<<NRPG: This is a Coneta post .. prepare yourself! For those new to Xylian
this means there is indeed adult content in this post! :)>>

Darril
***
<<In Eos - evening>>

The two lovers hugged in the privacy of Bryn's rooms within Glynweith's
castle while the Duchess entertained Gerard, giving them yet another chance
to be together. If Darril hadn't been so captivated by his love, he might
have had time to feel sorry for the woman. She had graciously invited them
here, and then listened for what must have been hours on end to Gerard's
drivel. Darril would be in the good woman's debt forever.

Suddenly he felt her stomach 'kick' him away. They both chuckled at the
strength of their child. Darril ran a hand over her full belly.

Bryn smiled, "It won't be long, Darril."

"I know."

"I want him to be born now. I'm so afraid Gerard is going to drag you away
and then you won't be here." She raised her eyes to his, "Please don't let
him take you away."

He kissed her gently, "I'm not leaving."

She gripped his hand tightly. She had loved their time here in Eos .. even
if it had been interrupted frequently by Gerard's bellowing. It was better
then the all to brief and highly sporadic visits they'd had in Lotherra.

"The duchess has a plan, love. It's going to work."

"I pray it will. But .."

"Bryn," he said gently, "Don't worry."

"I can't help it. She thinks she can pass me off as a lady.."

"You are a lady. The finest of all."

"Darril, be serious. I know your brother has his sights set on the Duchess
herself. Why would he allow you to marry me. A lady only because of the
fine clothes and rooms given to her by a very generous woman. And one who
is to give birth to a bastard any day now .."

"Our child is not a bastard, Bryn. No matter if we are ever married or not.
Because in my heart you are and always have been my soul mate .. my wife."

She smiled in pleasure, which faded as she realized that his words while
flowery and beautiful meant little in reality .. and absolutely nothing to
Gerard, "How is it you are related to that man, Darril."

He groaned lightly, "Bryn, please, he *is* my brother."

Bryn turned her eyes away. She knew Darril did not like to hear her say
anything negative about Gerard. But the more of Glynweith's generosity she
saw .. the more Gerard's pettiness became apparent.

"He is not fit to grovel at your feet, my love."

Darril shook his head. "I am guilty of much of same things as Gerard is. I
helped him take Lotherra. I conspired against Regil .. I helped Glynweith
and Wylla steal away over half of his servants."

"Never think badly of yourself. You are a good man."

"Only because of your love .."

There was a light rapping at the door. Darril stood and pulled the door
open slightly to see one of Glynweith's loyal serving men. The wrinkle
faced man whispered, "Dinner will be ready soon. Lady Glynweith and Lord
Lothar are awaiting your Lordship in the tea room."

Darril nodded and turned to Bryn. "I'm afraid I must go .."

She nodded, "'Til the next time, my love."

He nodded and stood there, just looking at her, taking in her beauty ..
until the urgings of the man at the door forced him to follow.

Gerard
***

"Darril! There you are man. I was beginning to worry about you. The duchess
was telling me of the lovely ride in the snow you two had the afternoon."
Gerard beamed, as did Glynweith.

Darril looked at both of them and nodded, "Indeed, it was most enjoyable."
He smiled charmingly at the duchess. A look of knowing passed between them,
for there had been no such ride. Yet again, Glynweith had found another way
to assure Gerard that his plans were working, while giving Darril his day
with Bryn and herself time away from Gerard.

Glynwieth stood, "I'll go see if they are ready for us in the dining room."

The two men bowed to the lady as she stepped out of the room. Gerard waited
until she was gone and stepped quickly to his brother's side. "Well?"

"Well what?"

"Have you proposed to her yet."

"To the Duchess?"

Gerard growled in frustration. "Darril, the time has come. You must propose
tonight over dinner."

"I hardly think tonight is a good time .."

"It's the perfect time. I'll feign a headache and leave the two of you
alone. I'll expect a blushing bride to be to meet me at breakfast."

"Gerard .." Darril sputtered, "I must protest your meddling into my
relationship with the Duchess."

Gerard shook his head, "You are not a young man anymore Darril. If you wait
to much longer the Duchess will find a man closer to her own age."

Darril frowned and Gerard patted him on the back, "Come now, brother. She
likes you, you like her. Tonight you propose!"

Coneta
***
<<Tellari estate>>

>"Your clothes for the evening have been laid out, pet, and there's a
>servant here to help you with your hair and cosmetics. Don't be late."

Coneta nodded and sunk deeper into the hot water. She couldn't believe
she'd voluntarily made love to that man. She's even asked him .. begged him
to allow her to .. without any hesitation. Was it only a few months ago he
had made her skin crawl?

There were still things about him that unnerved her. He was capable of such
incredible cruelty. Yet his touch .. She ran a soapy puff over shoulder and
down between her breasts. " .. mmm .." she moaned at the thought of what he
did to her.

And now he expected her to go back to Regil .. that thought quickly but out
any fires that might have been set. She didn't want to go back to him. Not
under his terms ..

'.. I have plans for you, pet, and I cannot have your husband believing
that you won't obey orders..'

What plans? She really didn't like being Haedin's pawn. However, she was a
smart woman, and it hadn't taken her long to realize that if she helped
Haedin get what he wanted, it wouldn't be long before she could get what
she wanted. But what did she want? Certainly not to be Regil's wife again.
But .. if he gained enough power ..

'.. Regil is going to test the sincerity of your submission, and that will
be your final examination, my dear..'

Submit to Regil? What an unpleasant thought. Though if she played her part
right, she wouldn't really be submitting to him ..

'.. if you pass, I'm going to send you someplace a bit more civilized..'

Where? She couldn't help but wonder, though she had no doubt it would be
worth what she had to do. Perhaps Tevran would be going with her. She did
like him. Together they had spent many passionate hours over the past cold
months. And though it had supposedly been her 'training', she had enjoyed
it.

'.. don't be late ..'

No, that would not be good. She quickly finished her bath. Haedin had said
she'd have a servant to help her. Oh how she'd missed having someone around
to do her hair .. get her clothes.. do all the little things so she
wouldn't have to. Gods she missed Celia. That woman could do wonders with
her hair. She only hoped this woman would be half as good.

She climbed out of the tub, grabbing a towel. She wrapped the towel around
her torso and headed out into the bed room. She stopped cold as the slender
form of a young boy  turned to face her. He bowed, "I am here to serve."

".. oh .." she said, then frowned, "You can help me get ready? Do my hair?"

The boy nodded, "Oh yes, m'lady."

Coneta smiled, "Excellent. Then let's get started." He was a handsome lad,
and seemingly eager to please. She liked him instantly.

***

"Wonderful," she grinned, admiring Anlon's work, "Amilie was quite right.
You are remarkable."

"Thank you, m'lady," he smiled clearly pleased.

Coneta spun in the dress. For the first time in far to long, she felt young
and alive again. This was what she was supposed to be. This was befitting
her position. She turned to Anlon, "For this you get a reward."

She moved and planted a firm kiss on his very surprised lips. She smiled
happily as he blushed. "You and I are going to get along very well, Anlon."

"Thank you, m'lady," the lad said, still in a bit of shock. Coneta turned
back to the mirror and studied the image once again, before turning and
headed out of the room and toward the dining hall.

She felt a brief thrill of satisfaction as Regil's eyes turned on her as
she entered .. He was distracted from the whore still glued to his side.
Haedin motioned her to the chair beside her husband, and she took it,
noting that Regil's eyes were still on her. He breathed deeply of the
sweet perfume Anlon had laced her with, "Good evening, Coneta."

She turned a dazzling smile on him, "Hello, my husband." She kept a
perfectly submissive face as Regil's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. She
was beginning to enjoy this.

Regil
***

The man couldn't believe this was his wife! Coneta never called him that!
And what had she done to herself.. she looked at least 10 years younger!
Haedin said she'd do anything he asked .. he decided to test it out. "Could
you butter my roll, dear."

Dawn reached for the roll on his plate, but Regil caught her hand and
watched in shock as Coneta picked up the roll and carefully buttered it.
She then held it in front of his mouth. He couldn't believe it as she fed
him the roll, allowing him to lick her fingers when the roll was gone.

"Another roll, my husband," Coneta asked. And Regil nodded dumbly, as a
smile crossed his face. He was going to like this!

He rushed through dinner, his eyes rarely off his wife, despite Dawn's
attempts to distract him. When he had finished he spoke again, "Shall we
retire to my rooms, Coneta."

"If that is your wish, my husband." She said placing her napkin from her
lap beside a half finished plate.

"It is." He stood, "Come along." Both Dawn and Coneta stood. Dawn moved
immediately to Regil's side. Coneta followed after a flickering glance at
Haedin who was watching her with approval.

Regil's pace was fast. He was curious to see just how far Coneta would
carry this farce. Or if Haedin was correct and Coneta truly was beaten.

He opened the door to his rooms and turned, only half expecting Coneta to
still be behind him. He was surprised to see she was. By the Gold! It
looked as though Haedin had actually done it! "Stand there," he ordered her
to foot of the bed. She complied.

He grabbed Dawn's hand and pulled her to him. The young woman eagerly began
to kiss him. Regil kept one eye on Coneta as he began to remove Dawn's
clothes, his hands roughly caressing her naked flesh.

Coneta didn't flinch. She simply stood there waiting for his next
instructions. Soon the two were completely  naked and still Coneta didn't
move, nor did she grimace or roll her eyes, or turn away. None of the
things he would have expected from his wife.

"Coneta," he said, his voice husky from Dawn's expert caresses, "You're
looking warm .."

He didn't even  finish his statement before Coneta began to shed her clothing.

Coneta
***

She'd been expecting this. Even almost looking forward to it. Not
specifically for the chance to make love to her husband, but for the chance
to replace the little whore in his bed. And she was ready to use all the
skills Tevran had helped her to prefect in order to do just that.

If she thought she could just come in and take her place, she was sadly
mistaken. As soon as she was naked the former Lady of Lotherra stepped
around to the side of the bed moving toward her husband.

She was surprised when Regil rolled away and plopped Dawn in front of her.
It was plain to see that he wanted her to do what she had planned to do to
him.. to his whore! It took everything within her to not rebel immediately.
Thankfully, Dawn seemed to be more prepared for this then she was and as
the woman pressed her lips to Coneta's, she was able to cover her shock.

'.. at dinner, Regil is going to test the sincerity of your submission..'

She had thought she'd passed that .. but now it was clear this was the real
test. Had Haedin known? It seemed sure he had. He seemed to know everything
before it happened. Little surprised him. Why had he not warned her!

'.. and that will be your final examination, my dear..'

Damn him! He had known! Once again she found herself hating him for this
humiliation. However, she wouldn't ruin everything by letting on how
upsetting this was to her. She would have Regil eating out of her hand!

She found it wasn't as difficult to switch gears and modify the skills she
learned as she'd thought it would be. Dawn was indeed skilled and soon her
pulse was speeding.

***

Coneta woke to Regil's snoring. She breathed heavily. This was the trial
she had to endure in order to win. She rolled over hoping she could get
back to sleep. It was then she became aware of the soft sobs emanating from
the bathroom .. a soft light flickered seeping under the closed door.

She slipped quietly out to the bed and stole to the bathroom. Gently
pushing the door open she saw Dawn sitting on the floor beside the tub.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

Dawn looked up, "I'm fine."

She looked very unhappy, and Coneta couldn't help but feel sorry for the
girl. "Look, I know Regil's no prize .."

"But you'll take him back won't you?"

Coneta was taken aback by the sting of her words. "He is my husband."

Dawn nodded, and looked down at the floor, "And now that Lord Meradh has
you trained, you'll have his child .."

 Coneta frowned, "His child ..?"

"I'm supposed to have his child!" the girl hissed.

"Fine so have it. I'm not about to get pregnant at my age. Besides, haven't
you heard .. I'm barren."

Dawn looked at her, "You tried to get pregnant?"

Coneta shook her head, "No. I went out of my to make sure I never got
pregnant. I'm not about to stop now. Haedin knows that. Maybe it was a
mistake when I was younger, but its not now."

Dawn sighed heavily, "I've been trying .."

Coneta nodded, "Then you're not pregnant?"

She shook her head unhappily, and motioned to white porcelain chamber pot
tinged pink with her menstrual blood. "I've had three cycles since becoming
his lover .. and still not a hint. I thought for sure this time .. but
tonight when I came to relieve myself .."

"I am sorry," Coneta said honestly, all her recent hatred for the woman
gone. "But you do realize that any child you would have, Regil would pass
off as mine. I am his wife. He will not divorce me. Push me aside perhaps
.. turn me over to Haedin .. but he wouldn't divorce me."

"I know that. But still it would give me a position. I cannot afford to be
pushed aside as you were. For I am nobody .." She raised red-rimmed eyes to
Coneta, "I cannot allow you to win him back."

Regards,
Darril & Bryn, in Eos
Regil & Coneta, at the Tellari Estate
***
NRPG: Well, Gerard has made his move .. what will Darril and Glynweith do
now? And how long before Bryn bears his child?

Also I figured, now that Coneta has gone through Haedin's 'training' she
may have a bit of compassion for Dawn .. Really they have a lot in common
now.

As far as Dawn not getting pregnant .. you know some men shoot blanks! :)
I think it would be a hoot if Regil is the one whose sterile, especially
considering everything Coneta did to prevent herself from conceiving his
child :)

Kris


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       \oo/     Kristen Gant
        ~~      (AKA: Darlea & Makayla, Keldarra Warren, Courier
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                      Kalewyn & Sabbith, Telnor Warren, Dragonrider
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                      Merybelle Barmen, City of Ralengarde, Innkeeper
                      Ce'lot & Britche, Xylain Warren, Wingleader
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