Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 69

Hannah sat on the floor, her head back and eyes closed while taking deep, controlled breaths. She was attempting to look inward and reach a state of calm, but thus far, she was just annoyed.

“You know, this wasn't the training I thought you were talking about,” she stated as her eyes came open. Sitting cross-legged before her was the towering druid, his body perfectly poised as if lost in meditation. Beside him was Blackbast, her green feline eyes peering down as if disappointed.

“You have been playing this game far too long,” Blackbast stated. “You dabble with your mysteries, then run to play slave girl and forget about them. It is time you focused and put some real effort into remembering who you are.”

“I know, but all it ever does is lead to more chaos,” Hannah countered.

“Hannah, you made me promise you that I would ensure you took your studies seriously. You cannot continue to ignore the signs,” Blackbast insisted.

“What signs?” Hannah demanded. She was taken aback when Blackbast began to list them off. The crown of ten dooms, along with the statue of Frank. Umtha and her own reveal that Hannah had always intended to wear the collar and play a succubus. The attack of Thexis, and the strange desire to collect magical materials from Hannah and Frank. She even suggested that Breanne's magical ring and Quinny's unusual desert armor played some role. Then she pointed out things like the Necrofidiax, the blue staff, and ring, and the tunnels in the mountain that were already hers.

“You don’t think Breanne and Quinny have lost memories?” Hannah begged as Blackbast shrugged.

“I cannot say for sure,” she replied. “I certainly have no previous knowledge of them, but that means nothing in the grand scheme of things. All I can say for sure is a suite of armor perfect for Quinny, and a magical ring that only Breanne could wear were found in tunnels that somehow belonged to you. Coincidence and you are closer than lovers, and I do not believe we would be wise to ignore it.”

Hannah wanted to argue with her but couldn't find a logical path of attack. Blackbast was right; despite Hannah's efforts to keep her mind occupied, the signs continued to mount. It was also plain negligent to ignore the recent attack on the harem. Still, she was tired of screaming into the darkness and never getting a solid answer. It seemed easier to let things happen and glean what information they could when possible.

“So what is this meditation supposed to prove?” Hannah said in defeat. Drellis moved his massive head as dark eyes came open to peer at her as if searching her soul.

“I am hoping you can calm the noise in your head long enough to hear the voice inside screaming for your attention,” he replied.

“What voices?” Hannah protested as she folded her arms.

Drellis smiled as he sat back as if amused by her reply. He explained that Hannah's locked memories were trying to get out and that he believed she could access some of them. Hannah was alarmed that he knew about her memories and asked Blackbast why he was told. He replied for her and told how Rajeen and Blackbast had come to him to explain Hannah's plight.

“I keep being told it has to be a secret, yet they came straight to you behind my back,” Hannah accused.

“Please do not be alarmed,” Drellis said with a wave of his hand. “I am a very old friend of the ladies Blackbast and Rajeen. I was one of the first players to venture into New Eden and I have been here a long time. They didn't betray anything of your history until I approached them and asked a question.”

“What question?” Hannah replied.

“Why is Hathlisora pretending to be somebody else?” he replied.

Hannah's eyes went wide in shock as she realized he knew her previous incarnation. She froze as her mind stumbled over a thousand questions, each fighting to be asked. He could see her distress, so he reached over and touched her shoulder before looking deep into her eyes.

“You and I have spent many hours together, as I was there when you made your fateful choice,” he said.

“What choice?” Hannah gasped.

“You chose Frank over Kevin,” Blackbast said. “That choice caused a chain of events that led to the state of things now.”

“I did what?” Hannah said, shaking her head. “We already knew that anyway.”

“Yes,” Drellis said with a nod. “But did you know that Kevin tried to win you back? Did you know he then tried to replace you with another just like you?”

“Just like me?” Hannah replied, then nodded. “My twin from Abbadon.”

“Yes,” Drellis said with a nod. “So much alike that you were nearly impossible to tell apart.”

Hannah paused to consider the information and then asked what Kevin wanted. Drellis wasn't sure, but he did believe that Kevin had once genuinely loved her. He then admitted that he had been one of their companions in the early days when their love was innocent.

“You were there?” Hannah said in shock.

“I was there for some of it,” he explained with a shake. “I saw you many times and listened to you sing. You liked to dance and play and flirted shamelessly with any man who caught your gaze.”

“I did?” Hannah said as her red cheeks turned purple.

“You were so wild and hopeful,” Drellis said. “You never believed for a second that it would last.” He smiled at her blank expression and sat back as if pleased with himself. “You were chosen but never accepted that this was now your home. You always believed you would find a way out, and Kevin promised to help you find it. But you always said that so long as you had to be here, you may as well enjoy it.”

“Are you saying I was a slut?” Hannah demanded.

“Oh, a notorious one,” Drellis laughed and had to wipe an eye. “You may think our recent encounters were our first, but I assure you that we have known each other many times.”

Hannah had to hide her face in her hands as the embarrassment crawled up her spine. What kind of person had she been, and why was she following the same path? Maybe she was fated to relive her life again and again until she fixed some mistake in her nature. She put all that aside and looked Drellis in the eye, asking him why he was helping.

“I have been asked to be honest with you,” he said. “I am told you are in a lot of pain that you are trying to drown in carnal pleasures. It is as you did before, so I felt I could offer you some direction.”

“Direction?” Hannah balked. “Just tell me what I was trying to do. I obviously found a way out. Where was it?”

He sighed and looked down, his eyes heavy with disappointment.

“You still desire to escape,” he said. “It was all you ever wanted. All that mattered to you until him.”

“I assume you mean Frank,” Hannah asked, causing the druid to nod. “So I changed my mind and decided to stay for Frank once before.”

“I am not sure,” he admitted. “I had parted ways with you shortly before the hostilities began. When it began to scour the lands, I retreated to my grove and waited it out, hoping to remain undetected. I know little of the actual war, but I do know Hathlisora before she was consumed by rage.”

“Ok, then what did Kevin break?” Hannah asked. “He broke something of mine that drove me insane. Do you know what it was?”

“It was a possession of yours, given to you by Kevin. I do not know what it was for sure, but it was shortly after you acquired it that you turned your heart to Frank,” Drellis explained. “Kevin saw that as a great betrayal, and it was this spark that set you two on a path of conflict. When you refused to return to his affections, he stole the item from you and used it in some way to anger you. I am told you were so enraged by what he did that you lured his dragon into an ambush and slew her permanently.

“Ouch,” Hannah replied, shocked and disappointed. He knew more of the story but not enough to tell her what this object was. She couldn't help but be convinced that this object was the key to it all, especially considering the lengths the goblins went to try and fix it. Now more than ever, she wanted to know what that object was, but how could she find out? She expressed this desire to the pair, and Drellis spoke.

“I am curious why you never explored more of your dreams?” he stated.

“I can’t keep asking Gisley to take me into my nightmares,” Hannah protested.

“Hannah,” he said in a soft tone. “You cannot hide the truth from me. I know you can enter dreams of your own. I once had a Lilim slave girl for a few years, and I am very familiar with your powers. You can see when somebody is dreaming about you, and you can enter those dreams at will. You can also find anyone you have kissed in the last few days haunting their dreams with perverse pleasures. By now, you should have the power to see a person's desires. You can tell when they are desperate for affection and what form they wish it would take. You can charm them so that you become the woman they desire, playing out their fantasy and giving them all they desire.”

“She can?” Blackbast gasped and then glared at Hannah. “Why have you kept this a secret?”

Hannah felt trapped as Drellis laid bare all her unique talents. He was right, she could see their need like a light over their heads. The more lonely or desperate the person was the more brightly it glowed. She could even see the woman they desired if she got close enough. Then, she could use her powers to copy that woman to the finest detail. With a look into their eyes, she could read their desires and know exactly how they wished the fantasy to play out. Hannah could give anyone whatever intimate encounter they desired, but she hadn't dared tell her family.

“I wasn't sure how to handle it,” Hannah admitted as she looked down. “Look, I know I have been doing more things, but there is still a small part of me that regrets it. I haven't wanted to embrace all these powers until I was sure it wouldn't hurt anyone.”

“You haven’t changed a bit,” Drellis laughed. “All that power at your fingertips and you refuse to use it out of fear that you might cause harm.”

“But I am causing harm,” Hannah said. “I am married to Frank, but I prance around half-naked, having encounters with others. What kind of wife does this sort of thing?”

“I am married to him as well,” Blackbast argued. “Do you look down on me with such disgust?”

“No, but. Oh, I don’t know how to explain it,” Hannah cried and looked away. “I just feel like I am making a mistake that I will regret one day.’

“This again,” Blackbast sighed.

“Hey, I came here to spend time with you doing this very thing,” Hannah argued. “I wanted to work on getting over this hangup and be more like you.”

“But every step you take forward is almost immediately followed by a step back,” Blackbast countered.

“Oh, really?” Hannah asked as she stood and turned her back. She swept her hair aside to reveal the colorful tattoos that adorned her skin. “Does this look like I am going back?”

“Ladies,” Drellis called as he stood up. “Let's not argue about silly things. The fact is, Hannah is struggling to become the woman she once was but is afraid of who that woman is. It is only natural that she should be afraid, considering all she ever hears is the chaos that follows in her wake. But let me remind you that I knew you when you laughed, danced, and sang for the joy of life. You were a blessing to all that knew you, and your love was highly prized.”

“Still, it pains me to think she is still feeling guilty about our path,” Blackbast said. “Maybe I should give this class up. Then she would not feel obligated to follow me.”

“No!” Hannah cried and took her arm. “Then, whose collar would I wear?”

“Wear one of his,” Blackbast replied as she gestured to Drellis. “Or Roric's, for that matter.”

“I want to wear your collar,” Hannah stated. “Let me state once again that I came here to spend time with you so we could work this out. I love you, and I want to be your slave girl. I want to fulfill every role you need of me for the temple, no matter what that role is.”

“You are sure you want this?” Blackbast asked. “Because I cannot live with the knowledge that you feel guilty about it.”

“Please, look at my back. I can hardly go back now, can I?” Hannah made her point as clearly as she could, but her eyes betrayed her frustration. Tears began to form, but warm hands came around her shoulders and pulled her to a warm chest.

“I am sorry,” Blackbast whispered. I should not have attacked you so. I suppose I am like you in many ways. I worry that I am making a mistake and that I will drive you away or that you will come to resent me. Every time I hear you are afraid you are harming Frank, I blame myself for pushing you into this.”

“You didn’t push me,” Hannah replied as warm arms wrapped around her. “You never demanded I serve; you even encouraged me to think twice before following this path. I chose it because I wanted to escape the pressure of who I was. I figured if I let go and put all the burden on you and Frank, I could be happy for a change.”

“Did it make you happy?” Drellis asked.

“Yes, but that’s why I feel guilty,” Hannah replied. “I have the strangest feeling deep inside that I don’t deserve to be happy, and I don’t deserve the people around me who love me.”

“Oh, is this what is haunting you?” Blackbast gasped. “I didn’t understand.”

“This is good,” Drellis exclaimed as he put a hand to each of them. “We are making progress and putting voice to our feelings.”

“I do feel better now that I managed to explain it,” Hannah agreed with a nod.

“Good,” he said, then turned her to face him. “Now, answer the original question. Why have you not used your dream powers to explore your memories?”

Hannah was lost for a way to answer him other than to say she was afraid. After what happened in the one dream where somehow it became very real and Gisley nearly died she had been wary. She did use it one more time to revisit the necromancer’s tower, but that had felt safe.

“So you are afraid it will be dangerous,” he surmised.

“Of course I am,” Hannah replied. “I nearly got us all killed, and my friends witnessed my nightmares. What's worse, Frank thinks that place is linked to him, and I hate it when the chaos of my past comes back to haunt him.”

“You have no say in that,” Drellis countered. “I am sorry, but he was there as well. He is woven into your life, and you are powerless to shelter him from it.”

“Did he love me?” Hannah asked.

“More than any man could love a woman,” Drellis replied. “What he did for you still moves my heart.”

“What?” Hannah gasped as she stepped back. “What did he do?”

“I do not believe you are ready to hear that,” Drellis said. You must uncover this for yourself. I was also not there to witness it, so any account I may give will likely be missing important details. But I can tell you that what he did made Kevin swear that monster players would be hunted to extinction.

Hannah looked at Blackbast who obviously had no idea that was coming. So it wasn't just Hannah who had driven Kevin to titanic violence. Frank had struck the fatal blow.

“Was it his role as commander of the necromancer’s armies?” Hannah asked.

“That came later,” Drellis replied. “And again, I had retreated to my grove by this time and did not witness events for myself.”

“What is so special about monster players that Kevin would want them obliterated?” Hannah asked as she looked away.

“You see how her mind works?” Blackbast said. “Now she has a mystery to solve, and she will think of nothing but that until she burns out. Then she will abandon the whole idea until something forces her to think of it again.”

Hannah barely heard Drellis's reply that he could take her mind off it. All she knew was his hands wrapped around her waist, and a moment later, she was laid on her back. She cried out as the lovemaking began, her body overcome by his power. Ten minutes later she was in a drunken daze, a big smile on her face as she looked up into his eyes and stroked the side of his head.

“Now, this is the training I was expecting,” Hannah moaned and wrapped her legs over his thighs.

“Think back,” Drellis said in a soothing voice. “Do you remember the first time we made love?”

“It was in your grove,” Hannah replied.

“No, long before then. Use your powers, Hathlisora. Look into my desire to recreate that magical moment when you and I first shared love,” he insisted.

Hannah let out a staggered breath as she looked into his eyes and activated [Show me your desire]. She saw herself, but she had soft blue skin and more halo-like metallic horns. She was naked beside a waterfall, looking up at a dark sky full of stars. There was a man in the pool, using the falls to bathe under the night sky. She felt a sense of excitement as she waded into the water, her sexy body glistening in the mist from the falls. When the man looked up, he met her gaze, and she smiled back seductively.

A second later, she snapped out of the dream and looked at the man starting down. She realized that it had worked. She had seen a memory of Hathlisora's in full detail, and now that it was back, she could recall making love to Drellis in the pool under the stars.

“I remember,” Hannah gasped.

“How much?” Drellis pressed.

“You were bathing at night in a pool below a small waterfall. I waded into the water and seduced you, climbing into your arms and making love in the spray of the falls,” Hannah said, then paused. “Afterward, you told me how long you had been waiting to know my love.”

“Any more?” Drellis asked as he smiled.

“Umm,” Hannah said as she struggled to see more. “Did you have a bright red backpack?”

“I did,” he laughed. “People made fun of me for that.”

“They said you were the only druid who wore colors that would never blend into the forest,” Hannah said.

“Indeed,” he nodded and then ground his hips, reminding Hannah that they were still conjoined and making love. “You have done well.”

“Hmm, if I had known remembering was going to be this fun, I would have done it sooner,” Hannah cooed.

“So you do enjoy this role?” Blackbast asked.

Hannah stretched her arms out above her head as she smiled. She assured her that she did and asked what girl would turn away from a life of sexual fantasies come true. It was just the lingering doubt that somehow she didn't deserve this and the fear that she would one day find out why. Blackbast said she finally understood and lay beside Hannah to rub her stomach. She asked if Hannah was prepared to keep going and learn how to be a proper temple priestess. Hannah nodded and said she wanted no restrictions. If she was going to do this, it needed to be all the way, fully committed.

She groaned when Drellis pulled away and sat back so Blackbast could crawl over her to share a kiss.

“I love you,” Blackbast purred. “My angel of a slave girl.”

“I love you too,” Hannah replied as her arms went around Blackbast. “And thank you for caring about me so much.”

“I can’t help but care,” Blackbast purred. “Never have I met someone so special to me.”

“You need to continue your lessons,” Drellis said. I will come back to meditate with you and help you remember.”

Hannah thanked him and watched him go as she lay on the temple floor in Blackbast's arms. Today had been a truly eye-opening experience, and for the first time, she had a memory of her past. She had one tiny glimpse into the woman she had once been and wasn't frightened.

“So what’s next?” Hannah asked as Blackbast purred at her chest.

“I believe you are commanded to serve in the forest for a few hours every day,” Blackbast replied. “You will do that, then come back here to attend to your duties.”

“I still have to go to the glory hole?” Hannah laughed.

“I think it's good for you,” Blackbast said. “Now go and enjoy it. Put your heart into it and let go.”

Hannah smiled as Blackbast pulled her up and patted her on the rear. “I will try to have somebody waiting for you when you return. You need a chance to serve properly.”

With a nod, Hannah turned and scampered off, her heart racing and tension through the roof. They had turned a corner and had an honest conversation, and she truly felt it was time to stop pretending this wasn't what she wanted. She hurried into the forest to the little building that contained the glory hole. With any luck, her green-skinned lover would return, so she would have somebody to burn all this tension off.