Chapter 528
528 Soft To The Touch(Part One)
***WARNING: EXTREMELY GRAPHIC SEXUAL CONTENT***
Tidas flashed an amused expression; “Do you think that Mei is in love with Hana?”
“Na-well...maybe that’s what’s goin’ on wit’em? I just never woulda suspected that Mei preferred women..”
Tidas took on a confused demeanor as he commented; “You can’t be serious. She’s Married, Skye. Why would she marry if she loves someone else?”
Skye looked at him like he was an idiot; “Are ya daft, husband? She’s female.. We usually dinna get a choice in who we wed. You should know that, or did ya forget about Jacob Fowler? I Never wanted ta marry him, but if ya wouldna shown up when ya did: I’d be Mrs. Fowler right now.”
Tidas nodded, unsure of how to reply. He agreed that all people should choose to marry for their own reasons, but arranged marriages were so commonplace that it was easy to forget how wrong they were at their core. What if one of the promised was abusive? Or what if one of them loved another?
More heartache and loneliness was had than happiness when it came to arranged marriages. There were the few exceptions, like Skye and Tidas, but most who married for their family’s benefit wound up in loveless relationships. And the contracts almost never protected the woman..
Marriage contracts were normally put in place to protect the families’ interests, and the man usually kept everything if an annulment or divorce was needed. The woman’s dowry was either kept by the man, or returned to her family. Tidas had re-written the contract between he and Skye with their fathers, to make sure that she would receive everything that she deserved instead of Lucas.
Lord Moonstone didn’t care that his daughter would have her own wealth; he actually supported it. And it also helped to show Lucas that Tidas truly cared for Skye. With his daughter happily married to a man that she loved, and was cherished by, Lucas had signed the new document before Tidas had gone off to fight his uncle the first time.
.....
Tidas had never heard of anyone else doing for their wife what he had done for his. If she simply said so: Skye would be free. The idea that she could love another sent a wave of irrational thoughts running through his head, but Tidas pushed them away as he refocused on Skye.
“Do you really think that they’re lovers?”
Skye nearly choked on her drink before replying; “I didna say that, just that there’s Somethin’ goin’ on between them. Although the kinda tension I feel from’em is familiar.”
“What? Lust?” Tidas asked with a cheeky smile.
“No, that’s what You feel,” Skye replied while trying to keep her own grin at bay.
Tidas leaned in to Skye’s hair, and whispered into her ear; “You’re damn right.. All those quick couplings we had on the ship just made me want to savor you all the more. When we get back to our quarters, don’t expect to get any rest until I’ve had my fill of you.”
A shiver of anticipation ran up Skye’s back as Tidas pulled away from her ear, and flashed her a now-smoldering smile. She couldn’t hold back the grin tugging at her lips as she found herself replying; “I look forward to ya keepin’ yer word, husband.”
Like it was second nature, Tidas held her hand up to his lips, and kissed the back of her hand. As they smiled and held hands, Mei watched from across the table with a saddened expression.. ‘I wish I knew what that felt like..’
“Are you alright, sweetheart?” Bai Lei asked his daughter.
Mei straightened her posture and nodded, not wanting to worry her father or involve him in the matters of her heart.. ‘He’ll hate me if I jeopardize the alliance created from my marriage to Hang Zhou.. Father’s position is already in jeopardy due to the Tokuga Family.. If they learn of my affair, then Father will be shamed..’
Hana watched as Mei’s expression fluctuated, and she wished that she could make her feel better..
“Staring is impolite,” Genie commented low so as not to be heard.
Hana averted her eyes as she replied; “I apologize, Master. But you understand..”
“I do, but you must maintain yourself. Otherwise you leave yourself and others open to scrutiny.. You are lucky that they already care for Mei, and that they are Far more accepting than our own people.. I want you to be Mei’s bodyguard while Skye and Tidas are here. I believe you may learn a thing or two from each other.”
Hana nodded in agreement, but Genie could tell that she wanted to say something to him. As he crunched down on some pickled daikon slices, Genie smirked inwardly at the dangerous game he was about to start with his niece..
‘By the time this is all over, Mei and Skye will either be closer than ever, or come to resent each other.. I hope those two realize that it’s not just Mei’s life that will be affected by how this all goes..’
The meal turned more pleasant as the sake was replaced several times. Skye liked the sweet bite of one of Sai’s most popular, and traditional alcohols. There was also other drinks like baijiu, ginpom, and simple tea served.
The amount of food offered had Skye using her Tank and Shaman trait to speed up her metabolism, so she could try everything. Since Sai had a sea port on their eastern coast, there were seafood dishes she’d never seen, or even heard of before. While she still steered clear of the more fishy-smelling dishes, there were others that she tried.
Macanese garlic prawns, shrimp lo mein, and miso butter shrimp closest to her, so that’s where Skye started. Lobster, carp stew, and octopus served as a dish called Takoyaki. There were chicken and beef dishes as well, but they were more familiar to Skye, and she wanted to try the dishes that were new to her.
When she had been in Sai before, she recalled trying takoyaki, and thought it was too chewy. But as an adult, she found the texture more appealing. As she dabbed a bit of soy sauce on top of one and popped it into her mouth, Tidas reached under the table, and started to rub the top of her thigh.
A surge of warmth ran upward, and slowly started to stoke a fire in her core. Seeing Skye begin to fidget, Tidas smirked as her ran his hand up higher. When he reached near her hip, he dipped his hand between her legs, and brushed his fingertips along her most sensitive place.
Clearing her throat, Skye wiped her mouth, smacked her husband’s hand away, then calmly asked Mei to escort them back to their quarters. Bai Lei and Genie were deep in a conversation with Ralph and Klaus about the Highlanders’ bunker systems. Not wanting to disturb them, Skye and Tidas bid Goodnight to everyone, then were led back to their quarters.
Mei chatted with Skye the whole way back, and they even made plans to go shopping in the morning. According to Mei, Rukia’s nanny wouldn’t mind if she went as long as her husband approved. After she had bid them goodnight and left, Skye vented to Tidas as they stripped and went into the bathroom.
Unlike Alcon, the citizens of Sai conserved their water as best they could. The bathroom was more like a large shower room with a large tub in it. One would wash, then soak in the tub before getting out. Skye preferred her shower back in Alcon above all other bathing options, but didn’t mind how they did things in Sai.
As she and Tidas took turns washing each other’s backs, Skye vented about how Mei needed to get permission from her husband just to go shopping. She understood that there were cultural differences, but the control her hand over Mei seemed dangerous to her..
While Tidas climbed into the steaming bath water, he commented; “That’s just how Mei’s world works, love. Don’t forget that we’re here as diplomats, not revolutionaries. Let it go for now, and get in here. I’ve been looking forward to this since we landed.”
Before Skye could do more than turn, Tidas was yanking her down into the water. The bath was oval-shaped, and seemingly made for two people. As the water sloshed out the sides and onto the floor, Skye yelled; “Are ya bloody daft?!”
“Only for you,” Tidas replied as he turned her around on top of himself.
Tidas was propped up by the wall of the bath as Skye laid on top of him with an annoyed expression. With a cheeky smile, he dipped his hand into the water, then splashed her in the face. Skye yelped, then used her Water magic to hit him with a slightly pressurized stream.
The next thing they knew, Skye and Tidas were at opposite ends of the tub; splashing each other like when they were children. It took Tidas around three minutes to tire of their flirting, then he lunged at her in a way designed to make her laugh. In one quick motion that splashed out another goodly portion of their bath water, Tidas grabbed his wife under her thighs, and hoisted her on top of himself.
Skye laughed as he declared himself the winner of their little water fight, then buried his face between her breasts. While still laughing, she managed to get out; “Ya ken ya only won cause I held back!”
Tidas pulled his face away long enough to breathily reply; “That may be true, but I’m still going to collect my spoils..”
Unable to keep her smile away, Skye commented; “Aye, but only cause I think I benefit more when ya claim yer spoils.”
“I disagree. Your pleasure is mine too, love. I’m a very selfish man when it comes to you,” Tidas muttered before taking one of her nipples into his mouth.
Skye arched her back into him as he flicked and teased with his tongue. As Tidas began to lightly nip with the edge of his teeth, his left hand traveled up her back, and his right gripped her butt. Tilting her head back, Skye’s entire body broke out in goosebumps under his touch.
As he gripped her cheek, Tidas slid Skye forward until she was resting on top of his manhood. She could feel him growing as she began to slowly rotate her hips against him, and nearly moaned; “I guess we’re both selfish then..”
Tidas smiled as he took in the sight of his writhing wife. She was pleasure in physical form to him, and he couldn’t imagine ever having his fill of her. As his grip tightened, he slid Skye back slightly, reached down with his other hand, and grabbed ahold of her other cheek..
As surprise covered Skye’s features, Tidas spoke in a restrained tone; “Sorry love, but I’m not waiting any longer..”