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fellowshippers2005-09-20 03:16 am
mind-of-onion.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2005-09-20 03:16 am
Love of all Times (3/?)
Title: Love Of All Times 3/?
Author: little___hobbit and Fin_Anwamane
Type: RPS
Pairing: Liv/Miranda
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Physical violence, abuse and rape described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to paddington-bear@web.de
or glorfindel@hornorfgondor.com
Archiving: The Angels Realm, others please ask.
Summary: A.U. An Egyptian Princess and her slave fall for one another and overcome the threats of their environment
Italics indicate thoughts
~~~~~
It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining brightly as Liv strolled through the courtyard making her way to the river. She loved to go there and hang her feet in the cool water. It was such a quiet, tranquil place, a place for her to escape the madness that often surrounded her at the Temple. One of the guards, Nakhti, accompanied her. He was not much older than Liv; in fact the two were childhood friends. Nakhti had spent many hours at the Temple as a child because his father had been one of Raneb's personal guards. Through this, Nakhti too had become a guard, and thanks to his friendship with the Princess, he had been appointed as her own guard.
As the two approached the river Liv noticed Miranda on her knees by the water's edge; she was washing Liv's garments. Liv thought this strange because there were other slaves who were assigned this task.
Liv stood there a moment taking in the beauty of the golden haired woman. She could feel the heat beginning to build inside her again. Her breathing became a little shaky as she imagined being held by Miranda. She was snapped back to reality by the voice of Nakhti.
"Liv, are you alright?" the muscular man asked.
Liv broke her gaze on Miranda and looked around, making sure not to look Nakhti in the eye, she was afraid he might read something in her eyes.
"Um, yes. I'm fine. The heat is getting to me a little. I should go to the water and cool myself," she said as she headed to the river's edge.
She walked up beside Miranda and sat down on the beach. "Why are you doing the washing?" Liv asked as she removed her sandals and placed her feet in the cool water, "You know that is not part of your duties," she said looking at Miranda.
Miranda hummed softly to herself, an old tune her father had taught her, as she carefully washed the favorite dress of her mistress in the river. She smiled when she thought of how beautiful the Princess looked in that dress.
It had been three months by now that Miranda had come here; she still could not believe her luck of having gotten such a gentile and wonderful mistress as the Princess was. Her tasks were easy enough, but some required more from Miranda than she would ever dare to admit, although not in the physical way. Every day made it harder for her not to fall in love with the Princess. Oh, who am I fooling? Miranda thought as she thoroughly rinsed the delicate fabric, I have already fallen in love with her. There is no way I could not have. She is too beautiful, too kind, too... She heaved a soft sigh and continued with her task.
When the Princess suddenly sat down beside her, she gave a start and blushed.
"I know it is none of my duties, my Princess," Miranda said shyly, "But your dresses are of very delicate fabrics. The slaves that wash the clothes could ruin your garments. They tend to treat the laundry roughly. I thought it better to wash your clothes myself to make sure they stay as beautiful as they are. And I do not mind this extra work. You have been treating me very kind, my Princess. I do not have many duties, so this is the least I can do."
Miranda glanced over to Liv with a secret longing in her eyes and quickly lowered her head again as she saw her mistress look at her. And I get to touch something of *you* without anyone suspecting anything, she added in her head. She looked up again to give Liv another gentle smile; as she did, she saw Nakhti stand a few feet away, watching them intently. Fighting the fear inside her down again, Miranda gave him a smile and nodded to him, hoping she was wrong about the suspicion she thought she'd seen in his gaze.
Liv smiled sweetly at Miranda. "That is kind of you," she said watching the woman work. "Could you show me how to do it?" she asked moving closer to Miranda and reaching down to take the garment from the other woman. In doing so her hand grasped Miranda's and she slowly looked over at the other woman's face. God she's beautiful! Liv thought to herself. The past three months had been very hard on her. The hours she had spent alone with Miranda, the baths the beautiful woman had given her. It was all almost too much for her to take; in fact she did not know how much more she could take. She wanted Miranda. Wanted her more than anything she had ever wanted before in her life. Every time they were together Liv felt the butterflies in her stomach, the aching in her heart. No one had ever made her feel this way before, no one.
Unable to resist, Miranda smiled fondly and closed her fingers around Liv's. She could feel her face heating up as it always did when the Princess looked at her and let her thumb rub across the back of the other woman's hand for a moment before she gently pulled away. "Of course I can show you, my Princess," she said softly and handed the gown over to her mistress. In the few months that she'd been the Princess' maid by now, Miranda had learnt it better than to try and talk her out of everything she had set her mind to. "Soak the fabric with water, like this, yes, that is good," Miranda instructed and watched the Princess rinse the garment, always ready to help or take over again should it get too much for her. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Nakhti standing only a few feet away watching the scene with an unreadable face. She blushed and quickly focused back on instructing the Princess.
When Liv had thoroughly rinsed the dress, Miranda reached for a small amphora behind her. As she turned around again, she grabbed hold of the dress and got up, stepping a few feet away from the shore to spread the dress on the soft grass. "I will pour some of this on to the dress now," she explained and held up the vial, "And I want you to gently rub it into the fabric. You don't need to apply pressure, just rub your palms in circles over the fabric."
Liv felt her breath catch as Miranda ran her thumb across her hand. She shivered slightly as the woman pulled away and began instructing her. It took a few seconds before Miranda's instructions sank in, than she began to follow them, dipping the gown in and out of the water. When Miranda took the garment and turned to walk to the grassy area Liv's mind began to race as she watched the beautiful woman moving. She sighed to herself before going over to help her. Following Miranda's further instructions, Liv began to rub the fabric as she was instructed. "Is this correct?" she asked looking at Miranda with a smile, her heart beating fast.
"You are doing very well, my Princess," Miranda murmured, her eyes fixed on the white hands running across the cloth. She could not fully suppress a soft gasp as her imagination started blooming and images of Liv caressing *her* flashed before her eyes. Miranda leant forward and helped the Princess work in the perfumed essence, forcing herself to ignore the urge inside her to reach out for the Princess and touch her again.
Liv smiled nervously at Miranda's words. "If you are sure this is correct," she said breathing in deeply to take in the other woman's scent as Miranda leant in to help her. She watched Miranda as she worked, memorizing every detail of that sight, her golden hair, sparkling eyes, her smile. Oh how Liv wished she could kiss those lips! With every day that passed she was finding herself more and more attracted to the pretty slave girl, but she knew better than to act on her feelings. "So what do we do next?" she finally asked, trying to clear her mind of the thoughts that were racing around inside her.
At last they were done with the preserving of the fabric, and Miranda suppressed a sigh of relief as she sat up straight again. "We will just leave the dress here to dry," she explained, "The essence we just worked in will keep the fabric soft and stop the colors from fading. The sun is warm enough to have the dress dry in an hour at the latest. But you need to wash it off your hands now. Come, my Princess." Miranda stood up and held her hand out to Liv to help her up. Giving the white hands a soft squeeze she pulled her mistress up. As she did so, she made Liv nearly stumble and quickly wrapped her arm around her waist to steady the Princess, but as soon as she realized what was happening, she dropped her arm and took a step backwards, silently staring at the beautiful face unsure of what to do or say now.
Liv had been listening intently and smiled when Miranda offered her hands to help her up. "Thank you," she said as she accepted the offer. She returned the squeeze slightly as she was pulled up, then stood there for a bit staring in Miranda's eyes before releasing her hands. Her mind was racing for something to say, something that would not give away her true feelings, but she could think of nothing. At last, almost in a panic she said, "Um, let us wash shall we?" she said turning for the river. She was sure she was blushing but hoped Miranda did not notice.
Miranda nodded, unable to find her voice. As Liv turned around and walked back to the river, she stayed behind for a moment, trying to sort her emotions and thoughts before she followed. Her arms were still tingling from the short moment she'd held Liv, and aching already to hold her again. Wrapping them around herself, Miranda sighed softly and slowly followed her mistress.
She crouched beside the Princess and thoroughly rinsed her hands of the essence, thankful for a change at how cool the water was as it helped her clear her mind. She watched Liv silently rinsing her hands for a while, fighting with herself and the longing for her mistress. In the end, she gave in and took the Princess' hands in her own, softly rubbing them and cleaning them, although it surely wasn't necessary.
Liv watched as Miranda took her hands in hers and began rubbing them. Sighing inwardly she closed her eyes momentarily loving the touch of the other woman, she wished they could be completely alone, but she knew Nakhti would not leave her side. How she wished they could touch in other ways, although she couldn't explain why or how really. She had never felt this way for another woman before. "Thank you," she said at last, opening her eyes and looking at Miranda, "I think they are washed now." She smiled at the woman with a very friendly smile.
A funny feeling spread in Miranda's stomach as the Princess smiled at her, and she quickly lowered her gaze again and let go of Liv's hands. Oh God, I cannot believe how much I have fallen in love with her... Just being by her side is... Please, let me be strong and not do anything stupid... Let me not do anything that might tear me away from her side...
"Yes, they are washed now," she agreed quietly, looking everywhere but at the Princess. "The dresses will take a little longer to dry, but I have some refreshments with me to have while waiting. It is enough for you, and for Nakhti as well, if you two would like something to eat and drink?" she offered and moved away from Liv towards a small basket that was standing beneath a small bush by the river.
"Thank you. That sounds lovely," Liv replied as she watched Miranda retrieve the basket as she sat and slid her feet into the cool water.
"Would you care for something Nakhti?" Liv asked looking over her shoulder at the man.
"No thank you Princess," he replied, "I will be over here if you need me," he added before walking over to a large rock and taking a seat next to it.
Liv turned back to Miranda, she was still finding it very hard not to grab the beautiful slave and kiss her deeply. "What a lovely day," she said as Miranda returned with the basket. Liv's stomach was all-aflutter, she did not know what to do or say really, at least not what to say that would not give her feelings away in front of Nakhti.
Miranda put the basket down and nodded. "Yes, it is, my Princess." She sat down and opened the basket, putting it between Liv and herself. "I have no plates or cutlery with me, and it's not the exquisite dishes you are used to, but I hope you will still like what I have." She got a small loaf of white bread out of the basket and broke it in two, offering one half to the Princess.
"It is quite fresh, I hope you enjoy it. I went to the kitchen this morning to make it while you were having breakfast with your father," she explained softly, "Cassandra helped me." As she spoke the name, Miranda quickly looked down and bit her lip. The other slave had become her closest friend here at the Temple, having shown her around when she had begun her duty here. Because of their friendship, Miranda had seen the many bruises on Cassandra; it was easy for her to guess where they came from. Too often had the other slave been collected by guards to be brought to the King.
As she looked up, she saw the shadow on Liv's face though it was gone almost instantly again. Miranda winced inwardly and silently chastised herself for having mentioned her friend. Frantically trying to find a way to change the subject, she sat beside the Princess and slipped her feet into the water too. "Isn't the water just refreshing today? It's quite hot, I almost wish I could take off my clothes and take a bath in the river," she added and blushed immediately. Oh no! I didn't mean to say that out loud! Oh God, what will she think of me now?
The mention of Cassandra's name sent a shiver through Liv. She knew very well what her father used her for. Often she had found herself wishing she could put an end to her father's mistreating of the slaves but she never had the courage to stand up to him.
She was still thinking of Cassandra when Miranda mentioned taking her clothes off causing her mind to race and her pulse quicken. Each time Miranda had bathed her, Liv had wanted nothing more than for the beautiful woman to join her; she had never dared to voice her wish although she knew that Miranda would obey. But something had always made her bite her tongue, and after each instance Liv had had to make up some excuse to be alone to please herself while imagining the other woman naked by her side.
Feeling herself becoming aroused she looked away trying to calm her mind. After an awkward silence she said at last, "Don't you worry, the food will be just fine," She gave her best innocent smile as she took the bread and began to eat, kicking her feet gently in the water as she did. "I love coming down here. It's nice to get away sometimes," she said still trying to shake the vision from her mind.
For a moment, Miranda thought that Liv's breathing had quickened and that a strange gleam had appeared in her mistress' eyes. But as soon as the vision had come, it was gone again, and she decided that it had been something her mind had tricked her into seeing.
Miranda munched on her bread and watched the Princess shyly. She still could not believe the words she'd said out loud. She knew it was Liv's closeness to her that had made her voice her thoughts; being alone with the Princess always made her be at ease and relax. Liv too always seemed to be most relaxed when they were alone, and Miranda wished she could figure out why that was so. Miranda certainly knew why *she* was more at ease around her mistress, but she dared not hope that her reason was the same as the Princess'.
As Liv bit into the bread, Miranda closed her eyes to will the mental images out of her head that the display put there. Each day passing made the yearning to feel those lips on her skin stronger. The days when she had to bathe the Princess though always were the toughest. Having to clean the beautiful body with a sponge, to look at the glistening skin, feeling its warmth so close and yet knowing that there would never be any intimacy in these moments and that she would never be able to *really* touch it, with her own fingers, was almost killing Miranda. Luckily for her, the bathing seemed to exhaust the Princess who always asked for an hour's rest afterwards; thus giving Miranda chance to deal with the desires that those incidents always woke in her.
She threw a quick glance over to Nakhti sitting by the rock before she turned around, finding him watch her and the Princess with an unreadable expression. Miranda blushed slightly before she got herself under control again and was able to relax and resume eating and talking to the Princess.
Miranda gave her mistress an understanding smile when the Princess talked about getting away and reached over to place her hand on her shoulder, completely oblivious to the intimacy of her gesture. "I know, you cannot get away from all of it so easily. You are the King's favorite child, he has big plans for you," she said softly. And for me too. "He does not mean to put you under pressure though. However, I am here to help you take some of that pressure off your shoulders that your position brings with it. That is why your father has bought me." And because he wants me for his own bed. "Whatever you need, if I can help you with it, I will. Anything you want, you tell me, and I will make it happen. Anything you desire, I shall make sure you will have it."
She reached into the basket again and pulled out a jug. "Have some wine with your bread, my Princess. I am afraid I do not have a cup for you either, but you can have the wine. I will have some river water. It's cool and clear and will quench my thirst well enough," Miranda said softly as she offered the jug to Liv.
When Liv felt the heat of Miranda's hand on her shoulder her entire body began to tingle. She wanted to look the beautiful woman in the eyes, but was afraid her own eyes might give something away so she stared at the river as she sat motionless listening to Miranda talking; she loved the sound of her voice. It always made her feel at ease.
What she was saying did make sense. Her father was very protective of her. He did favor her over her siblings, though she was not sure why, but it was so. Sometimes she disliked being his favorite, but she really had no say in the matter.
When Miranda offered the wine Liv smiled, "Oh, you don't have to drink from the river. Please, there is more than enough for us to share. I don't mind drinking after you, not at all." Liv wished her lips could touch the lips of the golden haired woman, but she decided she would settle for being able to put her lips on the mouth of the bottle where Miranda's on lips had touched.
A soft blush crept up on her face as Liv asked Miranda not to drink from the river but to share the wine with her. She brought the jug to her lips and took a small swig from it, hardly enough to wet her lips, then she handed the bottle over to the Princess. As Liv reached out for the jug, her fingers touched Miranda's, and she froze, looking up into her mistress' eyes. Miranda knew that she could not conceal her emotions from her gaze right now, but she was paralyzed by the deep blue of Liv's gleaming eyes staring back at her. Unconsciously, Miranda parted her lips slightly and let her tongue dart out to wet them. Her mind was racing, urging her to voice her feelings for the Princess but she bit her tongue and just kept staring into Liv's eyes.
Liv locked her gaze with Miranda's. She stared in the other woman's eyes and felt her heart begin to flutter. Seeing the look in Miranda's eyes Liv let her fingers slowly slide over the other woman's, rubbing them gently before she finally broke the gaze and shifted a little closer to the slave, taking the wine from her as she did. "Thank you," she said, her voice a noticeably shaky. She turned the jug up and took a drink before returning it to Miranda. My lips just touched where hers were, it's not a kiss but it will have to do for now, Liv thought as she watched Miranda take the jug back.
Miranda rubbed her tingling fingers as she watched the Princess drink; the longing for kissing those soft lips growing even more inside her. Her lips just touched where mine were, she thought, Almost as if she kissed me... Oh, what would I give for *really* being kissed by her! But I better settle for just this and be happy with it. She reached for the jug without taking her gaze off the face she had grown so fond of. "You are welcome," Miranda murmured absent-mindedly and brought the jug to her mouth again. Taking an extra long draft from it, she savored the knowledge that her lips had now touched Liv's, even if not directly. As she put the jug back into the basket, she looked over to Nakhti again, her mind racing as it always was when she was so close to Liv. The tall man was stretched out on the grass and had his eyes closed, obviously resting, confident that the Princess was safe; Miranda was sure though that his sleep was light and he'd wake up at the slightest sign of danger.
For a moment, Miranda hesitated and bit her lip, looking back at her mistress. Liv had turned her gaze away again and was looking into the distance, deep in thought. So beautiful... what would I give to be the subject of your thoughts! After another quick glance over to Nakhti, Miranda decided it was now or never and quickly leant over to gently press her lips to Liv's cheek. She knew it was probably foolish, and if Nakhti woke now, she would be in deep trouble, but, Miranda thought as she felt the soft skin of the Princess' cheek under her lips, *this* was more than worth it.
Liv was so lost in deep thought about Miranda it took a few seconds for the kiss to register. Once it finally did her pulse began to quicken and she could feel a fire burning deep inside her. "Miranda!" Liv whispered, her voice a combination of shock, desire, and fear, as she turned to face the other woman.
The moment her lips were pressed against Liv's cheek seemed to last an eternity and at the same time it was over far too quickly. Slowly, Miranda pulled away and opened her eyes again that had somehow fluttered shut during the kiss, finding Liv look at her. Her lips felt like they were burning and Miranda brought her fingers up to touch them. When Liv said her name, it seemed to tear her out of her daze, and she bulged her eyes, suddenly aware of what she'd just done. "Oh God!" Miranda gasped and shifted back a little, "Forgive me, my Princess, I did not mean to... Forgive me, please, do not alert Nakhti, please, forgive me!" she continued to babble, her face burning with shame and guilt.
Without saying another word or even looking around to see if anyone was watching, Liv leaned over and pressed her lips against Miranda's. Softly at first, then she placed her hand behind Miranda's head and pulled the woman to her. She snaked her tongue slowly into Miranda's mouth and let it gently swirl around as her fingers gripped the woman's golden hair tightly before pulling away and looking at Miranda's beautiful face, her hand gently caressing Miranda's soft cheek. "There is nothing to forgive. You were only acting on your emotions. Emotions that I also share for you, my love, emotions that I had not dare act on until now," Liv breathed deeply and took the other woman's hand in hers as she looked around. Luckily there was no one there except for a sleeping Nakhti.
As the tongue entered her mouth, Miranda could hardly believe it. The one thing that she had dreamt of since that first day when King Raneb had bought her had finally come true. She sighed into the kiss and tilted her head, enjoying the feel of Liv's hand in her hair. As Liv pulled back, Miranda nervously glanced over to Nakhti but quickly brought her gaze back to Liv when her mistress spoke again, cradling her cheek into the hand caressing it. "My love..." Miranda whispered slowly, surprised at how good the words felt, how *right* they sounded. Miranda gently cupped the Princess' face in her hands and smiled fondly. "Do you mean you are feeling what I feel?" she asked gently, still not fully able to grasp the very idea, "I have dreamt of this to happen since the day your father bought me for you... He will kill me if he finds out about us," she added softly after a moment of silence, "But I am willing to take that risk." With that she leant forward and kissed Liv again, slowly sucking her mistress' tongue back into her mouth once more.
Liv smiled at Miranda, her eyes sparkling, as the woman spoke. By the Gods she is beautiful, she thought just as Miranda kissed her once more causing her to moan softly. She ran her fingers through the woman's golden hair as they kissed, never wanting this moment to end.
Once they finally broke the kiss Liv whispered, "My love. Perhaps we had better wait on this kind of display until we are safely back at the Temple in one of our rooms. It would be easy for someone to slip up on us and see." Liv took Miranda's hands in hers and squeezed them softly. She could not wait until they returned to the Temple; she just had to kiss Miranda again and soon.
Miranda nodded and returned the squeeze before gently pulling her hands away. "You are right, but then we better not even hold hands, my Princess," she said quietly. She looked down at her hands for a moment, ignoring the desire to return to the Temple at once to continue where they had just left off. "I could not stand the thought of you being harmed because of me," Miranda whispered as she slowly shifted a bit away, already aching to be back in the arms of the woman beside her.
"Yes, we should be careful," Liv said. She too was fighting the urge to invite Miranda to her room right away but she knew the slave still had work to do and it would appear strange if she left it unfinished.
With a sigh Liv added, "I must return to the Temple now," she glanced over at Miranda to take in her beauty once more. "I look forward to seeing you back there later my love," she whispered as she looked around then leaned in close and kissed Miranda deeply one more time, her hand lightly tracing the curves of Miranda through her gown before pulling back and biting her bottom lip, showing a small pout.
Standing she went to Nakhti and woke him. "Time to return," she said as he stretched and looked up at her.
With a few groans Nakhti got to his feet and the two headed back to the Temple. As they walked away Liv glanced over her shoulder to Miranda still by the River's edge and blew her a small kiss, a deep blush appearing on her cheeks as she did.
"I will be there," Miranda whispered just as Liv kissed her again, the Princess' tongue sliding deep into her mouth once more. Miranda gave a wanton noise that was muffled by those full lips on hers; as she felt Liv's hand run down her body, she shivered and squirmed. She had to suppress a disappointed whimper when the Princess pulled back, but as she saw the look on her love's face, her breathing hitched and she licked her lips unconsciously.
Silently, she watched Liv walk over to Nakhti, enjoying the graceful, almost catlike moves of her mistress as she bent down and gently shook her guard to wake him. Her hand moved up to her lips and she pressed her fingers against them. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up again, she thought and a smile crept up on her face, I can't believe it – she loves me back? This is incredible, but... is it real? It's almost too good to be true.
As Liv turned around and blew her a kiss, she shyly raised her other hand and waved at her, knowing she was blushing just as much as the retreating woman. Miranda kept her gaze on Liv and Nakhti until they had disappeared inside the Temple walls, the smile never leaving her face again. She is so beautiful, so gentle and... how she smells, and how it feels to be held by her! I surely am the luckiest woman in this world! she thought with a happy sigh and stood up herself, walking over to the basket where another one of Liv's dresses was waiting to be washed.
Author: little___hobbit and Fin_Anwamane
Type: RPS
Pairing: Liv/Miranda
Rating: NC-17
Beta: Ourselves
Warning: Physical violence, abuse and rape described in later chapters not between the main pairing.
Disclaimer: This never happened. This was written in fun that's all.
Feedback: Yes please send to paddington-bear@web.de
or glorfindel@hornorfgondor.com
Archiving: The Angels Realm, others please ask.
Summary: A.U. An Egyptian Princess and her slave fall for one another and overcome the threats of their environment
Italics indicate thoughts
~~~~~
It was a beautiful day out. The sun was shining brightly as Liv strolled through the courtyard making her way to the river. She loved to go there and hang her feet in the cool water. It was such a quiet, tranquil place, a place for her to escape the madness that often surrounded her at the Temple. One of the guards, Nakhti, accompanied her. He was not much older than Liv; in fact the two were childhood friends. Nakhti had spent many hours at the Temple as a child because his father had been one of Raneb's personal guards. Through this, Nakhti too had become a guard, and thanks to his friendship with the Princess, he had been appointed as her own guard.
As the two approached the river Liv noticed Miranda on her knees by the water's edge; she was washing Liv's garments. Liv thought this strange because there were other slaves who were assigned this task.
Liv stood there a moment taking in the beauty of the golden haired woman. She could feel the heat beginning to build inside her again. Her breathing became a little shaky as she imagined being held by Miranda. She was snapped back to reality by the voice of Nakhti.
"Liv, are you alright?" the muscular man asked.
Liv broke her gaze on Miranda and looked around, making sure not to look Nakhti in the eye, she was afraid he might read something in her eyes.
"Um, yes. I'm fine. The heat is getting to me a little. I should go to the water and cool myself," she said as she headed to the river's edge.
She walked up beside Miranda and sat down on the beach. "Why are you doing the washing?" Liv asked as she removed her sandals and placed her feet in the cool water, "You know that is not part of your duties," she said looking at Miranda.
Miranda hummed softly to herself, an old tune her father had taught her, as she carefully washed the favorite dress of her mistress in the river. She smiled when she thought of how beautiful the Princess looked in that dress.
It had been three months by now that Miranda had come here; she still could not believe her luck of having gotten such a gentile and wonderful mistress as the Princess was. Her tasks were easy enough, but some required more from Miranda than she would ever dare to admit, although not in the physical way. Every day made it harder for her not to fall in love with the Princess. Oh, who am I fooling? Miranda thought as she thoroughly rinsed the delicate fabric, I have already fallen in love with her. There is no way I could not have. She is too beautiful, too kind, too... She heaved a soft sigh and continued with her task.
When the Princess suddenly sat down beside her, she gave a start and blushed.
"I know it is none of my duties, my Princess," Miranda said shyly, "But your dresses are of very delicate fabrics. The slaves that wash the clothes could ruin your garments. They tend to treat the laundry roughly. I thought it better to wash your clothes myself to make sure they stay as beautiful as they are. And I do not mind this extra work. You have been treating me very kind, my Princess. I do not have many duties, so this is the least I can do."
Miranda glanced over to Liv with a secret longing in her eyes and quickly lowered her head again as she saw her mistress look at her. And I get to touch something of *you* without anyone suspecting anything, she added in her head. She looked up again to give Liv another gentle smile; as she did, she saw Nakhti stand a few feet away, watching them intently. Fighting the fear inside her down again, Miranda gave him a smile and nodded to him, hoping she was wrong about the suspicion she thought she'd seen in his gaze.
Liv smiled sweetly at Miranda. "That is kind of you," she said watching the woman work. "Could you show me how to do it?" she asked moving closer to Miranda and reaching down to take the garment from the other woman. In doing so her hand grasped Miranda's and she slowly looked over at the other woman's face. God she's beautiful! Liv thought to herself. The past three months had been very hard on her. The hours she had spent alone with Miranda, the baths the beautiful woman had given her. It was all almost too much for her to take; in fact she did not know how much more she could take. She wanted Miranda. Wanted her more than anything she had ever wanted before in her life. Every time they were together Liv felt the butterflies in her stomach, the aching in her heart. No one had ever made her feel this way before, no one.
Unable to resist, Miranda smiled fondly and closed her fingers around Liv's. She could feel her face heating up as it always did when the Princess looked at her and let her thumb rub across the back of the other woman's hand for a moment before she gently pulled away. "Of course I can show you, my Princess," she said softly and handed the gown over to her mistress. In the few months that she'd been the Princess' maid by now, Miranda had learnt it better than to try and talk her out of everything she had set her mind to. "Soak the fabric with water, like this, yes, that is good," Miranda instructed and watched the Princess rinse the garment, always ready to help or take over again should it get too much for her. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Nakhti standing only a few feet away watching the scene with an unreadable face. She blushed and quickly focused back on instructing the Princess.
When Liv had thoroughly rinsed the dress, Miranda reached for a small amphora behind her. As she turned around again, she grabbed hold of the dress and got up, stepping a few feet away from the shore to spread the dress on the soft grass. "I will pour some of this on to the dress now," she explained and held up the vial, "And I want you to gently rub it into the fabric. You don't need to apply pressure, just rub your palms in circles over the fabric."
Liv felt her breath catch as Miranda ran her thumb across her hand. She shivered slightly as the woman pulled away and began instructing her. It took a few seconds before Miranda's instructions sank in, than she began to follow them, dipping the gown in and out of the water. When Miranda took the garment and turned to walk to the grassy area Liv's mind began to race as she watched the beautiful woman moving. She sighed to herself before going over to help her. Following Miranda's further instructions, Liv began to rub the fabric as she was instructed. "Is this correct?" she asked looking at Miranda with a smile, her heart beating fast.
"You are doing very well, my Princess," Miranda murmured, her eyes fixed on the white hands running across the cloth. She could not fully suppress a soft gasp as her imagination started blooming and images of Liv caressing *her* flashed before her eyes. Miranda leant forward and helped the Princess work in the perfumed essence, forcing herself to ignore the urge inside her to reach out for the Princess and touch her again.
Liv smiled nervously at Miranda's words. "If you are sure this is correct," she said breathing in deeply to take in the other woman's scent as Miranda leant in to help her. She watched Miranda as she worked, memorizing every detail of that sight, her golden hair, sparkling eyes, her smile. Oh how Liv wished she could kiss those lips! With every day that passed she was finding herself more and more attracted to the pretty slave girl, but she knew better than to act on her feelings. "So what do we do next?" she finally asked, trying to clear her mind of the thoughts that were racing around inside her.
At last they were done with the preserving of the fabric, and Miranda suppressed a sigh of relief as she sat up straight again. "We will just leave the dress here to dry," she explained, "The essence we just worked in will keep the fabric soft and stop the colors from fading. The sun is warm enough to have the dress dry in an hour at the latest. But you need to wash it off your hands now. Come, my Princess." Miranda stood up and held her hand out to Liv to help her up. Giving the white hands a soft squeeze she pulled her mistress up. As she did so, she made Liv nearly stumble and quickly wrapped her arm around her waist to steady the Princess, but as soon as she realized what was happening, she dropped her arm and took a step backwards, silently staring at the beautiful face unsure of what to do or say now.
Liv had been listening intently and smiled when Miranda offered her hands to help her up. "Thank you," she said as she accepted the offer. She returned the squeeze slightly as she was pulled up, then stood there for a bit staring in Miranda's eyes before releasing her hands. Her mind was racing for something to say, something that would not give away her true feelings, but she could think of nothing. At last, almost in a panic she said, "Um, let us wash shall we?" she said turning for the river. She was sure she was blushing but hoped Miranda did not notice.
Miranda nodded, unable to find her voice. As Liv turned around and walked back to the river, she stayed behind for a moment, trying to sort her emotions and thoughts before she followed. Her arms were still tingling from the short moment she'd held Liv, and aching already to hold her again. Wrapping them around herself, Miranda sighed softly and slowly followed her mistress.
She crouched beside the Princess and thoroughly rinsed her hands of the essence, thankful for a change at how cool the water was as it helped her clear her mind. She watched Liv silently rinsing her hands for a while, fighting with herself and the longing for her mistress. In the end, she gave in and took the Princess' hands in her own, softly rubbing them and cleaning them, although it surely wasn't necessary.
Liv watched as Miranda took her hands in hers and began rubbing them. Sighing inwardly she closed her eyes momentarily loving the touch of the other woman, she wished they could be completely alone, but she knew Nakhti would not leave her side. How she wished they could touch in other ways, although she couldn't explain why or how really. She had never felt this way for another woman before. "Thank you," she said at last, opening her eyes and looking at Miranda, "I think they are washed now." She smiled at the woman with a very friendly smile.
A funny feeling spread in Miranda's stomach as the Princess smiled at her, and she quickly lowered her gaze again and let go of Liv's hands. Oh God, I cannot believe how much I have fallen in love with her... Just being by her side is... Please, let me be strong and not do anything stupid... Let me not do anything that might tear me away from her side...
"Yes, they are washed now," she agreed quietly, looking everywhere but at the Princess. "The dresses will take a little longer to dry, but I have some refreshments with me to have while waiting. It is enough for you, and for Nakhti as well, if you two would like something to eat and drink?" she offered and moved away from Liv towards a small basket that was standing beneath a small bush by the river.
"Thank you. That sounds lovely," Liv replied as she watched Miranda retrieve the basket as she sat and slid her feet into the cool water.
"Would you care for something Nakhti?" Liv asked looking over her shoulder at the man.
"No thank you Princess," he replied, "I will be over here if you need me," he added before walking over to a large rock and taking a seat next to it.
Liv turned back to Miranda, she was still finding it very hard not to grab the beautiful slave and kiss her deeply. "What a lovely day," she said as Miranda returned with the basket. Liv's stomach was all-aflutter, she did not know what to do or say really, at least not what to say that would not give her feelings away in front of Nakhti.
Miranda put the basket down and nodded. "Yes, it is, my Princess." She sat down and opened the basket, putting it between Liv and herself. "I have no plates or cutlery with me, and it's not the exquisite dishes you are used to, but I hope you will still like what I have." She got a small loaf of white bread out of the basket and broke it in two, offering one half to the Princess.
"It is quite fresh, I hope you enjoy it. I went to the kitchen this morning to make it while you were having breakfast with your father," she explained softly, "Cassandra helped me." As she spoke the name, Miranda quickly looked down and bit her lip. The other slave had become her closest friend here at the Temple, having shown her around when she had begun her duty here. Because of their friendship, Miranda had seen the many bruises on Cassandra; it was easy for her to guess where they came from. Too often had the other slave been collected by guards to be brought to the King.
As she looked up, she saw the shadow on Liv's face though it was gone almost instantly again. Miranda winced inwardly and silently chastised herself for having mentioned her friend. Frantically trying to find a way to change the subject, she sat beside the Princess and slipped her feet into the water too. "Isn't the water just refreshing today? It's quite hot, I almost wish I could take off my clothes and take a bath in the river," she added and blushed immediately. Oh no! I didn't mean to say that out loud! Oh God, what will she think of me now?
The mention of Cassandra's name sent a shiver through Liv. She knew very well what her father used her for. Often she had found herself wishing she could put an end to her father's mistreating of the slaves but she never had the courage to stand up to him.
She was still thinking of Cassandra when Miranda mentioned taking her clothes off causing her mind to race and her pulse quicken. Each time Miranda had bathed her, Liv had wanted nothing more than for the beautiful woman to join her; she had never dared to voice her wish although she knew that Miranda would obey. But something had always made her bite her tongue, and after each instance Liv had had to make up some excuse to be alone to please herself while imagining the other woman naked by her side.
Feeling herself becoming aroused she looked away trying to calm her mind. After an awkward silence she said at last, "Don't you worry, the food will be just fine," She gave her best innocent smile as she took the bread and began to eat, kicking her feet gently in the water as she did. "I love coming down here. It's nice to get away sometimes," she said still trying to shake the vision from her mind.
For a moment, Miranda thought that Liv's breathing had quickened and that a strange gleam had appeared in her mistress' eyes. But as soon as the vision had come, it was gone again, and she decided that it had been something her mind had tricked her into seeing.
Miranda munched on her bread and watched the Princess shyly. She still could not believe the words she'd said out loud. She knew it was Liv's closeness to her that had made her voice her thoughts; being alone with the Princess always made her be at ease and relax. Liv too always seemed to be most relaxed when they were alone, and Miranda wished she could figure out why that was so. Miranda certainly knew why *she* was more at ease around her mistress, but she dared not hope that her reason was the same as the Princess'.
As Liv bit into the bread, Miranda closed her eyes to will the mental images out of her head that the display put there. Each day passing made the yearning to feel those lips on her skin stronger. The days when she had to bathe the Princess though always were the toughest. Having to clean the beautiful body with a sponge, to look at the glistening skin, feeling its warmth so close and yet knowing that there would never be any intimacy in these moments and that she would never be able to *really* touch it, with her own fingers, was almost killing Miranda. Luckily for her, the bathing seemed to exhaust the Princess who always asked for an hour's rest afterwards; thus giving Miranda chance to deal with the desires that those incidents always woke in her.
She threw a quick glance over to Nakhti sitting by the rock before she turned around, finding him watch her and the Princess with an unreadable expression. Miranda blushed slightly before she got herself under control again and was able to relax and resume eating and talking to the Princess.
Miranda gave her mistress an understanding smile when the Princess talked about getting away and reached over to place her hand on her shoulder, completely oblivious to the intimacy of her gesture. "I know, you cannot get away from all of it so easily. You are the King's favorite child, he has big plans for you," she said softly. And for me too. "He does not mean to put you under pressure though. However, I am here to help you take some of that pressure off your shoulders that your position brings with it. That is why your father has bought me." And because he wants me for his own bed. "Whatever you need, if I can help you with it, I will. Anything you want, you tell me, and I will make it happen. Anything you desire, I shall make sure you will have it."
She reached into the basket again and pulled out a jug. "Have some wine with your bread, my Princess. I am afraid I do not have a cup for you either, but you can have the wine. I will have some river water. It's cool and clear and will quench my thirst well enough," Miranda said softly as she offered the jug to Liv.
When Liv felt the heat of Miranda's hand on her shoulder her entire body began to tingle. She wanted to look the beautiful woman in the eyes, but was afraid her own eyes might give something away so she stared at the river as she sat motionless listening to Miranda talking; she loved the sound of her voice. It always made her feel at ease.
What she was saying did make sense. Her father was very protective of her. He did favor her over her siblings, though she was not sure why, but it was so. Sometimes she disliked being his favorite, but she really had no say in the matter.
When Miranda offered the wine Liv smiled, "Oh, you don't have to drink from the river. Please, there is more than enough for us to share. I don't mind drinking after you, not at all." Liv wished her lips could touch the lips of the golden haired woman, but she decided she would settle for being able to put her lips on the mouth of the bottle where Miranda's on lips had touched.
A soft blush crept up on her face as Liv asked Miranda not to drink from the river but to share the wine with her. She brought the jug to her lips and took a small swig from it, hardly enough to wet her lips, then she handed the bottle over to the Princess. As Liv reached out for the jug, her fingers touched Miranda's, and she froze, looking up into her mistress' eyes. Miranda knew that she could not conceal her emotions from her gaze right now, but she was paralyzed by the deep blue of Liv's gleaming eyes staring back at her. Unconsciously, Miranda parted her lips slightly and let her tongue dart out to wet them. Her mind was racing, urging her to voice her feelings for the Princess but she bit her tongue and just kept staring into Liv's eyes.
Liv locked her gaze with Miranda's. She stared in the other woman's eyes and felt her heart begin to flutter. Seeing the look in Miranda's eyes Liv let her fingers slowly slide over the other woman's, rubbing them gently before she finally broke the gaze and shifted a little closer to the slave, taking the wine from her as she did. "Thank you," she said, her voice a noticeably shaky. She turned the jug up and took a drink before returning it to Miranda. My lips just touched where hers were, it's not a kiss but it will have to do for now, Liv thought as she watched Miranda take the jug back.
Miranda rubbed her tingling fingers as she watched the Princess drink; the longing for kissing those soft lips growing even more inside her. Her lips just touched where mine were, she thought, Almost as if she kissed me... Oh, what would I give for *really* being kissed by her! But I better settle for just this and be happy with it. She reached for the jug without taking her gaze off the face she had grown so fond of. "You are welcome," Miranda murmured absent-mindedly and brought the jug to her mouth again. Taking an extra long draft from it, she savored the knowledge that her lips had now touched Liv's, even if not directly. As she put the jug back into the basket, she looked over to Nakhti again, her mind racing as it always was when she was so close to Liv. The tall man was stretched out on the grass and had his eyes closed, obviously resting, confident that the Princess was safe; Miranda was sure though that his sleep was light and he'd wake up at the slightest sign of danger.
For a moment, Miranda hesitated and bit her lip, looking back at her mistress. Liv had turned her gaze away again and was looking into the distance, deep in thought. So beautiful... what would I give to be the subject of your thoughts! After another quick glance over to Nakhti, Miranda decided it was now or never and quickly leant over to gently press her lips to Liv's cheek. She knew it was probably foolish, and if Nakhti woke now, she would be in deep trouble, but, Miranda thought as she felt the soft skin of the Princess' cheek under her lips, *this* was more than worth it.
Liv was so lost in deep thought about Miranda it took a few seconds for the kiss to register. Once it finally did her pulse began to quicken and she could feel a fire burning deep inside her. "Miranda!" Liv whispered, her voice a combination of shock, desire, and fear, as she turned to face the other woman.
The moment her lips were pressed against Liv's cheek seemed to last an eternity and at the same time it was over far too quickly. Slowly, Miranda pulled away and opened her eyes again that had somehow fluttered shut during the kiss, finding Liv look at her. Her lips felt like they were burning and Miranda brought her fingers up to touch them. When Liv said her name, it seemed to tear her out of her daze, and she bulged her eyes, suddenly aware of what she'd just done. "Oh God!" Miranda gasped and shifted back a little, "Forgive me, my Princess, I did not mean to... Forgive me, please, do not alert Nakhti, please, forgive me!" she continued to babble, her face burning with shame and guilt.
Without saying another word or even looking around to see if anyone was watching, Liv leaned over and pressed her lips against Miranda's. Softly at first, then she placed her hand behind Miranda's head and pulled the woman to her. She snaked her tongue slowly into Miranda's mouth and let it gently swirl around as her fingers gripped the woman's golden hair tightly before pulling away and looking at Miranda's beautiful face, her hand gently caressing Miranda's soft cheek. "There is nothing to forgive. You were only acting on your emotions. Emotions that I also share for you, my love, emotions that I had not dare act on until now," Liv breathed deeply and took the other woman's hand in hers as she looked around. Luckily there was no one there except for a sleeping Nakhti.
As the tongue entered her mouth, Miranda could hardly believe it. The one thing that she had dreamt of since that first day when King Raneb had bought her had finally come true. She sighed into the kiss and tilted her head, enjoying the feel of Liv's hand in her hair. As Liv pulled back, Miranda nervously glanced over to Nakhti but quickly brought her gaze back to Liv when her mistress spoke again, cradling her cheek into the hand caressing it. "My love..." Miranda whispered slowly, surprised at how good the words felt, how *right* they sounded. Miranda gently cupped the Princess' face in her hands and smiled fondly. "Do you mean you are feeling what I feel?" she asked gently, still not fully able to grasp the very idea, "I have dreamt of this to happen since the day your father bought me for you... He will kill me if he finds out about us," she added softly after a moment of silence, "But I am willing to take that risk." With that she leant forward and kissed Liv again, slowly sucking her mistress' tongue back into her mouth once more.
Liv smiled at Miranda, her eyes sparkling, as the woman spoke. By the Gods she is beautiful, she thought just as Miranda kissed her once more causing her to moan softly. She ran her fingers through the woman's golden hair as they kissed, never wanting this moment to end.
Once they finally broke the kiss Liv whispered, "My love. Perhaps we had better wait on this kind of display until we are safely back at the Temple in one of our rooms. It would be easy for someone to slip up on us and see." Liv took Miranda's hands in hers and squeezed them softly. She could not wait until they returned to the Temple; she just had to kiss Miranda again and soon.
Miranda nodded and returned the squeeze before gently pulling her hands away. "You are right, but then we better not even hold hands, my Princess," she said quietly. She looked down at her hands for a moment, ignoring the desire to return to the Temple at once to continue where they had just left off. "I could not stand the thought of you being harmed because of me," Miranda whispered as she slowly shifted a bit away, already aching to be back in the arms of the woman beside her.
"Yes, we should be careful," Liv said. She too was fighting the urge to invite Miranda to her room right away but she knew the slave still had work to do and it would appear strange if she left it unfinished.
With a sigh Liv added, "I must return to the Temple now," she glanced over at Miranda to take in her beauty once more. "I look forward to seeing you back there later my love," she whispered as she looked around then leaned in close and kissed Miranda deeply one more time, her hand lightly tracing the curves of Miranda through her gown before pulling back and biting her bottom lip, showing a small pout.
Standing she went to Nakhti and woke him. "Time to return," she said as he stretched and looked up at her.
With a few groans Nakhti got to his feet and the two headed back to the Temple. As they walked away Liv glanced over her shoulder to Miranda still by the River's edge and blew her a small kiss, a deep blush appearing on her cheeks as she did.
"I will be there," Miranda whispered just as Liv kissed her again, the Princess' tongue sliding deep into her mouth once more. Miranda gave a wanton noise that was muffled by those full lips on hers; as she felt Liv's hand run down her body, she shivered and squirmed. She had to suppress a disappointed whimper when the Princess pulled back, but as she saw the look on her love's face, her breathing hitched and she licked her lips unconsciously.
Silently, she watched Liv walk over to Nakhti, enjoying the graceful, almost catlike moves of her mistress as she bent down and gently shook her guard to wake him. Her hand moved up to her lips and she pressed her fingers against them. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up again, she thought and a smile crept up on her face, I can't believe it – she loves me back? This is incredible, but... is it real? It's almost too good to be true.
As Liv turned around and blew her a kiss, she shyly raised her other hand and waved at her, knowing she was blushing just as much as the retreating woman. Miranda kept her gaze on Liv and Nakhti until they had disappeared inside the Temple walls, the smile never leaving her face again. She is so beautiful, so gentle and... how she smells, and how it feels to be held by her! I surely am the luckiest woman in this world! she thought with a happy sigh and stood up herself, walking over to the basket where another one of Liv's dresses was waiting to be washed.