Power. Every elf sought it, defined themselves by it, worshipped it. Yet, power meant something different to different groups.

Kierra knew she would be powerful the moment she learned of her pure affinity. While others would spend decades learning spells and fine-tuning their ability to manipulate their mana, her magic jumped to her bidding. She could put in minimal effort and still be one of the greatest casters in all five provinces.

But without control, she would never be the best. Her mother drilled that into her from a young age. She wanted to be the best. Needed to be the best. It went beyond fearing what Morgene would do if she failed to live up to the woman's expectations. Kierra's nature didn't allow her to languish. Something within her craved conquest, to throw herself into blood and pain, forge herself in conflict and emerge victorious.

Her mother blamed it on their blood. The ways of the Twilight clans were cruel and mysterious. Morgene would tell her bedtime stories of the fierce matriarchs who found a way to impart their wills into their bloodlines, urging their daughters to invade new lands and claim the strongest mates from beyond the veil of death.

Kierra had talent but talent could be surpassed with enough hardwork. What would separate her from other prodigies, what would take her to the heights of power, was control. She had to control her ego that threatened to lure her into a false sense of security and sabotage her efforts. She had to control her surroundings, namely how the many expectations surrounding her influenced her decisions. Most importantly, she had control her blood. If she had let her passions take hold of her, she would have gotten killed trying to tackle something far beyond her before her second decade.

Kierra prided herself on control…but there was no controlling herself as she stared down at her gentle conqueror. Her precious Lou. Letting her lover cling to her humanity was the greatest test of her control to date. Lou believed that she could avoid the fate of a ruler, that the sheep wouldn't notice the wolf among them so long as she kept her head down and her ears flattened. But like a branch thrown into a pool, she would always remain at the top, no matter how much she desired to sink to the bottom.

While her mother pushed her to be the best, her father taught her that such a position came with responsibilities, burdens to those who wanted no part of them. They were inescapable; beings like her would seek the strong to continue growing and the weak would seek the strong for safety. If handled correctly, they were another source of power. Lou had never been taught how to be strong. As such, her silly partner let her fear of her rightful place hold her back, deluding herself with half-measures to salve her logical mind that saw her own faults.

Initially, Kierra had pushed to shatter Lou's flimsy attitude, how she had been pushed. A tactic that caused more harm than good. She resolved herself to wait. Her partner had spent nearly two decades fearing power and powerful people. Comparatively, she'd spent two years with her new abilities. The Lou she knew now was a world apart from the Lou she met in the Enchanted Forest, cornered by some of the weakest predators in her cage. She was sure that when her time as new self rivaled her time as her old self, Lou would at the very least be more comfortable with her strength. Until then, Kierra was confident in protecting her. Even the business in the north didn't worry her. Perhaps, if they were soundedly defeated, her young love would finally have some proper motivation, but if not, that was fine.

She liked Lou as she was. She liked watching Lou's growth and she still had a lot to learn about her. Their union had been incredibly quick. Couples could spend decades learning about one another before making that final commitment. Kierra could restrain her instincts, soothed by exploring her lover and building the foundations of their future clan.

But then her silly love had to do things that strained her control.

She barely kept herself under control after the battle for Quest, Lou's guilt cooling her excitement. They saw death differently. To Kierra, death was inevitable, as much as life as breathing. Everything died. Anything that attacked her should expect to die quickly. The deaths of her enemies was a cause for celebration and filled her with fierce joy.

Lou was not so soft that she spared enemies, but she didn't enjoy their deaths. The deaths of the weak and innocent weighed on her. It was a burden she didn't need to bear, but Kierra couldn't simply say as much and expect to gloom to lift from her lover's heart. She restrained herself and gave Lou the space to sort her emotions.

This latest victory was different.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

No lives were lost, not even a drop of blood shed. Her enemies had appeared and, awed by her mere presence, immediately capitulated. Kierra wished she'd been there. Lou could focus on nothing but the seer-like nature of the messenger and her flower made for a poor storyteller. Neither could capture the delicious moment when a proud predator realized it was nothing but prey. The desperation of someone who had made a bad decision and was scrambling to avoid the consequences. The sometimes comical eagerness of someone trying to appease a conqueror for fear that their world as they knew it would burn.

Despite the scant details, the tale made her heart pound and her blood sing. Twilight matriarchs rarely ventured beyond the gloomy province but there was one thing that could turn their attention to any corner of the world: war. Their daughters would skirt the edges of great conflicts, looking for the warriors forged from them. If the fighting was particularly eventful or the matriarch too young to have capable daughters to send in her place, she might go to the battlefield herself. There were plenty of tales about two forces baffled after a beautiful woman had run into a fierce battle and abducted their champions.

If a Twilighter had witnessed Lou's onslaught against the city, Kierra would have needed to bury the overexcited woman that tackled her to the ground. Making the rulers of a land surrender territory without raising a hand? That was the kind of feat that would send them home to inform the matriarchs themselves. Compounding her reaction was her lover's body, full of potential both magical and physical.

To make her trial truly imposssibe, Lou made herself irresistible, weaving her scent with that of Kierra's forbidden desire, made more enticing by being attached to an appropriate object.

Lou didn't understand the control it took not to drag her into a dark room and keep her there for a few years; the elf could wholly understand the twisted ambitions of the succubi. Her desire tested her will every moment of every day. And finally, her desires had won.

"Kii?"

"Shh."

"But, it's, you're a bit—eee!"

Kierra licked her lips as her love squealed, covering her chest like a scandalized maiden. Her wide, shocked eyes made the elf's heart pound. Did Lou not understand how intoxicating it was having such a powerful being act so demure? If Lou weren't Lou, Kierra might wonder if she was doing it on purpose to seduce her.

"Did you have to rip it?" Lou grumbled, lowering her arms as she quickly got over her surprise. Her attempt to sound annoyed was undermined by the excitement practically wafting from her. "I liked that one."

"I will make you another," Kierra replied absently, though she removed her lover's bottoms carefully. She tossed the clothes aside before leaning down to gently kiss Lou, pouring her affection into the act. "Can I ask a favor of you, dedia?"

"A favor, huh? Sure. Anything."

"…anything?"

"When you make that face…" It felt like a hand reached into her heart to squeeze her chest as Lou smiled up at her. "I might regret this, but I'm sticking to it. Anything."

"I wish to, hm. Take back a promise."

"A promise? What…" Violet eyes looked between their naked bodies. Kierra raked her nails over the taut stomach below her, watching with anticipation as Lou's mind raced to a conclusion. The delightful mix of panic, wonder, and arousal were delicious when her lover finally figured out what she meant.

"Wait! You don't—"

Lou's words cut off as a green hand covered her mouth.

Kierra wanted to slowly explain herself. To coax her anxious conqueror, show her there was nothing to fear. But it was getting harder to think. Her blood was pumping and that damn smell was invading her nose. Instinct rebelled against thought. Anything beyond primal action became hard to grasp. Still, for the sake of her love, she forced herself to speak, hissing the words through grit teeth.

"I want it."

It was a demand, a threat inspired by true battle lust. Yet, it was also a plea. If Lou rejected her, she would relent. Somehow. Painfully. But she'd do it, for her precious partner.

Despite her willingness, she suspected she wouldn't have to test her resolve. Many times, Lou asked her why she spoiled her, sharing her family's wealth without question and showering her with attention. She didn't realize that anything Kierra gave her, she returned in spades. Even now, despite her lingering nerves, Lou relaxed, her wide eyes softening. Surrendering.

A pleased hum filled the room as Kierra nuzzled Lou's cheek, her hand slipping between her legs. Lou's body was made for her; her predator's physique and her gift, as she liked to call it, were designed to tempt the elf. Lou's sensitivity and her stamina were purely for her. Her lover wasn't one for prolonging pleasure or denial. She wanted everything, immediately, for as long as anyone cared to give it to her.

It only took a few strokes before her gift was standing at attention, the way it twitched reminding Kierra of a pet begging for attention. It leaked as she stroked its length, quicky coating her fingers and filling the room with its strong smell. Lou's squirming gained intent, hips bucking into her tight grip. Kierra let her do all the work, watching her with the lazy eyes of a predator watching the antics of cornered prey.

It didn't take long for Lou to erupt, spit wetting the palm of the hand muffling her moans. Kierra waited for it to pass before raising the hand covered in her lover's seed. Her eyes shone with her channeled mana as she sucked her fingers clean. She directed her magic to the seed and it responded with its usual enthusiasm. Her lower abdomen became warm as it changed her, increasing the chances of her desire from scan to inevitable. She waited for it to run its course before stretching, meeting her mate's eyes while grinning sharply.

Below her, Lou trembled.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.