Princess Hannah of the Jade Harem CH 62

The sunlight danced on the fountain's water as Hannah sat on the stone lip. It was part of the palace's garden ring, a lovely place where the harem girls could walk and play. Hannah was here to think and clear her head from the previous day's activities. Breanne, Quinny, and Umtha were nearby, sitting on a blanket as they enjoyed a picnic of sweet cakes, candied fruit, and pie. They knew about her recent activities and had all been supportive, especially Quinny, who wanted to do it, too.

Now that she had some distance from it, Hannah had a chance to consider what had happened. She had been overcome with a desire to feed her nature, and once she began, she couldn't stop. It was obvious that her class and the collar were affecting her judgment. She wondered if this effect was to her detriment as she considered the earlier conflict over recovering her skull.

That idea had caused an intense desire to act that was all-consuming. If she could recover the skull she could ask an NPC copy of herself for her secrets. This would allow her to sidestep Umtha and get solid answers, but then Umtha pleaded with her to stop. It was that plea that made her realize that her desire to recover the skull was unnatural. She felt a compulsion not of her own nature, driving her like some kind of hidden master. It was in recognizing this compulsion that allowed her to resist it and push it aside. Now she wondered, had a similar compulsion taken hold the other day? Had what she'd done been part of some unseen hand manipulating her, or had she truly done that of her own accord? It didn't help that Hathlisora asked Blackbast to teach her about the collar, indicating that she was meant to go down this path.

She sat on the edge of that fountain, listening to water splash while her girls giggled nearby. Why did hearing them laugh fill her with such joy? Why was she slowly growing protective of them, as if they were her possessions and needed to care for them? Seeing Quinny smile or Umtha laugh instantly made her feel better. A mere playful look from Breanne was enough to get her heart racing and make her eager to embrace the woman. They were special to her in a way she couldn't quantify, and that made her suspicious. Was that feeling part of this unseen plan as well?

For hours, she had puzzled that thought out, and in the end, one simple truth emerged. She didn't care. She didn't care if all of this was planned and she was just following along. She loved those girls, her husband, and all of the harem. She loved this life that was so full of excitement and stimuli that it often overwhelmed her. So what if her class, the collar, or something even larger was pushing her into things? All that mattered was that here she was, a princess in her palace garden, listening to her loved ones play. What greater treasure could she hope to find that could compare to the love in Quinny's eyes or the sweetness of Umtha's kiss? What could she possibly covet that was more warm than Breanne's embrace as they slept?

If all that wasn't enough, she had a husband who was both protective and open. He loved her so much that he played the game with her and encouraged her to embrace her class. He was happy for her growth and pushed her to keep going. He was always supportive and never needy. She began to wonder if he was human, as she couldn't recall ever meeting a man like him.

“Too busy thinking to play?” came a familiar purring voice as the black-furred Blackbast looked down on her with green eyes.

“How do you sneak up on me?” Hannah gasped as Blackbast sat beside her. They put arms around one another as the cat woman gave her a wink.

“I am a cat. I can be very stealthy,” Blackbast reminded.

“So it would seem,” Hannah said.

“I just wanted to check up on you,” Blackbast said. “You took a big step the other day, and I am very proud of you, but I want to be sure you are ok.”

“I’m fine,” Hannah said with a slight smile.

“You have seemed withdrawn since the incident,” Blackbast said. “Even now, you are sitting alone.”

“My girls are right there,” Hannah pointed. “And I know what you're thinking: I am shocked over what I did. To be honest, I'm not. That's not what's bothering me. My big concern is how badly I wanted to do those things. Just like with the skull, I feel a hunger to do these things, and I worry these compulsions aren't mine.”

“Oh, so you aren't bothered by what happened?” Blackbast laughed.

“Why should I be?” Hannah asked. “That was the most exciting experience of my life, and I don't see any reason to regret it.”

“There isn't one,” Blackbast agreed. “I am now even more proud of you. You have truly blossomed into an exceptional slave girl.”

“Speaking of which,” Hannah said as she smiled. “Is there any chance I can have a little more fun when I am in the temple?”

“You mean, can you have a man?” Blackbast laughed. “I see no reason to limit you to women any longer.”

“Good,” Hannah sighed. “I want to be what you need me to be.”

“You are everything I could ever want and more,” Blackbast replied. “But most of all, you are my friend, and I am very glad to know you.”

“We are a little more than friends,” Hannah pointed out.

“I mean that you and I are open to one another,” Blackbast corrected. “We can talk about these things openly with no fear of judgment. But I would like to return to what you did say a moment ago. You are concerned that your actions were driven by a source other than yourself?”

“I don't care if they were, but I would like to know if I am making decisions based on an unseen pressure,” Hannah said. “I have come to understand that a lot of what is guiding me is my own hand. I set so much of this in motion, putting you and others in place to ensure I wound up like this. I don't care that I did this to myself, but like with the skull, the need to acquire it was almost primal. It was a hunger from the pit of my soul that insisted I act immediately. I have never felt that way about anything before, but then I felt it again in the forest.”

“Ah, I see now why you are drawing this correlation,” Blackbast said. “You wonder if there are hidden hands or motivations driving you to act.”

“It does cross my mind,” Hannah agreed. “The issue I am concerned about is will something come along in my future that triggers another compulsion? What if I do something that hurts the people I love?”

“Oh, don't be silly,” Blackbast said. “You only did this because you had the support of the people you love. Look what happened when your compulsion with the skull collided with Umtha's fears. You snapped right out of it and decided to leave it alone. I understand what you are saying but never worry that you might harm one of us. Time and again, you have put the people you love first and will do so in the future.

Hannah realized the woman was right and rewarded her with a kiss. They talked a little more, and Blackbast expressed her hope that Hannah would fully embrace who she was. Hannah asked what she should do next, and Blackbast took a moment to consider it.

“You should do a makeover,” Blackbast suggested. “Pick out a new outfit and accessories to create a new image that fits your devil nature. Be fully engrossed in what you are and never look back.”

“Hmm, a new outfit,” Hannah said as she considered it. “You know Frank said I am not allowed to cover my chest in the temple.”

“He has told me,” Blackbast replied. “How do you feel about that?”

“Umm, I know I should be horrified, but I'm not,” Hannah said. “I am nervous about it but also excited because he told me to do it. I get hot just thinking about doing it.”

“Ha, you have accepted your role,” Blackbast said. “And you should know that is how you are supposed to feel. That tension and excitement is part of the fun, and it's our job as your masters to ensure you feel it.”

“That’s good to know,” Hannah said as she used her tail to wrap Blackbast closer. “But tell me something, do you get enjoyment out of seeing your girls happy?”

“Oh, what brought a question like that out?” Blackbast asked.

Hannah gestured to her nearby girls and explained how much she loved them. She shared all the little ways they filled her with joy and how much she wanted to care for them. Blackbast nodded and said that she felt the same way. It was part of the master-slave relationship and the most important quality for a master to possess. A slave was the rarest of treasures, a gift beyond all other gifts. To drop to one's knees and call another master was an act of pure love. If Hannah was to be a good master, she needed to recognize those things and feel the one true response: gratitude.

“So that’s the important part?” Hannah asked.

“If you are not grateful for their sacrifice, then you cannot love them as you should,” Blackbast replied. “You will begin to take them for granted and miss the cues that tell you they need your attention. I don't worry about that with you. You have surprised me with your capacity for love. I see now why Umtha so desperately wanted you to remember her. Your past incarnation must have been just as loving, and she wanted to feel that love again. But look what you have done. You are so loving that despite not remembering, you set out to rebuild it all for her sake.”

Hannah blushed at the woman’s praises and looked over her girls. She wanted to run out and hug them all, promising to take care of them for the rest of time. Blackbast pulled Hannah to her chest, rubbing her cheek on the woman’s head.

“I feel this way for you,” Blackbast whispered. “You are the greatest woman who has ever done me the honor of wearing my collar. I have never been so happy in my life, and I would do anything for you.”

“Well, so long as we are bonding,” Hannah said as she snuggled in, savoring her master's warmth. “Could you take me shopping? I need a new outfit.”

“I would love to,” Blackbast said and got up. “Shall we bring the girls?”

Hannah nodded, and they set off, going to the city to wander the streets in search of a new outfit. Their passing turned heads, especially since Blackbast insisted they wear leashes, and she towed the girls along.

A few people approached them as they wandered in and out of shops, always expressing their love and appreciation. Hannah thanked one woman who said she had a beautiful voice and lived to hear her sing. Hannah rewarded a few people with blown kisses and succubus buffs as they walked the streets in slave silks. They eventually arrived at a large four-story building with red-tinted glass.

“The tasteful cherub?” Breanne questioned as she read the sign. “Do they sell layered dresses?”

“Come in, let's find out,” Blackbast replied as she took them through the front door. They left the sunny brightness of the streets to arrive in the seedy underworld of a sex club. Every wall was covered in skimpy garments that were made of leather, chain, or silk. Most had spikes on them but some suggestive words that indicated who the wearer was or what she wanted. There were mannequins of girls in suggestive poses, showing just how much of their undersides the skimpy skirts would show if they bent over.

“Wow!” Quinny and Umtha said in unison before eagerly running about to explore the outfits.

“Why are my girls like this?” Hannah asked, shaking her head, as they started fighting over panties.

“Your girls are free to be who they want to be,” Blackbast replied. “Their master supports and encourages them to be happy.”

“She sure does,” Breanne said as her tail curled up Hannah’s back. “So what are we looking for?”

“Something more suited to her new life,” Blackbast said as she looked around.

“Are we shooting for innocent? Regal? Slut?” Breanne questioned.

Blackbast looked at Hannah, who let out a sigh.

“Slutty,” Hannah said and walked into the main aisle.

“Hmm, your red skin means it needs to be black or white,” Breanne remarked as she looked at a line of wooden legs to show various stockings.

“Why can’t it be yellow?” Hannah pressed. “I like yellow.”

“Yellow will look odd on your red body,” Breanne replied as she held up some stockings. “No green or blue either.”

“So I can’t wear color?” Hannah grumbled. “I happen to like color. It’s why I played a flower singer.”

“Your husband likes you in red skin,” Blackbast said as she guided Hannah to a section full of corsets. “It limits your color choices, but it suits your personality.”

“Hmm, being a devil, she could easily pull off the black leather bad girl,” Breanne added as she held a stocking to Hannah's leg. “No skirt, either. She needs something in a body suit.”

“I agree,” Blackbast replied as they moved down the hall.

Hannah was subjected to a hundred garments, posing for most of them before being asked to try them on. Gisley and Quinny became judges in an impromptu fashion show as Hannah paraded before them in a dozen outfits. They all consisted of sexy stockings, some form of pantie, and a top that barely contained her chest. Some were corsets, others simple bras, and a few were one-piece ensembles.

Hannah felt alive and excited to be trying on the daring outfits. She laughed at a few as she recalled her early days in New Eden and how she mocked people for wearing such things. It was why she settled on her long yellow dress as a kind of protest of what girls were wearing. Now, here she was, wearing even less than the skimpy armor she once balked at.

“I like that one,” Breanne said of a black slip that hugged Hannah’s chest in a manner that could only be called supernatural.

“I like the one that said bad girl on the back,” Quinny argued.

“I am not a bad girl,” Hannah protested, not wanting to advertise that she was anything but a good girl. She insisted they allow her to try some color and then had to agree it didn't work. Her dark red skin conflicted with colors like blue and yellow but kind of worked with green. White and black looked best with green and purple almost working. She was disappointed at the lack of choice but agreed to limit the options to white and black. She also found that the body suits fit her theme better and tried on dozens of them.

The flurry of activity attracted two girls from the shop, who fawned over Hannah with obvious hearts in their eyes. They were so excited that the princess had come to their shop to find her new look that they offered many suggestions. Hannah noted that both girls wore slave collars and asked if they were slaves.

“Oh, yes,” a girl with a fox's ears and tail said. “We belong to Master Vorrin, the owner of the shop.”

“I didn’t realize there were more slave masters in the city,” Hannah said.

“It should surprise you,” Breanne quipped. “As open as we are that the harem runs things, you would think other slave masters would want to live here.”

“They are more common than you would think,” Blackbast added. “Many people enjoy playing the role.”

“We love it,” one of the girls said with a big smile. “And living in a city ruled by a harem is just wonderful. We feel free to express what we are without fear of people looking down on us.”

“We should limit your choices to bottoms,” Blackbast suggested. “Frank doesn’t want your chest covered.”

“But the outfits don’t look balanced without a top,” Hannah insisted,

“Oh, she isn't allowed to cover her chest?” one of the shop girls asked. Hannah nodded and explained the restriction, and the girl said she had a solution. She ran off and returned a moment later with a body suit that made Hannah blush.

It was a black fishnet body suit with a thin leather strip on the underside and a belt to cinch the waist. The netting covered her chest, but the squares were wide enough that everything was easily seen. It came with matching stockings and gloves, which thankfully had hems woven to look like flowers with small red roses in them.

Quinny and Umtha loved it when Hannah stood on a small platform to show it off. Breanne said her breasts were perfectly visible, as was her back, allowing her tattoos to be revealed. The girl explained how the suit was enchanted, and with a single command word, the top turned into a full leather cup with metal studs to wrap her breasts.

“So I can cover them outside the temple,” Hannah said as she turned to see her reflection in a nearby mirror. “So what do you think?”

“It’s pretty,” Umtha said. “But you need matching cuffs on our arms.”

“She needs shoes to go with an outfit like that,” Quinny corrected. “Something with high heels.”

“I agree on both accounts,” Blackbast nodded and asked the shop girls for some accessories. Hannah was given some black high heels and studded leather cuffs to wrap her wrists and ankles. She was then taken to an area full of body jewelry, and Blackbast took up her tail.

“How do you feel about having this pierced?” Blackbast asked as she wiggled the heart-shaped frill at the end.

“Um, fine, I guess,” Hannah replied. “Just nothing pointy. I like to use that to tease the girls.”

The shop girls brought an assortment of golden loops, pearl studs, and other trinkets that could be used to decorate Hannah's tail. In the end, they chose three simple loops and a couple of golden bands to decorate the base of her tail. She was then subjected to black lipstick and dark purple eye shadow before finally being allowed to stand in front of a mirror.

“Hmm,” Hannah said as she turned with her butt out. “It’s missing something.”

“What could it possibly be missing?” Breanne asked.

Hannah looked at her reflection and tried to puzzle it out. She was dark, sexy, and powerful with an air of enticement, daring somebody to play at their own risk. What would a woman who portrayed this sort of image need?

“A whip,” Hannah said after a moment. “I need a good long whip.”

The shop girls smiled and took them to a section full of special devices. Chains, cuffs, collars, gags, and the like covered the walls. Hannah was shocked to see the dizzying array, but one section had a dozen varieties of punishment devices, including whips. She giggled as she took them down and played with several. Thanks to her Lilim class she had proficiency with the whip and could use one with great skill. She even had powers that could be channeled through the whip strikes to deliver superficial pain or soothing pleasure. She wondered if Frank would like a little rougher play and decided she would approach him about it later.

She settled on a black leather whip with a stylish ring of silver hearts on the handle. Once this was added to her studded belt the look was complete. Hannah stood in the mirror and smiled at the image of the woman who gazed back.

“So now what?” Hannah asked as she turned to the others.

“Well, we have to pay for the outfit,” Blackbast said. “But I think it suits you.”

“Hmm,” Hannah said as she pivoted on her hip. “I kind of like the sweet, innocent girl image.”

“Oh, please, that image is long gone,” Breanne cut in.

“It is not,” Hannah countered with folded arms. “I can still be sweet and innocent.”

“You are more of a passionate woman,” Blackbast insisted as she took Hannah by the hand. “That passion comes out in different ways for different people. When you surrender your soul to another, you are very innocent, and men love that.”

Hannah smiled at her kind remarks as they made their way to the counter where the shop girls waited. She stood to the side with Quinny and Umtha as the total was tallied. Her girls leaned into her sides, rubbing the netting and commenting on how beautiful she was. Hannah put an arm around each of them and said they were beautiful too and could have a sexy outfit if they wanted one. They were content with a few pairs of panties and some sexy tops, showing her how lacy they were.

Hannah loved to see them so happy and excited to show off their sexy treasures. Of course, Hannah knew Quinny had more than enough lacy things hidden in her wardrobe at home. She and Umtha shared clothing on a regular basis, the two girls becoming inseperable. They snuggled into her arms, hugging tightly to their master like little girls.

“I love this,” Hannah sighed as her long tail swayed in contentment. She closed her eyes and smiled as loving arms wrapped around her. This was happiness beyond anything she ever thought possible, and it was beautiful. She never dreamed that sharing a life with four women would be so rewarding, but here it was, and she was deeply grateful.

Blackbast paid the cost and joined the girls with Breanne on her arm. She took them back into the city with Hannah in her new outfit. She was allowed to cover her top, but her back still had to be exposed so all could see her tattoos.

They returned to the palace to find Frank wasn’t present. The girls told them he had gone to his dungeon to get it ready for the competition. Hannah and the girls eagerly ran after him and found him in the yard looking at the landscape.

“Hello, master,” Hannah said to draw his attention.

He looked up with his yellow eyes and went ridged. Hannah stood flanked by her girls in all her glory, the fishnet outfit taking his wits away.

“You look amazing,” he said after a long delay and came to sweep her up. “I like this look.”

“We knew you would,” Blackbast said as Frank lifted her high and spun her around.

Hannah giggled at being tossed around like a little girl as her adoring husband took in her new look. He set her down on a stone and walked around her as she lifted her arms high and posed.

“I love it,” Frank said at last. “And I like how the top is see through.”

“I wanted something I could wear in the temple that didn’t break your rule,” Hannah explained.

“I am fine with this,” Frank said after a moment, then looked at the others. “But why didn’t anyone else get an outfit?”

“This was a special trip for Hannah,” Blackbast said. “Something to help usher in her new way of life.”

“Ah,” Frank replied, then noticed the whip. “What is that for?”

“Oh, I don't don't know,” Hannah said as she took it off her hip and ran the leather through her hand. “Punishing naughty girls, I suppose.”

Umtha quickly turned her rear away from Hannah as Quinny laughed. Hannah teased that she would whip the naughty goblin if she ever misbehaved. To demonstrate, she lashed out, using a power called discipline on a nearby tree. There was a loud crack followed by a small flash of red sparks, and a good chunk of the tree exploded in a hail of fragments.

“Ouch,” Quinny said as she shielded her eyes. Umtha used her as cover, hiding from Hannah and the whip of destruction.

“That seems excessive,” Blackbast remarked as they stared at a smoldering crater.

“It wasn't supposed to do that,” Hannah insisted, holding out the whip. “The skill says it causes a stinging lash but does no damage.”

“Umm, that's a real whip,” Frank pointed out. “Your spell assumes you are using the one your class can summon. If you use a real one, it still does the weapon damage boosted by your combat skills.”

“So this thing hits for real?” Hannah gasped and dropped it into the grave mist. She was horrified at the idea of accidentally using it on one of her girls only to find out it hurt. Frank picked the weapon up and held her in his arms before saying it looked good as part of her outfit.

“If you want to keep it, just take it to Chandice. There is an enchantment that nullifies weapon damage so you can use them for props or practice,” Frank explained.

Hannah was relieved to hear that and made a note to do that right away. They spent the rest of the afternoon in the graveyard discussing the challenge they would present to the other kingdoms. Frank wanted to make his dungeon the centerpiece of the competition as he was pretty sure his was the hardest. Hannah spent the time in the arms of her man enjoying listening to him plan his adventure like the boy she first met. She would see Chandice later, but for now, she wanted to be with her family and share in the magic that was their very odd relationship.