Chapter 64: The Shape of an Exception

Finding somewhere private turned out to be easier than expected.

Agran's capital had no shortage of inns.

Apparently large cities had discovered the revolutionary business concept that travelers enjoyed sleeping indoors.

Treez guided me toward one not far from the elevated overlook.

The building stood along a quieter street where lanterns hung from curved metal brackets, painting the stones beneath them in pools of warm amber. It looked considerably more expensive than the places ordinary travelers would casually choose.

Perfect.

If I was about to make questionable decisions with one of Agran's most important military figures, I wanted comfortable pillows involved.

Treez stopped before we reached the entrance.

Then vanished.

I blinked.

One moment she stood beside me, fingers still warm from holding mine.

The next?

Nothing.

“Invisibility.”

Her voice came quietly from beside me.

“Right.”

I looked toward the inn.

“That seems wise.”

Treez was the Legion Magus of Agran.

One of the three generals recently returned from enemy captivity.

A recognizable face.

Walking into an inn at night beside the foreign diplomat who had just fought Agran's Supreme General in front of half the castle?

Subtle.

Absolutely nobody would gossip about that.

Our discretion would survive approximately nine seconds.

I walked inside alone.

The lobby was elegant.

Polished wood.

Soft lamps.

Decorative red fabric along the walls.

A staircase curved toward the upper floor.

The clerk behind the counter looked up.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Evening.”

I rented a room.

Expensive.

Very expensive.

My wallet felt the financial equivalent of being punched by Rel.

Still, privacy apparently came with decorative furniture and economic violence.

The clerk handed me a key.

I went upstairs.

Invisible Treez followed somewhere nearby.

At least I assumed she did.

For all I knew, she'd changed her mind halfway up and I was about to spend far too much money sleeping alone.

I reached the room.

Unlocked it.

Opened the door.

Then stepped inside and deliberately left it open behind me.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then the air shimmered.

Treez appeared just inside.

Red hair.

Flushed cheeks.

Black eyes.

Slightly unsteady posture.

Still here.

Good.

I closed the door.

Click.

Privacy.

The room was beautiful.

Of course it was.

Apparently my money had not died without purpose.

A large bed occupied the center beneath a decorative canopy. Thick curtains covered the windows. A small sitting area stood beside a low table. A polished wardrobe occupied one wall.

There were flowers in a vase.

Actual flowers.

I stared at them.

“Very romantic.”

Treez followed my gaze.

“I didn't choose the room.”

“I know.”

“That sounded like an accusation.”

“It was directed at the inn.”

She laughed softly.

Then walked toward the bed.

Her steps remained mostly controlled, though the alcohol was definitely still negotiating with her balance.

She sat.

The mattress dipped beneath her.

For a moment, Treez simply looked down at her hands.

Then she removed her shoes.

One.

Then the other.

She placed them neatly beside the bed.

Naturally.

Even drunk, Treez organized footwear.

I leaned against the nearby table and watched her.

The boldness she'd shown outside seemed to be slowly losing a civil war against embarrassment.

Her fingers curled around the edge of the mattress.

She glanced toward me.

Then away.

Finally, she spoke.

“I want you to understand something.”

Her voice was quiet.

I waited.

Treez looked at me again.

“I don't normally do this.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Rent expensive rooms?”

She gave me a look.

“Caled.”

“Sorry.”

Her mouth twitched despite herself.

Then she continued.

“I am not the kind of woman who follows just anyone somewhere private.”

There was sincerity beneath the embarrassment.

A little defensiveness too.

As if she needed me to know this wasn't ordinary for her.

I pushed away from the table.

“I didn't think you were.”

Treez looked down.

“I mean it.”

“I know.”

“I've never…”

She stopped.

Breathed.

Then glanced toward me again.

I walked closer.

“So why did you come with me?”

Treez stared.

Very slowly, her face became redder.

“Maybe because I've had too much to drink.”

“Possible.”

“And…”

She looked away.

I waited.

Her voice became smaller.

“…because I really like you.”

Pause.

Then, quieter:

“Really, really like you.”

Well.

That was unfairly adorable.

I smiled.

Treez immediately looked down as though the blanket had suddenly become the most fascinating textile in Agran.

I stopped in front of her.

Then knelt.

That brought our faces closer to the same height.

Treez looked surprised.

I rested my hands lightly on her knees.

“And I like you too.”

Her eyes softened.

No joke.

No teasing.

Just that.

Treez lifted both hands.

She placed them against my cheeks.

Warm palms.

Soft touch.

Her thumbs brushed along my skin.

Then she leaned toward me.

Our lips met.

Short.

Gentle.

Careful.

The kind of kiss that felt like someone asking a question without using words.

When she pulled away, she stayed close.

Our foreheads almost touched.

“I am going to regret this.”

I smiled.

“Really?”

Treez stared at my mouth.

Then shook her head.

“No.”

“Strong conviction.”

“I meant…”

She laughed quietly at herself.

“No. I don't actually think I will.”

“That sounded much healthier.”

Treez kissed me again.

Longer this time.

Still soft.

But deeper.

Less cautious.

Her fingers moved behind my neck.

Mine settled lightly against her waist.

Her breathing warmed my cheek.

When we separated, Treez stared at me for a second.

Then touched her own lower lip.

“Your lips are soft.”

I grinned.

“I moisturize with diplomacy.”

She laughed.

“That doesn't make sense.”

“Neither does surviving eight bottles of Agranian alcohol.”

“Fair.”

I brushed my thumb along her cheek.

“Yours are soft too.”

Treez's embarrassment returned.

Good.

Apparently compliments remained effective weapons.

I leaned into her.

Treez allowed herself to fall backward onto the bed.

I followed.

Carefully.

One hand beside her head.

The other at her waist.

Our mouths met again as I settled over her.

Treez immediately kissed me back.

Her body was warm beneath mine.

Soft.

Relaxed in some places.

Tense in others.

A strange combination of desire and nerves.

Her fingers slid into my hair.

Then abruptly she pulled back.

“Wait.”

I stopped instantly.

“What?”

Treez looked toward the door.

Then back at me.

“Don't tell anyone.”

I blinked.

“This?”

“Yes.”

Her expression became mortified merely imagining it.

“Especially Remgar.”

I laughed.

Treez glared.

“And Gia.”

“Okay.”

“I mean it.”

“I won't tell them.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

She relaxed slightly.

I smiled.

“Although Remgar has the subtlety of a collapsing fortress, so if he somehow figures it out on his own, that's between him and whatever god handles gossip.”

Treez groaned.

“Please don't say that.”

“I'll behave.”

She studied me.

Then spoke quietly.

“This is my first time.”

My eyebrows rose.

I stopped moving completely.

Treez noticed.

Then immediately clarified.

“Not that.”

“Oh.”

She covered part of her face.

“I meant…”

I gently lowered her hand.

“One-night stand?”

She looked even more embarrassed.

I could almost watch the heat climbing into her cheeks.

She kissed me rather than answering immediately.

Briefly.

Then whispered against my lips:

“I've never done this with someone I'm not in a relationship with.”

Ah.

That made sense.

I smiled.

“Lucky me.”

Treez's fingers curled against my shirt.

“You sound very pleased.”

“I am currently being informed that the beautiful Legion Magus of Agran likes me enough to break personal precedent.”

“That is a terrible way to phrase it.”

“Accurate?”

Treez hesitated.

“…Maybe.”

“Then I'm keeping it.”

She shook her head.

Her hands moved to my shirt.

She pulled it upward.

I lifted my arms.

Treez removed it.

The fabric landed somewhere beside the bed.

Her eyes moved over my chest.

Then lower.

Her hand followed.

Palm against my skin.

Slow.

Curious.

Her fingers traced across my chest before drifting down over my stomach.

She paused at my abs.

Then ran her fingertips across them individually.

I looked down.

“Inspection?”

Treez nodded with suspicious seriousness.

“Yes.”

“Do I pass?”

She pressed one fingertip against my stomach.

“Maybe.”

“Harsh examiner.”

Treez smiled.

I reached for her clothing.

Then immediately encountered a tactical problem.

Layers.

Fastenings.

Decorative ties.

Buttons hiding beneath other fabric.

I stared.

Treez watched me struggle.

Her smile grew.

“This isn't funny.”

“It is.”

“Who designed this?”

“A tailor.”

“I want names.”

Treez finally laughed and sat up slightly.

“Move your hand.”

I obeyed.

She undid one fastening.

Then another.

Then loosened a hidden tie I had not even realized existed.

I stared.

“That was concealed.”

“You were pulling the wrong part.”

“I was fighting bravely.”

“You were losing.”

“Temporarily.”

Treez helped me until the outer layers loosened enough to slip free.

I gently helped pull them away.

Fabric fell beside the bed.

Her undergarment remained.

The sight made my mouth temporarily forget jokes existed.

Treez noticed.

Her arms instinctively moved closer to herself.

I smiled.

“Beautiful.”

Her eyes dropped.

“You say that too easily.”

“That's because you're making it easy.”

I leaned forward.

Kissed her jaw.

Treez's breathing changed.

Another kiss lower.

Along the side of her neck.

She tilted her head, giving me room.

Her skin smelled faintly floral.

Not like perfume trying to assassinate the nose.

Something softer.

Clean.

Warm.

Mixed with the lingering sweetness of the alcohol.

I kissed her collarbone.

Her fingers tightened in my hair.

Then lower.

Toward the top of her chest.

Treez gave a quiet moan.

Small.

Almost immediately restrained.

I smiled against her skin.

“There it is.”

“What?”

“That sound.”

Treez's fingers pulled gently.

“Don't tease me.”

“No promises.”

I kissed her again.

Lower.

Her breathing became deeper.

I eased away the last barrier covering her chest.

Treez's face immediately turned scarlet.

She started to cover herself.

I caught her wrists gently.

Not restraining.

Just stopping long enough to look at her.

“Hey.”

She met my eyes.

“You're gorgeous.”

Treez swallowed.

Then slowly relaxed her arms.

I leaned down.

One hand cupped one breast.

My thumb moved gently across warm skin.

My mouth found the other.

Treez inhaled sharply.

Her back shifted against the mattress.

I kissed her slowly.

Then teased the sensitive peak with my lips.

Treez moaned.

Louder.

Her hand returned to my hair.

I kept watching her face.

Every reaction.

Every little change in breathing.

Every time her brows tightened.

Every time her lips parted.

I changed pressure.

Treez responded immediately.

Interesting.

My hand massaged her opposite breast.

Her body softened beneath me.

I stayed there awhile, alternating touch and kisses until Treez's breathing had lost most of its rhythm.

Then I moved downward.

A kiss at the center of her chest.

Another along her stomach.

Treez watched me.

Her fingers loosened from my hair.

I kissed lower.

She inhaled.

Her hands moved to the fastenings around her waist.

I paused.

She undid them herself.

There was something very attractive about that.

Not me taking.

Her choosing.

Her fingers were slightly clumsy from alcohol and nerves, but determined.

Eventually she loosened everything enough.

I caught the fabric.

Treez lifted her hips slightly.

I drew the remaining outer layer down.

Then off.

White underwear remained.

I looked up.

Treez had one hand covering part of her face.

“Don't stare.”

“Difficult request.”

“Caled.”

“You're very pretty.”

“That isn't helping.”

“It is helping me.”

She groaned.

I smiled.

Then slowly slid the last fabric away.

Treez immediately pressed her thighs closer together.

Embarrassed.

I didn't rush her.

My hand rested gently against her leg.

“Still okay?”

Treez nodded.

“Yes.”

“Sure?”

She lowered her hand from her face.

“Yes.”

Clear.

Good.

I kissed the inside of one thigh.

Treez twitched.

Then the other.

Her breathing grew quieter.

More focused.

I continued upward.

Slowly.

Building anticipation.

When my mouth finally reached between her thighs, I kissed her intimately.

Treez gasped.

Her hand shot into my hair.

I smiled.

Then kissed her again.

Longer.

More deliberately.

Her hips lifted.

I followed the movement.

My mouth stayed against her as I explored what made her react most.

Nothing rushed.

Nothing mechanical.

Just pressure.

Warmth.

Breath.

The soft movement of my lips and tongue.

Treez's moans grew louder.

Her fingers tangled deeper into my hair.

One of my hands rested against her thigh.

The other moved upward along her stomach.

Then to her breast.

I massaged slowly while my mouth continued working between her legs.

Treez shuddered.

Then her hand suddenly reached for mine.

I paused only enough to let her guide me.

She moved my hand from one breast to the other.

“This one.”

Her voice came breathlessly.

I looked up.

“What about it?”

“More sensitive.”

Ah.

Useful intelligence.

I smiled.

“See? Communication.”

Treez looked mortified.

“Please don't turn this into a lesson.”

“Too late.”

She pulled my hair.

“Ow.”

“Continue.”

“Bossy.”

I obeyed.

My hand focused where she'd guided it.

Treez immediately reacted harder.

Her back arched.

A louder moan escaped.

There.

That was much better.

I continued between her thighs.

Kissing.

Teasing.

Using my tongue with more confidence as her body told me exactly what worked.

Treez's hips began moving.

Not consciously at first.

Small movements.

Then stronger.

Meeting my mouth.

Seeking more pressure.

More contact.

Her breathing became ragged.

“Caled…”

I answered without lifting my head.

The vibration made her jerk.

Interesting.

I did it again.

Treez moaned sharply.

Her hand tightened in my hair.

My palm kept moving over her sensitive breast.

Her body grew increasingly tense.

Thighs trembling.

Stomach tightening.

Breath coming faster.

I increased the pace gradually.

Treez stopped trying to remain quiet.

Her moans filled the room.

Good thing we paid for expensive walls.

Hopefully they were emotionally prepared.

Her hips pressed upward.

I stayed with her.

Her breathing broke apart.

One inhale.

A moan.

Another.

Then her whole body tightened.

Treez pulled my hair harder.

“Caled…”

I kept going.

She shuddered.

Once.

Then again.

Her body suddenly lost control.

The tension broke.

Pleasure rolled through her hard enough that she trembled from shoulders to thighs.

She gasped my name.

Then moaned again.

Her fingers tightened.

Her legs shook.

I eased my pace rather than stopping abruptly, letting her ride through it until the strongest part passed.

Treez continued trembling for several seconds.

Then slowly collapsed back onto the mattress.

Her arms fell beside her.

Breathing heavy.

Eyes closed.

I lifted my head.

Her face looked completely different.

Relaxed.

Flushed.

Hair spread messily across the bed.

Beautiful.

I smiled.

“You alive?”

Treez opened one eye.

“Barely.”

“Successful operation.”

She laughed weakly.

Then suddenly sat up.

I blinked.

“Oh.”

Apparently recovery had arrived faster than expected.

Treez placed both hands against my chest.

Then pushed.

I let myself fall backward onto the bed.

She moved over me.

Red hair falling around her face.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Reversal?”

Treez's eyes narrowed.

“You had your turn.”

Fair.

Her hands moved to my belt.

She struggled with the buckle for approximately two seconds before glaring at it like it had personally challenged her authority.

I laughed.

“Want help?”

“No.”

Another second.

Click.

Victory.

Treez pulled the belt free.

Then worked the rest of my clothes down enough to leave me exposed.

Her eyes lowered.

Then widened.

She froze.

I waited.

Treez stared.

Then looked at me.

Then down again.

“This is…”

I smiled.

“Yes?”

She swallowed.

“Large.”

“Thank you.”

“That wasn't necessarily praise.”

“I accepted it as praise.”

Treez shook her head.

Her hand reached toward me.

Slowly.

She wrapped her fingers around me.

Warm.

Tentative.

The first movement was cautious.

Testing.

Then she repeated it.

Lower.

Higher.

Slow.

I exhaled.

Treez noticed.

Her eyes sharpened with that familiar analytical curiosity.

Of course.

Even drunk and naked, the Legion Magus remained a researcher.

She adjusted her grip.

Moved again.

I inhaled harder.

Treez smiled.

“Interesting.”

“Don't start taking notes.”

“I wasn't.”

“You had the expression.”

“What expression?”

“That.”

Treez laughed.

Her hand kept moving.

Gradually faster.

My breathing changed.

Treez watched.

Learning.

Then she leaned down.

Her lips touched me.

Just a small kiss.

Then another.

And another.

Each one slow enough to make anticipation worse.

I looked down at her.

Red hair spilled over one shoulder.

Her free hand rested on my stomach.

Fingers tracing across my abs.

She kissed along me again.

Then let her tongue follow.

Exploring.

Testing.

Every side.

Every reaction.

I breathed out.

Treez looked pleased with herself.

“Enjoying that?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

She continued.

Her tongue moved slowly.

Her hand remained around me.

Her other hand wandered over my stomach as if she still hadn't finished inspecting every muscle.

Then Treez paused.

She glanced upward.

Her face became red again.

Very red.

“This is embarrassing.”

I smiled.

“You've said that several times.”

“Because it keeps being true.”

“Fair.”

She lowered her mouth again.

Started carefully.

Only a little at first.

Then more.

Her head moved slowly.

Testing what she could comfortably manage.

My hand tightened against the blanket.

Treez stopped long enough to breathe.

Then whispered, “Don't watch.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“That's difficult.”

“Caled.”

“You're right there.”

“It makes me nervous.”

“That might be why I like watching.”

Treez glared weakly.

I smiled.

“Sorry.”

She looked down again.

Then continued anyway.

More confident now.

Her mouth moved over me in a slow rhythm.

Warm.

Soft.

Her tongue adding little changes that immediately made my breathing less cooperative.

I groaned quietly.

Treez's eyes flicked upward.

She noticed.

Of course she noticed.

That encouraged her.

The rhythm became slightly deeper.

Then slower.

Then deeper again.

Her hand continued assisting what her mouth couldn't comfortably take.

I reached toward her hair.

Stopped.

Then asked, “Can I?”

Treez looked up.

Saw my hand.

She nodded.

I slid my fingers gently into her red hair.

No force.

Just holding.

Feeling the strands between my fingers.

Treez continued.

I watched her.

She immediately became embarrassed again.

Her eyes dropped.

I smiled.

“Look at me.”

She paused.

For a moment I thought she would refuse.

Then slowly, Treez raised her eyes.

Black met black.

Her face was flushed.

Her lips still around me.

Her expression carrying equal amounts embarrassment, curiosity, and determination.

There.

That was dangerous.

Not Rel-with-a-scythe dangerous.

Different dangerous.

Treez kept eye contact.

Her head moved again.

Slowly.

Then faster.

Her tongue worked with each movement.

I inhaled sharply.

My fingers tightened slightly in her hair.

Not pulling hard.

Just enough that Treez noticed.

A soft sound escaped her.

Muffled.

The vibration shot through me.

I groaned.

Treez did it again.

Maybe accidentally.

Maybe not.

Her gaze stayed on mine.

I gently drew her hair back.

Treez's eyelids fluttered.

Another moan escaped her.

Soft.

Warm.

Barely restrained.

That sound traveled directly through me.

I smiled down at her.

Her moans were music to my ears.