Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Sculpted In Gold ❯ Vegeta and Shani finally get to have another lemon!! ( Chapter 17 )

Author Notes… LOL Aww how cute, a reviewer after my own heart, I agree, I can't help thinking it would be incredibly fun to write the Radditz threesome… (Raya would want me to certainly, but it isn't essential to the plot here, nor would it help develop anyone's character, so I can't give in to that urge, much as I would like to). I have been looking for an excuse to write another chapter in the Random Lemon Collection though, so… maybe I'll do it there if I still feel the need to write some more lemon after this…

What is everybody so worried about?? Shinesta doesn't love Raya, you guys- at least not in the romantic way, she thinks of her as her sister, because they were raised together. Those two are not going to end up in bed together, so CHILL people. Raya has said at least two times that I can count that she is going to sleep with Zarbon after the party and that's exactly where she ends up after her little chat with Shinesta.

On a more serious note, I do wish I had noticed earlier that I managed to be an idiot and upload the unfinished version of this chapter, all those months ago- no wonder I never got any reviews on this chapter, cuz I noticed how confusing the ending was as it was posted when I was rereading it last night. I feel like an idiot now, and I would say I wish someone had told me, but I was the only one who knew what the finished version looks like, so, uh just… tie me up and call me blonde or something… *giggle*

Sculpted In Gold

Chapter 17

It was the most peculiar sensation he had ever experienced, Vegeta decided. The mirror seemed to turn into water an instant after Shani and that black haired elf had appeared on the other side of it. He could still see through the mirror to them, yet there were ripples beneath his fingers across its surface. And when he pushed his hand into the mirror he couldn't quite see it on the other side and they felt weightless as if his fingers were in the water. He had jerked his hand away in surprise and yet his hand wasn't wet and the surface of the mirror bobbled for a moment, but it never appeared to break. The window into Shani's room faded from his view, becoming a regular mirror again as he stepped away, but the distant room and its two occupants reappeared as he took a few steps closer.

After she opened her eyes again, Raya didn't try to hide her amusement, giggling good naturedly at Vegeta's cautious approach to the mirror. She said something to Shani that made her blush, and as the servant left the room she was smiling like a well fed cat. Never one that enjoyed being giggled at, Vegeta sucked in his breath and stepped into the strange watery surface of the mirror, determined not to balk at the idea of stepping through the mirror- even if it was enchanted somehow it still sounded impossible.

Despite how silly what he was attempting was and the peculiar sensation of being completely immersed in water without getting wet, Vegeta continued to move forward until he felt the watery surface of the mirror slide over him once again, presumably on the other side, and he looked around. Indeed he wasn't in his room anymore.

Shani was lying on her bed on her back, grinning impishly at him. "I was beginning to think you weren't coming."

"Is that so?" He purred, settling onto the edge of the bed between her thighs. "You sound as if you are glad to see me, are you?"

"Maybe." She giggled. "I feel like I should have warned you about Raya though. Once I told her that I was late arriving because I was with you, I should have known she would try and get us back together. She is more my mother's best friend than a servant here, and..."

"I've noticed." Vegeta said dryly. "But still I'm surprised that your mother would have allowed it, she seems very at home with the formalities at court."

"My mother's reign over our empire spanned more than 500 years. The Elves may not share the same tastes in deciding what is and what isn't proper over a lifetime that can last several thousand years with other members of the court here, but the humans and the Dwarves who share our lands and cities do. It is respect for their civilizations and cultures that have kept our empire stable this long. My mother was raised to be Empress, so of course she would have been raised to know and understand such customs…"

"I just mean your mother seems too refined and practical to allow us to be together like this, even secretly. It would be easier to be strict in enforcing the protocol and standard etiquette of court than to arrange something like this."

Shani giggled. "Never let it be said that an elf is prudish- even my mother, Vegeta. And besides, it makes Raya happy to arrange this sort of thing. She loves to see people happy, and what could make people happier than being in love?"

"I wouldn't know, since I'm not in it." Vegeta said crisply, he smirked as she narrowed her eyes and glared at him. "I'm not going to lie to you Shani. Saiyans don't believe in basing a relationship on love. Because what a Saiyan feels for his bond mate is deeper than any singular emotion. When we are bonded, I will know your thoughts, sense your feelings and I will feel it if you are hurt or afraid."

"Elves are telepathic too, but we consider it bad manners to intrude upon each other's thoughts and innermost feelings. Usually the telepathy between our people is used between parents and their children and between siblings, particularly twins."

"I won't know your every thought unless you want me to; this applies mainly to situations of extreme danger. A Saiyan can never let his bond mate be harmed. This power is mine so I can find and protect you at all times, because if you were to die after our bond is completed, then I would die with you."

Shani gasped, it was just like the mystical bond of a wizard and their familiar, a connection between two souls so deep and so powerful that both would die if tragedy befell the other. "You would be willing to soul bond yourself to me when we are so different? I don't understand why…"

He smirked at her again, bending down to brush her lips with his own. "Opposites attract, it would seem."

She giggled, kissing him softly. "Indeed, it does seem that way, because I want to feel you inside of me again."

Something in the way she softly whispered those words sent fire through his limbs and made him loose his resolve to be gentle with her, so the minx might be quiet tonight. Before she could blink her dress was gone and he had one of her breasts in his mouth, treating it to a long sensuous kiss as he worked on removing his armor. Shani arched her back, with a soft moan and tried to wrap her legs around him. "Easy there," he purred, nipping the velvet kernel of flesh gently. He stood up to finish undressing, when he felt her start kissing his neck from behind. Soft nimble fingers slid slowly and deliberately over his bare chest, making him shiver.

He could feel her body pressed against his from behind, and he could see her reflection in the mirror, he had stepped through only moments before. Her eyes were closed, she looked like a beautiful statue sculpted in purest gold, and yet she was warm and soft against him and he could feel her breathing tickling his neck as she continued to kiss him. He decided that she was indeed a fast learner; she was teasing and enticing him at the same time. Her soft, light touch wandered all over his chest, stroking his nipples playfully before wandering down farther to toy with the waist band of his bodysuit, teasing and mischievous, yet her kisses were enticingly passionate. Her lips and tongue seemed to find every place he could have wanted her to and each kiss was deep, filled with all the desire she had spoken of.

He had no idea how long they stayed like that, all sense of time itself seemed to desert him completely under the magic she seemed to be working on his body. He wanted her but she seemed to be enjoying herself so much that he was hesitant to interrupt her wanton explorations of his body, besides; he could scarcely think himself when she was sucking on his ear and stroking his nipples like that. Though when her hands slid down his body again, this time she found the bulge in his pants, he growled as he tore himself out of her arms and picked her up, tossing her onto the bed. Her only reaction was a playful grin and she reached for him again.

"Minx." He grunted, tearing off his clothes faster than her eyes could follow, he pinned her to the bed and kissed her hungrily. She moaned, as she returned the kiss, arching her back, opening her legs to him. He felt her body open to him and groaned as he entered her, she was incredibly wet, and just as before her body fit him perfectly, and he had to work to control himself, but he was determined to tease her a little in return for the way she had aroused him. He smirked as she gave him a frustrated glare when she realized he wasn't going to do anything else though. "Well, I'm inside of you. Now what?"

"You know what I wanted. I wanted you to make love to me, you jerk." She grunted and squirmed around trying to get away, but only succeeded in getting him deeper inside of her. "You are totally impossible, Vegeta."

"I never thought you'd give up that easily." He smirked, and rolled them over so that she was on top. She looked around curiously.

"I'm not strong enough to move you, that fact has been proven several times, like just now, so what was I supposed to do? And just how was I supposed to know you were going to do this, anyway?" She growled, crossing her arms over her breasts, stubbornly trying to ignore the fact that he was still very deep inside of her.

"If you had been paying attention to the wall hangings in the first room where we were together you would have noticed a lot of pairs of lovers in this position." He smirked, he hadn't paid any attention to the pairings depicted on the walls either, but he wasn't going to tell her that. He simply knew from experience that this position was one that many women found enjoyable since it would leave his hands free to touch her body and she could control how deep he was inside of her.

"How dare you say something like that? That room was the most disgusting, vulgar, tastelessly decorated disgrace of a bedroom ever to…" Shani found herself interrupted mid rant by Vegeta kissing her. Thoughts of pulling away to continue her little tirade were lost in the way he started to purr and shifted his hips beneath her. When he moved she felt a shockwave of pleasure ripple through her body. Curious, she duplicated his movement and found herself fascinated by the level of control she had over him in this position. By sitting up a little onto her knees and then gently sliding her hips forward as she came down she found that she could get him deeper inside of her, and she could still use the muscles inside of her body to create more friction than ever. It was easy, and better yet, it was fun.

Shani moaned softly, returning the kiss, the feeling that they were meant to be together was stronger than ever. When he finally broke the kiss, she whimpered in disappointment, but it proved only momentary, since he started to nibble her ears. She tipped her head back and held on tightly as their intertwined bodies continued to move in perfect rhythm. Moving with him in this position was easy, she noted, it was a little like riding a horse at an easy canter. Slow and controlled this was totally unlike the ways they had made love before, but it felt just as exquisite. He filled her completely and just being on top of him was an enormous turn on, since it gave her a little control over him she decided.

Finally though, Shani felt her body tightening with the approach of her climax and tried desperately to move faster, but he just held onto her hips, making sure they stayed together. He was still purring, which got louder as he bit her throat, but Shani hardly noticed. She couldn't even wonder why he was teasing her. Her body's aching need for the release that he was denying her was simply too powerful. "Please…" She moaned finally, "Don't tease me."

When he started to kiss one of her breasts, she gasped. His thumb also found her clitoris and he started to stroke it in perfect unison with every thrust of his hips, which quickly brought her to the orgasm she was craving, but he didn't stop. He still held her to the maddeningly slow pace he had set earlier, making her pleasure last and last. Over and over she shuddered helplessly, lost to everything but the realm of sensation. He smirked, he was proud of himself for being able to control himself the way that he could. Any other Saiyan would have gotten so caught up in his own release that they would have missed seeing her like this.

He took a moment to study her. She seemed to have enjoyed herself quite thoroughly, she was still panting heavily. Her head was thrown back; some of her hair was now a darker gold than her lovely skin since it was wet with perspiration. Her body was arched, and gleamed like burnished gold in the light of the lamps. Her breasts were thrust out toward him, their rose hued nipples still very hard, begging to be touched. She had a very beautiful body, particularly lovely in moments like these he decided. Was there anything more attractive than this enchanting little female? Vegeta had to admit he really didn't think so.

Once again he had just demonstrated that he was the dominate one in their relationship, but either she didn't understand the significance of it or she found it too pleasurable to disagree with that time, Vegeta wasn't sure. Still, when the only demands she had made of him so far was that he make love to her again, he had to admit he had liked hearing that from her just a few moments ago as much as he had the first time they were together. She was physically at his mercy, being so fragile and delicate and yet there was so much passion and fire within her that at least so far, she was his equal in desire. The minx collapsed on top of him finally, tightly wrapping herself around him as she tried to collect herself.

Vegeta smirked, if she thought they were done already she was about to learn otherwise. He had purposely held himself back, so while she seemed tired and sated, he still needed her, and that meant now. He rolled them over without withdrawing and kissed her again, demandingly. She moaned softly as the kiss deepened but when he began to take her, she only arched her back and surrendered completely, tipping her head back, giving him her throat. If she could walk tomorrow she would be lucky, but he smirked, for now she was enjoying it was much as he was. She cried out over and over, urging him on meeting his every thrust with one of her own and her nails attempted to dig in, break the skin on his shoulders. He almost laughed, but curiosity got the better of him and finally he lowered his Ki, and found himself enjoying the pain of the bleeding half moons on his shoulders, after all, she certainly didn't realize she was doing it. He was curious to see how she would react when she calmed down enough to notice, but for now, he was getting close so he growled. He withdrew long enough to put her on her hands and knees again but made her sit up against him so that he could kiss her neck and touch her body, ensuring she would find her release too.

He gently guided one of her hands between her thighs, showing her with his fingers, where to touch herself. He was purring as he watched them both in the mirror. He moved his hips very slowly at first, he wanted to let her get used to her body, and he kissed her neck and her delicately pointed ears, not even aware anymore that his desire for her had suddenly calmed itself down yet he had no intention of stopping. This was far too erotic. He moved his hands up her body to find her breasts and nipped her neck when she moaned softly, ceasing the explorations of her slender fingers. He was quite pleased though when she started to touch herself again though, so as a reward he gave both of her nipples a gentle squeeze and a harder thrust of his hips.

"You really ought to open your eyes. You're missing an incredible show." He purred against her neck, drawing a shudder from her. She seemed dazed, but not repulsed by what she saw in the mirror. She watched her hand pleasuring her for a moment, before she grinned and closed her eyes again. Shani slipped her free hand up his thigh, attempting to find his member, but he only gave her a harder thrust, and nipped her ear.

"Oh, Vegeta," She moaned. "Yes, take me harder."

He laughed. "You couldn't handle the way that I would like to take you. Besides, what makes you think you need to ask me?"

"What's the matter, Vegeta, don't you like knowing that I want you, that I like the things you do to me? Or is it that you don't like it when I touch you? Am I doing something wrong?"

"I'm a Saiyan. I don't need you to tell me that you want me. I can smell it when you want me to touch you." He told her smugly. "You are to be my mate and Saiyans always take mating seriously. I will pleasure you because I want to, not because you need to ask me to, and as for..."

"Why do I get the feeling you want to turn me into some sort of a quiet, subservient little mouse?" Shani growled, trying unsuccessfully to get out of his arms, interrupting him.

"No, and I find it very amusing that you have enough nerve to tell me what you want when we are together like this, but..."

"But I'm just supposed to lie back and let you have your fun with me like a good little slave, is that it?" Shani interrupted again. "No thank you, Prince Vegeta. I'm not…"

He rolled his eyes and smirked as he put her on her back, settling himself on top of her so she couldn't go anywhere until he allowed it. "Shh, minx, this is something that you need to understand. Saiyans expect their mates to be as passionate as you are, but you are fragile and I could very easily hurt you if were to succeed in making me want you too much. Just knowing by your scent that you want me drives me crazy, and then when you say it it's already hard for me to be gentle with you. That's why I couldn't let you touch me just then, it's because I don't want to hurt you, it doesn't mean that I don't want to let you."

"Oh," Shani giggled. "So you are saying this phenomenal level of control you keep showing me that you have over your body does have its limits? I was starting to wonder about that. Poor baby, having a mate who can't wait to tell you how much she likes making love to you, but that you have to be careful with. From my perspective it's kind of funny. I thought you just weren't sure if you liked letting me play with you or not. I think it's kind of cute that you were just being careful of me."

Vegeta laughed. "Any man that wouldn't want to be touched by you would have to be solely interested in other men, Shani. I do like your boldness, but I don't want to hurt you so you have to trust that there is a reason for it if I can't let you have your way all the time."

Shani pouted for a moment, but then she gave him a challenging little smirk. "Well, we aren't really doing anything now… can I have my way with you now? Is it my turn to play with you again yet?"

"I suppose I can allow it this time." Vegeta smirked, turning them over so that she could be on top again.

**

Shinesta was soaking in her enormous white marble bathtub when Raya found her. The Empress looked up and grinned when the black haired elf joined her in the room. "You know I'm afraid to ask… but how are they doing?"

Raya giggled. "Vegeta didn't seem to like the mirror's enchantment at first, but it worked and they certainly didn't waste any time, though they did flirt a little. I'm absolutely sure that he has not, and will not hurt her after what little I saw. He's extremely careful with her, and she actually asked him to make love to her so the arrangement seems like it will make both of them happy. I don't think we need to worry about them… But I had something I needed to tell you. It's about what I said tonight, at the party- I'm sorry."

"As a priestess of the Goddess you know better than that, Raya. You can't help whom you fall in love with." Shinesta smiled. "I suppose I really should have guessed how you felt all this time. If I wasn't so incredibly dense I probably would have. I'm the one who should apologize, not you. No one has ever had a more loyal friend than you have been to me."

"But you are the Empress! I had no right to be so forward…"

"How can you say that, Raya? I have always asked you to be honest with me and speak your mind with me privately, I can't believe you never told me sooner. Besides, I happen to be quite exiled and without any more authority than you possess, lately, in case you hadn't noticed."

The countess sighed. "You have never been the sort of person that was defined by your title, Shinesta. Why don't you see that when everyone else knows it? You are the Empress because the way that you conducted yourself as our Empress is the way you continue to present yourself. Our people- and the rest of the Empire still follow you because you are the only leader they want. Some leaders are content to be defined by their fancy titles- instead you are the definition of your title. No one in our Empire would be able to find fault with your rule -except you. You are still too hard on yourself. "

"My mother would be able to come up with a thousand and one reasons that I'm the worst Empress in the entire Silversong Line and you know it."

"Your mother was also already a bitter shadow of the woman and the ruler that she could have been, long before you and I were even born. She married too young, knowing from the outset that she and her mate hated each other, and she never tried to find a…"

"And isn't that what I'm letting Frieza do to my daughter? My mother has either turned over in her grave or she's laughing her head off at me for being the biggest hypocrite in our entire history. Not only did I loose the war to him but I am his mistress and now Shani may as well be facing the same situation."

"Now, now my lady you wouldn't say that if you had seen the way Shani was kissing Vegeta as I left. Frieza may have arranged it, but I have to think that Shinalla knew what she was doing when she allowed him to put them together. Vegeta seems to be a good match for her; I think they make quite an interesting pair."

Neither said anything for a while, until the Empress looked up at her, her expression very serious. "Something you said tonight confused me earlier, Raya. You are wrong, you do have a purpose here. I never would have survived here if I didn't have you to lean on every step of the way. And now, after all the centuries that you and I have been a team I hate to do this, but I need to ask you for yet another favor, Raya."

"N-No…" Raya sank down to her knees next to the bathtub, silently shaking her head as tears welled up in her sapphire eyes, she already knew what the Empress was going to say. "No! Please don't say it. I don't want you to die."

"Now Raya, you know everything dies eventually- even Elves. Tonight Frieza told me again that he will not give me my freedom. And you know I can't go on like this. When I am gone I want you to look after Shani for me." The empress was so calm that it frightened Raya just to hear her talking like this.

Raya had never heard any words that hurt her more than those- and yet at the same time she knew how hard this imprisonment had been for Shinesta, it was time to end the charade and she knew it. "W-when?"

"I don't know yet. But I know that it will be sooner than Shani will be ready for, and she will need you then as much as I have always needed you."

"But I love you- how will I go on without you? It's not fair…"

"I know that and I'm sorry. It isn't fair to you. But you and I both know that there is no one else I can ask to watch over her for me." The Empress raised a finger to her friend's lips and shook her head slowly. "Let me finish, please. Though we have never been lovers I have always loved you too, Raya. You're still my sister, and you are my best friend, that will never change, Raya, I promise you that. Death is apparently my only hope for release from the trap I am in. I'm not afraid, and I don't want you to be afraid for me. I will forgo my eternal rest for as long as it takes to see you and Shani out of danger, and see the prophecy come true. Whenever you need me I will always be with you in spirit, though I would rather you not tell Shani that I am not at rest."

As with so many times before in difficult situations in their past, there was no uncertainty in the eyes of the Empress, and no fear. There would be no changing her mind, Raya could feel it in the steady gaze of Shinesta's silver eyes. In mind, body and spirit, Shinesta was truly at peace with her decision, Raya looked down sadly. "Shani won't understand why you want to die unless you want me to tell her about-."

"No don't tell her. She will be ready to hear of what transpired between Frieza and I when she is older, but not now. I would rather she not understand until she asks you, and someday you know she will. When she is older and wiser she will figure out the truth for herself and she will ask you about it. Too many people need you right now Raya, I know that what I am asking will be hard for you after I am gone, but I really believe that you are still needed by this world."

"Who needs me? I'm a servant nothing more! I'm your servant- you are the one that matters and you are going to die but you can't even tell me when?"

"You are a healer, Raya with a fighter's spirit, you always have been. It was only with your help that I was able to escape my mother's palace and the capital city to go and look for Logan after my mother exiled him, and now this? I would have died within hours of being put in here, if you had not been here and you know it. You are gifted in many ways that I am not... Your sorcery alone is as almost powerful as mine and yet you are a priestess of the goddess too. When it comes time for the prophecy, the war will be terrible you and I both feel it, and that means Zarbon will need you to put your talents in organizing others to use creating a hospital for the wounded. More than likely your talents as a consort will prove useful for more than just spying on Zarbon in the near future too…"

"I don't love Zarbon the way that I love you."

"You don't sound very sure of that, Raya. He has given us trouble a few times, but he has also done everything in his power to protect us from Frieza. Deep down, Zarbon is a good man; you and I both know it. Although in certain situations even his hands are tied by Frieza's whims, but he saved your life this morning and I realized that he really does love you. And you know that you do love him too, you've told me at least a thousand times that you love him that you would love to be able to tell him how you feel. Besides you and Zarbon are a lot alike, you are completely dedicated to your duties but you make it look easy and you are never too busy to have fun now and then- oh honestly Raya, I wasn't talking about sex, you nut! Though no one has told me more times than you have just how good Zarbon is in bed, and he does tend to be the topic of a lot of conversations at any function of state that Frieza has me arrange here though."

Raya laughed. "I don't get jealous, my lady. I'm a priestess of love and even if Zarbon wanted to marry me I could never accept."

"Doesn't that make you even a little bit sad- I mean what about children- don't you want a life mate of your own someday?"

"As a high priestess I can have as many children as I want and no it doesn't make me sad in the least. I can't say I like the idea of one man holding exclusive rights to my body for the rest of my life."

"But if you were his then he would be yours too…"

Raya paused but she just giggled. "It's still hard to believe that you met the love of your life when you were so young, Shinesta. I have always wondered if I had been your first lover instead of Logan, if you would be this devoted to me after all this time. I would most certainly like having only one mate if that mate could be you."

"He wasn't my first. He was my second, thank you." The empress said indignantly slapping some water at her friend.

"Oh that's right I guess I forgot about that old rust bucket you had been playing with."

"Raya that's terrible! Old rust bucket? Lord Ainsley wasn't old! He was a wonderful man who was very sweet to me."

"He was a half elf that was very close to 450, he wasn't just old, he wasn't even very good looking anymore! And as for him being sweet to you, my lady you have always been absurdly attractive. Any man that sees you wants you. You are still that beautiful and you know it." Raya giggled. "But as for Lord Ainsley you were the one that told me he literally fell asleep on you- three times no less! Once it might be an accident -twice he's either a bad lover or he's just lazy, three times he's so old it's a miracle he can get it up at all. Now then, I ought to get some clothes ready for you."

In spite of the Empress's attempt at cheering her up, Raya felt heartsick and distraught as she went to lay out some clothes for the Empress to change into after she finished her bath. She couldn't stop shaking and she felt dizzy. Not wanting to cry in front of the Empress's other servants and alert them that something was wrong; she quickly excused herself and teleported franticly to find herself in Zarbon's chambers.

He was at his desk sifting through an assortment of paperwork, but he stood up and came over to her when he saw her expression. "What is it?" She couldn't form the words, but collapsed into his arms and let him hold her while she cried. He carried her to his bed and lay down with her partially on top of him so that he could stroke her hair and pet her back gently.

He hated to see her like this- although come to think of it, he had never seen her so upset before. Not even Frieza's invasion of Talon and being brutally kidnapped by the soldiers who had intended to rape her and all the other female elves they had managed to capture had left her this upset. Whatever had happened was sure to have been devastating to leave Raya reduced to this. It took her a long time to settle down to the point where she could form words again to break her silence, but he didn't rush her, he knew she would tell him what had drawn her here when she was ready.

"It's not fair…" She cried finally, against his shoulder. "Shinesta has asked me to watch over Shani after she is gone and I can't do it… I can't do it; I love her! I don't want to live without her."

"What? After all this time she's giving up now?"

"Yes." Raya sniffed, managing to peel herself away from him. She sat up, looking away in shame. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come here. I just didn't know where else to go…"

He caught her hand. "I'm glad you came to me, because I love you, Raya."

Tears welled up in her eyes all over again. "You do?"

"Of course. I've loved you for years, Raya, and I've always wanted to tell you. And I… I think you love me too, don't you?"

"Yes but don't you think it's strange that I…"

He gave her a mischievous smirk, "Elves are not the only race known to take an occasional interest in both sexes you know. I have always found your particular attraction to Shinesta arousing but I have always wondered why you have never told her how you feel…"

"I told her tonight and… it didn't change her mind. I knew that it wouldn't, so I wish that I hadn't said anything, she can be so stubborn sometimes..." Raya sighed sadly, looking down and away as another tear went gliding down her cheek. "It's not fair…"

"There are a lot of things going on in the universe that aren't fair right now, and one of the worst injustices has been Frieza keeping Shinesta his prisoner in the manner that he has been." Zarbon reminded her gently. "Every time I think about it I can't believe she has been able to tolerate it for this long. You were the one who told me a week after their first tryst that that you didn't really expect her to survive the first six months here, let alone the first year so that she would get to see Shani on her first visit…"

"I don't need you to tell me that I'm being selfish, damn it!" Raya snapped, interrupting him suddenly. "I know that am and I feel terrible for it but I love her, more than anything- we spent every day of our lives together, from when we were infants until we were over three hundred years old and when she returned to the capital city to accept her mother's throne and become Empress, we were together every day for another 537 years, and now we are here and we still see each other all the time… I don't know how to go on without her."

"I didn't mean it that way, Raya. I know that you love her, and I also know that you don't mean in a purely physical way when you say it. I have known since the first time I saw you look at her when she wasn't paying attention that you were in love with her. Do you think I don't know that there is more to love than just having sex?" He smiled and kissed her softly. "I'm not worried about having to share your heart with Shinesta; I've already had plenty of time to get used to that, minx."

"Really?" She asked softly, and he couldn't help noticing that her sapphire eyes had never looked more beautiful to him. He nodded and kissed her sweetly, noting that all of their clothes had disappeared quite suddenly…