainfall. He said you all used to have one major storm each year, but that has stopped. So having heard of the storm I summoned to wash away Dunbar's forces, Sultan Adhil called out to me. He is thus far the only ruler who has called out to make allies. I desire textiles, and to open up Solaria's borders with many new and different lands. This union will aid all of us, not only to help your people, but to bring us both into a new world.”

Spica looked down, his mouth agape and face of surprise. How had he not realized that Jyotisha had been dying, and right under his feet no less? He had no idea that Big Dipper was drying out, and that this meeting was more than just to build relations with distant land. Aoi and her abilities were the key to Jyotisha's future.

It was out of his control... but Spica still felt ashamed. All his hard work as a Blackguard member meant nothing if Big Dipper dried out. He thought he had the skills to do everything. But now he learned that he could do nothing when it really mattered.

“Haaah... I... I...”

But Aoi shook her head. As if sensing his inner turmoil, she clinched his hand even tighter, holding firm against him.

“It is okay, Spica,” she said in a reassuring manner, “You did the best you could do. No one would ever ask more of you.”

“I...”

It was more comforting than it had any right to be. In a manner Heze had never seen before, Spica seemed to deflate, accepting Aoi's words and recognizing that, yes, this was out of his power. It was something he was trying to teach his son for years now; the fact that he can't do everything. But where as Heze's words seemed to fall on deaf ears, Aoi's didn't.

Zaniah was right; these were changes he's never seen in his son before.

“Alright then,” said Adhil as he grabbed a nearby bell, ringing it, “Start moving, Hyadum. We've got quite the distance to make.”

“Yes Sultan...” said the driver of the carriage.

…

Big Dipper was Jyotisha's most important landmark. No, it wasn't the spices; the spices is what made Jyotisha profitable. But Big Dipper is what kept Jyotisha alive.

It was in a secured location far from Jeera, requiring one to take a long, long path into the more harsher extremes of the desert. But Big Dipper needed to be kept so secretive, so protected. If someone knew of its location and knew of its incredible sewer systems, then they'd be able to poison it and all of Jyotisha.

No, not just Jeera, but all of Jyotisha.

The sewers and waterways that run from Big Dipper, travel all throughout the desert lands. Truth be told, the history of Jyotisha's water systems would beguile many a scholar for centuries, but it was all kept as a tightly nit secret by Jeera's ruling class. Considering how dangerous the deserts were, and how desperate bandits and thieves were to get their hands on priceless spices, keeping Big Dipper a secret was imperative.

For many, Big Dipper was a rumor. People knew it existed, but no one knew where it was. There were even members of the senate who couldn't tell you where it was located in Jyotisha! So to be brought here was considered an honor.

Spica couldn't remember the last time he came to Big Dipper. It had been so long ago, that he wondered if the distant memory was more of a dream. He certainly didn't remember the long travel it took to get there!

On and off again the young man would go to sleep and wake up during the long and mostly boring travel. He didn't pay attention to where they were going, so he couldn't remember the exact steps it would take to get to Big Dipper. All he could remember was Aoi. Her hand on his hand, holding tight, and the warmth that emanated from her body. How could he not sleep with her sitting here behind him?

She was just so soft...

“Spica... Spica... Spiiiiiicaaaaaa...”

“Huh...?”

“We have arrived, Spica.”

Her stirring voice roused him from his rest, causing him to groan as he woke up. First his groggy eyes looked up, where he met Aoi's warm smile and beaming face. It made him tense up, straightening in his seat before glancing over to the opposing side of the carriage. Heze and Adhil had already exited, and the door to the carriage was wide open.

“Oh! Crap... uh... a-apologies, Empress,” Spica said as he stood up, “I went to sleep... I shouldn't have done that.”

“Kyuhu! Don't feel that way. Sleep is important, Spica. I tell that to my sons all the time,” she replied, “Besides... you looked so cute when asleep.”

“I... cute...?” he muttered, before shaking his head and tugging her along, “Um... let's go. I don't want to make the sultan or my father impatient.”

Aoi nodded, and with Spica's guidance, the two exited the carriage to the desert lands outside. Before them was a massive butte, one which stood like a wide tower. Turning his head up, the young man gave an audible gasp at the shear size of the structure before him. Aoi did likewise, but before either of them could speak...

“This way!”

Heze's voice called out to them.

The two looked over, their eyes falling on Adhil and Heze as they stood at a cave in the butte. Under the Blackguard captain's ushering, both Spica and Aoi followed them inside, where the cool darkness of the cave basked over them. Adhil and Heze kept lead point, guiding them deeper into the cavern, while blue lamps began lighting up on the sides of the walls.

Deeper and deeper they walked into the cavern, while the once earthy walls were steadily replaced with opulent white stones. At the same time, the sound of water began rising higher and higher, and a light could be seen glowing in the distance. Deeper and deeper they traveled, cooler and cooler the air became, louder and louder the sound of water, brighter and brighter the lights, and finally...

“Welcome to Big Dipper,” Adhil said in a charming manner as they broke through the entrance.

'Big' certainly encompassed it. The chamber was the largest room Spica and Aoi had ever stepped foot in. The walls were perfectly carved of a pure white stone, giving the area an opulent if not divine feel. The room was spherical in shape, with pillars that stretched up to the roof, and the roof itself having a hole in the center that let one gaze upon the skies outside... and let the skies gaze in.

The waters itself was collected within a basin that was as big as a great lake... perhaps even larger. Calmly they swayed and swished about, being so pure and clean that one could drink from it with no fear of gaining an illness. But when gazing over the edge and into the deep well of water, a person would be stricken with an extreme sense of vertigo.

It's a loooooooooooooong way down...

“It's... running out...?” Spica muttered, “I can't believe it... it looks so...”

“Full?” Adhil replied with a chuckle, “Yes... I can hardly believe it either. But the truth remains the same; Big Dipper is drying out. See where it is now? It used to be several feet higher. Considering how much space Big Dipper takes up as is, this is alarming. Making matters worse, we have reason to fear that this problem is accelerating, so fixing this is imperative,” he sighed then chuckled in a disarming manner, “I admit, as sultan of Jyotisha, I feel ashamed that I cannot provide something as basic as water for the people of my land, but desperate times calls for desperate measures, I'm afraid. So, my Empress...” he faced Aoi with a smile, “Will you do the honors?”

“Kyu... of course, sultan...”

With a respectful bow, Aoi turned to face the massive well of water before her. There was a platform which stood over the waters, one which itself was beneath the hole in the ceiling. Walking towards it, she left Adhil and Heze behind, with Spica in particular giving a forlorn expression. He didn't know what she was about to do, but he still longed for her presence.

And maybe Aoi sensed this, because she suddenly stopped. And then she looked over. And then her hand stretched out for him.

“Spica...” she called, again taking him aback, “Come here, Spica.”

He didn't hesitate, and quickly walked for the Empress to grab her hand. Behind Heze too stepped forward, but Adhil pulled his friend back. Together the duo traded glances, confused as to where this was going. The sultan was willing to see it through however, even if Heze was hesitant.

This is his son and... ah...

With Spica following her behind, Aoi slowly began tugging upon the jacket she wore, removing it from her shoulders. Dressed down into the first layer of her kimono, she caused a red blush to appear on Spica's face as he watched the moment. There was nothing explicitly erotic about her actions, and yet everything she did carried with it this sensuality that left the young man in both a state of attraction and embarrassment. He shouldn't feel this way about her... but he did.

What was going on?”

“Spica...” said Aoi as she leered over her shoulders towards him, “Could you hold this for me...?”

“Hold... ah...”

Her jacket and robes. She had folded them up, and now turned to hand them to him. He held them and nodded, feeling their warmth while his golden eyes gazed up at her yet again. Her lower robes were white, but with this pink floral pattern on it. Wait, she had mentioned something like that during their time together yesterday, right? This pattern was... sakura petals.

The garment hugged close to her form, being both tight yet loose enough for her to move with ease. Spica sat there, drinking in every inch of her opulent figure like he was a man thirsting for water. Considering where they were, this was an apt description.

Standing on the platform alone, Aoi reached into her robe, pulled out one of her fans, and opened it up. A whispy blue energy began flowing off of it, and all of the Empress' tails sprung up.

With a flourish of her hand, the fan to danced through the air in a circular pattern, causing the whispy energy to flow like water in its own right. Around and around in exotic circles she spun and twirled her hand, creating more of her magical energies to stain the air around.

It was so slow at first, yet no less enthralling. Heze and Adhil from their spot got a good view of the Empress as she performed her dance, but neither were as mesmerized as Spica. Clutching close her robes, he watched as the Empress' hips began swiveling, and her speed started picking up. Faster and faster, more and more, she performed majestic movements with her hands and body, moving as swiftly and as smoothly as silk.

The magics she summoned were getting stronger, brighter even... but that's not all. As Spica stood there witnessing her display, he realized something; it was suddenly getting darker. And as it grew darker, the air became cooler. He looked up and...

The skies outside were getting dark. Once clear air was suddenly being swarmed with gray clouds, which themselves started turning black. And as they painted the heavens an opaque color, Spica could feel the winds pick up more and more.

And then it happened; the growl of thunder...

GRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGG...!

“Aah!”

His eyes wide, Spica jerked his gaze back down upon Aoi. The Empress was still performing her dance, her eyes closed and focus steeled. All the while the blue magics she summoned distorted the air around them, expanded in size, and then produced...

Bubbles...? The blue magics were creating bubbles?

It hovered and swirled around Spica, who saw his reflection within their surfaces. They attracted his eyes, but it did not take long for his focus to return to the kitsune before him. Aoi was still dancing, still performing, still swaying her and twisting her body in thrilling performance that commanded the attentions of the heavens itself! And the heavens were growing violent.

Thicker and thicker the clouds became, stronger and stronger the wind, and not even a few moments later, Spica could feel the first few cool droplets of water as it sprinkled upon his face. His gaze quickly cut up towards the hole, seeing that it was raining. At first it was gentle and calm, but as time and Aoi's dance went on, the rain became stronger and stronger. What once was soft quickly became pellets of rain, and all of it flooded into the massive basin of water that is Big Dipper.

It was raining. No, it wasn't just raining, it was storming! A powerful and vicious storm of wind and rain was pouring through the hole in the ceiling to cascade into the Big Dipper. The once calm chamber was now roaring with a thunderous sound as millions of powerful raindrops pelted the well. And with her duty now finished, Aoi stood up straight, collapsed her fan, and then bowed as if having finished performing for an invisible audience.

And the audience she did have – Adhil, Heze, and of course Spica – were left speechless.

A smile adorned Aoi's face as she gazed upon her handiwork. The rain was so fresh, the air so cool, and it all felt amazing against her skin and fur. Pleased by it all, the Empress turned away from the rainstorm she summoned, and walked towards the young man behind her who had his mouth agape. So cute; seeing Spica's stunned face made her nine tails wag.

“Oh Spica...” she said as she placed her hand upon his jaw to close it, “Kyuhuhu... you are so cute.”

He didn't even react to her statement.

“Aoi... you... this rain... it all...” he looked up towards the storm, then back towards her face, “I don't know what to say...”

“You don't have to say anything,” Aoi said as she took her coat from his hands, placing it on her shoulders, “You have been nothing but an amazing guide thus far. And now, my duties here are done. Please...” she offered him her hand, “Guide me back to Jeera. Let us leave this place.”

Spica opened his mouth to say something... but he cut himself off, nodded, and let a smile adorn his lips.

It was going to rain for a nice long time.

Perhaps... too long...

…

It was raining in Jyotisha.

This begs repeating.

It was raining in Jyotisha!

As Adhil said, it had been three years since Jyotisha had a major rainstorm. For many people in the desert land, they had long forgotten what it meant to feel cool winds upon their bodies, instead of the harsh winds of the desert, or the sprinkling of natural water that wasn't from a fountain head or a shower head. For some toddlers, this was the first time they'd ever experienced rain ever.

For Spica, it never ceased being amazing.

Having returned to Menat Hotel, he stood on the balcony of Aoi's room, his eyes gazing across Jeera's skyline. The skies were still gray, but they weren't as strong here as they were above Big Dipper. The rain here was instead soft when it fell against skin, and the sound of it was nowhere near as harsh as it was in Bigger Dipper. If he were to be in his bedroom resting on his mattress, Spica had no doubts that he'd quickly fall asleep.

But he wasn't in his bedroom, was he? He was here at Menat Hotel. He was here with her.

“Kyuhuhuhu! Spica... you look so cute standing there all mesmerized.”

Her voice rang in his mind, causing him to turn. She was sitting on a couch, still in her white and pink kimono, with a smile adorning her cheeks. Blushing a bit, Spica sheepishly scratched the back of his head, then walked towards Aoi and sat beside her.

“I uh... um... I don't think I said this yet but... uh... thanks for this, Empress.”

“Thanks for what?” she asked, her ears and tail pointing up.

“You know. Thanks for... heh... thanks for the rain, I guess,” he shrugged his shoulders, “We're just giving you textiles and fabrics; you can get that anywhere. But you? You're giving Jyotisha rain. No one could produce that, only you. Honestly, everyone in Jyotisha should thank you for this.”

“Kyuhuhuhu! So flattering of you, Spica,” said Aoi as she clutched his hand, “This may seem one-sided, but I assure you, our union aids Solaria just as well. While fabrics and textile may not be as important as water, community certainly is. Our nations befriend one another, we'll share advancements, and many, many more things in the future. I assure you, the things I have learned from my short time in Jyotisha, will continue to beguile me for years to come, and aid Solaria for even longer.”

“Still... I've never seen anything like you,” Spica stated, “The way you danced to summon the rain... it was amazing. I've heard of rain dances before, but I thought it was nothing but just... ya'know! Children's stories! But you did it... and by yourself.”

“Kyuhuhuhu! Do you want to know a secret, Spica?” Aoi asked, staring into his face with a playful glare.

“Um... uh...” he stammered in place, “S-sure...?”

“Kyuhu... the dance is just for show,” she said, making him flinch, “It means nothing. Whether I danced or not at Big Dipper, nothing would have changed. I could summon the storm by just laying there if I so chose.”

“R... really? B-but your fan! I saw it glow and everything!”

“Kyuhuhu! Also for show,” she replied, her hand sliding into kimono to pull out one of her fans, “Magic is an impressive thing. I have learned from many wise wizards through the years, and always astonish them with my high affinity for magic. Having divine blood means I can perform many things that others could only hope to do. For me, summoning rain is a cinch. Like... so...”

She rose her hand and--

Snap!

Her fingers. Not even a few minutes later...

Grrrrgggg... Grrrrrrrggggg...

The slight grumbling of thunder echoed in the heavens.

“See? Kyuhuhuhu!”

“Wow... that's... ah...”

On what level of power was Aoi? Her ability to shift weather meant she wasn't normal, and the divinity in her blood – no matter how minute – meant she wasn't mortal. She was beyond anything and anyone Spica knew, and that just made him wonder...

“Why are you... bothering with me?”

Aoi cocked her head.

“Now what silly question is this?” she asked.

“I... hah... jeeze, Empress Aoi... um... you... you're amazing. You just summoned a storm that will help all of Jyotisha. And me...” he looked down and shook his head, “I'm just a knight in Blackguard. Not even good enough to get his father's respect. You're an Empress; you have armies that obey you, and citizens that worship you. You singlehandedly liberated your people! Me? I'm not even good enough to be a prince,” he looked down whilst clutching her hand tight, “I... I'm beginning to see what my father sees. I'm beginning to understand why I'm so... lesser. Haaah...”

“Oh... oh... ara ara... Spica-kun...” Aoi whispered, her hand falling on his chin and tipping his gaze up.

“Spica... kun... what does that mean...?” he asked in a dazed manner.

But Aoi didn't answer him. Instead she kept her honey eyes locked on his golden ones. Gazing upon her elegant, beautiful, divine face, caused Spica to tense up. He wanted to speak, but no words left him. Why was Aoi so close? And... why was she getting...

Clo... ser...

“Mmfff...”

“Hmmmmm!?”

Spica's eyes grew wide.

Aoi's lips were pressing to his lips.

Aoi was kissing him.

There was no warning, no words. One moment they were sitting beside one another. The next moment her lips were pressing to his. It was a soft kiss – his first kiss – and the Empress held to him like soft and warm glue.

Her lips were so soft, so smooth, her breath so hot, and her taste so divine. So this is what kisses feel like? He didn't think it would be so intense, so... amazing. And it was only going to get better.

Slicccck...

Her tongue; Aoi's tongue. It slid into his mouth, gentle and soft, where it stroked upon his tongue, and then pulled back. It all couldn't have happened longer than a few seconds, but when the Empress' lips pulled away from his, Spica was left shivering.

His eyes looked up. Her eyes looked back down. He looked so lost. She was smiling.

“Spica...?”

“Yes...”

“Would you like to see me dance?”

They were still holding hands.

“D... dance...?” he whispered, “But I... already saw you dance,” he said in a dazed manner.

“Kyuhu... oh... but not dance like this...” pulling back up, Aoi's hand left his, “Sit here, Spica. Let me change into something more... comfortable.”

“Comfort... able...”

He was like a zombie; even Spica realized this. But what could he do when he just shared a kiss with Empress Aoi? The phantom touch of her lips still lingered on him, even her taste hummed within his mouth. If for some deranged reason Spica wanted to leave, he couldn't. He was stuck here on this couch, watching as Aoi walked away from him, her hips swaying, and her tails likewise. Step by step by step, right through the closet door of her hotel, and--

Thunk...

“Aaaah...”

He clinched upon the cushions of the couch beneath him, his heart thumping against his chest. This was happening, wasn't it? He hadn't hit his head somewhere and just imagined this? He did just share a kiss with the Empress of Solaria, right?

Real or not, the ruminations in his body couldn't be denied. Spica could feel a heat within him that was greater than the heat of Jyotisha, and it all began centering upon his loins. His harem pants were bushy, but even they suddenly felt tight around the top. He even felt too hot for his open vest, causing him to tug on his collar in a desperate need to take it off.

This was just too much! This was just too crazy! This was--

Eeeeaaaaaarrrrr!

The closet door opened again.

Tip... tap... tip... tap...

Aoi was walking back.

“Spica...” she whispered.

Standing tall before him was Aoi, in the exact same dancer's clothes he saw her in yesterday. The same white croptop, and the same red dancer's pants with the 'tail hole'. But there were a few addition to her outfit. She had silky detached sleeves which hung from her elbows down to her wrists, with golden wrings wrapped around for added flair. There was a golden choker around her neck as well, further elevating her status.

But even those additions weren't what was most striking about her, no... that would be the mask. The silky, veil-like mask which hung from her nose down to her chin, covering it. It added an air of mystique to the Empress, and helped transform her into someone – something – new.

She was dressed like an exotic dancer, one who would entertain only the sultan. But that somehow felt too belittling for someone of Aoi's caliber. She was better than any dancer, no matter who it is she danced for. She was... she was... she was...

She was godlike.

And the transformation wasn't even done yet. She still had those golden needles in her hair, the ones which kept it tamed into a ponytail. So she reached up, grabbed them, and plucked them out of her head, one by one by one by one. And once all the needles in her hair had been freed...

Fwwwooossshh...

Her long blonde hair fell free, where they dragged against the floor. The transformation was complete, and Spica could barely say a word. Other than...

“Empress...”

She shook her head.

“Please, kyuhu... call me Aoi...”

Placing her hand upon Spica's cheek once again, Aoi angled his head up with hers and drifted forward. This time, his eyes too closed shut, missing it as the Empress moved up her mask and--

“Mmffff...”

Their lips met again in a kiss, holding close to one another as the sound of rain trickled into their ears. The longer the kiss went on, the more courageous Spica felt himself become, and soon he placed his hands upon the Empress' hips.

Her wide, child-baring hips.

He squeezed in, and it felt soooooo good. Aoi's fur was so smooth and soft to the touch, reminding him of fine silk, no, finer! Brushing and stroking his palm upon her illustrious figure, exploring it, marveling it, all as the kiss they shared grew stronger.

Aoi was clearly better at this than Spica was. She was the leader in this dance of tongues, while all he could do was scramble to keep up. But she was a slow and gracious teacher, putting on a pace he could muster instead of overwhelming him with her superior oral skills.

The soft smacking of lips, the softer clicking of tongues; it was all a sensual orchestra that soon melted as Aoi pulled back, separating their lips so they could gaze upon one another.

“You didn't answer my question, Spica,” Aoi said, making him flinch, “Would you like to see me dance?”

He stopped. Swallowed his spit. And then nodded.

“Yes...”

“Kyuhuhu.”

He was hypnotized; completely and utterly hypnotized. Laying back on the couch, Spica watched as Aoi pulled way, her body swaying. She was like an erotic mirage in the distance: transcendent and phantasmal; real and yet fake. There was a word for it, right? Oh, right...

Divinity.

Placing her hands to the back of her head, Aoi puffed up her hair a few times, while a smirk laid beneath her translucent mask. She was feeling herself, causing her heart rate to increase and her blood to pump. She hadn't experienced something like this in a long, long time, and she was going to indulge in it.

Pushing out with her chest, the Empress started swaying her hips as she took step after step backwards. Spica's eyes were glued to her; incapable of gazing anywhere else but at her body or her face. And Aoi wallowed in his gaze, making sure to keep her arms up so that nothing could block his view of her erotic form.

“Keep looking,” the kitsune whispered, “Just. Like. That...”

Around and around in sensual circles her hips swirled and swiveled. They were slow at first, but the more Aoi got into her dance, the speedier they became. Soon, she was popping her hips from one side to the other, dancing in a manner not to dissimilar to how the performers of Jyotisha practice their craft. But there was a uniqueness to the Empress' style, something that was different from how dancers usually perform.

The way she swayed was not only erotic, but hypnotic. Those hips were like a serpent, and the motion she performed sent ripples through her form. As Aoi got faster, her movements grew bouncier, and that made her chest jiggle within the confides of her top. All the while, her nine tails swayed behind her like flames in the distance.

“Spica...” Aoi whispered, her voice transcending reality as he knew it, “Keep looking, Spicaaaaaaa~”

Her body turned slowly and her hips still swayed, not stopping until Spica was getting an amazing view of her illustrious backside. With her hair pulled up and her tails raised, he could see her juicy, plump buttocks, and the window placed in her pants. That window which wasn't a hole for tales, but one meant to lewdly gaze upon a woman's ass.

And Spica was lewdly gazing...

The crevice of Aoi's buttocks was visible through the hole, a sight which sent jolts through Spica's form. He couldn't peal his eyes away, and that was the point. To further charm the young man, the Empress bent forward and hugged her chest close, pushing out more of her ass to let him marvel at its size and shape.

That peachy shape.

“Spiiiicaaaaaa~” she cooed, still beckoning him like a siren at sea, “Keep looking, Spiiiiicaaaaa~”

“Gods... I couldn't... look anywhere else!” he groaned back.

That shame was rising again! He shouldn't be lusting for Aoi's body so! She is an Empress! She deserved respect of the highest caliber! But what was he supposed to feel when her body was moving so erotically?

His pants! His pants were too damn tight! They weren't supposed to be tight, but they were! Teeth grinding against teeth, Spica could barely contain himself, and Aoi wasn't slowing down. No, she had started dancing closer... closer... closer still!

Spica could feel the air tingle as her nine tails whipped and lashed above. But right here – just a few inches away in fact – was Aoi's amazing ass. It bounced and jostled, performing this sensual show for his viewing pleasure alone. Even if she was an exotic dancer of the lewd kind, this was almost too much.

This butt. This bountiful, beautiful, brilliant butt! It was teasing him as it sinfully swayed in the air. Left, right, up, down, bouncing, bouncing, bouncing! Spica couldn't take it anymore! His teeth were biting into his bottom lip, and his hungers were exploding! He just needed to reach up and--

Grab! Grab!

“Ohh-hoooh~! Kyuhu~! So boorish of you, Spica...”

Aoi's cry fell on deaf ears.

Spica's hands were on her ass; one curvaceous cheek in each hand. He couldn't believe he was touching it; couldn't believe he was touching her! But as the thrill of the situation took control, the young man continued exploring her peachy posterior.

Even through the rim of her tight pants, he could feel the curvature of Aoi's ass. It was so plush that when he pushed his fingers in, he felt them sink... sink... siiiiinnnnk... and then he pulled back. A gasp left both her lips and his, and the tightness in his pants seemed to compound.

“Aoi, I--”

“No... shhhh... just... kyu... just touch me...”

He didn't need to be told twice.

Placing his hands on Aoi's hips, Spica suddenly and courageously pulled the Empress down, sitting her within his lap. Her hefty weight felt so good against him, enough so that he groaned inadvertently. But his hands did not remain idle, nor could they. With Aoi in his lap, he began groping and kneading upon her hips, feeling the soft fur bristle and slide. He groaned again, hungrier than the last time, and his hands came over to her stomach.

So tight. Narrow, but not as narrow or as slender as Zaniah's. Aoi's body type was the kind he liked. Tall, thick in certain areas like her leg and hips, not to mention busty and mature. He felt wrong thinking about her in such an objectifying manner, but damn did said thoughts make him harder.

And that rigid length could be felt by the Empress.

Placing her hands upon Spica's knees to help brace herself against him, Aoi began rubbing her ass against his dick. It was so hard and so hot within his pants, jumping with barely restrained need. She could feel it, and oooooh, and it felt good.

He may have trouble thinking of her in an objectifying manner, but the kitsune clearly had no problems. Spica was such a strong and strapping young man. Lithe and spry, yes, but that didn't make him any less immaculate. His tight young body, and his burly, hard length, both pressed up against her in a manner that made the Empress feel so sweet.

And Spica was making her feel sweeter.

His hands slid back up her stomach, coming to her bust. Like a child having discovered a new toy, Spica was quick to grab upon her plump tits, squeezing them through the thin top on her chest. Leaning back, Aoi groaned hungrily to the air as his fingers sank in deeper and deeper. Her breasts were just so plump, and as his groping made her hotter, her nipples got hard and stiff. So hard and stiff that they could be seen protruding against the top she wore.

“Hnngg... mmmph... haaaah... Spiiicaaa~” Aoi cooed as she dragged her ass against his hard dick, “It's so big and hard... hnnggghggghg... I want to see it.”

“But my Empress...” he whispered, “I'm I... you and I... I've never...” he shook his head, then nuzzled his face against the back of her neck, “I've never done something like this before. I'm a virgin.”

“Kyuhuhuhuhu... oh Spica... that's not a problem for me.”

Scooting over, Aoi sat to his side, allowing him to gaze up towards her. They were like night and day the two; the Empress was giving a warm smile with hungry eyes, while Spica could only look like a lost deer. But that was fine; she'll gladly lead him as she'd done with their kiss before.

Reaching over, Aoi placed her hand upon Spica's lap, palming his manhood through the swelling his pants. He grunted and gritted his teeth, but said nothing as the Empress' cooing voice soothed him.

“Just enjoy yourself...” she whispered, “Kyuhuhuhu... I'll do everything...”

Spica was usually so hasty, but now, he had become docile... submissive even. Free to be toyed with to Aoi's whims, he laid back against the couch and kept his legs open, his teeth biting into his bottom lip as he gazed upon her skillful hand.

With expert control she toyed with his length through his pants, rubbing it, stroking it, causing it to rise more and more. Spica took in a deep breath, causing his chest to expand. Again he wanted to say something, but again Aoi soothed him, this time by stroking his chest.

“Kyuhuhuhu...”

That giggle of hers... he could listen to it for hours...

Spica had such a lovely chest. It may not be broad, but it was no less strong and sleek. Smiling as she marveled upon his youthful form, Aoi dragged her smooth palm upon his body, pushing his vest up and off his arms, then guiding her hand down to his wrist. Grabbing him, she brought his hand over towards her chest yet again, palming his hand into her tit.

“Touch me...” she whispered.

And touch her he did, pushing and sinking his fingers into her chest once again. Fuck, her breasts were so amazing. Feeling their weight against his palm, and then making them bounce up and down, brought gasps to his lips. He was so mesmerized by her bust and body, that he didn't notice Aoi was getting more courageous with his own.

She slipped her hand into his pants, reaching in to fish out his cock. The first touch made him shiver, the second touch made him groan, and then she began tugging, pulling his length fully out of his pants, and letting it stand tall before her.

“Huhh...! Ara ara...”

And quite the impressive length it was.

Aoi had never experienced any human lovers before, and despite her wealth of intelligence, she wasn't well-versed on human anatomy either. So this cock was truly new to her. Its length, its shape, its girth, the veins which ran along its size, the tight balls below, the lack of a knot, the smooth, round head; all of it.

“Is it... okay...?” Spica asked in an embarrassed manner, even going so far to avert his eyes, “I mean... you've... you have children so... you've already experienced something like this before... so...” he shook his head, “Y-you already know what you do and don't like... ah...”

“Mmf! Mm! Kyuhuhuhuhuhu! You're so cute, Spica!” Aoi laughed, “But... kyuhuhu... you're right, I already know what I do and don't like... and this...?” her head began lowing, “I like this a lot...”

“A... lot...?”

“Itadakimasu!”

“Ita... daki... masu...? What does--”

“Mmmfff...”

“Oh~”

Aoi's lips wrapped around his dick. On all sides he felt the soft, warm, moistness of her mouth, sliding down and down and down. This was lewd, this was wrong; no Empress or ruler of any level should be doing something so dirty as to suck his cock! And she was so good at it as well! Even with the knowledge of her past as street rat, Aoi's abilities were just too good!

Maybe Spica's nubile mind was playing tricks on him, but he could barely hold himself against the Empress' superior skill. Not only did her lips rumble upon his sides, but her tongue lapped at his dick as well. Slithering and snakelike, it traced along his pulsating veins and then circled the rim of his cock, all while her honey-colored eyes stared up towards his face.

For as cool and skilled as he was, Spica looked so cute. He was biting into his bottom lip, struggling not to moan and groan as the Empress sucked his length so silently, so passionately. Body quivering and eyes tensing, he was like a delicious little meal that was afraid of being eaten... and enjoying it.

Even with her mouth full of cock, Aoi still smiled... and then reached forward. Offering her hand to Spica, she wanted to help him endure this fellatio just a little bit more. And while he was hesitant at first, he soon reached back and grabbed the Empress' hand, where their fingers quickly locked in between one another.

Aoi's mouth... why was it so wonderful? The teeth which plucked him, the tongue which cradled him, the lips which encapsulated him; everything. And with her hand holding his tight, all Spica could do was lean back and moan, like--

“Aaaaaahhh...!”

He was so cute.

Slowly Aoi drew her head back, dragging her lips upon his dick. Spica shivered, then quaked, feeling his body grow hotter beneath the Empress' superior skill. Was she sucking him slowly just to tease him? Or was she being a gracious lover and was trying to help him get used to the feeling? Maybe she was just enjoying the taste of his body.

In a way, it was all three.

Aoi loved how cute he looked, and so she purposefully drew out her sucking. But she also didn't want to overwhelm the young man! He was a skilled fighter, not a skilled lover. And then of course there was the nature of her sensual indulgence. She is a kitsune; her species have quite the high level of taste in their mouths. And Spica? Oh... Spica...

Never had a lover tasted as good as he did. He was like a ripe fruit. Or, no, better yet, he was like a perfectly sauteed slab of meat!

The taste of his body sinking into her lips was enough to make Aoi quiver with growing desire. The sound of her audible moans filtered through his length and straight into Spica's ears, causing him to moan back.

Their voices added to the orchestra of lewd noises that sounded off around them. The sucking, the moaning, the groaning, all of it drowned out only by the sound of rain outside.

They were still holding hands. In fact, Spica was clinching on Aoi's. It was an almost desperate hold, like he was clinching on a sword; he didn't want to let the Empress go.

“Mmmmff... mmm... Pop! Haaaah... kyuhu... oh Spica... you have such a lovely taste,” Aoi whispered as she palmed his length and licked its side, “So hot and spicy. And it's jumping so much in my mouth and hand. Kyuhu...”

“You... aaaahn... you shouldn't say such things... hnnng...” he said, “You're an...”

“Empress? Kyuhuhu... sliiiiiiiick! Oh Spica... you're so respectful... but...”

“But...?”

She released their holding hands, leaving the young man wanting. But in return, the Empress drew her chest forward, and smirked at him from beneath her mask. Eyes wide, Spica could look nowhere but at Aoi's glorious bust, watching it rise with her every breath... and then lower... and lower... and lower...

Shhhlllll...

“Aaah...?”

He never knew something like this could feel so amazing.

Aoi's breasts sandwiched Spica's cock, surrounding it on both sides. The soft fur, the softer feel, the hefty weight; oh it felt amazing on his dick. But above all there was the heat, and the gentle thumping of her heart through her chest.

It was so calm.

“What is this...?” Spica asked as Aoi placed her hands to the sides of her tits, squeezing and lifting them upon his dick, Thap! “Oh~”

“Kyuhuhu~! Oh, you're so cute, Spica,” Aoi remarked as she let her tits drop with another-- Thap! “Kyuhuhu~! This... is a very lewd act a woman performs for her lover when in the throes of passion, and a very popular one I might add. As you can see--” Thap! “The woman wraps her breasts around her lover's penis, and strokes it off like so,” Thap! “Kyuhuhuhu! In Solaria, we call it a 'paizuri', and from the looks of it--” Thap! “You really like it, Spica!”

Thap!

“Aaah~!?”

He leaned back in the couch more, feeling his cock thump and throb between Aoi's bountiful breasts. Between her fellatio and now this 'paizuri', it was a wonder how the young man survived this long! He had wonderful stamina; his days training had certainly borne fruit!

But now it was time to bring it all to a climatic crescendo!

Thap! Thap! Thap! Thap! Thap!

“Aaaahhha-haaaaah!?”

Her lips in grin and eyes in a glare, Aoi assaulted Spica with her tits, constantly rising them up and dropping them down; again and again and again! Every impact of her tits made his body jerk and cock sputter, causing lines of precum too shoot out from the tip of his dick. Such a strong shot too; his ejaculation would be immaculate! And the thought of it drove Aoi, more and more!

“Aaaah~! Haaaahhnnn! Hnnnggh! A-Aoi! S-slow down! I! I'm gonna! Hnngghh!? Nahaaaah!?”

Squirrrrt!

“Oh!”

That... was a strong orgasm.

Like an arrow, Spica's cum shot from the tip of his dick and struck Aoi in the chin, making her flinch. What followed next was an explosion of more seed, all of which shot through his cock, and sprinkled upon her tits. The soft golden fur of her gilded body was slowly turned white, as Spica's bountiful climax never seemed to stop. And if it did, Aoi would squeeze his cock a bit more with her tits, drawing out his orgasm for as long as it could possibly go.

Hnnggg... this smell... this odor... oooooh... it had been so long since she's indulged in something so lewd. It showed on Aoi's face; the overwhelming lust. Eyes in sensual glares, teeth biting into her bottom lip, the restraint which was growing weaker and weaker.

The Empress wanted this. The Empress needed this. And she only confirmed this when she swiped some cum off her chin, brought it over, and then plugged it into her mouth.

“Hmmmfff...”

Oh... it tasted absolutely, positively heavenly.

And Spica could only lay there, struggling to catch his breath after suffering such an intense orgasm. It felt amazing. Look, he was no pervert who masturbated every night, but he's enjoyed the presence of his hand more than once. Rarely, but not 'never'.

This however? How could he ever go back to self-pleasure after having suffered something as glorious as this? It left him limp, gasping for breath as his eyes stared up to the ceiling overhead. But then Aoi started rising, casting her looming shadow over the young knight. He looked back, enthralled by the gilded goddess, even as his cum streaked down her tits.

With alluring hip movements, Aoi took a step forward and then gave Spica her hand. He didn't hesitate, and grabbed back. Under the Empress' guidance, he was brought upon his wobbling feet, where his hands fell upon her waist to brace himself against her. She giggled, then slid her sultry fingers upon his form, causing him to shiver.

Gently... slowly... Aoi removed Spica's vest, and then guided him to step out of his pants. Now naked, she led the young man over towards the massive bed, letting him fall in, back first. There the Empress began performing saucy hip movements yet again, all while filling the air with her lustful giggles.

Those movements. Those sensual, erotic movements. Bouncing and twisting, turning and swirling, laughing and giggling, indulging not only in her dance, but also in his eyes which absolutely refused to look away.

Aoi was an impossibly beautiful woman. Human, beastkin, it didn't matter, not to Spica anymore. The Empress of Solaria absolutely dominated his mind, his heart, his soul, and certainly his body. Even after suffering the greatest climax of his life, the young man's cock was already starting to twitch and build with life. Aoi saw it, and it made her tails spring up.

Ah, the wonders of youth.

Time to devour...

Placing her hands on her sides, Aoi performed a sultry shake of her body as a groan left her lips. Magnetized, Spica watched as the Empress brought her hands up to the top she wore, hooked her fingers into them, and then pulled it right off her body.

“Oh... gods...”

Her chest bounced to freedom. Busty. Golden. Bright and hard pink nipples. But Aoi wasn't done. Bringing her hands down, she undid the sash around her pants, causing the garment to fall slack. Then she peeled it off her legs in a brutally slow manner, unveiling more and more of her wide hips, her luscious legs, and her glorious figure.

Like him, Aoi was now naked, save for the detached sleeves and the mask. If anything, those articles of clothing only heightened the Empress' allure, making her seem more mysterious, more enthralling, more erotic. And when she started climbing upon the bed towards Spica, he felt his heart race and his cock stiffen.

“I shouldn't...” he whispered, “We shouldn't... A-Aoi... my Empress... I... haah...”

“Kyuhuhuhuhu... ara ara... Spica...” she whispered as she sat on her knees before him, “Even after all we've done, you still deny this? Deny us? Deny me? Kyuhu... you are such a courteous young man. Your parents did an amazing job raising you.”

“Haah... Aoi...”

“You are right. I am an Empress, and you are a Blackguard knight... however...” grabbing his hand, she guided it up and rested it upon her chest, allowing him to palm her breast, “Tonight, I am not the Empress of Solaria. Tonight, you are not a Blackguard knight. Tonight, I am merely a woman, and you are only a man. So... let us do what men and women do best... and become one.”

“Aoi... I...”

Become one as man and woman. So simple. She didn't want to be treated like an Empress, not now. She wanted to be treated as a woman. It left Spica wondering if he could manage such a feat. She called him a man, but right now, he had never felt more like a boy.

He's taken life before. As a member of Blackguard, this is to be expected. But to create life? That's something entirely different. He didn't know if he could do it.

“But what if I'm...?” he whispered, only for Aoi to shake her head.

“Do not worry, Spica...” she whispered back, “I will guide you...”

Moving closer, Aoi positioned her hips above Spica's, and reached down to grab his cock. Her sultry fingers wrapped around him, then angled his length up with her moist, greedy snatch. He may have never bedded a woman before, but he knew biology; he knew what was coming next. And had her pussy always been this hot? So wet? Did she get this way because of him? He hadn't even done anything yet.

Didn't matter.

“Hoooh...?”

It was happening! The head of Spica's cock was grinding against Aoi's moist mound. She even giggled to further taunt and tease the young man, who could only lay out and wait. She wiggled her hips, flicking some of her juices upon his dick, then pushed her pussy down softly. The helmet of his length began spreading out the folds of her cunt, causing the both of them to groan.

And then moan...

“Oaaaahhhhh!?”

Spica's voice got so loud as inch... by inch... by inch... by inch... by inch... by inch... by inch... by inch.. of his cock slid deeeeeeeep into her cunt. It was the hottest, wettest, tightest thing he's ever experienced! But it was also so surprisingly soft, even as it pulled and held his dick hostage. The juices of her pussy, the folds and ridges, all of it, tangled around his member like the webs of spider.

Biting into his lip and groaning audibly, Spica clinched tightly upon their holding hands whilst pushing his entire body into her. Aoi herself gave a surprised gasp, brought on by the jumping cock in her cunt. For such a young man, he had a burly penis, and so energetic as well! Thumping and pumping, twitching and throbbing, desperate to enjoy more of these carnal delights!

“Spica...” Aoi whispered, “Are you okay? How does it feel?”

“Hot...?” he answered, “Hnngh... soft! And... hooouuh... y... you're holding me so hard... I... I'm... I... I don't know what to...?”

“Kyuhuhu... do not worry about it so much, Spica,” the kitsune said with a shake of her head, “Just lay back and... enjoy...”

He nodded, hesitant, but desperate to experience all the pleasures she could give him. And seeing him there, laying beneath her, waiting to feel it, sent thrills down Aoi's spine as well. Like the hungry vixen she is, the Empress gave Spica a saucy glare, then slowly raised up with her hips. His cock ran the full gamut of her cunt, stroking the walls, the ridges, the folds; everything. But it was him who was left quivering, even gasping when his length nearly bottomed out of her cunt... only for her to push back down with an audible--

Pat!

“Oh!”

Spica threw his head back into the soft sheets of the mattress below, groaning as Aoi's weight pushed down on his throbbing length. He never knew pleasure could feel this good before, especially not on his cock. The Empress' warmth was comparable only to the rest of her body; it was a feeling he could gain from nowhere else.

And Aoi made sure to abuse him with it.

Her first few thrusts were slow and weighty; letting her entire body impact his waist. They made her lofty hair quiver, and her busty chest bounce. But she never released her hold on Spica's hands. In fact, her clutches continued to grow stronger, feeling the tense muscles of his hands hold him back.

“Just focus, Spica~” Aoi's heavenly voice cooed into his ears, “Focus... and thrust...”

“Nn-hhn!”

So cute; he could barely even speak!

With a shake of her head, Aoi grew silent, instead letting the sounds of their bodies speak for her. Every weighty impact not only created that sinful 'Pat!' noise, but it also made the bed and her body bounce. Spica could barely keep up with it, and his loins were absolutely crying to be released.

But he held himself back as best he could, biting hard into his lip to help relieve tension. And as his blood continued pumping, he began thrusting up with his hips. And that first thrust up--

“Aah-haaa~!?”

Took Aoi off guard.

Her body shuddered as his burly length shot deep into her core, making her tits wobble and ass clap. Looking down, she stared towards their hips where they were connected, her mouth agape. But before she could speak--

Thwap!

“Aaahhaahnn~!?”

Spica thrusted once more, triggering a splattering of her juices from her cunt. Again, Aoi was taken aback, and again her mouth grew wide. Had she underestimated him? No, that didn't sound right! It was more accurate to say that she had overestimated herself.

It had really been a while.

“Aoi!” Thwap! “Aaaaooooooi!!!” Thwap! “AAAAAOOOOIII!!!” THWAP!

“AAHH-HAAANNN~~~! SPIIICAAAAA~!”

Together, beneath the stirring storm outside the window, both knight and empress became man and woman. His burly length pounded straight up into her tight pussy, and likewise she bounded back down with all her weight. Their hands never released one another, and their eyes never left either. They were connected not only by their bodies, but by their desires as well. And right now, more than anything or anyone, they truly desired each other.

But fighting is one thing; lovemaking is something else entirely. Spica may have boundless energy when it came to his duties as a Blackguard knight, but that did not translate to the bedroom. Every thrust of his dick straight into Aoi, sent surges back into him, and deep into his loins. His limit was rapidly approaching; his balls were drawing up close. And those ruminations – no matter how small – could be felt by Aoi.

It rumbled and grumbled, surging through her cunt and straight into her core, coaxing a groan from her lips. Arching her back, she bit into her bottom lip and closed her eyes, indulging in the orgasmic pleasure of their tryst like she was enjoying a world-class meal. And in a way... yeah, she was eating.

And she was eating soooooooo gooooood!

“Aoi! Haaah! Nhngngh!? Aoi!” Spica groaned before pulling up to-- Plap!

“Haaah...!”

His head dove right between her tits, surrounding himself on both sides of her soft, plush chest. He broke their hand holding as well, but only so he could hug her plush, thicc form close, sinking his fingers into the curvature of her buttocks, and pressing against the soft fur of her pelt.

But his hips didn't stop, couldn't stop! They just kept going and going and going! Groaning through her quivering lips, Aoi grasped back, clutching upon Spica and scratching lines upon his back. Every impact she took made her body bounce, and her mind ebb, all as the pleasure built more and more and more!

“Hrrrngmgmphh! Mmmfff!” Aoi groaned, her words struggling to form, “Hggnnh! Hooooohh~!”

“Aoi! Aoi! AoiAoiAoiAoiAoiAoiAoiAoiAoi!!!”

PATPATPATPATPATPAT!!!

“Hnnnggghh ~~! Hoooooh~~~! Spiiicaaaa~! SpicaSpicaSpicaSpicaSpicaSpica!!!”

Their voices and bodies, pounding and moaning, higher and higher, louder and louder, more and more, until--

“AH!”

“HOOOH~!”

Followed by a...

Spluurrrrrtt!

It was just as amazing inside of her as it was on her.

Spica's cock roared with life, unleashing a torrent of his seed straight into Aoi's greedy snatch. And it was drool inducing. The Empress shivered as her vaginal walls were painted white with cum so strong and thick that she could feel it. The way it swarmed her walls, covering them from one end to the other with no end in sigh, made the kitsune bite into her thumb with barely restrained lust.

Hoooooh yeeeeeesssssh...

Squirt!

By comparison, Aoi's orgasm came off as rather modest.

Her pussy clinched hard around his member, stroking and milking it off to both draw out his climax as well as her own. Bu that's just how it felt to the two of them; like a never-ending sea of pleasure and ecstasy. In reality... it was far faster than that...

“Aaaahnn...”

“Mm...? Spica...?”

“Oooooh...”

“Ah! Sp-Spica!”

Whump!

Having lost all feeling within his legs and body, the young man fell back into the bed with Aoi atop him. Her furry form smothered his face, but ya'know what? If he were to die like this, he'd be perfectly happy with it.

Fortunately, Aoi pulled back, allowing the young man to breathe... which he did rather weakly. He looked like he had just collapsed after running a marathon, and it showed with how he took deep lungfuls of air. But after a few moments, this kooky, if not satisfied smile adorned his face. Seeing it made Aoi smile as well, chuckle even, before laying over to hug Spica close. He did likewise.

There were questions here, the most prevalent being 'why'. Why did she do this with him? What did she gain for it? Did she... did she see something in him?

Spica was usually a man who wanted answers. It was his job to hunt for them! But in these matters – the matters of women and love – he was far out of his field and depth. And admittedly, there was even a bit of cowardice within him. Like, what if he asked a question and got an answer he didn't like? That alone was enough to scare him.

Yes... he'd gladly fight a group of bandits to prove his valor and skill, but ask a woman if she loved him or not, and he got feet as cold as Jyotisha at night.

He didn't know what to say... so he didn't say anything. He just hugged and held Aoi close, while his eyes closed shut. The Empress giggled into his ears, and gently stroked her hand along his head, soothing him, quelling him...

But...

“Kyuhuhu... I hope you're ready for more, Spica,” she said, causing his eyes to widen.

“M... more...?” he muttered in disbelief whilst looking up at her.

Aoi stuck out her tongue.

“It hasn't stopped raining yet.”

…

Rain falls. The land rumbles. The air chills.

Rain falls. Soil grows moist. The earth shudders.

Rain falls. The ground screams. Sleeping beast awaken.

Sand Serpents. Sand Serpents. Sand Serpents.

Sand Serpents...

…

Blankets covered him from head to toe. He could still hear raining, but he could also feel the morning glow of sunlight. It gleamed through the thin sheets which smothered his face, coaxing a groan from his lips.

His body. His body was sore, but it was sore in the right way. Sore like how you'd feel the morning after a rigorous workout. Yes, it was irksome, yes it was tiring, but it felt so damn good, so damn satisfying. Because you know that no matter how sore you feel, it is utterly worth it to get here.

That's what Spica was feeling; worth following their lovely tryst. It would probably ache at him for days to come, but he didn't care. Not with the smile on his face, and not with the body that shuffling around with him.

“Kyuhuhuhu! Kyuhuhuhuhu!”

Her giggles was both childish yet regal, both cute yet mature. It danced in his ears, causing him to chuckle along with her, up until their blankets suddenly pulled up and he looked down, coming face to face with the Empress above. With a grin that stretched upon her face, Aoi looked down upon Spica, her eyes glowing ever so softly. She kept the blankets on her head like a hood, her features illuminated by the sunlight through her balcony, though the smile on her face could brighten up a room all its own.

“Kyuhuhuhu! Good morning, Spica-kun!” said Aoi as she leaned in, her lips pressing to his.

Beneath their covers they shared a kiss, one dripping with passion. In their time together last night, Spica had gotten better in the art of kissing... but not the best. Didn't matter to Aoi, who lovingly clutched the young knight close as their lips smacked and tongues twirled before slowly coming to a stop.

The Empress pulled up, revealing her nude glory to the bedroom around as the covers fell off of her. Spica continued laying beneath the mounting kitsune, witnessing her raw glory as the sunlight basked upon her. It should be impossible for anyone to be this beautiful, even a being as elegant and exotic as a nine-tailed fox.

“Haah... Aoi...” he whispered in a mesmerized manner, causing her ears to twitch.

“Oh Spica-kun... your voice is like honey to me,” she replied as her hand stroked his face.

“Spica... kun...?” he repeated, “What does... that mean?”

“What does what mean? The 'kun'? Kyuhuhu! It means... well... it means...” she leaned in, “To put it simply, it means 'boy'... someone younger... perhaps even lover depending on how you use it.”

“L... lover...?”

“Kyuhuhu! Is that... a problem?”

“N-no, it's not... but... I mean... I...” he wilted a bit, “Haaah... we've spent such little time with one another, and yet we've done... this. I've never been this close to any woman before...” he shook his head, “I still feel like I don't know you all too well. You're just as mysterious now as you were before the party. If anything, you're even more mysterious now. Just... haah...” he raised an eyebrow, “Who are you, Aoi? And why me?”

“Kyuhu... oh Spica... 'why me'? Why me, why me, why me! I used to ask myself that years ago. Why me? Why was I blessed with this power? Why was I given Amaterasu's blood? Why could I see into the future? Why could I do the things that I can do? All of them? But I soon came to the realization that, in the end...” she shrugged her shoulders, “It matters now. Whether I asked for these powers or not, whether I wanted these powers or not, I knew I had a duty to fulfill. My people were suffering, and I could do something to stop that suffering, so I used my powers and abilities to win Solaria's independence. Spica... I have learned now that some things are out of my power to control, no matter how great I may seem. Empress though I may be, I am just at the mercy of life as commoners. So when opportunities arise, I too must seize them.”

“Oppor... tunities...”

“Kyuhu... perhaps you are right; perhaps we don't know much about one another,” she continued, “But I only have the five days here to spend with the people of Jyotisha... to spend with you. So what was I to do? Allow this chance to past me by? Or should I take it? Kyuhuhu! As you can tell, I chose to take it. And I am so pleased with my choice.”

Was it that simple? No, it couldn't be, right? She is an Empress, and he is a Blackguard knight; life was anything but simple for the likes of them! He protects and proliferates the life of Jyotisha, while she commands an entire nation! How could any choice they make be considered 'simple'?

Or maybe... he was understanding her incorrectly. Perhaps he was the one with a narrow world view. As Aoi said herself, she is like everyone else; a victim to the whims of life. She may have some control over her destiny, she may even be able to see into the future slightly, but she is not omnipotent. There are things she cannot change no matter how hard she tries, things she does not know no matter what she foresees.

And yet...

“I just... don't understand...” Spica whispered, to which Aoi chuckled.

“It's okay, Spica-kun. You'll learn one day,” then she sat up on her knees and looked over her shoulders, gazing towards the balcony as the morning sunlight mixed with her steady rain, “Hm... I know I have only been here for a few days... but I will miss Jyotisha. It was a unique land to visit, one that I have only experienced through stories, and will now visit in my memories... my dreams...”

“Ah but... does it have to be that way?” Spica asked as he looked at her, “Jyotisha and Solaria are allies now, are they not? You've given us water so...” his expression grew a bit dower, “You could visit whenever you'd like. Or maybe...” then he tensed up, “I-I could visit you?”

She stared at him, giving him a look that was a cross between a pout and a smirk. Was she teasing him? Or belittling him? He was being serious here; he could visit her, right?

Or maybe... it wouldn't be that easy.

“Oh Spica... you're such a beautiful man,” Aoi remarked as she lovingly stroked his face, “Skilled and braze... yet so young and naive...”

“I'm not that naive...” he muttered defensively, though that only served to make the Empress giggle all the more.

“Come, my beloved guide,” she said whilst extending her hand to him, “I still have yet to confirm the gifts Sultan Adhil wishes to give me. So let us clean and dress ourselves. I'm sure Captain Heze will wish to know where you were all night.”

“Captain... Hez... oh no...” Spica palmed his head, “Father will kill me...”

“Kyuhuhuhuhu! Then let us make our bath a lovely one. Will you join me?”

“Uh... of course!”