Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 68

Hannah finished her song hours ago but remained at the palace railing, looking over the city as the dark of night embraced the land. She had a lot on her mind, not the least of which was the choices she had made of late. She was a princess, a wife, a slave, a slut, and a lover. She was the voice that sang the lullaby and greeted the dawn with flowers. She had several nicknames now, including the Queen of Hearts, the singing princess, and the red angel, all of which made her smile.

Her long tail swished side to side as she leaned on the rail and looked over her city. She should be in her tiny apartment, sleeping after a hard day of work and a cheap meal to save money. Never in her wildest dreams did she believe a life like this could exist, but here she was, and she loved it.

With a smile, she turned from the rail and headed into the palace, passing through the hall to the harem chambers. She was greeted by the sight of dozens of women snuggled together in slumbering piles. She made her way through the room, careful not to disturb the beautiful women. She went down a hall to Frank's private chamber and slipped inside before shutting the door.

The massive bed faced a row of tall windows that allowed moonlight to illuminate the space. Frank lay at the center of eight women, with Blackbast firmly clutched to his chest. Quinny and Umtha were snuggled tightly with a pretty nixie woman with soft blue scales. Breanne was absent, having been given permission to spend the night alone with Evalynn. Hannah noted that those two were becoming inseparable, a relationship she sort of envied.

Several other women from the harem were also present, each tucked as close to Frank as they could get. Hannah paused at the foot of the bed to take in their smiling faces, a testament to the odd love that somehow worked in this place.

“Only in a fantasy,” she mused to herself when she considered the strange relationship. She nearly jumped when soft hands went down her hips, causing her to turn and peer into intense blue eyes.

“Oh, you're still awake,” she said to the white-furred woman known as Rajeen.

“I have been waiting for you,” Rajeen said as she pulled Hannah to her chest. “I miss my beautiful princess. Would you do me the honor of sleeping in my arms tonight?”

“Gee, I don’t know, my poor husband might get cold without somebody to hold him,” Hannah jested.

“Your sense of humor is one of the things I like most about you,” Rajeen replied, taking her hand. Hannah walked in silence as they headed for the tiger woman's bedroom to find it oddly empty of women. Rajeen shed the slip at her waist and crawled into bed, pulling Hannah in after her.

“Why are you alone?” Hannah asked in confusion as Rajeen lay back and Hannah settled to her chest.

“I don’t always need a pile of women to feel satisfied,” Rajeen replied. “Sometimes I just want that one special person to hold me.”

Hannah thought about that comment and realized she felt the same way. The sex of the harem was nice, but she often valued the time spent asleep in Frank’s arms more.

“I feel the same way,” Hannah sighed as a furry hand began to stroke her back. “Sometimes I just want to sit still and be held by the person I love.”

“You value peace,” Rajeen purred. “But your life is anything but peaceful.”

Hannah nodded as Rajeen went on to admit she was troubled by the crown they had recently discovered. She felt it was proof that Hannah's city and current role were part of the dark plan that she followed. She also admitted to feeling somewhat more disturbed by the fact that Frank had such a prominent role.

“The ghoul king,” Hannah said with a hint of disbelief. She still couldn’t believe that Frank might once have been the leader of all the necromancer’s armies. She saw him as a strong defender and her own personal champion, but she also remembered the boyish ghoul she met all those days ago. He was enthusiastic and dreamed of building a grand adventure that would draw people in from miles around. It was that enthusiasm that made her like him, and she grew fond of him over time.

“I just can't see him as a leader of armies,” Hannah said. “I mean, my Frank once coward from a paladin on the road. I still see that boy in him.”

“Ah yes, you remember the timid boy you once met,” Rajeen agreed, using her claws to gently scratch Hannah's back. “But I have heard these stories several times now. At first, I did not pay much attention to them, but after recent events, I have considered them more carefully.”

“What are you saying?” Hannah asked, wondering what Rajeen saw that she didn't. The tiger woman reminded her that Frank knew Moon and her friends were dangerous. Despite Hannah's insistence that things were fine, Frank planned for the inevitable betrayal. He knew they would come for him, so he planned an ambush with the grave hound. He knew they would hold Hannah in the village, so he raised a goblin army and attacked it. Even from his earliest days, Frank showed a skill for strategy and a cunning mind that was always two steps ahead. When their home was attacked it was Frank's foresight and planning that got them all safely out. Time and again, it was Frank, the timid yet enthusiastic boy who was just ahead of the danger. He always had a plan, even if Hannah didn't know it.

“Oh, now I see it too,” Hannah groaned and hid her face in Rajeen’s chest. “He is an evil mastermind.”

“He's not evil,” Rajeen was quick to counter. “He is gifted with the ability to see ahead and predict likely events, so he plans accordingly. If anything, it is his love for you that drives him to do so. He will do anything to protect you, even from yourself.”

Hannah didn't like the connotation of that statement but knew it was true. Frank was always there to tell her when an idea was awful but never tried to stop her from following it. Instead, he planned around it, always making sure she had a way out when it eventually blew up in her face. He was careful about how he guided her, never by force, and he allowed her to make mistakes.

“Rajeen,” Hannah said as she looked deep into the woman's blue eyes. “Am I going to regret all this later?” Hannah noticed the flinch and could tell the question had struck the tiger woman. She held her tongue a moment, then hugged Hannah warmly.

“No, you will not,” Rajeen replied. “I will never let you come to regret what you have done.”

“But this life, the things I do. I have a husband, yet I do things with other men,” Hannah protested.

“You and your husband have chosen to play at a fantasy,” Rajeen said. “So long as you both agree to play, there is no reason to feel guilty. It is true that this way of life is not traditional, but it is still a way of life capable of great love. You have the love of your husband, your wives, your larger family in the other masters, and in particular, Blackbast.”

Hannah thought it odd that Rajeen would single out Blackbast as special and asked why. Rajeen explained that Blackbast was grateful to Hannah for coming to her temple and changing the course of her life. She treasured Hannah as the most prized slave girl she had ever known and dearly wanted her to be at her side in the temple.

“But you don’t like that idea?” Hannah pointed out.

“This is the foundation of my conflict with Blackbast,” Rajeen nodded. “I prefer to keep my girls untouched by men. I have made a great concession by allowing Frank, Roric, and Zillix to have access to my collection, but there are still times when I, too, wonder if I have made a mistake.”

“You really like them to be lesbians,” Hannah said as Rajeen nodded. Hannah felt distressed and explained how it bothered her that she couldn’t make both of them happy. She would readily dedicate herself to Rajeen and the girls just to make her happy, but that would harm Blackbast. Rajeen stroked the back of her head and said that she needed to be at Blackbast’s side.

“She loves you,” Rajeen said. “But she is being careful to stay out of the way. She does not want to come between you and the others, even though she would love to spend her days with you.”

“Well, that's silly,” Hannah replied. “I want to spend time with her, too.” Hannah lay her head on Rajeen's breast and closed her eyes as she struggled to think of a solution. What she needed was some time alone with the cat woman, but that would be impossible with the temple the way it was. Then she remembered something Jaina had said. The Lovewood had been expanded through the mountains, opening up miles of new dense forest. Maybe the temple could be temporarily relocated to some hidden location where the two could be alone. Maybe a guest or two would come to stay, and they could serve together, sharing the experience to help build their relationship. She relayed the idea to Rajeen, who said that Blackbast would love to be alone with her.

They snuggled together in the dark of the night as Hannah dreamed of telling Frank. The next morning, she sang to the flowers, greeting the dawn with fresh growth. Then she looked for Frank and found him making love to Quinny. Hannah sat on the side of the bed as the two shared a moment of intense passion. When they were done she shared her idea to spend some quality time with Blackbast. Frank fully supported the idea, and together, they went to find Blackbast.

Hannah smiled as they walked across the hall of Blackbast's beautiful temple. White silks trimmed in gold hung from pillars in long ropes. They fluttered gently in a floral-scented breeze that swept in from the massive temple doors. Above the temple's great dome, the stained glass images of girls at play were darkened by storm clouds. Frank greeted Blackbast, who walked to them in the simple white sash, her soft, furry breasts exposed for all to see. Hannah always admired the sultry way the woman could walk and how those green eyes burned with intent. Every movement the woman made dripped with sexual energy and hunger, causing Hannah to grow hot. Blackbast came to Frank, falling into his arms as she leaned in for a soft kiss.

“And how is the keeper of my heart?” Blackbast whispered when the kiss parted.

Frank smiled with genuine warmth and embraced her firmly. He then told her about the plan to move the temple to a hidden area where she and Hannah could be alone for a few days.

“What is this?” Blackbast asked as she turned to Hannah. “You want to spend time with me?”

“Of course I do,” Hannah replied. “That’s the whole reason we started working in the temple, but you are still a stranger. It gets so busy with all the girls and guests that we still hardly see you.”

Blackbast nodded and admitted that it hadn’t worked exactly the way she planned. Her temple was too busy now, and she spent more time managing the volunteers than she did fulfilling her role. She then suggested they simply close the door in the Jade temple, and only Hannah and Gwen be allowed to serve for a week. If guests were to find the temple, they would have to do it the regular way, by hunting through the forest for it.

Frank readily agreed and took them both into his arms, kissing them and saying how much he loved them. Hannah felt safe and warm in those arms as if she were a part of something truly special. He told them to take at least a week and that he would come to check on them from time to time. Then he departed, and Hannah actually felt as if he were going away on a long trip and wouldn't see him for a while.

“Why do I feel like he’s going?” Hannah asked as Blackbast took her hand.

“Because you love him,” Blackbast replied, then turned to face her. “And I love you. I am touched you wanted this time together.”

“Blackbast,” Hannah said as she reached up to stroke the warm fur of the woman's cheek. “Somehow, we never spend much time together. Here I am, in the temple every day, and somehow, I saw more of you while we traveled north.”

“Yes, it has become a burden to manage the girls who want to volunteer to serve for a day,” Blackbast replied. “Plus, with the door in the city, I have so many more guests. There is no time to spend with anyone.”

“Which is why we need this quiet time,” Hannah insisted. “Just you and I, and maybe Mom.”

“I am sure she will come,” Blackbast assured. “She rarely goes a day without spending some time in her role.”

Hannah wanted to laugh at the thought of how much her mother sought the attention of men. It was a shame that her trust had been betrayed so often that she no longer felt safe building a real relationship. She preferred them to be short and anonymous so she could get what she needed without the risks. Of course, the last risk she had taken had been the worst, leaving her powerless and trapped in a prison of her own creation.

“Well, I suppose I could spend some time with her as well,” Hannah agreed as the two women leaned into one another. They took a long moment to stand in the breeze, savoring one another before Blackbast turned to her and smiled.

“Now, I said I wanted you to be my second, so you must learn how to run the temple and take care of its girls.”

“Oh, I had forgotten about that,” Hannah nodded. It was one more proof that they didn't spend enough time together. Hannah was supposed to take on a leadership role, serving as a sort of high priestess. She had even been given special powers to control the temple.

“Yes, things seem to get too hectic,” Blackbast agreed. “There is so much going on, and we are constantly reminded that there is more to do, but for now, let us be just what we are.”

“And what is that?” Hannah asked.

“Master and slave girl,” Blackbast replied as thunder rolled in the distance.

“Where do we begin?” Hannah asked.

Blackbast took her hand and led her toward the temple doors.

“We begin where we should,” Blackbast explained. “I will train you to be the perfect slave girl. Obedient, loving, and eager to fulfill your role.”

Hannah felt butterflies in her stomach as they walked out the doors to smell water on the air. There was a storm coming, but with it would come the refreshing cleanse of rain. All felt right as she stood beside the woman who had given up her temple to travel with them and keep them safe. She used her tail to press Blackbast closer and set her head on the woman's shoulder.

“I love you,” Hannah whispered. “And I want us to be inseparable.”

“We are inseparable,” Blackbast replied. “So long as you wear my collar, no one can take you away from me.”

Hannah smiled as her hand rolled across the collar to the metal ring that hung in front. She couldn't believe she wore such a thing, as her previous life wouldn't have conceived of it. But then, how did she know that was her previous life? How did she know anything about who she really was? Were those memories of school and the struggle to build a life real? Something dug at the back of her mind as if trying to answer her question, but it wouldn't come.

“Blackbast, why is Frank letting me do this?” she asked.

“You wonder why the man who loves you encourages you to be a slave girl?” Blackbast asked.

“I can’t help but feel there is something more going on,” Hannah said. “Finding that crown and statue only proves he had a much bigger role than we previously thought. Could he be playing a game with me?”

“Hannah,” Blackbast said as she turned the woman to face her. “That man would die a thousand times for you. It is that unshakable devotion that allows him to be the man he currently is. But you should know that he and I have talked extensively about you. He feels that your crown and the path it put you on are important. For whatever reason you not only asked me to ensure you accepted the collar, but you wanted to wear it as a form of succubus. Thanks to Umtha, we know that you have fallen behind and become weak compared to your enemies. Thanks to Legeis and Chandice's infernal machine, we also know that some of your enemies cast spells at over five hundred levels.”

Hannah nodded as Blackbast pointed out just how far behind she was. After a chain of resets, Hannah was no longer a threat to her enemies and could never catch up. However, there was a way to level at an insane rate by combining the experience bonus of the collar with a similar bonus of the succubus class. Coupled with the share Hannah earned from her girls, she was now making five to ten levels a week instead of one. Even that rate could be seriously increased if Hannah's adult activities were pushed further.

“So, you see, Frank and I believe you wanted this,” Blackbast said. “You wanted to be put into this role to hammer out levels as quickly as possible.”

“Do we have to use the term hammer?” Hannah groaned.

“Oh, but I love seeing your body shake with every firm thrust,” Blackbast teased.

“Oh, stop it,” Hannah cried and shook her head. “But, all of this seems so improper. I am supposed to dedicate myself to my husband and stand at his side.”

“You are standing at his side,” Blackbast assured. “The girls and I are all a part of him, and he wishes to see your goal achieved. It is obvious this is the path you intended to walk, but I will tell you another secret. He holds out hope that there will be a point when this struggle is over and your time as a slave girl will come to an end. I believe he hopes that you will be his and his alone one day.”

Hannah let out a staggered gasp as she considered the new revelation. Of course, ever-supportive Frank would see the obvious intention of the collar and crown. He would push her down the path she meant to go, all the while dreaming of the day when she could be his alone.

“Promise me one thing,” Hannah said as she took Blackbast's hand. “Never let him hurt over me. I never want to see him in pain because of what I am doing. I would rather reset and start over to be nothing but his partner.”

“I promise that day will never come,” Blackbast replied. “He is stoic and rational to a fault. He understands what has to happen to reach the goal of his heart.”

Hannah closed her eyes and took a deep inhale of the moist air. She loved that man more than anything else in all her crazy life. If she caused even one tear to fall, she would regret it for the rest of eternity.

“So what now?” Hannah said.

“Now,” Blackbast mussed and nodded to the distance. Hannah looked across the garden to see the powerful build of the moose-like druid, standing at the edge of the trees. She felt a shock and desire run through her stomach as their eyes met in understanding.

“Why is he here?” she whispered as he stepped from the trees.

“He is here to help me,” Blackbast replied as she walked forward, pulling Hannah with her. “Now come, my little slave, it is time to begin your training.”