Two weeks passed quickly; during the day, various lessons-- everything from etiquette to dancing, basic education like arithmetic and reading, handwriting, and conversational skills. Even night was busy, for the brothers alternated their nights with Kya, going no further than cuddling with their toothsome pet. The past few days, however, Kya found herself growing irritated.
They did so much more the first night. Why not any more? Other than that, they've been attentive and kind. But having tasted passion, she wanted more. Unwilling to talk herself into a corner by questioning the wily brothers, she kept quiet as she stewed.
On the morning of the ball, Reynard entered the dining room carrying a small, exquisite package.
"This just arrived from King Glennic for Lady Kya."
Luca looked up from the pile of correspondence he sorted through. "Ah, finally, the amethysts he spoke of, no doubt."
Reynard placed the package between Kya's plate and Lord Luca's elbow, before stepping away with a bow.
"Thank you, Reynard."
"My pleasure, madam."
Arcen smiled before he spoke. "Go ahead, open it. I'm curious as to his tastes regarding you."
Luca flicked his eyes from the package to his brother. "It's got magic woven into it."
Kya unwrapped the package from it's leather covering, revealing a square box of polished ebony with a golden lock, a key protruding from its front. With a light hand, Kya turned the key and opened the lid, revealing deep red velvet lining the box, and an exquisite black amethyst cabochon the size of a peach pit, set into filigree gold, attached to a choker style-necklace studded with square-cut amethysts of various shades. A note sat beneath the jewel.
Picking it up, Kya opened the parchment to reveal calligraphy she couldn't decipher. Holding the note out to Luca, she asked, "Can you read this for me?"
With two fingers, Luca plucked the parchment from Kya. "Certainly. Oh, Gods, look at this writing. You poor thing, to have this inflicted upon you. It says, 'Lady Kya, please accept this gem, which cannot come close to matching the enticing shade of your eyes. I do hope you will wear it, and managed to learn one dance adequately. Looking forward to seeing your changing expressions tonight, Glennic,' Ugh, not even King Glennic. He's trying to invite intimacy. Be very wary of him tonight."
Arcen held his hand out above the black amethyst, his eyes closing a moment as a stream of shadow emerged from his palm to wrap around the gem.
"The old bat has put multiple layers of magic in this. The most obvious is the glamour spell... which I must say is a nice touch."
"Glamour? Oh let's use that tonight. What do you think, Kya? Care to change your hair color, eye color, or even your height? Anyone at the auction won't be able to recognize you. You needn't worry about Lady Munro's spies, either. They can report your fake appearance to her, even, that the Baden's purchased a petite blonde, but they're here with a willowy redhead or some such. They'll assume you're a pet they've never seen, and not the singularity sold at auction. So much the better if they do. It'll just keep her ignorant of facts. If you want to be extra naughty, we shall call you Celeste Baden in public, our naughty cousin, and leave it at that. What else is laid into the gem?" Luca turned and spoke to Kya. "He's much more sensitive to that sort of thing than I am. I can feel the magic but cannot differentiate it."
"You have your own skills, Brother. Hmmm. Odd. There's a whiff of his scent. So, it's reasonable to assume he had the metal forged with some of his blood. That will offer protection from most nobility."
"Most, my lord?"
Both brothers smiled before Luca replied. "Obviously not us, sweet Kya. You now smell like us and not like a wet dog."
That brought a frown to Kya's face, mildly insulted to say she had smelled like a wet dog. "That must have been terrible to endure, my lords."
"There are worse scents, my dear. Be grateful for your human blood, as it keeps you from smelling the rank stench of wolf territory. They all mark things-- trees, rocks, buildings... like dogs, during the full moon when they shift. No doubt Lady Munro marked your father's home as her own as soon as she moved in... as it is a wolf trait."
Kya's nose wrinkled, grateful to not have a sensitive nose. "Ewww. Not at the table, my lord! It's punishment enough she was my stepmother."
Arcen laughed. "I agree. Do not sully Lady Kya's breakfast. I do wonder when Aneth will return..."
It was said more as an afterthought, but it still brought a small smile to Luca's sensuous lips.
The pitter-patter of feet on marble echoed into the dining room. "I'm here, my lords. I have it right here!"
"Very good, Aneth. Let us show Lady Kya her costume." It was the first time Luca's smile truly reached his eyes, obviously pleased at the Dressmaker's result.
As Aneth placed the box upon the table, Arcen grinned. "Oh, do brace yourself, Lady Kya."
Kya stood and removed the lid, getting a good look before her jaw dropped. Nestled in the box, a mask that covered all of her face, from the top of her head, reaching her upper lip, covered in gold leaf and amethyst of various colors embedded along the hairline in a band-like formation. Fox eye-like ovals for eyes, lined in sheer violet fabric allowed for sight out, but kept others from seeing her gaze. Instead of droopy ears, the ears on the mask were perky, upright. In fact, with the ears and the snout on the mask, there was a wolfish quality to it which brought a quick frown to her face. A bigger frown awaited when she saw the bodice, and yet even a deeper frown at the so-called skirt. The bodice, at least, didn't have a bushy tail attached. It did, however, look as though the sheer would barely cover her breasts, the sleeves falling off the shoulder. As for the skirt, it seemed to be made of silk and satin panels, held together with a hip-hugging belt which looked very much like a leather dog's collar, the name tag dangling provocatively. The front panel looked to be cut for a length well above the knee, while side panels were floor length. The back panel, however, as long as the tail attached to it.
Before Kya could muster up the want to pick up the mask, Arcen held his hand over the box and said "Be a good girl!"
The tail lifted, jack knifing the skirt right out the box and onto the ground. Aneth bustled forth to pick it up and give it a shake.
As Aneth held the skirt, you could see that when the tail lifted, so too did the back panel, which would reveal her buttocks. Kya gasped. Arcen took the skirt from Kya and then spoke.
"Everyone, leave the room. Barrier will be erected. And next time, should the King come down the drive, notify us before he enters the castle."
Once again the servants departed, and Arcen cast his barrier with midnight colored smoke.
Luca watched her expression with interest. "Demeaning commands like that shall never be given in public without consent ahead of time, my dear. Have no worry. Not everyone is into humiliation play, although tonight we're going to skate along that edge a bit. You will need to play the part of a pet. Admittedly, as far as that goes, we've been rather indulgent regarding your preferences."
Her cheeks burned with shame when she asked, "Do, uh, pet's costumes always tend toward the indecent?"
Luca chuckled while Arcen answered. "Yes. Skin is bared to invite biting. However, a pet wearing a neckguard means they only serve their master. In the hierarchy of things, a pet with a neckguard is a higher status than one without. Anyone daring to taste others off limit pet, especially belonging to the Badens, is asking for a very prolonged and miserable death." He reached into the box and lifted out the mask, placing it upon Kya.
"Tell me, would you like to be a silent messenger tonight?"
"How do you mean?"
"Surely you notice a certain theme with your costume. Aside from the indecent nature of it, of course."
She took a deep breath, and took in the long and narrow snout, the perky ears, and the bushy tail. "Looks more wolf than dog. I am to be your collared wolf bitch?"
"Indeed. It's a message when two kings walk into the ballroom with a leashed wolf as a pet. Vampires will find it amusing. You may bark and growl at people who approach you, if you wish. You are under no obligation to entertain others than ourselves with your delightful self. If you ever need us and we're not by your side, all you need to do is touch the collar we made and call out our names in your mind. We will be summoned immediately."
"And we will be leaving before midnight to avoid the unmasking... but if you use the glamour, you could safely unmask yourself. It's your choice. I can't say that this will be the most enjoyable ball for you, especially being your first, but it will greatly add to your education for when we throw you a debutante ball of sorts. At least give you a broad overview regarding lay of the land and alliances you should know of."
"You need not do that, my lord. In the Human leg of the Trifecta, a debutante ball is to find a husband. As that is an unlikely fate for me, I see no need for one. Pets are not debutantes, in the Vampire leg of the Trifecta, correct?" Kya can still hear Lady Munro complaining to her retainers about her husband's want to host a ball for Kya's last birthday. What a waste of money! Better the money go for more firewood.
"They are not... but who is to say it can't be? If you don't want a regular sort of ball where there will be much more propriety and proper socialization, then so be it. As you were told, we do not wish to incur your ire. A masked ball is all about impropriety, however, and isn't a good reference for anything other than revelry, debauchery, and schemes." Luca concluded.
"Which as you know, Vampires are famous for." Arcen finished.
"I've been in close quarters with both of you and have yet to be debauched." She hadn't intended on mentioning anything of the sort, but oh, there it is, front and center.
"That isn't our intention for you. At least not yet... But if you want a thorough debauching, I'm sure it can be arranged." Arcen drawled.
"Is that what you would like, Lady Kya?" Again, Luca's smile reached his eyes.
Blood flooded Kya's cheeks before she met their amused gazes for any length of time. "I haven't decided yet. Merely pointed out that I haven't been debauched. Say what you will, but aside from the first night, I've been shown kindness and modesty more than debauchery."
"Well then, on a scale of one to ten, how debauched do you want to be?"
Her flush had no intention of abating any time soon. She answer the question with candor. "I...I don't know. I'm ignorant my lords. I liked the, umm... kissing."
"Let's say that your first night was a one point five out of ten. How much further do you think you would wish to explore in the near future?"
Her face turned a darker shade of red than Luca's hair.
"I'm not sure."
Arcen asked gently, "What are you sure of?"
Kya drew a deep breath before answering. "That there would be more of the, um, same as the first night... and when there wasn't I got frustrated."
That surprised both brothers.
Luca recovered first. "You were expecting more? If you want something, you only need speak up for it, my dear. You are also free to initiate contact. We shall let you lead, if you wish."
Arcen gave a grin, his lip curling to reveal his fangs. "We didn't want to scare you, Lady Kya. But if you wish more exploration, then by all means, it shall be arranged."
"Should we start now?"
Arcen traced a lazy finger around the neckline of Kya's morning dress. "What I'd like is to see our lovely Lady Kya in her costume. What think you, my dear?"
"I'm curious as to what it will look like. I cannot remember the last time I wore something made specifically for me..." She trailed off, unaware how her eyes narrowed as she thought of Lady Jyla Munro, the She-Wolf of Darm Glade's Whelp.
"Shake the memory, little one. Come... sit on my lap a moment."
Arcen swept her into his arms before sitting himself next to her seat at the table. His scent of sandalwood and smoke engulfed her, as it had every time she found herself in close proximity to him.
"You must tell us if we do something that hurts or greatly disturbs you. We have no wish to inflict any unwanted attentions upon you, my dear. Surely you must know how much you tempt us with your presence."
"All I know, my lords, is that I knew pleasure but that once and I think I would like to feel it again."
Kya felt something stirring underneath her as she sat on Arcen's lap.
"I'll admit I'm fine with a little exploration of pleasure before we see you as our puppy. Brother, I get the bottom half today since you had it all to yourself last time."
Luca smiled. "Fine with me. How does that sound to you, Kya?"
Distracted by Arcen's expanding lap, Kya isn't prepared when Luca reaches over and pulls down her bodice, revealing mounds of creamy flesh topped by berry pink nipples. He flicks one hard with his fingers before speaking. "Answer me."
Arcen grinds himself against her backside. She turns her wide, dewy eyes to Luca and says with emphasis, "I do believe I would enjoy that greatly. I don't recall much the last time, other than it felt like stars burst behind my eyes and I was floating in lights... It was a wonderful sensation."
Luca gently rubbed the nipple he flicked, twisting and pulling upon the bud of flesh until she moaned loudly.
"I want to debauch you, Kya. I want to be inside you." Arcen whispered in her ear as he reached around and pulled at her skirt to reach her hidden secrets underneath. "Spread your legs... ah, yes. Just like that... Oh, you are excited..." His thick fingers slid down her slit, parting the tender flesh and stroked her slick heat. A single finger dared to penetrate, stirring her into a frenzy. He brought her to an edge and stopped, not allowing her to shatter with completion.
Luca sat back and watched with a smile, noting how she moved her hips in want of more. Although he ached to make her his, a reticence lingered, the product of not knowing how much about Singularities were myth and legend and how much is fact. "I think we should move to a bed, unless she wants her virginity sacrificed upon the dining room table."
Arcen smiled as he put his finger1 in his mouth to lick clean of Kya's passion. "Easy enough to do."
A bubble of shadowy black engulfed the three, carrying them up, up, into a bedroom of dove gray walls with white trim, heavy oak furniture, and a massive four poster bed draped in black silks shot through with silver threads. A thick midnight black velvet blanket covered the bed.
When the bubble dissipated, Kya found herself in the middle of the bed, flanked by Luca and Arcen, who both busied themselves by gently unlacing her gown to remove it from her body. The corset and chemise quickly followed, as did the lords' own clothing.
She lay there nude, their eyes greedily drinking in her form. Luca went for her lips, kissing her breathless, while Arcen kissed his way down to her throbbing core, thrusting his tongue into her heat and savoring her flowing passion. Again, he stops before she flutters completion.
"What do you want, Kya?"
The heaviness between her thighs drove her to distraction. "I want to feel good again, Lord Arcen. Your teasing makes me feel frustrated."
"How do you want it, my dear? Shall I keep kissing you or would you prefer to be filled and properly debauched?" His emerald eyes sought out any hesitation in her amethyst gaze. She looked him in the eye and replied.
"Debauch me."
Her heart pounded, exciting Luca, who focused on teasing her breasts. The lifeforce in her veins grew brighter the more aroused she became.
Arcen smirked as he knelt between her spread thighs and slid his cock against her slit. Each stroke, the petals of her flower parted, pouted, and dripped nectar. Each stroke had her raising her hips, instinctively seeking more. She angled her hips, the bulbous head of his thickness piercing her flesh. Arcen slowed his strokes, gently pushing deeper into Kya's willing flesh. Luca focused on her lips, kissing her ardently. Her arms wrapped around him as they kissed, his hands caressing the swells of her flesh.
Once Arcen was fully seated inside her, she felt a tingle race from her toes to the top of her head, bringing forth a deep moan of pleasure. Arcen started thrusting, at first tenderly before his own passions engulfed him. His strokes into her grew deeper, faster, more powerful. His flesh slapped against hers in a timeless frenzy, her hips raising up to meet his, stroke for stroke.
Breaking away from Kya's lips, Luca knelt beside her and asked with a husky note in his voice,
"Kiss me here, Kya."
She looked at his throbbing flesh, scared and elated, before parting her lips and letting her little tongue dart out to tease the ruby tip of him. His moan lit something deep inside her, as she sucked the tip of him into her mouth and licked away.
He filled her mouth to overflowing, drunk on her eager passion. Arcen labored away between her thighs, doing his best to draw out and tantalize Kya despite his urge to pound her flesh in a frenzy.
As he felt her flutter, then clench around him, he pulsated his essence into her depths with a deep groan of satisfaction.
Once again, as her passions crested and overflowed like molten lava, her moan brought Luca to his own completion as a bright light filled the chamber before being absorbed by the brothers.
All breathed deeply, Arcen and Luca panting. Once again, Kya fell into deep slumber from the expenditure of energy.
"It was stronger this time." Arcen extended his hand, observing his fingers dissolving into a shadowy mist. Before, he could summon shadow to cover him like a cloak, but now he could be shadow itself.
"That's to be expected... my concern is about the betrayal aspect."
"It's simple, dear Luca. Simply do not betray her if she gives you her love."
"Easier said than done. My loyalty ultimately lies with ensure Baden success. If she is to love any it should be you. My priority will never be her... only using her."
"So cold, my icy brother. So cold. Fine. If she must be loved for your plan to come to success, then so be it. I accept the task. However if it's you she has her heart set on, for whatever misguided reason, how do you want to proceed?"
"I suppose it would be in all our best interest to be very blunt with her. If she wants affection, she best seek it from you. I will offer amusement and diversion. Nothing more."
Kya's sleepy voice responded. "Is that so? Very well."
"Ah, you heard all that?" Arcen asked.
"Mmmhmm."
Luca gave a wry smile. "Your stamina is improving already."
"I want to know about the betrayal thing." She sat up, uncaring of her naked display.
"The myth says that if one has the love of a Singularity, to betray them or that love is to invite a miserable death... that the Singularity would devour their soul."
"And how exactly do you intend on using me?" Kya's mind whirled. While still somewhat wary of Luca and Arcen, she began to understand them in the two weeks she spent in their company. Luca, studious, serious, and wry. Arcen, teasing on the outside to hide a somber streak beneath it all. While she didn't have those kinds of feelings for Luca, it still stung a bit with a sense of rejection.
"Your passion unleashes spiritual energy which enhances our own magic. That, we figure, is the safest way to make use of your abilities."
"And what happens should I fall in love?"
Luca drew a deep breath. "It is said that the love of a Singularity brings both luck and joy to the one who who has it. You can love me, Lady Kya, but I very much doubt I could return it in any measure."
"So you are fine with Arcen reaping the benefits of my affection?"
"As long as he uses it for the Badens and no other clan, I have no issue."
The conversation took the lingering pleasure away. "Is it an issue if I request that things remain as they are for now?"
"That is perfectly fine. We have no wish to lead you on to any disappointment."
Arcen leaned over to hook a finger beneath her chin. "And if you wish for affection to be returned, it shall be so. You give much to us when your passions explode. A happy Kya benefits us more than a sad Kya. Whatever you wish to bring you pleasure, only name it, my dear. I swear to you..." He grinned. "And if you wish another debauching, then I request you wear the costume."
Luca smiled. "Planning on fucking a wolf bitch tonight?"
"Only if Kya wishes to play along. Perhaps she'll be willing to lift her tail for me at the ball."
"As your naughty cousin, Celeste?"
They both smirked. "Now that is in the spirit of debauchery, my lady Kya." Arcen replied. "What do you think? Ready to be oh so very naughty with us?"