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Chapter Text

Cressida

As she stared out of the window across the built-up and compact city lands, Cressida took it all in, knowing it might be the last chance she had. The sun was a rosy shade of pink, obscured by the magical forcefield that wrapped around their town ever since The Fae Torn Wars. 

They occurred before Cressida was born, a bloody and hate-fuelled battle to establish wider borders: started by her grandfather, whom they never dared to speak of. Her father wasn’t a much better man, but he wasn’t a murder crazed incubus like him. 

The elves, orcs, and other creatures that surrounded them had apparently taken pity upon their citizens, many of whom tried to flee to opposing sides, and once her grandfather had been captured, they helped them to return to a fraction of their old lands. 

It meant that now the city was built tall. There was little light, and the magical forcefield left it feeling even more stifling, yet that was all Cressida knew. Boxed in, built up, worried about what others thought of their kind because of the legacy that followed in their shadow. 

A misogynistic one sadly remained among her kind, especially in the council. 

So, Cressida spent her days unsure of what to do with herself, other than her father’s preparations to find a husband. She kept her mouth shut and her head down- loudness was not appreciated among the councilmen. 
 
“Sorry, I don’t think I heard you correctly, Father.” She turned away from the window with a frown. 

“I can assure you that you did.” He raised his chin, daring her to question him further. “You have been signed to wed a Bridgerton prince. The scrolls are finalised, and each party holds a copy.” 

“Prince?” The word made her stomach sour; she hadn’t ever longed for a husband. All she wanted was to live out her days, single, until she withered away and finally found peace in death. 

“Yes.” 

“Me?” 

“I can assure you that I am just as shocked as you. Given that we are not royalty, and I am a council man descended from the person who tried to take their lands, I assumed they were joking. But it appears they wish to rebuild some relationship with us, a rickety bridge if you may, and I was the only one on the council with a single daughter of age that appealed to him. The money they offered in return for your hand wasn’t anything to sneer at either, and you’re growing too old for me to wait any longer. As such, you will soon leave to marry.” 

“Leave?” She felt a peculiar tightness in her chest, the fingers of fear clenched around her ribs in an uncomfortable embrace as she swallowed thickly. “You are coming with me?” 

His laugh left a chill running down her spine. “No, I do not wish to venture outside of the boundary lest I be killed. Many still hate our kind.” 

“But you are willing to send me? Alone, no less?” 

“Sacrifices must be made for the good of our people,” he tutted. “You are old enough to respect that. If anything, you should be thankful you are to be wed to a prince and not a farmer who would have you harvesting on your hands and knees like a commoner.” 

And so, she stood there and nodded stiffly, knowing there was nothing to be said when your father happily dubbed you a sacrificial lamb with a glint in his eye. He would just be happy to be rid of her… and Cressida would be likely strung up. 

Or eaten alive. 

Whilst she had prepared her entire life for marriage, that had been to someone within their city. To an incubus. Even if the mere thought made her wish to gag. However, the thought of this, being thrown to those who wished to gut her alive, was far worse. 

The day arrived, and it turned out no carriage driver would take up the journey into elven territory- let alone the monarchy’s lands. As such, Cressida was alerted that her journey would comprise of two parts: a short ride with an incubus out of the city's confines and into trading turf, and a second – far longer - part where an elven carriage rider would take her the rest of the way. Knowing that a carriage rider who knew the lands wouldn’t even take her there did not aid her growing sense of despair. 

Yet, by the time the day came to leave, Cressida felt nothing but a cold sense of numbness. A hollowness that resided within her where organs should likely be, so vast that a drop of sorrow of fear would be easily lost among it.

Drip. Drop. 

“Where is my father?” 

The driver shrugged awkwardly as he put the last of her bags into the carriage, having the decency to at least look ashamed. “Got caught up in a meeting. Said to tell you he hopes you remember you are the face of our people, and although he shan’t see you again, he will not hesitate to send a letter if he hears you are a hair out of order. His words, not mine. Don’t shoot the messenger and all that.” 

Somehow, that emptiness grew, knowing no one was there to say goodbye. No one cared for the loss of her. Even livestock received more of a send-off from their owners. 

“I see.” 

She climbed into the carriage and shut the curtain. It wasn’t until later, when it came to a swift halt, that she realised hours must have passed. As the door to the carriage swung open, she was met with the strangest… amber sun that left her squinting. 

“Best not to stare at it outside of the forcefield,” the driver said, moving to get her things. “That thing hurts your eyes when there’s no magic to filter it. Darn bright.”

Yet she couldn’t stop staring, not when it now seemed so vivid.  She soon regretted it when she looked away. White dots remained in her vision, and it took her a minute to blink the things away as a headache set in. 

“Miss Cowper, a pleasure to meet you. I am Edgar, one of the Bridgerton’s personal hands. Might I help you into your ride?” 

She couldn’t help but stare, even if she knew it was greatly improper. Because the man before her, with lightly tanned skin dappled with freckles, had the pointiest long ears. Her staring must have gone noticed because the man cleared his throat. Cressida expected to be hit for such an offence - she heard the worst things about elves - but a light chuckle left him. “Funny, aren’t they? My wife is an orc. They still tend to fascinate her.” He offered a beaming smile that left Cressida thrown off-kilter. 

Instead of replying, she offered a small nod and averted her eyes. 

“Okay then…” He shook his head. “The carriage.” 

As she stepped inside it, Cressida’s eyes widened at the soft feel of the velvet sapphire seats beneath her. It caressed her palms in a way that the scratchy hemp of her own carriage seats did not. Pleasant and welcoming. 

She sat stiffly, regardless, awaiting her death march to the palace where she would either be killed, have rocks pelted at her, or be wed to some brute Bridgerton who would have his way with her when he pleased. 

Cressida crossed her legs tightly and let out a shaky breath. 

The rest of the journey, she kept her curtains shut too, not wishing to be followed because of the horns that protruded from her head, telling the world exactly what she was. 

A succubus. A betrayer. Someone to be despised. 

By the time the carriage stopped again, Cressida was numb to the world. As the door opened, she swallowed, and her eyes stared up at the elaborate entrance to the castle. 

It was beautiful and nothing like she imagined. The pale sand brickwork was covered in clumps of vibrant green moss, vines, and ivy that trailed along the cracks, taking residence in the mortar. 

“Hello.” 

As the feminine voice met her ears, Cressida’s head snapped down. 

“I am Violet Bridgerton.” This woman, addressing herself by… her name… was the queen of the elven realm? “And this is my husband, Marcus.”

“You remarried,” Cressida uttered in surprise, her eyes widening a fraction when her voice met her ears. Her father’s words settled in the forefront of her mind: polite, well mannered, do not embarrass me. “I apologise, Your Majesty, I did not mean to-”

“You are quite well. I must say I am glad your father did not oversell your beauty. In fact, if anything, I think he greatly undersold it. Eloise will be so glad to meet you.” 

Eloise? So that was her soon-to-be husband’s name. 

Suddenly, fingers gripped her chin, and Cressida pulled away instinctively. Whilst Violet seemed to take it as Cressida being fearful of her kind, it was nothing of the sort. More that Cressida’s face was only ever touched by two people: her dear friend and maid Elsbeth who did her makeup some days, and her father when he wished to strike her. 

This touch, although gentle, carried a weight of uncertainty with it. She averted her eyes, dropping her chin as her arms wrapped around herself in a most unladylike manner. 

“I think my Eloise will be a good fit for you,” Violet said. “And do ensure you call me Violet; all of my family does.” 

Family. 

“Now, how about we have Edgar show you to your room?” 

As Cressida was led through the castle, she expected people to stare, and stare they did. Some of them, at least. She didn’t meet their gaze, worried about the malice she would find there, and instead adjusted her fringe that was too long now and dipped slightly past her brows. 

“Your room,” Edgar announced. “Eloise’s room is beside yours. Violet does not believe in waiting until marriage, although the public still wishes to see it of their royals. So, your room is beside Eloise’s should you wish to…” He looked away. “I will be here should you need a hand with anything. You have a lady’s maid too, Clara, who will tend to drawing you a bath and anything else required of her… within reason.”

“Within reason?” Cressida asked. 

“Do not ask me what I caught Eloise doing with her when the pair of them were twenty-two. Apologies, I likely shouldn’t have mentioned that.” 

Superb, her soon-to-be husband likely had syphilis. 

“Dinner is served at seven; I shall call upon you then.” 

Cressida sighed and pushed open the door, staring in disbelief for a minute before her feet carried her into the room. The furnishings were soft, a mixture of green and a pale shade of pink, Cressida’s favourite colour that her father frowned upon. 

Her bed was made up neatly with pink linen sheets and a green fur blanket so thick that she wondered how cold it got here at night. She was already feeling chilly, and it was summer. The furniture was scattered throughout the room, all a dark wood with gold handles shaped like vines and leaves. 

And although she was inside, the room was filled with plants of all things. Never once had she seen nature kept inside like this, other than a greenhouse, but something about it left her feeling calm as she touched the leaves. 

“Calathea,” a voice said from the doorway. 

Her gaze shot to the man who stood there: if this was Eloise, at least he was handsome. His hair was well kept and his face clean shaven, and he wore the most… feminine blouse with puffed arms. Odd.

“They’re a right hassle to keep alive elsewhere, but with the humidity here, they tend to thrive. Fall asleep at night though, and the leaves curl up, so fear not if you think you hear someone breaking in: it’s likely just the plants.” 

She nodded, her favourite mode of communication. The more left unsaid the better, but he didn’t look angry enough to do something cruel… yet. 

“Do you have plants like this from your lands?” he asked. 

“No, Eloise, we don’t.” 

Suddenly, the man seemed to choke on the air around him. “I am not Eloise.” 

“You aren’t?” Shit, Cressida had hoped he was. He seemed… personable. Less intense than what she had feared, even if there was no attraction there. 

He smiled with a playful glint to his eyes. “I am Eloise’s brother, Benedict. A pleasure to meet you.” 

“I see.” 

“I’ll let you get settled in, but if you need anything, I am here to answer your every request.” 

“Benedict, I do hope you’re not leading our new guest astray already?”

“No, Daphne. I was merely making polite conversation with our surprise guest. Emphasis on surprise.” 

Daphne, now that name was one Cressida recognised. From what she heard, there were a fair few Bridgerton children, but Daphne was married to an elven king from another land of reputation. As such, she had made quite a name for herself. Cressida heard she was greatly involved in both kingdoms' politics. 

“I see. Well, welcome to the castle…” Daphne’s eyes widened as they fell upon her. “Miss… Cowper. I have to say you are not what I was expecting.” 

It had to be the horns. Her cheeks burned with the wish to disappear as she tilted her chin. 

“The quiet type?” Daphne asked. 

Another nod. 

“Interesting. Perfect match for Eloise then. Perhaps Mother does know what she’s doing after all.” 

After they left, Cressida was quietly happy that she still had her horns. She stared at her new bedroom, the one she would hold until she was married off to some elven prince who she didn’t wish to touch at all. 
 

Chapter Text

Cressida

After a great deal of time standing frozen in her new room, a knock came, and soon after, the announcement that she would be taken down to the dining hall for dinner. 

Whilst she knew there were many Bridgertons, she did not realise quite how loud they were until she headed down the main hall, where she could already hear them all through the closed doors. 

“They don’t bite,” Clara promised. She was a tall and elegant woman with long brown hair: Cressida could see why her soon-to-be husband took a liking to her. “Unless you get between them and the garlic sourdough, in which case, you’re putting your life at risk there.” 

As the doors swung open that loud, rambunctious noise turned to complete silence. Heads turned her way at once, and it was clear Cressida was who they were discussing prior. 

“Miss Cressida Cowper of the succubus lands of Ethyrious,” Sylva stated, bowing to them. 

There were two seats free, one between two women - one of whom was staring at her with wide eyes in sheer horror - and one between two men who looked to be her age. 

“You can take your seat by Eloise,” Violet announced.  

Well, as much as Cressida would have preferred the woman looking at her like she had five extra arms, she moved between the two men instead. 

Everyone stared at her in confusion, and Cressida wondered if perhaps she was the meal. That fear only grew when she took her seat and the entire table other than Violet burst out into hysterical fits of laughter. 

Soon, Violet’s firm voice cut through the amusement, breaking it down to silence with a single warning for them to stop. Her eyes then turned to Cressida who must have looked scared for her life, then again, she truly was as tears welled in her eyes. 

She wondered what would be said, but then the woman opposite her spoke, saying, “Hello, I am Eloise, actually.” 

There was a moment then when the two stared at one another in a mixture of confusion and surprise. 

“Oh.” 

Eloise… 

“Eloise is a woman,” Daphne stated, as if needing to clarify that. “If that wasn’t clear yet.” 

Cressida awkwardly rose, her cheeks burning as she moved to take the seat beside her soon-to-be… wife? 

The woman beside her turned her head, her lips close to Cressida’s ear as she said, “I did not realise either or else you would have not found out at the table with all my family around. I do apologise. I don’t know what my mother was thinking.” 

But Cressida knew Eloise had affections for women, given what was said to her earlier about her dalliances with Clara, and Cressida felt something new then: jealousy bubbling up and leaving her clenching her jaw because she - a maid - was deserving of Eloise’s affection. But Cressida, the eyesore of a succubus that she was, left Eloise horrified at the idea of being married to her. 

“It’s okay,” Cressida replied, her voice small as she felt her heart racing too fast. The rooms here were spacious, yet oddly they felt more suffocating to Cressida than the small and packed ones of her old residence. It left her feeling claustrophobic, and as such, Cressida forgot to have an appetite even if she had not eaten for almost two days now. 

“Are you not hungry?” Eloise asked quietly. 

“No.” 

“Is the food not to your liking? There were limited texts on your people’s traditional recipes, but I can speak to the chef if there is anything you need. I realise food is a last resort for your people.” 

Succubi really needed to feed on emotions: ideally lust. Happiness also worked to a degree, but sex and desire tended to be better. Food kept them alive but never left them full or sated. Whilst succubi outside of the council were permitted to feed on emotions like that, those within it were kept ‘pure’ for their future husbands. This meant that Cressida had never known what it was like to feel truly full or sated.  

However, Eloise was accommodating in a way that was utterly foreign to Cressida, offering her recipes from her lands. Her people were not like this. Well, her father wasn’t, and neither were his friends in the council. 

“No, it looks… delightful.” It truly did. The spread of vegetables was vibrant with a rainbow of colours, and between them sat pastries, dips, and several platters of various meats. Cressida had never seen so much delicious looking food in her life, but that didn’t make her stomach feel as if it were in any less knots. “I’m just not hungry.”

Eloise looked at her strangely then, not with offence but like she was analysing her fiancé. 

“If you get hungry at night, Thomas is normally in the kitchen. The room is the one in the hallway leading up to here with the red door.” 

“Thank you.” 

“You’re very well-mannered for someone who had their whole world turned upside down this week,” Eloise stated.

The comment left Cressida bristling, and she quietly sank into herself, thankful that the family had left her alone. 

When the meal was over, she caught Violet staring at her with worry. She let her family leave the table, but Cressida felt fearful when she asked her to stay behind. 

Violet moved closer and hesitated before deciding not to rest a hand on her shoulder. “Do you not like women?” Violet asked. “I understand it was a gamble, but I hope you grow to at least find something of a friendship in Eloise- if nothing more is possible. My daughter needs someone she can trust and rely on, someone to draw her out of the library every once in a while, and she always wrinkled her nose at the idea of a husband. I heard whispers, so I thought a woman might be a better fit for her.” 

Cressida was still wondering if this was some kind of joke. “Women do not romance other women in my lands.” 

“Oh.” For a moment, Violet looked slightly aghast before she relaxed her features into a forced indifference. “Never? Or not to wed?” 

“Never.” 

“And men?” 

“Only lay with women,” Cressida stated. Now, her entire world had been turned up on its head. 

“Does the idea of marrying Eloise repulse you? Because I am sure I can sort something out. Eloise is not one to expect something of someone who does not wish to give it.” 

“She… She does not repulse me,” Cressida found herself saying. And then, much to her horror, “She has a beautifully soft voice, and her ears turned wonderfully pink earlier.” Then she swallowed thickly. “I did not wish to take a husband.” 

“And the idea of a wife…” Violet started. 

“I’m unsure,” Cressida replied honestly. “I never realised that was an option.” 

Something changed in Violet then; her shoulders relaxed, and a smile pulled at her mouth. “In your match file, it stated you like to garden. And that it should be known you tried to seek education in men’s areas of study.” She tilted her head. “If you wish to study or partake in men’s hobbies or education here, you are more than welcome. Eloise has a thing for fencing and languages herself. She also writes.” 

“Writes,” Cressida echoed. 

“The girl published her first novella when she was only fifteen. She is greatly talented.” Her surprise must have shown because Violet laughed and added, “If you need anything, Eloise’s room is beside your own.”

“Thank you.” 

“And Cressida? I am unsure what you have heard your way, but I hope you know you are welcome here. Elves cherish the differences in others, irrespective of history. Our people will be happy to have you here. Just do not shut us out before we’ve had a chance to prove that.” 

She found herself staring at Violet as she left until she was the only one left at the table. “Miss Cowper?” Edgar said, “Do you wish to return to your room?” 

“Please.” 

She headed up the stairs, grateful when she shut her bedroom door behind her to silence and no heated gazes. Shucking her dress off, Cressida moved to her closet. 

Whilst she had forgotten to unpack her clothing, there were a few things there: a plain cotton shirt with a lace-up neck, and some brown wool trousers. Initially, she wondered if they were meant to be there. But when they fit, Cressida supposed they were meant for her. And if they weren’t, she would be awfully sad because, gosh, the trousers were comfortable. 

It wasn’t really nightwear, the trousers, but Cressida didn’t feel like sleeping yet. Eloise was right to question why she wasn’t eating earlier because as soon as the eyes were off her, a gurgling started in her stomach, and she realised just how starved she truly was. 

She made it several hours before the hunger grew enough that she opened her door. There had been no sound of footsteps, so she assumed it safe to wander down to the kitchen. Yet, as she made it down the stairs and turned into the hall, Cressida collided with someone who cursed and grabbed her arms before she could fall. 

“Cressida?” 

“I am sorry, I really did not mean to-”

“You’re well,” Eloise said. “Food?” 

“Yes.” 

“Well, you’re heading the wrong way. The halls do look similar around here.” She smiled, finally releasing her hold on the succubus. “I’ll show you the way.” 

“Thank you.” 

As they walked, Eloise said, “Are you normally this quiet?” 

“There are not many people to talk to in the council buildings,” Cressida replied honestly. Her choices tended to be men well over the age of a hundred, none of whom Cressida was permitted to speak with. Many of them didn’t like their wives and daughters ‘gossiping’ either, so silence it was. 

“I heard that everywhere tended to be crowded there,” Eloise stated. 

So, Cressida told her why she didn’t speak, and to her horror, Eloise stopped still. 

“Apologies,” Eloise said. “I just… They do not like you talking?” 

“Gossiping,” Cressida said. “But given we weren’t allowed to do men’s studies or hobbies, there was little else to talk about.” 

“You must have had some hobbies,” Eloise said. 

“Gardening and needlepoint when it was permitted.” 

“Gardening?” The elf rolled her sleeves up, and Cressida couldn’t help but note the strong curve to her arms, likely muscles borne from those men’s hobbies she had heard that Eloise partook in. “I thought there was little greenery there.” 

“There is still some. Outdoors, there are still designated nature zones; they have just become fewer and far between over the years.” 

“That doesn’t seem comfortable,” Eloise replied. 

“It is not.” 

“Did you enjoy those hobbies?” Eloise asked. 

So, Cressida explained that she hated needlepoint with a passion but found a comfort in how disgusting gardening tended to make her and how much that horrified her father. 

“Will you not miss him or your family?” Her fiancé was prying now, and it left Cressida feeling raw. 

She knew Eloise would not understand it when she said, “No. I will not miss any of my family.” But at least it was not brought up further. Other than a look of confusion, no reply was given. 

“So, have you ever tried freshly baked garlic and sun-dried tomato bread?” 

Creasing her brow, Cressida stepped into the room and was hit with the most delicious smell. It left her stomach gurgling embarrassingly, loud enough that Eloise said, “When did you eat last?” 

“Days ago,” Cressida admitted. 

“Do succubi not need to eat human food often? I heard they didn’t need to eat if they were feeding… in other ways. I assumed you would be eating a more human diet rather than feeding on emotion because-”

“You assume I’m a virgin? Yes, Eloise. Thank you for that astute observation.” Whilst council members’ daughters were kept clean for their future husbands, that fact was kept quiet among most. It was not something Eloise should have known, which meant one thing.

She felt her walls rising back up again and wrapped her arms around her midsection. Whilst Eloise clearly wasn’t attracted to her, the fact she doubted that Cressida was attractive to her own kind either cut deep. 

“No, I… I mean, you see, I…”  

Cressida frowned as the hunger was replaced once more with painful discomfort. “I’m rather tired. I should head to bed.” 

“Cressida, I didn’t-”

She sped up the hallway and back up the stairs, finding comfort when the door shut again. Even though her stomach hurt, and Cressida had not fed- through desire or through more human measures – she curled up in a ball and tried to forget where she was. 

When a knock came, she ignored it. 

“There is some bread outside for you,” a small voice said. 

Eloise. 

At least she felt guilty enough to do so, but Cressida, out of sheer stubbornness and sadness, refused to eat it. As her hand found her horn, tears dripped down her cheeks.

She was a monster, never intended for these lands. 

Chapter Text

Eloise

She stared at the breakfast table that was empty of her soon-to-be wife. Instead, her family sat around, acting as if nothing were amiss with the fact that Violet had set her daughter up with a bloody woman. 

How she knew was beyond Eloise; she thought she had kept things hidden well. Whilst the rest of their realm never turned their nose up at same sex marriage, the monarchy was meant to produce heirs. It was expected, and it was a patriarchal burden Eloise despised. 

She was only a womb in their eyes. 

But now, she would soon have a wife: a beautiful one at that. Cressida had a strong jaw and the softest blonde hair. It was long and flowed down her shoulders, and her fringe parted around two distinct, pink horns. Her skin was pale, not that different from Eloise’s own, but she stood a fair bit taller, enough that Eloise wanted to stand on her tiptoes until she felt tall again. 

When Eloise had heard of a match, her blood had boiled. There were several shouting matches with her mother and then Anthony. Men always had to have their say in things. She had been furious for weeks, but all of that had dissipated the moment she entered the room. 

“Mr. Cowper looks different than I thought he would,” Daphne joked. 

“You knew?” 

“I found out earlier today.” 

So, Eloise had sat beside her, her heart pounding in her chest as a blush rose to her cheeks because she had never felt attraction like it. Succubi were captivating; it was in their magic, but Eloise had not been around one like this before. They had no effect on Eloise usually, not like this, at least. Cressida left her trying to remember how to form words, and most unfortunately sticking her foot in her own shit. 

“I cannot say anything right,” Eloise lamented to her brother. “Everything I say offends her!” 

“Well, was it offensive?” Benedict asked. “You don’t always think through what spills out of your mouth.” 

“I merely suggested she needed to eat food because I doubted that she was shagging people or drinking from desire.” 

Benedict’s mouth dropped open in horror. “And you do not see the wrong in that?” he whispered harshly. 

“What? To suggest she is too much of a lady to do things like that. Her father is a politician, and that council is awfully strict from what I’ve read. I assumed she would not be allowed to-”

“You insinuated she is too horrific on the eyes to bed or desire,” Benedict replied. 

“I did no such-” She put her fork down as she relayed the conversation and Cressida’s response. “Gods.” 

“And last night? What did you say before she started looking like a kicked puppy?” 

“She… Okay, yes, she did. She is rather adorable like that.” 

“You’re besotted,” Benedict sighed. 

“I am not.” 

“You’re smiling strangely,” he stated. 

“Fine. Shut up. And all I said was that she was quite well mannered for someone who had their life uprooted.” 

“I’m sorry, you said what?” Daphne gasped, turning to face them. 

“You were listening to us?” Eloise asked, embarrassed.

“Of course, it’s juicy gossip. But suns above El, you need to fix that.” 

“Fix what?” All she had done was ask about why she appeared so unaffected when her world had been thrown into the hands of her enemy. 

“If that was you, and Cressida was there asking you that, in their lands, after you had lost everything, would you find it a delightful first conversation subject to discuss with the stranger you are wed to?” 

“I… didn’t think of it like that.” 

“You need to make amends,” Benedict stated. “She might be soon to be wed to you, but that doesn’t mean she will simply love you because a ring says so.” 

“I do not expect her to,” Eloise snapped. She would never expect that of anyone. “Shit. Okay, how does one… make amends?” 

“Well, firstly, you figure out what size strap she-”

Daphne hit her brother over the top of the head. “Men,” she uttered, looking murderous. “Find what she likes or what means something to her and make a gift of it. She’s in a new environment. It’s easy; just find something that reminds her of home. Show her that you care about her being comfortable here.” 

“Yes, that’s a good idea.” 

So she thought. Cressida wasn’t eating or feeding, but succubi could likely go longer without human food than an elf could. As such, that needed to be remedied soon, but something told Eloise that she wouldn’t eat unless she was more comfortable in the grounds here. 

She spent the morning flitting around the castle until she found the man she was looking for. Angus was surprised to see Eloise, who didn’t often frequent his buildings on the grounds, but as soon as she spoke of her fiancé, his face lit up. 

After she got a copy of the keys, Eloise headed into town. Whilst the main town had nothing that she was looking for, she found that the back alleys with smaller – often less legal – stalls had exactly what she needed. It cost more than she felt was fair, but then again, she would have paid anything to make Cressida hate her less. 

By the time she made it back, it was late afternoon, and Edgar seemed as worried as Eloise that she still wasn’t eating. Her worry wasn’t helped when her mother stopped by. 

“A woman,” Eloise said, straightening her back. 

“Was I wrong in my choice?” Violet asked, raising a brow. 

“How did you know?” 

“You have been caught with many a woman since you were as young as fourteen in the castle. The first one I heard about was Stefanie, the witch daughter of the king down south who briefly stayed with us. A kiss in the maze garden would be better concealed if you were not taller than the hedges, Eloise.” 

“Oh. A fair point.” 

“I decided not to say anything as it was your choice to tell me. But the council was pushing for you to wed, and I agreed. However, I would not force you into the arms of a man who would only bring you discomfort.” 

“A woman,” Eloise echoed her earlier words. 

“You always had a fascination with the war and Cressida’s kind. Even when you were young, you spoke of wishing to repair things, even if it stresses Daphne out.” 

“Her politics are often dehumanising,” Eloise uttered. “We cannot all live in past worries.”

“They can be. And I do not think this will mend the bridge, but you might learn a thing or two about Cressida’s life and what we could offer to her people that might make their lives more comfortable. The only succubi living outside of their lands are those who fled during the war. Since then, we have so little communication that it is hard to know much.” 

“I am not sure she is attached to her people,” Eloise stated. “She said she would not miss her family. There was such a… cold distance to it.” 

“One of many reasons why I asked for her,” Violet stated. “The other council men had no available daughters that stood out, but many other people of note there did. However, Cressida… her application read like her father was trying to sell a horse he knew nothing about. He focused more on her negative qualities than the positive ones. It was… concerning. I thought even if the two of you did not find love, friendship would be on the table. Something you could both benefit from.” 

“I think I could love her,” Eloise said. 

Violet smiled. “I know. I knew at breakfast that first morning. You are not well practiced in hiding your emotions.” 

“Must you all embarrass me?” 

She shook her head. “You need to create a warm environment for her. Focus on that before trying to uproot her scars. How would you feel if she asked about your father?” 

“If she knew, she likely would have sa-”

“She knows,” Violet cut in. “But she has allowed you room to simply be, and you should afford her the same space.” 

If she knew that Eloise was surprised, she had said nothing. People were always clawing for the details that her family kept close to their chests. In his death, they only wished to be afforded that: privacy. Yet it was hard to come by, given who they were. 
 

Chapter Text

Eloise

Later on, Eloise found her room and knocked. 

No answer came, but a moment later, Cressida opened the door. Eloise took note of the fact that she was wearing menswear she left in the cupboard again - tailor-made for her eventual husband that turned out to be a wife - and couldn’t help but love how it fit her. She wondered if Cressida wore anything like that back home. 

“Eloise?” 

“Hi, sorry. Might I steal you away for a moment?” Casual, relaxed, think before you speak, she reminded herself mentally. 

“I don’t know.” Even though she was taller, Cressida appeared small then- sinking in on herself. “I should probably-”

“A few minutes?” Eloise tried. “It will mean you do not have to sit at the dinner table with my family again.” 

She knew that was probably stressful for Cressida when the succubus hastily nodded. It was not only Eloise who needed to make Cressida feel welcomed. 

Guiding her down the stairs, Eloise then took her to the east wing and out through the rear exit of the castle. Oddly, Cressida never asked where they were heading, following her along like a puppy. 

Heading down through the gardens, Eloise made a point of showing her the rose garden, the herb garden, and the medicinal garden on the way. “They grow all sorts of things there used by the healers in the castle and outside of it. People underestimate the power of botanicals until the time truly calls for it. We had one ghastly flu that almost tore through our entire crop of ginger.” 

Finally, Cressida’s voice sounded. “I adore ginger. Growing up, my maid would always make me ginger tea when I was sick.” 

Making a note of that, Eloise remembered not to pry further and simply smiled. She didn’t want to ruin the moment by putting her foot in her mouth. “Okay, this is your surprise.” 

Cressida stared at the dirt in confusion. 

“Oh, yes, I should probably explain.” Eloise passed Cressida the key, her breath catching as their fingers touched and a warmth radiated through her chest. “This is yours. Your greenhouse, to grow whatever you please. Angus will help you find anything you need, as will I, but I… I thought it might give you a little bit of home back. Silly, I know, but-”

“No,” Cressida rasped, shaking her head. “This… It’s wonderful, thank you.” 

“It is?” 

Cressida nodded, and then Eloise was afforded with her first smile. It left her with butterflies in her stomach, feeling like she was walking on air. 

She did not deserve someone as beautiful as Cressida- inside and out. Whilst Eloise didn’t know much, she knew enough to know that her mother never made bad matches. The woman was annoyingly astute and could gauge a bad match from a mile off. This meant that Eloise trusted Cressida before she gave her reason to. 

“I got you some seeds too, in the smaller markets. They were marked as crop seeds local to you, but I am unsure if-”

“Star roots are local produce,” Cressida stated. “They grow much like ginger, but their roots spread outward like a star. They taste like a potato but sweeter and have a deep blue colour.” 

This was the most Cressida had talked to her since she arrived. “If there is anything I missed, we can likely source it. But I’m afraid it will take a long while to grow the first crop. We might be able to send someone to the border to bring back some fresh produce from your people, but they rarely trade food goods out.”

“Our lands are richer in minerals. Most of what we trade is minerals and goods like weapons and gears for machinery. We have a fair few watch makers in our lands who are well known across the world. But we hardly ever have enough food,” Cressida said. “We end up importing a fair bit, especially grains. Our soil can often be too arid for wheat.” 

Eloise made a note to consider offering some of the between lands as crop grounds for Cressida’s people. A lot of the between lands were empty, left as a buffer to ensure that Cressida’s people would not wage war again and if they did, there was time to prepare and fend them off. Her kind were pushed into a small portion of their original land, but that needed reworking now. Enough time had passed. 

The council had offered them land before, and it was declined, which now rang strange to Eloise given their struggles and food shortages. 

“Well, we can see what can be grown here. Angus has a knack for magic-infused compost, might shave some time off growing it all.” Eloise sat down on the bench at the far side of the greenhouse. “I can wait if you wish to look around, maybe plant some things. Angus left some basics by the wheelbarrow for you.” 

“Your dinner; you need to eat,” Cressida said. 

Knowing better than to mock her, Eloise bit her tongue regarding the hypocrisy there. “We can eat after you finish. There’s always something in the kitchen.” 

“Won’t your mother mind you missing a meal?” 

“Something tells me that on this occasion, she shan’t.” With that, Eloise pulled out a book, assuming Cressida would feel more comfortable going about her routine without someone watching her. 

She did not turn the pages, however, too distracted by the silent curses and heavy breaths as Cressida lugged equipment around the greenhouse and the way she battled with the compost. Eloise didn’t have to look to feel completely transfixed by her match. 

Later, when Cressida was covered head to toe in soil, Eloise stated it might be best not to allow her inside the kitchen. Instead, she appeared at Cressida’s door with two plates that they then ate side by side on the floor as Clara drew her a bath. 

“You’re absolutely covered in mud,” Eloise laughed. 

“Entirely worth it for the produce,” Cressida replied, devouring her second pastry.

Pushing her plate towards her, Eloise said, “I’m not hungry, if you want mine?” She was hungry, but that was beside the point. Her fiancé was finally eating, seemingly starving, and Eloise would offer whatever she had if it made her smile. 

A breath of relief left her when Cressida didn’t question it and instead happily started eating the rest of the food. 

“Sorry, this is incredibly unbecoming.” 

“Eating pastries or looking like a swamp monster?” Eloise teased. 

“I look like a monster?” 

And oh, clearly, they did not have the same folk tales. So, she smiled and shook her head. “Not at all. You’re beautiful,” Eloise promised, bathing in the pink that tinted the succubus’ cheeks. “Here we have this myth that every now and again this figure rises from the swamp down the way. Said to be made of mud.”

“A creature made of mud? That seems unlikely.” 

“Our people enjoy passing on the stories of their elders, ones shared around fires for generations long before we were born. Many are ridiculous, but they carry meaning. The swamp monster is said to rise on the first full moon of the year, claiming the men who disrespect their wives. Whilst many do not believe in it, some do, and it puts the fear of the gods into them. But that story speaks of the violence women have faced throughout history, and it is a small beacon of hope for those who feel defenceless. He is a cautionary tale that some find comfort in. I do wonder who started it, though, or perhaps it is true.” 

“We could do with a swamp monster back in my lands,” Cressida said. And slowly, that smile on her face waned to thin lips and a slight frown that Eloise did not wish to prod at. “Your family is so big,” Cressida continued. 

“Does that intimidate you?” Eloise asked. “They can be loud and overbearing, but I’m used to it. It sometimes throws our guests off, though.” 

“I’m not used to people conversing at mealtimes,” Cressida admitted. “Nor am I used to having so many options.” 

“Is it too much?” Eloise asked. 

“No, I will grow used to it. Things are just different here to my lands, greatly so.” 

“In a bad way?” 

For a moment, Cressida thought quietly before answering, “No, not in a bad way. A good way, I think.” 

Silence filled the room then, one that was strangely comfortable as Eloise watched Cressida eat. When she finished, they sat there together for a while longer before Clara arrived. 

“Might I borrow Miss Cowper? Her bath is drawn.” 

Eloise rolled her eyes at her old friend. Even though Clara technically worked for the palace, she was Eloise’s closest friend.  They had grown up together, and Clara had always been her watcher before she was her maid. Clara’s family had historically always worked for the palace, trusted even in political talks. She had also been Eloise’s first kiss, and first… other things… but that was long since in the past. They tended to laugh about it when they remembered it now. Both Eloise and Clara were dominant personalities, and that hardly worked in the bedroom for them. 

“Stealing my soon-to-be wife away?” It was said with an edge to it of warning; she knew she and Clara had a similar type and had caught the way Clara looked at the succubus since she arrived. Whilst she knew Clara would never betray her, the girl still loved winding Eloise up. 

“Yes, it appears she’s covered in more mud than the lawn.” 

As she looked between the pair, Cressida let out a slight huff of discomfort. Before Eloise could question it, she rose, heading to the door. 

“I do hope the temperature is to your liking,” Clara said, shooting Eloise a wink over her shoulder simply to piss her off. 

“Ass,” Eloise uttered under her breath. 
 

Chapter Text

Cressida

Whilst Clara was attentive, after today, Cressida only felt that emotion she came to understand to be jealousy bubbling up further. The way Clara and Eloise looked at one another was oddly intimate, two women who clearly knew one another well, and it left Cressida feeling like an unwanted extra. Perhaps when she married Eloise, Cressida would just be her showpiece; there to create a political bridge and nothing else. 

Yet now, after today, Cressida longed for more. She enjoyed Eloise’s company, and found it brought her a peculiar warmth she was slowly growing used to. But when Clara stepped into the room that warmth withered to something insecure that left Cressida trying to hide her horns and drop her chin. 

She was not beautiful like Clara. She did not have wonderfully long and pointed ears, nor did she have the effortless happiness all elves seemed to carry. Cressida was a forced choice, something unwanted, and she felt herself slowly closing back up. 

As such, she barely ate anything at breakfast the next morning. Eloise eyed her the whole meal, asking her several times if all was well. 

It wasn’t. Not when Cressida sat opposite Clara noting her beauty: her rich brown hair and soft eyes. 

She shifted uncomfortably and tried to swallow a mouthful of freshly baked sourdough toast. After she was done, she asked Eloise if she could head to the greenhouse. 

“You do not need to ask my permission,” Eloise assured. “Whenever you wish to venture down there, do. It is your space.” 

So, Cressida changed in her room from the cream dress she had on to the cotton shirt and woollen trousers. They were perfect for the cooler weather here but given there wasn’t much, she really needed to go shopping. 

But how did one shop without their own money? She could likely ask Edgar or Eloise, but it felt embarrassing to do so: relying on her fiancé’s money. Now, Cressida had nothing of her own. It felt dehumanising and embarrassing; a reminder of the fact she had no power. 

Heading down to the greenhouse, Cressida worked on planting a herb native to her lands used for teas and remedies. It smelled similar to lavender, slightly fruiter, and had a pale pink leaf. 

Soon the sun set, and Cressida was so distracted by her task that it took someone arriving for her to take note of the hour. 

“You missed lunch,” Benedict said. “And dinner is not long off. You might wish to bathe first.” 

“Does it amuse you to see someone working?” Cressida asked, irritated by the smirk on his lips. 

“No, it amuses me to see someone with twigs in their hair,” he corrected, gesturing to something that Cressida soon felt and removed. “My sister did not wish to pull you away from your greenhouse, she thinks it best not to disturb you, and perhaps she is right but El always did have a tendency to overthink things.” 

“She doesn’t want to talk to me?” 

“She’s acting like she’s in the doghouse. I assume she thinks you’re mad at her, but she never was the best at reading people.” 

“I am not mad at her,” Cressida stated. 

“I assumed.” He peered around, noting the mess of pots and seed trays scattered around torn bags of compost. “She’s in the library if you need her. When she feels worried, she can spend days in there. You might have to pry her free.” 

“Pry her free?” 

“Your wifely duties,” Benedict teased. “My sister is lovely, but she was not made for the life of the crown. Politics, monarchies, and expectations are all things she loathes. There is not much El shall expect from you, but if you wish to make my mother happy, consider prying her away from her books every now and again. There is a meeting tomorrow concerning trade turf that my mother deeply wishes for El to attend but she has avoided all meetings for years.” 

“I am to be her assistant,” Cressida stated, knowing her place. 

“No. I wish for you to support my sister just as she will you. El has a tendency to give without expecting anything from others.” 

“If she detests the meetings, would I really be helping her by encouraging her to attend one?” 

“They make her anxious,” Benedict admitted, looking sheepish. “When she was young, she would always attend them with my father. El would sit on his knee as everyone talked. We always thought she would be the one leading negotiations- not my mother and Daphne. She is intelligent beyond belief and knows more about each land area than the rest of us. For most of her childhood, she sat through the meetings but when we lost him, El was only sixteen. She stopped attending meetings, rarely showing her face. I know she wishes to be there because she still passes tips on to Daphne and me for negotiations. But anytime she does show, she quickly grows unsettled and leaves. He passed in the meeting room, which does not help things.” 

“I didn’t realise,” Cressida replied. “She seems so put together, beyond worries like that.” 

“El is great at masking her insecurities and fears but she has her struggles. Before she started attending meetings, it was frowned upon; for a woman to be in the meeting room who wasn’t a queen. Even as a princess, El was not meant to be allowed but my father ignored the rules. She always wished to be treated like his sons, and my father saw to it that she was treated no differently. When she lost him, she didn’t just lose her father, she lost the man who carved out spaces for her in all walks of life. It’s common now, times change, but she looked up to him greatly.” 

“I will go and speak with her. I make no promises, but I will try,” Cressida said. She could understand a thing or two about wishing for a space that didn’t exist. If her father had been like that, her life would have been completely different. Whilst Cressida did not know King Edmund, she respected him and his memory. 

Eventually, after her bath, she asked Edgar to take her to the library. It was up a small winding set of stairs, tiny stone ones that she feared breaking her neck on if she were to put a foot out of place. 

“Here,” he said, gesturing to the worn door. “Good luck.” 

Good luck? Taking a breath to centre herself, Cressida lifted her hand to the door and knocked. 

“I am busy.” 

Another breath, this time as she guided the door open.

“I said I am-” Eloise snapped her mouth shut. “Apologies, I did not realise that it was you. Normally it is one of my brothers or Clara.” 

She briefly forgot that Eloise was there. The library was beautiful: blue mage fire burned in the far corner leaving it nice and toasty with the smell of burning cedar filling her nose. There were huge stained-glass windows with florals decorating them in pink, green, and opal-like glass sheets that cast glimmers of colour across the stacks of books. 

And then her eyes finally fell upon Eloise, her cheeks were spattered in light from the window, and she sat in a chair with a worn leather book in her palm. Glasses now sat perched on her nose, round wire frames that left Cressida stepping closer without thought. 

It also wasn’t that odd for a succubus to sit on the floor, so she thought nothing of it as she moved to her and sat, resting her cheek on her leg after something pulled her to do so. It was like a physical tug, a sensation hard to describe but the moment her cheek touched her knee she felt it subsiding. 

Eloise’s breath hitched, and soon the book was placed to the side and a hand fell to Cressida’s head. She should have hated the contact, normally she couldn’t stand anyone touching her, yet as her blunt nails scratched at her scalp, Cressida sighed contently. 

“Enjoy your gardening?” 

“Greatly. I sorted some of the herb trays.” 

“You can sit with me on the chair if you wish,” Eloise said. 

“I like it down here,” Cressida replied, smiling when laughter came from her soon-to-be wife. 

“Okay.” 

“Will you join me for dinner later?” 

“You wish to eat?” Eloise replied. 

“Yes.” 

“Of course, I will join you.” 

She bit her cheek then, worried if it was even her place to suggest this. Yes, she would soon be married to Eloise, but they were still strangers. Eventually, she worked up the courage to ask. “It was mentioned that there is a trade discussion happening tomorrow.” 

“Yes, Mother is talking with the orcs about other trading points on the main roads. The existing ones are getting too crowded as the populations on each of our sides grow.” 

It appeared Benedict was right; his sister was aware of what was happening even if she did not attend the meetings. “I thought I might attend. Benedict said I might enjoy it, and I was never allowed to sit in on conversations like that on my end unless I was bringing something to my father that he requested.”

“Oh, of course. Mother will be happy to hear that, she enjoys seeing women taking up space at those tables often filled with men.” 

“I thought you might join me,” Cressida continued, and she felt Eloise’s hand that was scratching her head stilling. “I’m sure you might be busy, but it… It would be nice to have you there with me if you’re not. Truthfully, I do not quite yet know how to be around your family or anyone who is not of my kind. Back home we didn’t get many visitors, unsurprisingly.” 

“No visitors?” Eloise tucked Cressida’s hair behind her ear in what felt like an incredibly intimate gesture. 

But then Eloise’s finger trailed up her horn delicately and Cressida gasped and blushed furiously. “Eloise?” 

“Yes?” 

“Succubi horns are sensitive. To touch them… it’s an intimate and erotic thing for my people.” 

Eloise tore her hand away and looked horrified. “Gods, I am so sorry. I had no idea. I’ve never read that.” 

But that touch hit Cressida right between the thighs, leaving her feeling a great deal as she shifted her legs to ease it. “It is fine. I should have told you sooner but it’s not the most comfortable topic for me to discuss.” 

“I apologise. Is there anywhere else I should avoid?” 

“The tip of my tail,” Cressida said. “But I keep that hidden with some old veil magic pills. My father had me use it since I was young. He always said my tail was an ugly thing.” 

Frowning, Eloise let her fingers return to Cressida’s scalp. When Cressida leaned into her again, she relaxed and said, “I do hope I never meet your father, I don’t think I could find it in me not to strangle him.” 

The most embarrassing sound left Cressida then, a snort, something so unladylike she was glad her face could not be seen as her eyes widened. 

“I would like to see your tail,” Eloise said. “If you’re ever comfortable with such. We can always have clothing tailored to fit it for you. It can’t be healthy using veil magic often, I hear it can lead to migraines.” 

“I get them sometimes,” Cressida said. “But my father would not have it any other way.” 

“What does it look like?” 

Cressida blushed and bit her lip. “One day, perhaps I will show you.” 

“But not today?” 

Shaking her head, Cressida replied, “No one has seen my tail since I was a small child.” 

“Oh.” 

“I do not mean to upset you; it’s just a part of myself I struggle with. And my father said it was for the best anyway, that people outside of our lands liked to cut them off and keep them as trophies.” 

Laughter, loud and shocked, came from Eloise then. “He said what?” 

“Do… Do you not?” 

“Cressida, I have genuinely never heard of that occurring in any land. Firstly, it would be against many laws, and secondly, it’s utterly strange. That is what your people think of the outside world?” 

“We’re taught to fear it,” Cressida admitted, feeling slightly defensive of Eloise’s humour. “It is why people rarely leave. We are taught that because of the war, people hate us. And we are to both respect that and fear it.” 

“Surely you read a historical text at some point on the wars of-”

“I can’t read to that degree,” Cressida stated. She wished to curl up in a corner and cry, but she bit back the tears. “Women are only given simple text access there. My reading level would not allow me to understand texts like that.” 

Now Eloise looked irritated. “You cannot read? But how do you learn of science and mathematics? What about the great classics of literature or-”

“We don’t,” Cressida said, but Eloise failed to notice her hurt. 

“Next, you’ll be telling me the women are meant to be seen and not heard. It’s like pre-war standards of-” She stopped speaking when she noted Cressida’s tears. 

“Women in the council building were not allowed to converse often unless we were tending to tasks. The whole land is not like that, but the council is.” 

“Cress-”

“I think I might skip dinner actually, I’m feeling rather tired.” 

Watching her leave, Eloise said nothing. 

Chapter Text

Eloise 

 
“They do not let the women talk to one another or read. Her father forced her to hide her tail with veil magic which much cause horrific issues for her health, and they do not study greatly needed subjects.” 

Violet stared at her daughter over her desk, having been subjected to a rant as soon as she entered the room. It was a wonder that Eloise could breathe given the way she was shouting but due to how red her face was, Violet assumed she was holding it. 

“Are you done?” 

“Am I done?” Eloise huffed. 

“Sit down.” It was an instruction, one stern enough that Eloise sat, and Violet pushed a glass of water to her in hopes she might calm for her to get a word out. “Their lands are greatly different to ours. The war, led by a distant relative of Cressida’s, was the plan of one crazed individual. The others that followed it were just as responsible, but many fled, and many hid. Many of them died at his hand, too, just as our people did. Their soldiers killed their own, often, which is rarely discussed in texts because historians at the time did not wish to humanise them- which was wrong. History should be detailed, unbiased, and accurate but that rarely happens. After the war, the power was distributed to a large council. All men. Something to note about the council is that it is greatly removed from the people of the lands there. It is isolated. A fortress if you will, because they fear a sole person taking power like that again. It is a system built from fear of their past.” 

“That does not give them the right to treat women as they do.” 

Violet sighed. “Eloise, you have led a life of privilege. Even when I was young, like Cressida, I was not allowed to study certain things. My father was not a kind man, but I was lucky to have some things. Every area is different.” 

“It is archaic.” 

“It is,” Violet replied. “But there are many other lands like it and many lands who would look at our own and call us archaic. We are far from equal here, Eloise. You know that. Instead of judging, you find ways to make the lives of those better and not by doing what you think is right. You listen to those who come from those areas, and with time, they will tell you what might help. How they might feel freer. What change they want to see and why. But freedom does not only come from war and protest but years of hard work. If you feel strongly about this, listen to Cressida first. But you do not cast stones and judge, it is cruel. She likely already feels insecure about it: I know I did when I visited the North when I was young, and they laughed at my lack of education. Every area is different, what the people there will want is different, and how they wish to go about attaining those things will be too. Do not judge her.” 

“Why do the men in the council do it?” 

“Power doesn’t die easily, Eloise. These are men who have been raised in their positions. The council positions there are designated to the wealthiest families at the time of the war, and their children and so on. Men love power. Rarely are they willing to give it up. Their entire lands are closed off; you have seen the red field around it before. But the council is more so. It was one of many reasons why I wished for Cressida to be your match. We hear things, whispers, and I am under no illusion of what life Cressida came from.” 

“She will not show her tail,” Eloise said, wiping a tear. “Her father told her it was disgusting. Her tail. Something intrinsic to who she is.” 

“Give her time, but it is up to her,” Violet said. “If she comes to you with stories of her life or worries, it is your duty as her partner to listen and be a shoulder for her to lean on.” 

“She wishes to listen in during the meeting tomorrow.” 

Violet's eyes widened in hope. “I see. Will you be joining her?” 

“Of course,” Eloise said, missing her mother’s surprise. “Crowds intimidate Cressida, as do all of you, so I will always be beside her when I am needed.”

“I am proud of you, you know.” 

“You should not be, I made my fiancé cry. I doubt she even wishes to speak to me.” 

“You’ve never been in a relationship, and the first you have is an arranged marriage to someone from lands that vary greatly to your own. There will be hiccups on both sides. All you can do is learn to make up for your errors. Now, word has it Ivan did a delivery from the north today and as such-”

“Pistachio cream pastries?” Eloise blurted. 

“Yes. Ensure you save some for your wife.” 

“She is not my wife yet.” 

“Two weeks and she will be. I’m wondering if we should explain to her about elven weddings. They must differ greatly from their own.” 

“I’ll ensure that I tell her.” 

“Do not eat all the pastries, Eloise.” 

“Fine.” 

She took the offerings out to the greenhouse, unsurprised when she found Cressida there. However, she wasn’t potting, only sitting on the bench, playing anxiously with her fingers as she stared at nothing in particular. 

“Hello.” Eloise’s voice must have pulled her from a daydream because she jolted upright and wiped her eyes. She was still crying- a fact that left Eloise’s stomach dropping. “I realise you likely want some space from me, but I need to apologise for how I acted earlier. It was not kind, and I should not have judged you or your people… Other than your father. I still stand by the fact that he is a walking rat.” 

“Rats are nicer.” Her eyes were red as she looked at Eloise, though her shoulders relaxed slightly with the apology. “I understand I am likely not what you wished for in life, looks or intellect wise, and I apologise for that.” 

It took Eloise several moments to process that. She placed the basket down and moved closer to Cressida, who stood up as Eloise sat. Before she could worry, Cressida sat on the floor, resting her cheek against Eloise’s thigh for the second time today. “When you do that, is it a succubus thing with their partners? Sitting at my legs?” 

“No. We do sit on the floor sometimes but only rarely. The cold feels nice against our tails.” 

“Then why do you kneel by me?” Eloise asked. “Not that it bothers me, I enjoy having you close like this.” 

Averting her eyes, Cressida replied, “There is this draw,” Cressida said. “Like a pulling in my chest only soothed when we are like this.” 

Those words left Eloise feeling like she’d been dunked in ice. “A pull?” 

“A tugging,” Cressida clarified. “Odd, I realise. I don’t know how else to explain it. Maybe it’s the uncertainty of being in a new environment. It could be my own magic reacting to you, I am unsure.” 

“I see,” Eloise said, not believing a word of it because she knew better. She knew what that feeling was because she had heard of it spoken about before, had seen her father too sat at the knees of his wife just as Cressida was now. “That’s likely it.” After she swallowed down the worry, Eloise realised she had more important things to deal with. “And you are exactly what I wished for in life.” More than Eloise could explain right now, not until she was sure. “You are beautiful beyond words: your eyes and your horns leave me entirely captivated. When I first saw you, I was initially too shocked by your beauty to process that my mother had set me up with a woman. You entered the room, and I forgot how to breathe, I forgot to stand and introduce myself as Mother had told me to. It embarrassed her how I conducted myself, but it’s as if my brain disconnects from my mouth when you are near. Your intellect I admire, too. Intellect is not just maths and science; it is the way you know endless amounts about plants. There is intellect in how you treat those around you and you have been nothing but considerate of everyone, even when you must have been deathly worried that we wished to harm you. So no, I am not disappointed in my match at all, Cressida. In fact, I am completely enamoured with you. I just hope I prove myself enough to you that you might someday see that in me too.” 

There was silence then, and Eloise feared she had said too much. But Cressida let out a shaky breath, and quietly uttered, “I see that in you too.” 

They sat there for two hours more, not speaking. Instead, Eloise let her fingers scratch at Cressida’s scalp, sitting in the greatest sense of peace she had ever experienced. The contact with Cressida left a weighted warmth blooming in her chest until her skin was hot to the touch, and when her fingertips caught her horn and a quiet moan escaped her, Eloise felt a great deal of emotions she could barely keep at bay. “Apologies.” 

“It’s fine,” Cressida said. “They get in the way sometimes.” 

But Eloise longed for nothing more to caress them, to see just how deeply such sensations would affect her. 

Eloise stormed up to her mother’s office late that night. There was no good time to catch her other than now when she was sure she would be alone sorting papers for tomorrow’s meeting. 

The door swung open, and Eloise said, “I cannot marry Cressida as you planned.” 

Whilst Violet was briefly taken aback, she soon looked irritated. Hurt, even, by her daughter’s swift decision. “After all you have said, I thought things were going well. Eloise, the council expects it of you. We cannot simply send the girl back.” 

Horrified, Eloise suddenly realised why her mother appeared so startled. “That is not what I meant. We cannot wed as you planned because it is the wrong ceremony.” 

“Wrong?” 

She rubbed her face with her palms, swearing into them. “When did you realise you had a soul bond with Father?” 

Violet slowly placed her pen down. They did not like speaking of him often; it still hurt her mother greatly given their tie. Eloise had never seen pain like that of her mother losing her father. Her cries and screams, the way she never slept or ate. 

It was a loss beyond words. 

For a long time, Eloise worried she would lose her mother too: it happened with soul-bonded pairs. A heartbreak felt so intensely that the other could not go on without them. But Violet always said it was her children that kept her tethered. 

“We were young at the time. Seventeen. Bonds are slow to develop, but it started with the way that he would always sit-”

“By your knees,” Eloise finished. “And after that?” 

“Early on there was a literal pull for both of us; magic drawing us together. But the blessing is rare, Eloise. Incredibly so. I doubt-”

“Cressida keeps sitting by my knees. It is no custom for her people to do so often and then, when I asked about it, she said she felt a pull; a tugging in her chest that only eased when she knelt by me. Then I felt this warmth, I have no words to describe it, but it was as if it radiated from my heart itself. Maybe I am overthinking it, but I always remember Father speaking of the bond. The pull of it. The way he sat by you.” 

Violet nodded. “If it is a bond, we will have to test it to be sure. The lands haven’t seen a bond ceremony in many years so we should not speak of this to anyone. If the people hear about it, they will get their hopes up; a blessing from the goddess is never taken lightly. However, I have never heard of a bond outside of our kind,” she warned. “So do not get your hopes up. After the meeting tomorrow, you and Cressida will head down to the blessing well so that the bond might be tested.”

“Okay.” 

“I mean it, Eloise. I know you adored the love your father and I had and always hoped for it yourself, but the chances of this being real… are very slim. Incredibly so. I very much doubt there is a bond there.” 

“I realise that,” Eloise said. “But you have to believe me. I feel it.” 

“We will test it.” 

Chapter Text

Eloise

Eloise hardly slept that night, worried she was getting her hopes up. Her mother was right; she always spoke of how she wanted exactly what they had as she grew up and would not settle for anything less. She remembered her mother sitting her down and teaching her that all love was equal, but Eloise saw her parents and knew damn well that it was not. The two of them gravitated towards one another always, they cared for one another beyond words, and there was no love as beautiful as a soul bond. 

By the time she woke up, she was riddled with nerves and anticipation. She was beginning to overthink it, convincing herself the bond didn’t exist when a knock sounded. "Come in," she called as she laced up the neck of her men's shirt. 

“Oh, you’re getting dressed.” 

Eloise pulled the cords through and turned. “I am dressed; it is fine. Are you okay?” But then Eloise felt it, exactly what Cressida described yesterday. She moved without thought, pulling her into her arms in a tight embrace that quickly eased the sensation. “Hi.” 

“Hello, sorry, I likely should have waited but my chest felt so uncomfortable. Likely nerves.” 

But Eloise knew anxiety and nerves well and also knew she was not wrong about this. Her fiancé clung to her with tight arms and hands that fisted Eloise’s shirt. When she went to part from her, after minutes, Cressida shook her head and held her. 

“The meeting,” Eloise uttered. 

“A few minutes more,” Cressida replied. 

So that was how they ended up stumbling into the meeting, ten minutes late. 

“My daughter, Princess Eloise, and her soon-to-be wife, Cressida, everyone.” 

Those seated in the room stared up at their late entrance, some with a smirk like they assumed they were up to something sinful and others with annoyance for the late intrusion. 

“Apologies for my late arrival, as you were.” Eloise pulled out a seat for Cressida by Daphne, and then after she sat, she took the one beside it. 

“As we were saying,” an orc continued. “The trading point will not work by the river because it could disturb the wildlife and that is our fishermen’s prime spot.” 

“I see,” Daphne said. “A valid concern.” She crossed off the circled spot on the map. “And this one?” 

“Too far from our own lands,” another orc said. “Whilst it is technically halfway, our route is mostly up a steep hill and a distance that long would tire the horses.”

Daphne crossed off another route but then Eloise looked down as she felt Cressida taking her hand. She smiled, lacing their fingers together but then she began to feel that odd tug in her chest: small at first. 

“And here?” Violet asked. 

“A good option for us. The horses could manage that, and the tall trees nearby would mean shade; the best thing for the meat and cheese stalls.” 

“I didn’t consider that,” Daphne admitted, leaving that circle alone. “What about here?” 

It continued on, several voices chiming in with worries and suggestions. Normally Eloise would jump in, but the tugging in her chest had grown deeply uncomfortable. She rubbed her chest with a wince, catching the confused look of her mother. She didn’t know how to explain it without drawing attention, but attention was what they were granted when Cressida moved from her seat to kneel by Eloise’s legs. 

She knew everyone was staring, because of course they were. Daphne looked horrified, the orcs seemed mystified by Cressida’s choice and her mother… Eloise looked away, knowing that look. 

Realisation. 

She let her hand fall to Cressida’s hair and ignored the reactions, not wishing to embarrass Cressida further, who was currently red in the cheeks. “One thing we have not considered is the heavy rainfall come winter and its position here by the river.” 

“The stalls have tarps,” one orc said, Gilbert, one of their elders. 

“Yes, but that is the base of an incline; the water will well there, and the land is prone to shallow flooding. If we move it closer to your lands by, let’s say… this much…” She circled a location. “It will stop the wood of the stalls and their customers getting sodden and any produce being damaged if flooding occurs.” 

“A good point Your Highness,” he replied. 

No one brought up Cressida and Eloise, not that they would have- it was improper to do so. Regardless, everyone eventually focussed back on the table other than Daphne and her mother. 

Daphne who was shooting daggers at them. 

Eloise made it through the whole meeting, enjoying herself greatly. She missed this and could not remember a time when she hadn’t been left having a panic attack at one. Normally she left minutes in. 

Yet now, as she bid goodbye to the orcs, with Cressida thankfully standing once more, she felt on top of the world. 

After the door shut, Daphne whispered, “What in the gods' names, Eloise?” 

Cressida, still there, leaned into Eloise’s side. Her eyes flashed pink, and Eloise read enough to know it for the warning it was. Her sister seemed to know too because she shut up and stepped back. 

“Daphne, not now. And do not mention this to anyone.” 

“If I do not one of the orcs likely will. She was on her knees in a meeting, Mother. Who on earth does that?” 

“Do not speak harshly of her,” Eloise snapped. 

“Your father,” Violet said. And then when confused glances looked her way she said, “Your father girls, would sit at my knees for every meeting.” 

“Yes, but the two of you shared a soul bond,” Daphne stated. 

Violet nodded. “You’re right, Eloise. We will test it now.” 

“Test what?” Daphne said. 

“I think Eloise is soul-bound to Cressida.” 

Eloise felt Cressida’s hand fisting her shirt tightly once more. “Are you okay?” She asked her quietly.

“I think so.” 

“Do you know what a soul bond is?” Eloise asked.

“Yes, but my people do not have them,” Cressida stated. 

“Which was why I assumed Eloise to be wrong last night,” Violet stated. “But after seeing the pair of you just now… I would be more surprised if you do not have one.” 

“They’re bound?” Daphne whispered. 

“We do not know for sure yet, but yes, I believe they are,” Violet said. 

“We haven’t seen a ceremony for a soul-bonded pair in the lands since…” 

“Not in your lifetimes, girls,” Violet stated. “So, if a bond exists, we will have to prepare you.” 

“Prepare us?” Cressida asked, still clinging to her. 

“Bonds are cherished among our people, a gift from the goddess we do not take lightly. People will wish to see you outside of the castle more often, perhaps to bless their family blessing wells. If there is a bond present, Eloise’s magic will be stronger, and you might find that your powers alter too.” 

“Oh.” 

Daphne ended up sulking when Violet didn’t let her go with them to the well. It was an emotional trial she had been through herself, and if the bond did not exist, she knew it would crush Eloise. She was thankful her sister stayed behind and held Cressida’s hand securely in her own. 

“Will it be painful?” Cressida asked. “The trial.” 

“Not in the slightest,” Violet replied. “We take a strand of hair from each of you and place it in the well. If a bond is present, slowly the water will begin to glow.” 

“Thank goodness,” Cressida said. “I was worried I would have to offer it blood or something, I’m quite squeamish.” 

“You don’t like blood?” Eloise asked. 

“No.” 

She squeezed her hand, finding it endearing. There was still so much to learn about her and Eloise wasn’t close to scratching the surface. 

They headed through the woods, along a cobblestone path that was now overgrown with moss. She knew why, her mother rarely headed to the well since they lost Edmund. It brought with it memories that were now hard to handle. 

When they got to the well, Violet took a deep breath to steady herself. 

The well was a small one but was surrounded by grand statues of the gods and goddesses at the edges of the courtyard. “Your hair, Cressida,” Violet said. “You too, Eloise.” 

They each plucked a single strand and passed it to her, and slowly Violet lowered them into the pooling water in the well. Unlike other wells, blessing wells were usually full to the brim- even in times of a drought. The water could not be consumed, however, given the magic that lingered within it. 

“It is not glowing,” Eloise noted, defeat in her voice as her shoulders slumped. 

“Patience, it is not a fast process.” Rolling her eyes at her daughter, Violet focussed on the water again. “Give it time.” 

They waited, and waited, and just as Eloise was beginning to give up hope the water started to change. She thought she was imagining it at first, the light so soft it could have been the sun changing it from above. Yet soon that light grew stronger, brighter until it was too much for Eloise to look directly at. 

“A bond,” Violet said. “An announcement will need to be made. No wedding is needed now. Instead, a bond ceremony will occur. Worry not, it is a small event. Only close family will attend the send-off and then the two of you will have the confirmation cave to yourself.”

“Confirmation cave?” Cressida asked. 

“It is like a sacred hot spring,” Eloise said. “Enclosed in a cave. Whenever a new queen or king is appointed, it is done there, and soul bonds are confirmed there.” 

“Confirmed? Did we not just confirm its existence?” Cressida asked, her brows drawn together in a state of adorable confusion that left Eloise wishing to kiss her.

“No. Not in that sense.” Violet smiled. “Bond confirmations allow the bond to settle. Right now, you have an unsettled bond that will cause behaviours others will find strange. Not the kneeling, but aggression or protective states. Sometimes it causes swift emotional changes or even pain when parted for short times. Once it is confirmed you will be able to part for longer. Not long, but long enough that you can get things done.” 

“Cressida was at my door this morning; it is why we were late for the meeting. We were… holding one another. Just that, nothing more, but I could not part from her.” 

“And you should not try to,” Violet warned. “I will have Edgar move Cressida’s things into your room. You will not need to wait until marriage now and you will soon require proximity at night.” 

A long exhale left Cressida, and she uttered, “Thank goodness. I could not sleep last night.” 

“You could not?” Eloise asked. “Neither could I.” 

“Your things will be moved today,” Violet said. “Can the two of you join me tomorrow? We will need to tell your siblings first.” 

“Of course,” Eloise said.

As they walked back, Cressida’s hand was so tight in her own that Eloise winced; but she needed it too. She needed to hold her, but for now, this was sufficient. 

“Are they…” Drifting off, Daphne gestured between the pair as they entered the castle again. 

“Yes, they are.” 

“You are sure?” Daphne asked. 

“The light was stronger than mine and your father’s.” The words Violet spoke landed with the intended impact: their bond was incredibly powerful. 

“Okay, I take it Cressida’s things shall be moved?” 

“At once.” 

But Eloise was done talking. She could feel the tug uncomfortably now as she said, “I am heading up with Cressida. The bond-”

“Go,” Violet said. “And keep a close eye on your bonded, Eloise. There are risks, especially before confirmation.” 

“I will.” 

Chapter Text

Eloise

Whilst she knew Edgar would need to move their things soon, Eloise didn’t have time for that yet. She kicked off her shoes and then bent, removing Cressida’s for her too before tugging her to lay in her bed. 

It wasn’t sexual, Eloise wished only to hold her. As soon as she was in her arms, Cressida let out a sound of relief and nuzzled in closer. “I have needed this since this morning,” Cressida admitted. 

“As have I.” 

“My family do not need to attend the confirmation, do they? Your mother mentioned close family, but my father would never leave the lands, and he wouldn’t care enough to. I do not wish to see him again either.”  

“No, they do not have to attend, worry not. The agreement drawn up is for you to be mine: it does not state a marriage, only a ceremony. This is still a sacred binding ceremony to our people, so the original agreement will stand. He will not need to be notified of this.”

“Thank you,” Cressida said. “You smell wonderful.” 

“Really? Daphne always says I smell too manly with the perfume I use.” 

“It is nice,” Cressida said. “A balance between sweet and woody.” 

She held Cressida tighter, placing a kiss against her horn when the bond pulled her to do so. “Sorry. The bond-”

“I know,” Cressida replied. “I promise you I do not mind the small touches. They’re soothing. In my lands married couples often kiss one another’s horns in a calming or intimate gesture, only behind closed doors, obviously, given the intensity of it.” 

“So, I should not kiss them in public?” 

“No.” Cressida blushed furiously. “Given the way it feels for me, that is most definitely not becoming behaviour.” 

“How does it feel?” Eloise asked. 

“I am not answering that in-depth, but I think you know. I have heard of your enjoyment in women and whilst I have not experienced that myself, I had a friend who mentioned that it feels similar to certain amorous touches elsewhere.” 

“What have you heard about me?” 

“I was told about Clara.” 

“By whom?” Eloise asked. 

“I am not disclosing my sources.” 

“I’m a princess,” Eloise huffed. “They should not be telling anyone anything.” 

“Did you really just say that?” Cressida asked, smiling up at her. “I’m a princess, really, Eloise?” 

“Okay, well, when you say it like that,” she groaned. “And it was not hordes of women. A fair few but some elves are sexual creatures.” 

Now Cressida was blushing so deeply that she simply hid in Eloise’s neck. “I’ve changed my mind about discussing this.” 

“As you wish,” Eloise said, softening her voice. “But for what it is worth, I never had a relationship or anything serious. I never felt emotion like this until you.” As she finished, she felt Cressida’s leg wrapping around her hip until she was entirely draped around her. “Better?” 

“Much.” 

“Were you happy back home?” Eloise said, wondering. 

“Not really. At times, yes. I was closer to my maid than my parents.” 

“You do not speak of your mother,” Eloise said. 

“She is alive,” Cressida replied. “But I learned long ago that she would never fight in my corner for me.” 

Letting her hand draw patterns gently on Cressida’s back, Eloise nodded. “If you ever wish to speak about back home, I will listen. I will not judge you.” 

“Thank you.” After the words left her lips, Cressida placed a featherlight kiss on the skin of Eloise’s neck. “I like it here, but it’s an awful lot to process. Change this great, whilst I am happy, it is intimidating. I constantly worry because I do not know your customs and I realise I am not like any of the women here. I cannot read and I have horns. Gosh, I-”

“If you would like, I can have Marnie set up classes for you. I still study with her from time to time. A truly bright woman: she taught me much of what I know. You do not have to, of course, no one will judge you for that here, but if there is a subject you wish to learn or if you wish to read more complex literature, she is a wonderful and patient woman.” 

“That would be allowed?” Cressida asked. “I will only be your wife.” 

“You will be my soulmate too,” Eloise corrected. “Rather than my wife, you will likely be addressed as my bonded, as will I for you. The title carries far more weight. But yes, you may study here. Colin and Penelope are away right now but Penelope studied under Marnie too. Many who walk the halls here were not given access to that level of education until they lived here, so you are not alone in that. No one shall judge you.” 

“You did,” Cressida whispered. 

“I judged your people, not you,” Eloise said. “Which was still wrong of me. I’m incredibly vocal about women’s rights and access to education: I get that from my father.” 

“Would you be okay telling me about him? Or is it too raw?” 

For a moment, Eloise considered doing what she normally did: brushing people off. It was a subject she normally hated discussing, due to the emotion it brought, but the tug in her chest emerged and Eloise found herself speaking. “He was an absolute terror. Always playing pranks on people in the castle. One time he put red food dye in the strawberry jelly- a great deal of it. By the time everyone was done eating their teeth were bright red.” She shook her head with a smile. “He adored my mother, given the bond they were inseparable.” 

“How did you know of our bond?” Cressida asked. “Your mother said you spoke of it yesterday.” 

“I had my suspicions. The pull you described that I later felt, but the main thing was how you kneel by me.” 

“Did your mother kneel by your father often?” Cressida asked. 

“No, my father knelt by my mother. The bond carries a submissive and a dominant factor, but there is no correlation between whether a man or a woman carries either. It is random and usually tied to personalities. My mother is a firm and unwavering woman, greatly protective like myself. Whereas my father was more of a caregiver, he was happier at my mother’s side with less weight on his shoulders.” 

“Good,” Cressida said. “I am not fond of pressure and I’m not particularly forthright.” 

“I do not know much of bonds. I couldn’t find any texts in the library so much of what I know is what I saw from my parents. They rarely parted and my father tended to be open in demanding affection from her. He would always sit by her during meetings unless I was on his lap.” 

“Did you attend many meetings with him?” 

“Almost every one. He wished for me to be raised knowing what happened in all of the lands, and respecting everyone. I know a great deal about most areas other than your own: there are few texts on your people other than the war and that which predated it.” 

“My people are very insular,” Cressida said. “Not trusting of the council or outsiders. Power worries them. Generally, we’re very peaceful creatures but we are quickly judged.” 

“You mentioned food shortages, do you think your council would be interested in utilising land outside of the forcefield?” 

“They would be hesitant, but the people would benefit from it greatly. Land to build on too. Truthfully most of us hate the forcefield. Until I headed to you, I had never seen the true colour of the sky or sun.” 

“You had never seen the sky as it is?” 

“No. It can feel claustrophobic there, worse living in the council. But there is much I am proud of regarding my people. I understand there are a few men holding far too much power, but the townspeople I met were different. They are hardworking, and caring people. They have their fears as we all do, but everyone fears change in some way. I wish they had a better life.” 

“Once we are bonded, and you are more used to meetings, how would you feel about opening a channel of communication with your people regarding this?” 

“I would not wish to speak with my father.” 

“Then I shall speak for you,” Eloise promised. “Just as I have my issues that you aid me with. Until today, I hadn’t managed to sit through a meeting since I lost my father. But with your support, I had the strength to. Usually, I get hit by awful panic attacks.” 

“Were you comfortable today?” 

“I had a wonderful time,” Eloise replied. “But it helped to touch you. Touch seems to settle my emotions, when I scratch your head or play with your hair or fingers it keeps me calm.” 

“The same goes for me,” Cressida admitted. “When we are not touching in some way, there is discomfort there.” 

“Then I will ensure we are as close as can be, as often as possible.” She placed a kiss to Cressida’s horn again, eliciting a shudder from the succubus. 

“Again,” Cressida uttered, and as the second kiss was pressed to her other horn, she sighed contently and shifted in Eloise’s arms. “I am so tired after a sleepless night.” 

“Then sleep, we have no duties today.” 

“Will you stay?” Cressida implored. 

“Of course.” 

The next day, Cressida wished to garden to calm her worries about telling everyone of the bond’s existence. Sometimes, she liked to be alone, even with the bond, and so Eloise allowed it. Whilst there was a discomfort in her chest, for now, it was manageable. 

She found her mother in her office, surprised when she was alone and surrounded by books. 

“Hello,” Violet said. “You parted from her?” 

“She wished to garden,” Eloise said. “I think she also values her time alone: we both take peace in isolation. But I will not leave it too long. An hour or two before I seek her out.” 

“An hour at most,” Violet said. “More could lead to pain.” 

“Okay, an hour. Sorry, there is much I’m learning still.” 

As she rose, Violet said, “Do not apologise. It is not something either of you are expected to know which is why I was going through my old texts earlier.” 

“Texts?” 

“When a soul bond is confirmed, the great library issues a copy of each text to the bond holders. A unique one printed just for them. However, given your father passed, I thought it would be nice if I handed down ours to you.” She placed two books on the table before Eloise. “One covers the history of bonds and accounts of many. The other details health and safety.” 

“Thank goodness,” Eloise said. “There were never any texts in the library on it.” 

“Bonds are considered sacred,” Violet said. “What is disclosed to the public is minimal. There is a chapter in there you will need to take close note of: bond needs and sexual health.” 

“Goddess,” Eloise groaned. “Did you really need to say that?” 

“Eloise, sex between bonded pairs is not anything in the realm of normal. It is important you read up on it, and that you talk it through with Cressida if she cannot read the texts herself.” 

“Okay.” 

“There is something else,” Violet said. 

“What?” 

“Even though you are both women, there is a chance that the bond can create a pregnancy.” 

Now Eloise was staring at her with wide eyes in a mixture of shock and horror. “Oh. So, I could miraculously knock her up accidentally with my magic? Gods, Cressida would kill me. Mother, no.” 

“Do not worry,” Violet chuckled. “Bonds only create a pregnancy when both partners wish for one. Even then, it is extremely rare.” 

“Two males?” 

“It has happened once from what the books said,” Violet stated. “Magical pregnancies are far different. But some require alternate modes of delivery. I would assume Cressida would deliver naturally, but if you had a child by magic, it would be a bond child. Their magic is far stronger, and the lands have not seen a bond child in hundreds of years. I still believe that perhaps they are a myth. The books hold accounts but there is no telling how accurate those are.” 

Eloise took a seat, dropping into it with weight. “A child. There is a chance that I can have a child? That is both mine and Cressida’s genetically?”

“Yes, apparently there is a minute chance of it. Tiny though, do not get your hopes up.” 

“Shit.” 

“Is that a good shit or a bad shit?” Violet teased. 

“Good. I never thought…” She shook her head. “If we wanted a child, I assumed we would adopt or Cressida would carry a child that wasn’t biologically mine. I was happy with that; it would still be my child. But I would equally love a child this way if it is possible. I still wish to adopt, but our family does adore big families.”

“Just ensure Cressida does too,” Violet warned. “She is an only child. Like I said, this is extremely rare. You will most likely adopt all your children.” 

“Oh, yes. I suppose we should talk about that later on. Now seems too soon. I will be happy with whatever she wishes for.” 

“Make a start on your reading but might I suggest doing so in the greenhouse? Even an hour is likely pushing it," Violet warned.

“Yes, I shall.” 

“And be in the meeting room at two. We have to tell everyone.” 

“Okay," Eloise agreed, steeling herself for that.

Chapter Text

Eloise

By the time she found Cressida, she was ready to apologise for intruding on her space. Instead, her words were cut off by arms that wrapped around her in a deathly embrace. 

“Too long?” Eloise asked. 

“Yes.” 

It appeared the bond had more of an impact on Cressida than it did her. She placed the books down on the bench, freeing her arms to hold her bonded. “Perhaps I will read here as you garden from now on. I’ll get a nicer chair moved out here.” 

“You would not mind?” Cressida asked. 

“Not at all. What have you been up to today?” 

“More seed trays,” Cressida stated. “I talked with Angus though. He’s been having issues with mushroom growth in the weather conditions lately. He mentioned droughts last year that impacted his crops, so I suggested he see if he can find some grow boxes of mushrooms native to our lands. I think they would do better here, and they grow well in any humidity. He will need more acidic soil though, but I should think a farmer at the trading point could help with that. They would be more than willing to do a compost trade.”

“You’re helping Angus?” Eloise said, surprised. Angus was known to be a quiet man. He spoke to Eloise and Daphne on occasion, and Violet often, but he would never ask for gardening advice from anyone. His gardens were his prized possession, and he hated people altering anything regarding how he worked. 

“Yes. He’s looking forward to trying everything I’m growing. He’s asked for samples of each for the castle chefs, along with information on what we use them for. Apparently, they’re quite excited to work with new ingredients.” 

Pride bloomed in Eloise’s chest, and she struggled to keep it restrained. Eventually, she kissed Cressida’s horn, and then when a quiet moan left her, she kissed the other with a gentle peck. 

“I love when you do that,” Cressida admitted.

Eloise nuzzled her neck, placing a kiss there after. She was not oblivious to the fact they hadn’t kissed yet, but Eloise did not wish to rush things. There was a chance Cressida had never kissed anyone; given what she had said, Eloise assumed she had not. For now, small touches left her feeling over the moon. 

“You should finish your gardening. My mother passed me some books on our bond that I need to begin reading. She has been very firm about our safety.” 

“I doubt I will be able to read them.” 

“I will make notes on anything of importance and relay them. At night I can read passages to you too,” Eloise offered. She quite liked the idea of having someone to read to. 

“You would not mind?

“Not at all.” 

At some point, they separated as Cressida bathed, but during her bath, Eloise felt a swift tug that left her grunting as she fell to her knees. It was painful and sharp, leaving her heaving for breath. 

She didn’t think, she ran. Eloise headed up the hallway and then shoved the door open. The bond was on edge, leaving Eloise in a state of panic. 

Cressida was in the bath with her head tipped back and mouth parted, the bubbles swayed as her hand moved between her legs in a rather compromising position. As soon as she heard Eloise, her eyes shot open, and whilst her body was hidden by the bubbles, it was clear what she was doing. 

“Gosh, shit, I am so sorry but-” Eloise felt the tug again, and this time as she fell to the floor, she took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes shut. 

“Eloise, what is wrong?” 

After shutting the door, she moved towards the bath, sitting beside it and resting her forehead against Cressida’s as she tried to catch her breath. 

“Are you in pain?” 

Nodding, she breathed through her nose as the tugging subsided to something bearable. “It is better now. I am sorry for walking in on you.” 

Taking Eloise’s cheek in her wet palm, Cressida placed a kiss on her nose. “Do you think the bond reacts when I…” She swallowed. 

“Yes, I think so.” 

“Oh. I didn’t realise, or else I wouldn’t have…” Cressida blushed furiously. “I don’t ever touch myself if I’m being honest. This is the first time I have felt the need to but the bond-” 

“How is it now?” 

“Still uncomfortable,” Cressida admitted. “It leaves me aching in ways I didn’t think possible.” 

“If you need to, touch yourself,” Eloise said. “I will look away, but I need to remain close.” 

“You think that will work?” Cressida asked. 

Laughter left Eloise as she rubbed her chest. “I am not sure of anything regarding the bond. It is worth trying.” 

“I do not wish to hurt you,” Cressida said. 

“It’s okay. You have never done this before?” Eloise asked. “Touched yourself? Climaxed?” 

“No.” Pink tinted Cressida’s cheeks. “I have never felt the need to.” 

“And now?” 

“Greatly,” she admitted. “The bond has left me aching for something and I thought perhaps this might ease the discomfort.” 

“Was it helping before?” 

“Yes. It felt divine,” Cressida admitted. “I did not know sensations like that were possible other than when you touch my horns.” 

“When you sleep and your horns rub against the pillow, does that not affect them?” 

“No, only skin-to-horn contact does.” 

“Huh,” Eloise said. “Okay, I will turn around now. Nothing that happens will leave this room.” 

“Okay.” Cressida cleared her throat. “My friend once told me about a relief that came at the end of it.” 

“A climax,” Eloise said feeling her own cheeks heating. Although bubbles covered Cressida’s breasts, her neck was on show; beautiful soft skin that Eloise wished to explore. “It can feel intense, and it is a relief.” 

“Will it hurt?” 

“No. Penetration can hurt the first time for some,” Eloise said. “But just rubbing yourself will not.” 

“Okay,” Cressida replied, taking a deep breath. 

Eloise turned, pressing her back to the side of the stone tub. She squeezed her eyes shut and focussed on not breathing too deeply. Her long ears perked up, listening to the soft sounds that left her and the rhythm of her fingers moving beneath the water. 

The sound left Eloise flushing all over, an ache of her own forming, but not due to the bond. No, Eloise was aroused. Painfully so, all because Cressida was touching herself for the first time whilst Eloise sat beside her. 

When a whimper left Cressida, Eloise grunted, grasping at her chest. 

The sounds stopped, and soon a wet hand found her shoulder. “Pain again?” 

“Yes. Are you okay if I hold your hand? Maybe contact will work.” 

“Please,” Cressida said, relaxing as Eloise took her hand. “The bond feels better like this.” 

“Much,” Eloise agreed. This time as Cressida touched herself, Eloise gasped, and she quickly stopped again. 

“If you’re still in pain perhaps we should not-”

“No pain that time,” Eloise said, holding Cressida’s hand tightly. “It appears when we are joined, I can feel your pleasure.” 

“You can feel…” 

“Yes.” Eloise cleared her throat. “Not as intensely, but it is there.” 

“Should I stop?” 

“No,” Eloise said. “Let yourself come, Cressida.” 

A curse left her as Cressida slipped her free hand between her legs again. This time Eloise was prepared and breathed slowly as Cressida’s pleasure became her own. Her head fell back, resting against the tub as a low moan left her. Eloise’s moan caused her bonded’s arousal to spike, leading to them both moaning as the sensation grew. 

“Are you okay?” Eloise checked in, squeezing her hand in support. 

“It feels strong now. The feeling between my legs.” 

“You are close,” Eloise said. “We will come together, just relax.”

“Eloise, I-” She gasped, a sound leaving Cressida that would live in Eloise’s memory for many years to come. A surprised cry, one so laden with pleasure that Eloise barely noted her own orgasm. Cressida’s hand clamped around her own, grounding her with something known as water sloshed in the tub. “Gosh.” 

Eloise finally turned, moving to kneel as the bond pulled her to press a kiss to her horn. “Better, my love?” 

She was unsure if it was the embarrassment, the flush of her climax, or the term of endearment that left Cressida’s cheeks so rosy, but either way, Eloise found she adored it. 

“Much.” But then Cressida found Eloise’s shirt, grabbing it as she pulled her in close and kissed her. Their lips met roughly, but the kiss that followed was soft and hesitant in a way that left Eloise knowing this was new for her bonded. She let her grow used to the sensation, taking the lead as she rested a hand on the back of Cressida’s head to help guide her. 

It never deepened too much. Eloise softly traced her lip with her tongue as Cressida gasped into it. Gently, she tugged on her lip before moving her attention to her top one as Cressida shook lightly. 

Eloise pulled back, unsure if it was nerves or something else. “Are you okay if I sit with you while you bathe?” 

“I think I would hate it if you left,” Cressida replied. 

She kissed Cressida’s shoulder and then moved to sit back down, giving her some privacy again. “I will begin reading tonight. It is likely best that I start with the chapter that covers sexual health.” 

“Did it hurt much? The pain earlier when I…” 

“Greatly,” Eloise said. “Sharp enough that it took my breath away.” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Do not be.” She smiled as she heard Cressida beginning to wash herself. “I was more worried you were harmed. That is why I ran in here so fast. I was unsure if the bond was harming me because you were in pain.” 

“Quite the opposite,” Cressida joked. 

“Clearly.” 

“How many people are we telling later?” 

“My siblings and their partners, family, some of the people who work in the castle.” 

“Clara?” 

Eloise turned, resting her chin on the tub as she smirked. “Was that jealousy I sensed?” 

The pout on Cressida’s supple lips was enough to leave Eloise weak in the knees. “I am not jealous.” And then, after Eloise smiled brighter. “Fine. Maybe I am. I feel I pale in comparison to her.” 

“You, Cressida, are the most beautiful person to grace the lands. I do not say that half-heartedly- I mean every word. When you are in the room with me, even when you are not, you are the only person on my mind in that way.” 

“Truthfully?” 

“I swear on the crown,” Eloise said. “You mean more to me than words could begin to do justice.” 

“Okay. Now look away. I should hurry up or else we’ll be late.” 

When she didn’t turn, Cressida splashed Eloise in the face. “Must you do that?” Eloise laughed. 

“Turn around.” 

“Fine.” 
 

Chapter Text

Eloise

When they headed to the meeting hall, the bond was on edge again. Likely it was not helped by Cressida’s nerves, ones that seemed to grow the closer they got to the room. 

“All will be well,” Eloise promised. She opened the door and headed inside. Unlike the others who were sat, each at a chair, they would be doing things differently. “It’s fine,” she whispered in her ear, knowing that was worrying Cressida too. 

Instead of pulling out a seat for Cressida, Eloise sat and smiled as Cressida knelt on the floor by her legs. Her cheek found Eloise’s thigh as it always did, and Eloise stroked her hair. 

“Does she not want a chair?” Benedict asked, staring on in confusion. 

“She’s perfectly fine as is,” Eloise replied, an edge to her voice. “Mother.” 

“Of course,” Violet said, also not wanting any more discourse around how Cressida was with Eloise. “Everyone, we have a change of plans regarding the wedding. It will not be going ahead.” 

“The council were promised that we would find Eloise a match,” Anthony said. “She cannot ignore her duties eternally to bed the many women she pleases and cannot-”

Cressida let out a pained sound then, just as Eloise felt a stab in her chest. She guided her up, bringing her to sit on her lap as she held her. “Are you okay?” 

“Fine.” 

“You will all be quiet until I finish, do you hear me?” Violet snapped. 

Her children immediately silenced, the room turning silent around them as Eloise kissed Cressida’s forehead. “You’re sure?” 

“Yes.” 

Eloise nodded at her mother to continue, but Violet watched the succubus with worry- having seen her husband in similar pain before. “Are you well, Cressida?” Violet asked. 

“Yes, thank you.” 

“Any pain?” 

“Not anymore.” 

“Good,” she stated before looking at her children once more. Eloise held back mentioning that Violet was softer with Cressida than she was with anyone else; she wondered if it was because her mother saw so much of herself in the woman with all she had overcome and now the bond. “There will be no wedding because there is a change of plans. Instead, there will be a bond ceremony.” 

Somehow, the silence remained. There had only been a few occasions in her life when Eloise had witnessed such, normally when deaths were announced. Yet now, none of her siblings spoke. None of the maids, chefs or any other staff spoke, and Marcus simply smiled at them: Eloise would wager a guess that he already knew. Her mother told him everything. 

That silence stretched on and Cressida nervously played with Eloise’s fingers, fearing judgment. 

“They hold a soul bond?” Francesca finally said. 

“Stronger than the one your father and I held. We tested it yesterday.” Peering around the table, Violet smiled. 

“I see,” Anthony said. “Well, that will please everyone far more than a marriage.” 

Sometimes Eloise wished to wring his neck. She felt the bond growing uncomfortable with Cressida’s worry. Kissing her arm, Eloise whispered something in her ear. 

“When will the bond ceremony occur?” 

“Two weeks at most,” Violet said. “Their bond is developing fast and can cause sickness so do be wary of what you say.” She levelled her son with a glare. “Treat them as if they are already married. If you need Eloise for anything, ensure Cressida can be there also. Any meetings or events that she is booked in for, they are to travel as a pair and are never to be separated. Am I clear?” 

A chorus of agreement sounded around the room. 

“I did wonder why they were roomed together,” Benedict said. “I caught Edgar moving some things last night and assumed Eloise had asked him to do it covertly.” 

“I would never disobey Her Majesty’s orders,” Edgar said, proudly. “Even for Her Highness, Eloise.” 

However, Eloise knew that was not true. Even when she was young, he used to pretend not to see Eloise sneaking down to the kitchen at night to steal food, or the library where she often fell asleep with a book. She smirked and kissed Cressida’s arm again, though it didn’t settle the bond. “Mother, the bond.” 

“Do you need to be excused?” 

“Please,” Eloise said. 

“You may leave. I will fill everyone in on how to act in your absence.” 

“Thank you,” Eloise replied. 

Cressida was incredibly quiet, even as they entered the bedroom. She seemed small, her chin dropped and her posture awkward. 

“Are you well?” 

“I have a migraine,” Cressida admitted. 

Moving to the window, Eloise shut the curtains. “Do you get them often?” 

“No but when I do, they’re painful,” Cressida replied, rubbing between her eyes. When she swayed, Eloise stabilised her and guided her towards their bed. 

“What normally helps it?” 

“I…” 

“You can be honest,” Eloise said. 

“I normally relax the veil magic I use with some tablets,” Cressida admitted. “It’s the cause.” 

Whilst Eloise thought it might be, she knew this was a sensitive subject for her. “Okay. Where are your tablets?” 

“The second drawer in my bedside cabinet,” Cressida said. “They’re pink.” 

She fumbled through the drawer, eventually finding a small tin that she popped open and removed a capsule from. There were two lots: many green that must have been the veil ones, and a handful of pink that were the ones that ended the effect. “Here.” 

“Eloise-”

“I can look elsewhere.” She moved to the cupboard and found one of Cressida’s short skirts she brought with her. It was made of green velvet that felt soft to the touch. “Here, I assume you can’t wear trousers.” 

“No. I have nothing tailored for my tail. Women do not wear trousers back home.” 

“Okay, I’ll turn while you…” 

The sounds of shuffling met Eloise’s ears and soon she heard Cressida’s trousers dropping. She had never seen Cressida in a skirt, but by the time she turned, Eloise’s mouth was dry, and her eyes lingered on her legs. She had seen her in dresses, but a skirt left her mind spinning. 

“Are you going to take it?” 

“Promise me you will not try to look.” Her face gave away her pleading, eyes filled with fear as she spoke. Clearly, this was something Cressida was worried about. 

“I would never. Unless you wish for me to look, I will not. But I promise you, I find every part about you beautiful, and your tail is no exception.” 

“It’s ugly,” Cressida said. “My father always told me so.” 

Eloise took the tablet from Cressida’s hand and held it out until Cressida opened her mouth. Gently she placed it on her tongue and urged her to swallow. “Good girl,” Eloise said. 

Cressida’s eyes fluttered shut then, a sharp intake of breath as the words met her. 

She knew it had an effect; Eloise could feel it in the bond. Knowing the moment was still delicate, Eloise leaned in and kissed her horn. “Would you like to lay down?” 

Instead of replying, Cressida merely nodded and followed Eloise. She kept her eyes up high, ensuring she didn’t catch a glance of her tail. Her bonded was tense even as Cressida wrapped her arms around Eloise. 

“I think the family took it well,” Eloise said, trying to take her mind off it. “Aside from Anthony’s comments. Glad to know he thinks so highly of me.” 

“Is he always that brash?” 

“Yes.” Eloise laughed. “Even when he was young. The oldest members of monarchy families normally are as they tend to have the most weight on their shoulders. He’s not around an awful lot. Given Mother’s age, he tends to take on most of the away meetings and visitations for the crown. So at least he is hard-working enough to warrant the bitterness. Saying that he was like it even when he was young. I love him, but he does have to dictate things often.” 

“Will he be upset you are bound to a succubus?” 

“God no. I mean it when I say my family loves differences: it is what makes us unique. Anthony and I also have similar tastes in women, most unfortunately. So, I can assure you he probably appreciates your beauty as much as I do, but I hope he knows better than to ever comment on it. I will not hesitate to kick him in the never regions.” 

With a giggle, Cressida moved closer, and then Eloise felt something odd. Something stroking her leg that wasn’t a hand. 

Cressida’s tail. 

“That and the soul bond is something he will appreciate greatly. We all respected my parents’ bond, and he will value the one that we hold greatly too. It is a true blessing to receive one.” Eloise sighed as her tail stroked her. “That feels nice. Your tail.” 

Biting her lip, Cressida grew embarrassed. “We have a lot of control over them, an extra limb really. I have just as much sensation in it as my fingertips. But at the moment it seems to be listening more to the bond than me.” 

“How long is it?” 

“Fairly long. I normally keep it curved if I have it out, so it doesn’t touch the floor.” She grew quiet for a minute and said, “Can I have your hand?” 

Eloise gave her hand to her, and soon she felt something placed upon it. She didn’t look, knowing her promise. Instead, she shut her eyes and smiled at the soft and smooth skin of the tail in her hand. “It feels nice,” Eloise said. 

“You… You can look if you wish.” 

“You’re sure?” Eloise asked. 

“Yes.” 

Eloise opened her eyes. She expected a pale tail that matched her skin tone, but instead, Cressida’s tail was light pink. It was smooth, incredibly so, and long too. Her eyes followed up it to the thin and tapered tip that was then topped with a deeper pink heart shape that led to something of a point. It was bulbous on the end, and Eloise felt her heart thudding in her chest as she imagined the things that could do. 

“What are you thinking about?” Cressida asked. 

“I think you’d rather not hear it.” 

“Oh.” Cressida’s tail whipped out of view suddenly. “I’m sorry. I warned you it was disgusting.” 

“No!” Eloise said, sitting up. “God no, the opposite.” 

“Then why wouldn’t you say it aloud?” Cressida asked.

“I was imagining unsavoury uses of it in the bedroom,” Eloise clarified, her cheeks burning. “I’m sorry, that’s greatly improper of me to even su-”

“My people have intercourse that way on occasion,” Cressida said. “If you were considering penetration.” 

“I kind of wish I had one of my own, must make touching oneself a delight.” 

“Eloise!” Cressida laughed, and just like that, she seemed to relax. Her tail stroked up Eloise until it rested on her stomach and Eloise rubbed her hand along it. However, when it got to caressing the tip Cressida moaned. “It’s like my horns,” Cressida warned. “The tip of my tail feels the same as them when touched by skin.” 

“Oh. Noted. Does that mean you could…” 

“Come whilst penetrating with it? Yes.” 

“Huh.” Eloise stared at the ceiling. 

“Are you thinking about it?” 

“I don’t think I’ll think about anything else for weeks in all honesty.” 

Cressida snorted, the same endearing sound she sometimes made and then worried about. “You are such a man sometimes.” 

Ignoring her, Eloise continued to touch her tail, ensuring to keep her grip away from the bulbous tip of it. “It’s beautiful. Truly. I love it just as much as your horns.” 

“My father said-”

“Your father’s judgement is skewed if he truly thinks that,” Eloise interrupted. “You are beautiful, and I wish you would keep your tail out. I adore it.” 

“You do?” 

Eloise leaned in then, kissing Cressida. It started off gentle like before, but Eloise felt Cressida’s tail caressing her through her trousers and it drove her mad. She deepened it, rolling on top of her as she pinned Cressida’s hands above her head, causing a moan to leave the succubus. 

As soon as her tongue met Cressida’s, she felt strange. Eloise felt as if she were touching herself and as if she was being stimulated. She pulled back; eyes wide after she had moaned accidentally into Cressida’s mouth. “Gods, I’m sorry,” Eloise said. “I don’t know what happened.” 

Looking sheepish, Cressida said, “Some succubi have tongues that elicit a sexual response in their lovers,” Cressida said. “When your tongue touched my own, that will be what the issue was.” 

“Oh. So, I shouldn’t…” 

“Unless you wish to… what did you call it?” 

“Climax.” 

“That,” Cressida said. 

“And if I am happy with that?” 
 

Chapter Text

Eloise

“And if I am happy with that?” 

Instead of replying, Cressida yanked her down by her shirt. Eloise smiled into the kiss and didn’t wait long before trying it again. Her knee was between Cressida’s now, and as Eloise moaned into her mouth Cressida rocked against it, her skirt bunching up between them until Eloise’s knee was pressed directly against her underwear. 

“Eloise,” Cressida moaned. 

She knew Cressida could feel it too. “Are you comfortable coming together?” Eloise asked. 

When she nodded, Eloise kissed her harder and licked into her mouth as she moaned. It felt maddeningly good. Eloise had sex many times before, and whilst she knew this technically wasn’t that, it felt a million times more intense. Cressida’s tongue left Eloise feeling like it was actually between her legs, the sensation leaving her wet and wanting more of what Cressida had to offer. 

Just as she was growing lost to it, Cressida pushed her back to catch her breath. Her eyes had changed colour to candy floss pink, glowing slightly in what Eloise realised was a feeding state. 

Sex tended to sate a succubus more than food ever could, Eloise knew that. And now, Cressida looked at her with a hunger she had never seen in her eyes, and it made Eloise want to offer herself up on a platter. Before she could suggest anything, Cressida’s tail appeared near her hand. 

“Can I touch it? Like that?” 

“Please," Cressida encouraged. 

Eloise wrapped her hand around the bulbous tip and gently caressed it. She watched the way Cressida’s eyes rolled back; her breasts heaving beneath her shirt as Eloise rubbed it. She experimented with pressure, tightening her grip to see the response that would garner. Too tight and Cressida’s brow pinched, but a happy medium between the two pressures left her moaning loudly enough that Eloise worried her siblings would complain later. For now, she couldn’t care less. Eloise continued rubbing it, basking in their combined pleasure like a fine wine. 

Soon Cressida tugged her back, and the joint sensation of the tail through the bond and Cressida’s tongue left Eloise desperately close to a climax. 

“I will not last long like this,” Eloise warned. 

“Good.” Cressida kissed her frantically now, the two of them chasing their high together. No measure of what she knew before could describe this pleasure: it was overwhelming and world-altering. It left Eloise wishing to get on her knees for the girl, to stay at her side serving her as her bonded forever. 

Her orgasm was so forceful that her legs shook, and the pair cried through the high of it that just seemed to keep going. She couldn’t pull away, still kissing Cressida as she drew everything their high had to offer until it grew to feel ticklish and too much. 

Finally parting, Eloise fell on her back beside her lover. “Holy shit.” 

“Is it normally like that?” Cressida asked. “I had no idea.” 

“No,” Eloise said, shaking her head as she caught her breath. “No, it is not normally like that. Gods above.” She took Cressida’s hand, holding it as their chests rose and fell with weighted breaths. “Okay. Wow. That was… Gosh, that wasn’t even sex technically.” 

“Succubae consider it sex,” Cressida said. “Of sorts. Not on the level of penetrative sex, but to us it is still…” 

“Oh. So, I just…” 

“Mhm.” Cressida stared at the ceiling blushing, knowing that she lost her virginity to Eloise touching the one part of her she had hated her entire life. 

“Oh. Do you regret it?” 

“Not one bit. I think I need to change though. My underwear is… likely beyond saviour.” 

Now Eloise shut her eyes, trying to remove that image from her mind with little luck. “That wet?” 

“Eloise!” 

“Sorry.” She grinned, rolling on her side and waiting for Cressida to follow. When she did roll over, Eloise kissed her horn. “One day I’ll get to those too.” 

Cressida covered Eloise’s mouth with her palm, laughing vibrantly at her antics. “Behave. Aren’t princesses supposed to be well-mannered?” 

“I think that ship sailed when you informed me of the state of your underwear.” 

“Eloise! Stop it!” 

She finally let it rest and kissed her again, softly this time though she did briefly let her tongue caress Cressida’s and sighed. “I doubt I’ll ever get used to that. I meant what I said earlier, if you feel comfortable, I would love for you to stop taking your veil magic. Especially if it makes you sick.” 

That was when Cressida seemingly realised her migraine had gone. “Normally they last far longer,” Cressida said. “And… I think I would like to. Give it a try, at least. But I do not have any trousers that would fit with it.” 

“We can head out tomorrow if you would like?” Eloise asked. “You will have your own marital account with the bank after the bonding ceremony, until then you will have to use my funds.” 

“I do not wish for you to spend your money on me.” 

“I would like to,” Eloise stated. “I do not spend close to my funds anyway; unlike my siblings, I prefer plainer clothing.” 

“Other than your jewellery,” Cressida said. 

Eloise had a tendency to wear an awful lot of rings and necklaces, sometimes she adorned her ears with large gold hoops. Other than that, she kept her outfits plain, often a white or cream shirt or blouse, always neutral tones or Bridgerton blue, with a pair of trousers. She dressed like a more basic version of her brothers… Apart from her jewellery which she tended to go overboard with. Today she toned it down: no rings, but she had on several gold necklaces. 

“Are you sassing me right after I made you come?” Eloise said. 

“Gods, stop it!” Cressida smiled and walked over to the drawers. “Look away while I fix myself.” 

She tried not to dwell on the fact that Cressida was cleaning herself up when she heard the water running in her bathroom. 

“Shit,” Eloise whispered. 

She continued to stare at the ceiling even as she heard Cressida dropping her underwear into the laundry basket, and then as she shifted, Eloise realised she should probably do the same. 

Eloise didn’t ask her to look away. She headed to the bathroom to clean herself up and then moved to her drawers, watching Cressida as she slowly lowered her trousers. She expected her to grow embarrassed and look away, but Cressida watched as Eloise lowered her underwear with pink eyes that flitted back to blue once Eloise had her clean underwear on. 

“You wear men’s style briefs,” Cressida noted. 

“They’re comfortable,” Eloise defended. 

“I was not judging,” Cressida clarified. “I find it rather attractive in truth.” 

Oh. Eloise tried not to linger on that and pulled her trousers on. On her way back to the bed she grabbed a book and sat propped up against the headboard. Cressida moved to her side and Eloise wrapped an arm around her shoulders as the book rested on Eloise’s knees. She used her free hand to open it, turning to the bookmark her mother had left. 

Cressida could read enough to understand part of the title. 

Sexual Health

“Okay,” Eloise said. “Would you like me to read aloud or give you cliff notes after?” 

“Read to me, please,” she replied. “If it doesn’t bother you.” 

“Chapter One. Typical needs and desires found in bonded pairs,” Eloise read aloud. “Sexual desire varies greatly between bonded pairs. Some may experience no sexual desire at all but many experience an overwhelming desire for their bonded, especially in the first year as their bond begins to settle.” She cleared her throat. “I think we know what end of the stick we drew.” 

“Clearly,” Cressida replied. 

“Sexual activity for some needs to be a joint activity, with their bonded facing pain should they pleasure themselves without their participation.” That explained their issues earlier on. “Pain can radiate from the stomach or chest and can lead to serious complications if left to continue.” 

“I guess I won’t be touching myself when you aren’t near,” Cressida said. 

“Submissive bond holders can face more issues with states of arousal, often needing repeated penetration to ease it.” 

“Oh.” 

Eloise gently stroked Cressida’s arm. “It’s okay. We haven’t faced that yet and it looks like every bond is different.” She turned back to the book. “Some bond holders may spend days away from everyone whilst they wait for the call of the bond to subside, making love repeatedly until the bond is appeased.” She couldn’t help but think of Cressida, her hair mussed and skin sweaty after many rounds of lovemaking. She was also aware of how turned on Cressida was, both from the way she fidgeted and the emotions that filtered through their bond. “Some find that anal penetration does not soothe the bond the same way vaginal does, whilst others may take pleasure only in anal penetration or both. Other forms of stimulation like masturbation, touches of breasts, clitoral or testicular areas, may also bring relief.” 

“What does clitoral mean?” Cressida said. 

“Do succubae have a small lump of flesh lower that they rub to-”

“Yes.” 

“That’s a clitoris,” Eloise replied, trying not to smile. 

“I see.” 

“Submissive bond holders may face issues in aroused states. Elves with penises tend to struggle with erections whereas elves with vaginas can find themselves growing too wet until the bond is calmed.”

“How different do you think it will be for me given I am not an elf?” 

“That is my worry,” Eloise said. “The knowledge in the book is limited. We will have to keep a close eye on you and your health. Maybe keep our own notes and work with the palace doctor.” 

“Likely a good idea.” 

She scoured the page, skipping some unneeded parts about penises. “Same sex bonds can result in pregnancies if both parties long for a child. This is a rarity but has been seen multiple times. A child born of magic is called a bond child, holding the genetics and powers of both parents and carrying enhanced bond magic too.”

“We may be able to have a child?” Cressida asked. 

“It sounds like it if we both wish for one,” Eloise said. “And it is not for certain. Every bond is different but there is only a small chance.” 

“I always wished for a child,” Cressida said. 

“Were you upset when you realised that I was a woman?” Eloise asked. 

“Not in the slightest. I never saw myself with a man but you… You made complete sense to me. And I assumed I would have to ask you about adoption. I think I would still like to adopt. Back home, I used to visit the orphanage from time to time as a woman of the council house and the children were wonderful.” 

“You visited?” Eloise asked. 

“Yes. It was the one time I was surrounded by people that I could talk to. I was there with the intention to talk to them, it was good press for the council to keep some ties with the community. We occasionally ran classes for them, supposedly to strengthen relations between the council and our people. I taught gardening. The children grew potatoes one year and loved it. There was one girl whose bag rotted completely; she got far too carried away with watering. But her older brother split his crop with her for the cooking classes that month.” 

“You like children?” Eloise asked. She felt her hopes growing. 

“I adore them,” Cressida replied. 

“How many would you like? Not now of course, but with time.” 

She mulled it over for a minute, but no answer came. 

“Cressida?” 

“I do not wish to upset you.” 

Eloise’s heart sank. “I would rather you be honest.” She assumed she was going to say one if any. Given her strange behaviour and the look in her eye that said she worried about hurting Eloise. 

“Four,” Cressida said. “At least. Maybe more. But that is a silly dream likely born from me being an only child. I do not expect that of you. I do not expect you to want children at all. I completely understand that you are likely too busy to-”

“I always wished for at least four also,” she replied. “I was worried that you might not want that, if you hadn’t wanted children, I would have understood and accepted it, but I am glad that you do.” 

“You wish for a big family?” 

“Yes,” Eloise said. 

“Keep reading,” Cressida urged. “My emotions are calling for things that I am most definitely not ready for.” 

She looked down at the book, smiling brightly at the knowledge that Cressida wished for the same as her. 

Cressida listened intently as Eloise carried on until the sun began to set, and eventually, slight snores sounded from the girl beside her. She gently removed her arm and then put the book down, rearranging Cressida, who woke just enough to grumpily protest as Eloise pulled the sheets over her. She changed into pyjamas, leaving Cressida in her skirt and top, not wishing to disturb her again. As soon as she moved to take Cressida in her arms, her bonded relaxed and let out a happy sound. 

Just as Eloise was falling asleep, she felt Cressida’s tail coming to rest on her breast and chuckled. 

Chapter Text

Cressida

When she awoke the next morning, Cressida felt the bond like a heavy weight in her chest. She had been dreaming about Eloise, about them having a family together. She watched Eloise standing there as her wife, caring for their children. 

Gods, she loved seeing her like that. 

It left her with pride swelling in her chest, but soon those dreams had turned to Eloise between the sheets with her and now Cressida knew the bond was facing issues because of it. 

“Eloise,” she said, shaking her. 

“Go back to sleep,” Eloise said. “Too early.” 

But Cressida felt it growing more weighted, her discomfort becoming apparent as she tugged on Eloise again. 

When Eloise mumbled something and refused to open her eyes, Cressida winced in pain and grabbed Eloise’s hand, moving it up to her horn. That was a gesture that quickly woke the young elf, her eyes shooting open as her grip grew firm. With her waking came the realisation of the bond. 

She moved her hand, not waiting to ask Cressida about it. She bit her lip as Eloise touched her this way. The sensation of her horns, tail, and clitoris were all distinctly different but with a similar feel of arousal that came with it. Her tail was more delicate than her horns, whereas her horns needed a… firmer touch. 

“Harder,” Cressida pleaded, looking at Eloise who swallowed thickly and tightened her grip. She moved then, and Eloise straddled her, taking grip of both of her horns in a touch that drove Cressida wild. “Oh, gods. El, shit. That…” It felt marvellous, but also too good. The touch was all-encompassing, and it did not take Cressida long to come, with Eloise following her soon after. The two of them moaned as she rocked her horns through the high of it. 

“Morning to you too,” Eloise said, releasing them. “The bond?” 

“Yes. Sorry for waking you, angel.” 

“Angel,” Eloise repeated, smiling triumphantly. “Cute.” 

“An old slightly demonic joke when it comes to terms of endearment,” Cressida replied. “Does it make you uncomfortable?” 

“Not at all. I’m rather fond of it.” Eloise kissed her horn then, and a devious look crossed her face before she ran her tongue along it. 

The sound that drew from Cressida, they would not be discussing. Ever. “Don’t you dare,” Cressida said, hoping no one else heard that. Even down the stairs given the volume. 

“That good?” 

She nodded, pushing Eloise off her. “Don’t do that again. Not unless everyone is asleep, or we are well alone.” 

That morning, Cressida hit Eloise playfully several times whenever she snickered, remembering it. “Stop thinking about it!” 

Eloise had Cressida in one of her knitted jumpers, something warm for the almost freezing weather out. “I am thinking only about how adorable you look in knitwear, my love.” 

She was glad to be in it, Cressida was not used to weather like this- her lands tended to be far warmer even in what they deemed winter. Now her cheeks and nose were pink, and they weren’t even outside yet. 

Then again, she was wearing a skirt. Cressida had almost taken her tablets earlier to hide her tail, but then she remembered how Eloise looked at it last night and this morning. She looked at it with both lust and pride, and Cressida couldn’t find it in her to hide it again. 

Not yet. 

She would see how others responded but for now, she felt nervous. 

“Ladies,” Daphne said, heading towards them. Her eyes briefly flickered down to Cressida’s tail as it moved, and then she shot Eloise a look that Cressida could not infer. 

“We’re heading out to the shops to get some clothing for Cressida.” 

“I see. Well, enjoy yourselves. Ensure you take the carriage with the curtains in case the bond…” 

“Daphne!” Eloise whispered harshly. 

“What? Why do you think our parents always had curtains in theirs?” 

Looking repulsed, Eloise gagged, causing Cressida to smile… Even if she was horrified that Daphne thought they would need to shag in the carriage because they couldn’t control themselves. “Gods, stop. We can control ourselves, thank you very much.” 

“Tell that to the hickey on Cressida’s neck,” Daphne replied, passing Cressida a scarf. “To hide what you get up to with my sister from the public.” 

“Thank you.” After that, she wasn’t sure if she could ever look Daphne Bridgerton in the eye again. 

The carriage ride was far different to the one to the palace. This time Cressida wasn’t anxious, and she kept the curtains open, drinking in the luscious scenery. 

“Is that a pink house?” 

“Did you not see them on the way here? Many of the elven houses are green or pink down this road.” 

“I didn’t look at much over here. Felt too out of sorts,” Cressida admitted. 

“Worried?” 

“Numb,” Cressida corrected. “My family did not even come to say goodbye to me.” 

Whilst she could tell her lover was irked, Eloise did not swear. Instead, she took Cressida’s hand and squeezed it. “You do not need to worry about that now. Someone will always be here to bid you goodbye, and I will rarely leave your side.” 

“I likely shouldn’t take comfort in that, but I do. Knowing you’re stuck with me.” 

“I am not ‘stuck’ with anyone,” Eloise replied. “I am honoured to be granted your company, Cressida Cowper. And in a couple of weeks, I cannot wait for you to share my name.” 

“I am not sure I deserve it.” 

“You do.” Eloise pulled Cressida onto her lap then, changing the subject before Cressida could dwell in her worries further. 

The clothing shop was situated within a hill. The building carved out inside of it was surprisingly spacious as she entered through the door. The inside was warm, and there were all kinds of clothing for many different species. 

“They will not have succubi items here given you are a rarity in these lands,” Eloise said. “But they can tailor anything you like. Let me track down Crystal.” 

Eloise returned later with an elderly elf. Her hair was braided and her wire frames sat perched on top of her nose as she looked Cressida up and down slowly. “I will have much fun with you. We haven’t had a succubus in here for years.” She smiled. “If you would like to follow me, Lady Cowper.” 

“Lady?” Cressida whispered. 

“Soon it will be Your Highness or Princess Cressida, I assume for now they are unsure how to address you. Technically you are already a princess, but we are not yet telling the public of the bond." Eloise smiled. 

“What do you like wearing?” Crystal asked, pulling out a leather notebook. 

“Everything, really. Skirts, dresses, trousers. I also need some basic clothes to garden in.” 

“Does she need-”

“A whole wardrobe,” Eloise finished. “Seasonal wear for each season, her current clothes are not fitting of our lands. She gets cold, don’t you, my love?” 

Cressida’s eyes widened, surprised Eloise would use such a term outside before they were married. “Freezing.” 

“Tights will likely be useful given her love of skirts then, some warm woollen ones. We can work in a hole for her tail.” 

“Tights?” 

“They go over your legs,” Eloise said. “Like a very long sock.” 

“Oh, I see.” 

“What is your budget, Your Highness?” 

“There is not one. Whatever Cressida wishes for, I will pay for it.” 

“Eloise-” Cressida started. 

“You are my wife, and I rarely spend. I have savings. Let me spoil you.” 

As much as Cressida wished to protest, she was too besotted to do so. “Thank you.” 

Eloise leaned in, kissing her briefly. “I will go look around whilst you take the measurements.” 

As Eloise left, Crystal said, “Eloise always was quite the gentleman. Unsurprising she doesn’t wish to see you until marriage.” 

“A gentleman?” 

“Just like her brothers. Well-mannered and knows how to take care of the women in her life.” Before Cressida could get jealous, Crystal added, “When her mother struggled with the loss of King Edmund, Eloise would bring her sisters here for all their fittings if her brothers were busy. She knew to tell off any men who approached them too.” 

She let out a breath of relief, glad to not hear more about Eloise’s many affairs with women before her. 

“Let’s get your clothing off and your measurements taken. Am I right that I should not touch your horns or tail end?” 

“Yes.” 

“Okay. Let me find my tape.” 

For the next twenty minutes, Cressida was prodded and measured and then quizzed on materials and styles she liked from a thick book of swatches. 

“Pink,” Crystal said in surprise. “Don’t get many requests for that here. What a wonderful choice. Would you like some things in Bridgerton blue also? Might help as you reveal yourself to the public as wives.” 

“Please, that would be nice.” 

By the end of it, Crystal had her orders. She would not tell Cressida the price – under Eloise’s orders – and instead passed a piece of paper to Eloise who looked at it and smiled. Before they left, they added some clothing to a basket: shirts, skirts, sleepwear and thick jumpers for both women. 

Cressida put something in, and Eloise snickered. “Scarves?” 

“Clearly they are needed.” 

“I didn’t leave that many marks.” 

“There is more than one?” Cressida whispered. 

With a shrug, Eloise wrote a cheque for the total. 

By the time they made it back, Cressida had taken to wearing a high-neck jumper. One Violet eyed suspiciously as they ate. 

“Did you begin reading the books?” Violet asked. 

The sound of coughing came as Eloise choked on a potato; Cressida began hitting her back to aid her but she soon threw up a hand to let her know that all was well. 

“I take that as a yes and I believe I know what passage you started with.” 

Cressida was now the one coughing, having swallowed a bloody pea the wrong way. “I’m fine,” she wheezed. 

“I do not wish to know what those books are about,” Daphne said, grimacing. “Have you talked them through the ceremony?” 

“No, but it is rather straightforward. We do a hand fastening outside with a ring exchange that close family will attend, and then the two of them will enter the temple and remove their clothes before joining in the hot springs.” 

Cressida’s eyes were wide now. “Joining?” 

“The magic will guide you,” Violet said. “Some people simply swim together. The water is lovely and warm this time of year.” 

“Did you and father just ‘swim’?” Benedict joked, earning a smack around the ear from Francesca. 

“Do not be crass,” Violet chided. “Whatever happens within the caves stays within them, but for every couple, it is different and rarely is it what you are alluding to. The joining grants you power, and cements your bond, most are too occupied with the rush of magic to tend to anything else.” 

She was quickly becoming aware of the fact that Elves were far more open in the discussion of sex than her people were. 
 
Turning her focus to her food, Cressida tried to tune out the voices as her face heated. Eloise rested a hand on her thigh, squeezing it gently in support. 
 

Chapter Text

Cressida

Later, as they climbed into bed, Cressida said, “We will be naked for the ceremony? In the caves?” 

“Yes. I did not know either,” Eloise promised. “If you are uncomfortable-”

“It is fine,” Cressida replied. “You were going to see me at some point. Does your family stay while we are in there? As in, outside of the cave?” 

“No.” Eloise shook her head. “For ceremonies and marriages, the couple are always left alone after the hand fasting. Usually, it is the final part, but with bond ceremonies, it is the beginning. The rest we shall be completely alone for, and the cave is deep in the woodlands with no one around.” 

“Thank goodness,” Cressida breathed. 

“You are sure you are fine with me seeing you like that?” 

“We will be married. Of course.” She smiled. 

“I do not expect it simply because we are married,” Eloise replied. “If you need more time.” 

“I don’t,” Cressida promised, leaning in to kiss her. “When you were dressing the other night, you allowed me to look at you. I wish for you to do the same. During the ceremony, I want you to see all of me. I want you to touch all of me.”

“You mean…” 

“Yes.” 

“After we leave the cave, we will spend several nights in the royal cabin nearby,” Eloise said. “It will give us complete privacy for… that.” 

“A cabin?” 

“It is beautiful there; I think you will adore it. We all have our own room there, but during ceremonies, no family is allowed to use it but the couple. As such, we will have privacy. There will be assigned guards, but they are stationed well enough away.” 

“Good. I do not wish for people listening in with my first break,” Cressida said, embarrassed. 

“I will be a complete gentleman,” Eloise replied. “Hopefully, you will hardly notice it if there is any pain.” 

“Did you notice any pain during your break?” Cressida asked. 

“No,” Eloise replied. “But I know of people who did. I think everyone is different, and you may have broken already. Some women do without penetration.” 

She hoped that much was true for her. Cressida had heard horror stories passed down to her, but then again, she wasn’t sure how many were true and how many were the men in her life trying to keep her away from such ‘unladylike’ things. 

As they fell asleep, Cressida clung to her bonded, taking comfort in the proximity as the bond settled between them. 

When she awoke, it was not even light out. She opened her eyes, and soon a leg kicked out and caught her. 

“Father,” Eloise said in her sleep, kicking once more. “No.” 

She was distressed. A light sheen of sweat covered her skin as she tossed and turned, and Cressida didn’t think twice about shaking her awake. However, when Eloise finally broke away from it, she pushed Cressida off her hard enough that she fell from the bed and hit her head. 

“Shit,” Eloise whispered, moving from the bed as she became more lucid. “Fuck, your head. You’re bleeding. I’m so sorry, my love. I did not mean to. Gods, I’m so sorry.” 

“Eloise,” Cressida said, gently resting her hands on her. She wasn’t concerned about her head right now, even if it hurt greatly where she had hit it on the cabinet. Instead, she was worried about her bonded, who was speaking too fast, trembling and breathing at a rate that left Cressida worrying she might pass out. 

She took her hands, guiding Eloise to breathe in as she squeezed them. “Let it out for me,” Cressida said, and soon Eloise released a shaky breath. It took several minutes before she calmed, tears now staining her cheeks. 

Shaking arms wrapped around Cressida, and soon, Eloise began to sob. 

“You are safe,” Cressida told her. “You are well. I am not going anywhere.” 

“You’re bleeding,” Eloise cried. “I harmed you.” 

“You were half asleep and I startled you from a nightmare,” Cressida replied. “In hindsight, it was not my best decision,” she joked. 

“We must get it seen to, you shall need a healer.” 

“Let’s work on those tears first,” Cressida said. “My head can wait.” 

As horrible as it was seeing Eloise like this, it was also calming in a way to know that her partner was not perfect. She had her own baggage and struggles, just as Cressida did. It made Cressida feel less othered for her own issues, and she welcomed being able to support Eloise just as she had supported her since she arrived. 

“Let me get a cloth, your cheeks are puffy,” Cressida said. She headed to the sink and later returned with a damp and cold cloth that she pressed to her face. “Most annoyingly, you’re a rather beautiful crier, unlike myself.” She dabbed away the salty tears and soon moved to kiss each of her cheeks. 

After a few minutes of gathering herself, Eloise said with a scratchy voice, “Your head has a cut, we need to get you to a healer.” 

It was the first trip Cressida made to the palace healer. She knew his face; he had been there when Violet alerted people to the bond’s existence. He was young, perhaps a few years older than them, which surprised Cressida. His bright auburn hair was highlighted by the magic flames that burned on sconces behind him. 

“Ahh, I was wondering when we might meet. Though I assumed it would be to do with the bond, not this.” He motioned for Cressida to sit on a bench and looked at the cut along her head. Blood dripped down the side of her face and down her neck, gathering in the valley of her breasts.  “What happened?” 

“I startled Eloise awake,” Cressida said before Eloise could jump in and make herself sound worse than she was. “She was having a bad dream, and I made the choice to wake her, which likely wasn’t a great idea.” She smiled at Eloise, taking her hand in her own. 

“You’re lucky we just had a crop of drip root.” He pulled out a grotesque-looking root, it was deep purple in colour and knobbly all over. “Should heal that right on up. Give me a moment to make the salve.” 

“An alchemist?” Cressida said when he began to root through his equipment. 

“Yes. My ma is an elf, but my pa is from lands far away from these. I get those talents from him,” he declared proudly. 

“Alister has a brilliant mind,” Eloise said. “When he’s not busy shagging Clara’s sister Malinda behind the hedges.” 

Alister had the decency to look embarrassed but simply rolled his eyes at Eloise. “Do not make me dredge up stories of my own,” he joked. 

A look was passed between the pair, one of warning. 

“Joking, of course,” he added. “Given she’s unlucky enough to be bonded to you.” 

“She is not unlucky,” Eloise snapped. 

“She hasn’t seen you in the kitchen after one too many drinks, eating a pie on the floor,” he replied. 

“Oh, shut up, Alister. Do not make me mention the time you-”

“You know one another well,” Cressida realised. 

“We grew up together,” Alister said as he pounded the root with a pestle and mortar. “Eloise was a right pain in my rear.” 

“We’re roughly the same age,” Eloise explained. “So, we shared classes. Alister is a good friend of mine, even if he is a nitwit at times.” 

He grinned broadly and shook his head. “A succubus. I shouldn’t be surprised. Eloise over here always did love reading up about tails.” 

“Shut it!” Eloise said. 

“She did?” Cressida asked. 

“Mhm. Eloise here likes unique qualities; she was always intrigued by different lands. But yes, she had quite the fascination with our studies on tails.” 

“You did?” Cressida asked quietly. 

“Might we change the subject?” She was blushing now. 

Alister began adding other things to his concoction, most of which Cressida did not recognise until he was left with a deep blue salve. “This might hurt a bit,” he said, and Cressida instinctively reached for Eloise’s hand and hissed as it was applied. 

The salve tingled unpleasantly, stinging as it worked its way deeper into the cut. She clamped her teeth together and was about to start crying when she felt something. 

A kiss pressed against her horn. 

Greatly inappropriate usually, but it was brief and allowed Cressida a moment to catch her breath as the stinging eased. 

“The bond,” Eloise whispered, leaning down to find her lips. 

It was no deep kiss, but it helped distract Cressida enough until she forgot about the pain. 

Eloise pulled back, nuzzling Cressida’s nose with her own. “I am sorry,” Eloise said. “I seem to have caused you a great deal of pain today, and it is not yet light out.” 

“It wasn’t your fault,” Cressida replied. And then as she yawned, “Might we go back to bed now?” 

“The salve should heal her in a day,” Alister said, bursting their bubble. “Pa once mentioned that elated moods can speed a succubus’ healing process. Not just amorous ones, but happiness too.” He cleared his throat. “Have you taken Cressida to the river yet? I hear the weather is meant to be nice today.” 

“The river,” Eloise echoed. “Yes, I think I shall. Thank you for healing her.” 

“No worries. Keep an eye on her, it was a pretty deep cut. The balm will heal the wound itself, but you’ll want to keep an eye out for signs of a concussion.” 

“I will.” 
 

Chapter Text

Cressida

There was much that Cressida had not seen in her lifetime, given the isolation of the council building: large beds of water being one of them. It meant that as the carriage pulled up at the river, Cressida couldn’t take her eyes off it. 

“Is it not dangerous?” Cressida asked. 

“We do not swim in it come winter; the water gets too cold. And if it freezes over, never walk on the ice. Rivers have strong currents, and unlike lakes, if you fall through the ice, it will pull you under. However, it makes for a beautiful walk this time of year. This pathway runs up the entire river as it’s often used by townsfolk.” 

They began heading up the cobblestone pathway that ran parallel to the water. 

“It’s beautiful,” Cressida said. “Is that wheat growing on the other side?” 

“No,” Eloise replied. “It’s grazing fields for the owlbears to try and stop them stealing as much of the livestock. They're tenacious things when they're hungry.” 

“Owlbears?” 

Eloise lifted her hand then. Her hair rose around her as her eyes flared gold, and Cressida could feel the sheer power of her magic like static. It was the first time Eloise had used it around her, and so Cressida watched in awe. She looked magnificent channelling her magic. 

As she clenched her hand, a mud bridge formed and joined the two sides of land. “Come on,” Eloise said, pulling her along. 

But Cressida was desperately in love at that moment, pathetically so. It took her brain a minute to catch up before she followed in her step, and as soon as they crossed to the other side, Eloise lifted her hand and manipulated the dirt back into its prior location. 
 
Today, Eloise wore a men’s shirt that displayed an awful lot of her bare chest but covered her nipples. It was low-cut with a frilly neckline and puffy sleeves. She wore chunky gold necklaces with it, and today, rings adorned her fingers on her left hand. There was a single small braid in her hair, but the rest was loose, and it cascaded just past her shoulders in thick waves. Her ears poked out from it, and today, Eloise wore both small hoops and a large gem earring in her lobe. 

She looked stunning, and Cressida was barely holding onto her sanity. Pair that with how Eloise looked and felt whilst using her magic… 

“Cressida, what are you doing?” Eloise laughed as Cressida dragged her through the field and towards the woodland. “My love, where are we-” 

She rested her back against a tree and then roughly tugged Eloise against her, letting their mouths join. That delicious ache she had grown to love was becoming quite the issue, and Cressida did not wish to grow too wet in public. As such, she saw it best to deal with it early on rather than struggling for hours in a losing battle.

There was no hesitancy or wait, Cressida sought out Eloise’s tongue and swallowed her lover’s moan as it took its effect on Eloise. The bond must have given away Cressida’s state then because Eloise swiftly reached up and took her horn in her hand, causing Cressida’s hips to buck into her. 

Eloise pulled back. “Do you need me?” 

“Greatly.” A small whimper left her as Eloise’s hand slowed in its strokes. “Your magic,” Cressida explained, close to sobbing at the ecstasy she felt. 

Eloise, however, let go of her horn then, which caused her to pout, eyes glossy. 

“Worry not,” Eloise said. “I wished to try something.” 

She unbuckled her trousers, and then Eloise pushed a hand into the front of them. Cressida watched with wide eyes, wondering if Eloise was going to masturbate for her. But instead, Eloise brought her fingers out, covered in the sheen of her arousal. 

Whilst Eloise had other plans, Cressida was entranced. Cressida took the fingers in her hand and guided them to her lips, where she tasted Eloise on them. 

“Cressida,” Eloise rasped, sounding more like pleading than anything. She bit back a moan as a tongue ran over her fingers. 

As Cressida released them with a pop, her eyes were strikingly pink. She watched as Eloise pushed her hand into her trousers again, and this time, as she lifted her hand, she did not allow Cressida to taste her. Oh no, she wrapped those wet fingers around Cressida’s horn, and Cressida cried out so loudly that Eloise moved her free hand to cover her mouth. 

“Does that feel good, my love?” 

She nodded, still moaning into Eloise’s palm. It felt like the time she licked her horn, and deliciously warm arousal pooled in her stomach. 

“You’re shaking,” Eloise said, and she looked at Cressida in such a lustful, dominant way that she only moaned louder. “There, you can come soon for me. Moan into my hand and let yourself go.” She smiled as Cressida trembled. 

Eloise’s magic still flitted through the air, and it left her cockier than usual; a side of Eloise that Cressida was obsessed with. Soon, Eloise noted how Cressida was reacting and smiled in a predatory way that left Cressida crying out. 

“You like my magic,” Eloise noted. And then her free hand moved from Cressida’s mouth, and instead, Eloise commanded a thick vine between her lips that Cressida bit down on to muffle her cries. The vines swam around her body, and soon two latched around her wrists and drew her arms above her head, pinning them to the trunk of the tree. “You are safe,” Eloise said. “Nod if this is okay, the bond is pulling me to use my magic, so I assume it is something you long for.” When she nodded, Eloise smiled and leaned in, her lips pressing to Cressida’s ear as she began working her horn again. “That’s it, give in for me. Give me that climax, my love. You’re shaking like a leaf. How does it feel to be so close for me?” 

Cressida had not known love like this. She likely should have felt terrified, but Cressida had never felt safer in her life. Here, tied by Eloise as she touched her in the most intimate way, Cressida for the first time felt completely at ease. Any worries of her past filtered away as tears slipped down her cheeks. 

Suddenly, the vine in her mouth worked free, and Cressida immediately missed it. Eloise's hand had stopped, and her smile had waned. “Are you okay?” 

“Keep going,” Cressida said. “Please.” 

With a nod, Eloise returned the vine, understanding her bonded’s tears were not from pain or fear. 

“You look beautiful like this,” Eloise said as Cressida bit down harder on the vine with a stifled cry. One of Eloise’s hands pushed inside Cressida’s shirt and rested on the bare skin of her stomach. “I am so utterly proud of you, my love. But in a moment, I need you to come for me. The bond needs to ease, and it will not do so until you give me that release.” She kissed Cressida’s neck. “When we are bound, I plan on tasting every inch of you. I plan on giving you the most delicate break before taking you in ways I shall not speak aloud.” 

Gods, Cressida needed that. 

“Come for me,” Eloise demanded, her voice firm enough that mere seconds later, Cressida’s body arched through her release. Just like Eloise this morning, Cressida now sobbed. 

Because she felt whole. 

She was too far gone to note the vines freeing her, and Eloise gently coaxed her arms back down and took Cressida in her own as she shushed her. Swaying from side to side, Eloise rocked her, and Cressida broke completely. 

To be held like this was too much. Whilst she adored it, it opened up old wounds too, ones that left Cressida heaving for breath. 

“You are safe,” Eloise repeated Cressida’s earlier words. “The bond has calmed. No one is around other than my guards, who will not speak of anything they overhear,” she promised, knowing Cressida would worry about that. 

They remained like that for a while, and Eloise did not let go of her as she spoke. Instead, she held her close as she said into her ear, “Would you like to talk about it?” 

She couldn’t look her in the eye as she spoke, but Cressida needed to release the many things she had kept tightly locked away for years. “I was never held,” Cressida said. “This… It is new for me. All of it. Things that may seem simple to others... It means more to me than I can begin to explain.” She buried her face in Eloise’s neck as she sniffled. “My parents were not tactile people, other than when my father wished to strike me.” 

Around her, the static of Eloise’s magic crackled and snapped, her rage apparent even if she did not move or speak. 

“It was lonely, back home. My father was far worse than the other council members. He never wished for me to be seen or heard, and if I was, he would grow enraged by it. Sometimes he would lock me in my room for days, other times he would take his hand around his face or use the nearest object. I remember being five when he brought a book down upon my knuckles for reading his texts.” She tried to catch her breath, and Eloise began to rock her once more. “I do not wish to ever go back there, El. I do not want to speak to him or see him. I cannot. I-”

“You won’t,” Eloise stated, her hand now resting on the back of Cressida’s head as she held her. “I promise you that I shall never agree to that.” 

“Can you hold me for a while?” Cressida asked. 

“As long as you need me to,” Eloise replied. 

They made it back to the castle late at night. Daphne appeared at the door as they entered, already snapping at Eloise, though silence followed soon after when she noted Cressida still shaking. 

“We’re going to retire to bed without food,” Eloise stated. “Can you let Mother know that we shan’t need dinner?” 

“Of course,” Daphne said. “If you get hungry, there are freshly baked loaves in the kitchen.” 

When they got to their room, Cressida said, “The vines, can you…” She shut her eyes. “They feel so safe.” 

With a nod, Eloise pulled Cressida into her arms on the bed, and soon after, vines began to encase them both as Eloise’s magic thrummed around them. She let out a weighted breath, relaxing into the calm of it. 

“I love you,” Cressida said. 

“I will always love you in return,” Eloise replied. “You are mine, just as I am completely and utterly yours.” 

The tight feeling soon left Cressida’s breaths slowing until slumber finally took her. 

Chapter Text

Eloise

“Storming into my office at midnight when you should be with your soul bonded,” Violet stated, not looking up from her books. 

“I wish to sever Cressida’s father’s balls from his body,” Eloise stated. 

“Sit down.” 

“I-”

“That was not a request,” Violet stated firmly. When she sat, Violet finally looked up at her. “Whatever she told you, it stays between the two of you. But I assumed just as much,” Violet stated. “Certain council members are crueller than others, and before you state that you do not want Cressida to return, I can tell you I already included that in the marital contract her father signed.” 

“You did?” 

“You determine who she is allowed to see,” Violet stated. “Which is still archaic, but given their ways, a woman could not hold power. Her father still has no idea you are a woman, but the contract was structured to hide that without lying. It states that his power of authority is entirely transferred to the Bridgerton heir who takes her hand.” 

“It does?” 

“It does. But that gives you a great deal of power that you must be respectful of. No woman is property, and I trust you enough to recognise that,” Violet said. “You are a good woman, Eloise. Worrying about your wife is expected, but with bonds that worry increases tenfold. Your anger now? I have felt that too, I know it well. Do not let it overpower you, let it guide and aid you to stand up for Cressida, but do not diminish what she needs.” 

“I’ve never seen her like that.” 

“It could be the bond,” Violet said. “It heightens emotions like sadness and worry in submissive holders; it caused your father terrible mood swings where he would sometimes cry for days. But it could also be that Cressida is coming from a place where she was not used to feeling in control, and now she is coming to terms with her safety. That is a place I have been in myself, not to the extent she has, but I know it well enough. However, right now, your bonded is likely missing you, even if she is not awake. So, might I suggest taking some food up for her?” 

“She fed,” Eloise stated, her cheeks blushing when she realised her mother would know what that meant. 

“Take her some hot chocolate then, but do not head back empty-handed or else she will worry that you were here threatening her father.” 

“I was,” Eloise said, rolling her eyes. 

“Return to her. Cressida is safe here: she no longer needs to worry about her past. She is protected by the crown now. Might I suggest a hot chocolate for you also? It always tended to calm my moments of anger.” 

Cressida was awake when she returned, and her worry quickly faded when she saw the mugs in Eloise’s hands. 

“I brought hot chocolate up. Nothing is better at settling emotions than it. Our chefs use this beautifully rich cocoa from the north. It’s said to be a cure to all woes.” 

She slipped a mug into Cressida’s hands and sat beside her. 

“Did you go and see your mother before this?” Cressida asked, blowing on her drink. 

“That obvious?” Eloise asked. 

“You do not hide your anger well,” she replied, teasingly. 

“I am sorry. I did not tell her anything. I just stated I wished to sever his member from his body. Mother said the dominant bond factor can lead to slight protective issues.” 

Laughter left Cressida as she leaned into her side. “I will get better at holding it in,” Cressida said. “It’s just an awful lot of change, good change, but change nonetheless.” 

“I do not expect you to hold anything in. Your emotions are not to be hidden for the comfort of others. I just hope with time that it gets easier for you being here.” And then after she took a sip of her hot chocolate, she said, “I thought I hid my anger well.” 

“Your eyes glow,” Cressida said. “And your posture changes. Your magic lingers in the air even when you are not using it.” She cleared her throat. “It’s incredibly attractive.” 

That raised something she needed to clarify. “Earlier, the bond guided me to use my magic on you. I should have clarified it with you beforehand, but I have never used my magic in that way,” Eloise said. “An elf’s magic is normally not a bottomless well, we sparsely use it unless needed. Better to reserve it just in case. But the bond…” She shook her head. “I did not tire, nor feel a limit to my magic. It is as if it lives to serve you.” 

“I enjoyed it,” Cressida said. “Very much. I feel safe with you, and like that…” She bit her lip. “I liked feeling powerless, but it was not powerless in the way I am used to. It was giving myself over to someone who I knew would always keep me safe.” She ran her finger around the rim of the mug. “I cried because I have never felt as comfortable as that. Your magic, you, it leaves me feeling secure.” 

“Even when I tie you up?” 

“You could do a whole host of things to me that I’m sure I would appreciate,” Cressida stated without thinking. “I would let you, quite happily in fact. But you and your vines… I adore how you make me feel.” 

“Drink your hot chocolate before I ravish you again, Princess Cowper.” 

The giggle that came from Cressida then was so vibrant and free that it left Eloise feeling on top of the world. 

As the sun rose, so did the two women. There was a rehearsed routine to it now. Cressida would help Eloise to fasten her necklaces and would ensure she wasn’t wearing the same shirt too often, and Eloise would smooth Cressida’s skirt over her tail and would help with her makeup, passing things to her when Cressida dropped them. Eloise would be a gentleman and look away, but she appreciated that Cressida’s eyes would linger on her as she changed. 

Sometimes that would lead to them leaving the room a tad later, occupied briefly by one another’s mouths. 

Today, townsfolk were visiting the palace for a meeting that Eloise caught wind of and decided to drag Cressida to. 

“My daughter and her soon-to-be wife,” Violet announced as they entered. “I am glad you can join us. Amaria, here, was just going over issues with the orphanage.” 

“A lack of funding?” Eloise asked, just as Cressida sat by her knees. The woman stared at her for a long moment before shifting her gaze to Violet. No words were exchanged, but a small tilt of Violet’s chin was given, which led to Amaria smiling. 

“We have enough funding,” Amaria said. “The issue is land and keeping the children occupied. Many of them come from… more complex backgrounds. We used to have a woman come in weekly who would sculpt with them, which worked brilliantly as a therapy outlet, but she moved away, and we have found no one to take her place.” 

Eloise sensed a tenseness in the bond then, and soon she turned to Cressida. “You can speak whenever you wish,” she assured. “Your voice is just as welcome as mine.” 

“Would gardening be as therapeutic?” Cressida asked. “I used to run some classes with the local orphanage. Not frequently, but the children enjoyed it. We set up classes with a cook, too, so that they would learn how to utilise the products they grew. Many of them did not know how to cook, so we started with basics like potatoes and basil.” 

Amaria smiled. “A wonderful idea, but that is hard to find around here. Most of the gardeners and farmers work long hours and do not have the time to help us.” 

She sensed Cressida’s hesitation then, so Eloise said, “I am sure we can find some time until we find a suitable fit. A day every week or so where we can venture down for a couple of hours. Cressida is brilliant with growing things.” 

“You… would wish to attend?” Amaria said, surprised. “It is rather dirty work for royals.” 

“Eloise has never cared much for appearances,” Violet replied. “I can assure you that her being covered in mud is the least of our concerns.” 

The bond flared with happiness then, and Eloise let her hand fall to Cressida’s head to delicately scratch her scalp. 

“Wonderful, when would be a good time to start?” 

“If you can get the soil and starters sorted, we can do tomorrow,” Eloise said. “Angus may have to help you for two weeks soon, though, I shall be focused on my wife during our ceremony.” 

“Of course, Your Highness.” 

Amaria stepped outside with Cressida to discuss what she would need to buy before she left. It meant that Eloise remained in the meeting room with her mother and her two guards. 

“She is a wonderful addition to the crown, that girl,” Violet said, smiling. 

Never had Eloise seen Violet so attached to one of their partners before. She looked at Cressida the same way she looked at Eloise. 

“She wants four,” Eloise said. “At least.” She smiled then. “Cressida adores children.” 

“Well,” Violet said. “We may have to look into moving you into a family wing if that is the case.”

“Not any time soon.” 

“You have told me time and time again that you did not want children until later. I am well aware of that, Eloise. There is no rush.” 

“Good.” 

“You should go and find her before the bond calls for you,” Violet warned. “Oh, and Eloise? You may not wish to sit in on meetings until the bond ceremony and our announcement to the public. Amaria will not say anything, but those old enough to have seen your father and me will know a bond when they see one.”

“The kneeling?” 

“Yes, and how you are with one another. It's quite hard to miss.” 

“I see.” 

The next day, the two of them were dressed much unlike the royals that they were. Cressida wore loose dungarees and a shirt so that her tail could move in them, and Eloise went with some old trousers and a top she didn’t mind getting ruined. She also forwent the jewellery in case the children chose to tug on it. 

“Welcome,” Amaria said. 

It wasn’t like Eloise hadn’t visited before. She often brought book donations down for their classes. However, it was normally fairly… calm during those brief visits. 

Today, as they entered, a boy flew across the air in front of them, his back colliding with the wall as he let out a grunt. 

“You weaselly asshat!” The shout came from a small child, half the size of the boy in question. She had long golden hair and blue eyes, much like Cressida’s, with pointed ears and powerful magic that radiated around her. 

Vines wrapped around his neck, and soon Amaria shouted, “Enough. Is that any way to act in front of the Princess and her soon-to-be wife, Calliope?” 

The girl huffed, but her magic did not wane. 

Just as Amaria was growing embarrassed, Eloise felt Cressida pulling away. She knelt next to the girl but didn’t try to move her, keeping her space. “I understand that boys are often irritating, but we can’t strangle them on a regular basis. Or throw them through the air.” 

“He keeps eating my biscuits! I only get one a day.” 

“Well, we can’t have that, can we? Perhaps you should put him down, and the princess can have a word with him about the theft. But I could use your magic to help me with the potatoes we’re planting.” 

“Planting?” The girl released the boy, and he dropped with a weighted thud. 

“Do not go anywhere, Thomas. We will be talking about the food,” Amaria warned. 

“Yes,” Cressida said to the young girl. "Planting." 

Eloise felt her heart swelling in odd ways then. The girl looked a great deal like her wife, although she had a boyish dress sense and tenacity that reminded Eloise of herself. 

“Should we head out?” Cressida asked, holding her hand out. 

“Oh, she won’t take that,” Amaria said. “Calliope does not like-”

The young girl took Cressida’s hand. “I like your horns.” 

“Why, thank you,” Cressida replied. 

As they headed off, Amaria said, “Calliope never lets anyone take her hand,” she said. “Been with us since she was three. House fire. Has a lot of emotions from it, of course, lost her whole family. She’s six now, but she’s never taken the hand of anyone who works here. She likes her space.” 

“Cressida has that effect on people,” Eloise said. “She’s been through a lot herself.” 

Amaria offered a nod. “Potatoes?” 

“Yes. Hopefully, no one slings mud at my face.” 

“It’s them eating it that you have to be more worried about,” she replied. 

“Eating?” Eloise said, horrified. 

With a shrug, Amaria simply said, “Kids.” 

By the time she found the garden, Cressida was showing Calliope how to layer the starter potatoes with soil in the large hessian bags. She was smiling away, looking happy in a way that she rarely saw. 

“Make sure you give them enough space; if you overcrowd them, they do not have enough room to grow.” 

“Isn’t more good?” 

“Not always,” Cressida replied. 

Calliope huffed. “Fine. Is this good?” 

“Perfect. Can you layer the soil with magic, or will it tire you?” 

“Calliope doesn’t tire from magic use,” Amaria said. “We do not know why, and gods above, it would be easier for the staff here if she did.” 

As she spoke, Calliope trailed her hand over the soil, and Eloise could feel the magic from where she stood. Even she did not have magic like that at that age, and Eloise was a royal. 

Calliope’s magic was closer to Anthony’s, but Calliope was no firstborn royal. 

“Were her parents both elves?” Eloise asked. 

“Calliope?” Amaria asked. When Eloise nodded, she said, “No, her father was an elf. Quite a powerful one, she looks a lot like him when you see the photos. Her mother was a succubus, like Lady Cowper.” 

Sometimes, rarely, Eloise felt like parts of her life fit into place. Much like the feeling she got when she found out Cressida was bound to her, Eloise had a similar feeling now. Hope. “She has been here for years with that magic and yet hasn’t been adopted?” 

Amaria laughed. “Her magic is more powerful than most adults, Your Highness. Few are willing to take on that challenge, especially with a child as boisterous as she is. We did have one person looking to adopt her a year ago.”

“It did not go well?” 

“She encased them in vines and went to play ball with the boys. It's rather hard to convince someone to adopt shortly after their life flashes before their eyes.” 

“I see,” Eloise said, snorting.  

Even after they left, Eloise had a feeling in her chest not caused by the bond. 

“Are you okay?” Cressida asked. “The bond feels odd.” 

“I’m fine, just tired. Did you have a nice time today? You’re a natural with the kids.” 

For a moment, Cressida was silent, but eventually she nodded and smiled. However, it seemed forced. “Wonderful. I can’t wait for next week. They all did brilliantly with the starters. Hopefully, they’ll soon have some vegetables that they can use in cooking. It might be best to put some feelers out now for cooks who would be willing to run some classes on meal preparation. Something basic and easy to follow. I did think roast potatoes, but I’d rather not have them all around pools of hot oil.” 

“Yes, that could be quite the disaster,” Eloise replied, kissing her forehead. “We can go earlier next week. That way, we can fit in one more visit before the ceremony.” 

“That would be alright?” 

“Of course.”

The following week, Eloise hoped that feeling might dissipate. Instead, it followed her like a shadow each day until they arrived at the orphanage again. 

This time when they appeared, Calliope didn’t wish to speak. Amaria let them know it happened from time to time, but even without her speaking, she took Cressida’s hand and dragged her out to show her the potatoes. 

Cressida seemed unbothered by her silence, and from what Eloise had gathered, she was used to her own silence in her old lands. Instead, Cressida talked to her, not treating her differently as Calliope sat and did as instructed. 

“She’s great with her,” Amaria said. 

“She is, isn’t she?” 

When they came away the second week, Cressida talked about Calliope the entire carriage ride back. 

“Something on your mind?” Her mother asked as Eloise looked through the ceremony outfit swatches. 

“The satin is nice,” Eloise said. “For Cressida.” It was customary for the husband to choose outfits, but, given that it was not a choice here, Eloise took that place. “For her undergarments, too. I would go with the pale pink for what she wears beneath and a traditional cream for her gown. She looks beautiful in both colours. Can you ensure they tailor it for her tail too? I never want her to feel like she has to hide it again.” 

“I will ensure they know to,” Violet said. “And you’re avoiding the question.” 

“Not now,” Eloise replied. “Later.” 

“As you wish. What about the tiara?” 

Chapter Text

Cressida

The ceremony. 

Cressida had talked with Violet the day before a great deal, airing out all her worries as the older woman listened and did her best to ease them. Whilst Violet had stated she was terrified too. She couldn’t picture that. Violet was such an unwavering presence, strong and forthright, and so anything else was hard to imagine. 

She was extremely nervous as they woke: normally, the marital couple slept apart the night before, but given their bond, Violet would not allow a separation other than for them to get dressed. 

It meant that her first look at Eloise was before the ceremony, given that they had to travel in the same carriage together. They were only parted for an hour to dress them both, but by the time Cressida saw Eloise, she practically ran to her. 

Eloise’s suit was beautiful. It was a cream cotton that matched the satin of Cressida’s simple gown, which perfectly hugged her body. Eloise had satin of her own on the cuffs and opal buttons that matched the stones on Cressida’s tiara. 

She had blushed as she dressed, overly aware that her fiancé had picked out the pink satin lingerie that now sat beneath. 

“You look so handsome,” Cressida said. 

“You…” Eloise looked her up and down, swallowing thickly. 

She didn’t need to say anything else; Cressida felt her lust and pride through the bond, which only happened with strong emotions. Her eyes trailed over Cressida: her face and hair, her simple makeup with gold eyeliner, to the earrings in her ears and lower across the dress, lingering briefly on cleavage Cressida normally didn’t have on display. 

“Thank you,” Cressida said, smiling as she leaned into her. 

“Do the two of you need a moment for the bond?” Violet asked. “Or would you like to get into the carriages now?” 

“Ten minutes,” Eloise said, wrapping her arms around Cressida. 

Ten minutes was something Cressida deeply needed. 

“You’re worried,” Eloise said once they were alone. 

“Yes.” There was much that left her a nervous wreck: messing up the ceremony, the magic in the waterfall rejecting her, finding out they were actually not bound, and this was all a great mistake, embarrassing herself in front of everyone that Eloise knew and loved, crying when her own parents where nowhere to be seen- both in relief and pain. Then there was the other part: showing Eloise her body and worrying it might not be adequate, the sex that would likely follow, the pain of a break Cressida had been warned about, and not pleasing Eloise like she knew she would be able to please her. 

So yes, there was an awful lot weighing on her mind as of late. 

“Okay,” Eloise said. “I shall not tell you not to, we cannot control our emotions. But instead, I want to remind you that you are doing none of this alone. From now onward, I will not leave your side. You can lean on me, rely on me, and I will be here every step of the way to support you.” 

She tilted her chin and took an unsteady breath in. “I love you.” 

“I love you, too,” Eloise replied. “We should head to the carriage now. No one will be travelling in ours other than my mother. If you need to be held, she understands the bond more than anyone.” 

“I will not need to be held in front of her,” Cressida stated. 

Later, as the carriage headed through the old woodland, Cressida moved to sit on Eloise’s lap, relaxing as arms wrapped around her. 

Whilst she worried about judgment, Violet simply smiled at them. “I travelled a similar way to mine,” she said. 

The forest here was beautiful, trees larger than Cressida had ever seen surrounded them, roots as thick as her body splayed out from their trunks and disappeared into dense moss. Their leaves were amber and red, with clusters of nuts hanging from their branches. 

It smelled like damp earth and honeysuckle, and Cressida crinkled her nose as she took it in. She felt free here. 

“We are almost there,” Violet said. “The ceremony is short, so worry not about that. It is more of a formality than anything.” 

“Soon I can call you my bonded to the world,” Eloise said. “Or my wife. I might change it up every now and again, I adore both.” 

Cressida blushed, and soon the carriage slowed. The door opened, and Edgar helped all three women out, calling out their titles as he did so. 

The outside of the waterfall was paved. Stones carved with ceremonial symbols and images of gods decorated the ground, and magic filled the air like a dense fog. 

“I am the blesser of this location,” an elderly man said. “Orwick, pleasure to bind you both today.” 

“Thank you, Orwick, for offering your services,” Eloise replied with a smile. 

Whilst it was only near family invited, given the size of Eloise’s family, that was a whole lot of eyes gawking at her. Cressida felt her nerves spiking as they moved to stand over the slab that Orwick guided them to. 

“We are here today in the blessing of the goddess. Eloise Bridgerton and Cressida Cowper share a love that touches few, one that should be cherished by all who are lucky enough to witness it.” He took their hands and layered Eloise’s on top of Cressida’s so that she was holding her forearm, and Cressida grasped Eloise’s in return. “We ask that the goddess join us today, and that her powers confirm to us that this union is one of a blessing.” 

She held her breath- this, Cressida had been dreading. A deep fear lay within her that the goddess would not show, and that the question would go unanswered. Yet magic prickled in the air, and soon golden vines grew from the slab beneath and wrapped snugly around their joined arms.

Releasing the breath she was holding, Cressida thanked the gods above. 

“In the presence of the goddess, we solidify this union with a kiss.” 

Oh, gods.

Before she could worry too much, Eloise smiled at her. “Last chance to run away, Miss Cowper.” 

After she rolled her eyes at her bonded’s antics, she leaned in and was thankful that Eloise took charge. She took Cressida’s cheek in her palm and deepened it to something Cressida would have thought was too much. Then again, she had no idea about elven custom. She kept her tongue firmly in her mouth, not wishing for Eloise to be too embarrassed in front of her family. 

Eloise released her lips but briefly leaned back in for a shorter peck. “My bonded,” Eloise said. “In this union, sealed by a kiss, I take you as my equal with the goddess as our witness.” 

“My bonded,” Cressida replied. “I accept your claim as your equal and the bond we share.” 

The slab beneath them glowed, and Cressida felt the rush of power flooding her veins. 

Eloise’s eyes turned golden, and the bond pulled them to kiss once more as the magic lit up the forest in blinding light. 

“It is done,” Orwick said. 

Slowly, the vines began to unravel, but Cressida still held onto her for support. The magic left her feeling light and unsure on her legs. 

“Okay?” Eloise asked. 

“Yeah, a little lightheaded.” 

“I’ve got you,” Eloise promised, holding her tighter. 

“We shall leave you now,” Violet said, kissing both of their foreheads. “The two of you have my blessings. Enjoy the rest of the ceremony.” 

“Thank you,” Eloise replied. 

They waited as everyone left, watching as the carriages disappeared on the horizon. There were two guards stationed in the woodland, but that was all that remained besides them. 

“Are you ready?” 

“No, but we shall head in anyway,” Cressida replied. 

“Your gown is beautiful,” Eloise said as she helped Cressida down the cave’s steps. “You look radiant.” 

“You’re not so bad yourself,” Cressida replied. She slipped, but Eloise caught her elbow and steadied her. Even though they were barefoot, the steps were still slick. 

When they got to the bottom, it opened out into a huge cave from the tunnelled stairs. Cressida stared at it and the deep blue waters of the waterfall, taking it all in for a moment. 

“It is beautiful,” Eloise said. 

“It is.” 

After she took it all in, Cressida turned to face her bonded. “Might I undress you?” 

“Only if you are comfortable.” 

It was customary for bonded’s to undress one another, usually starting with the dominant bond holder’s clothing. 

So, Cressida undid Eloise’s suit jacket with shaking fingers and revealed a pale blue lace bra beneath that she took a moment to gawk at. 

“Good choice?” Eloise asked. 

“Spectacular,” Cressida replied, undoing her belt. She got to her knees as she helped Eloise out of them and then folded them, placing the garments to the side. Now she stared at blue men’s briefs, adorned with the same lace as the bra. She took a shaky breath and gripped onto the waistband, pulling them slowly down her legs. Only after she placed them to the side did she allow herself to look. Where she knelt, she could smell the slight musk of Eloise’s arousal, her face close to her sex. 

“Cress, my love?” 

She stood and gently unclasped her bra, revealing perky nipples that she couldn’t help but run her fingertips across. “Gods,” she whispered. 

“Might I remove yours?” Eloise’s voice was thick now, raspy with desire. 

“Please.” 

Her hands treated Cressida like glass as they pulled the gown over her head. She placed the dress to the side and then rested her hands on Cressida’s waist, her thumbs rubbing along the V of her hips as Cressida shuddered. “Still doing okay?” Eloise checked in. 

She nodded, and Eloise allowed her hands to move, her thumbs now running over the material of the satin bra where Cressida’s nipples pebbled beneath. Eloise started with her bra first, staring at Cressida with lust as it fell away. “Still okay?” 

“Yes.” 

Eloise lowered her underwear but didn’t look at first. She returned her hands to Cressida’s hips, her thumbs once again rubbing along them to calm her. 

“You can look,” Cressida said, knowing her wife needed to hear it. 

Eyes dipped lower, and Eloise swore. 

“Am I… Am I okay?” 

“What?” 

“My body,” Cressida replied. 

Instead of replying, Eloise dropped to her knees again where she began trailing kisses up her calf, then her thigh, higher still along her hip and between the valley of her breasts. “You are a work of art, my love. More than I could have ever dreamt of.” 

Cressida felt the tug then and let out a slight whimper. 

“The pool,” Eloise said. 

She took her hand, and step by step, they lowered themselves into the water. It was shallow enough that their shoulders always remained just above the water, but it was hot and welcoming in the frigid air. 

The magic overcame her, and Cressida found Eloise wrapped around her as they kissed. 

Violet had said to listen to the magic and not to worry. 

So, Cressida did exactly that. She listened, and as the magic guided her to take more, she pushed her tongue into Eloise’s mouth. 

A moan left her lover, and Eloise lifted Cressida up so that her legs were around her waist with her back pressed to the rock of the waterfall. Her hand found Cressida’s horn, and Cressida could have wept as she began stroking it. “Eloise, I need you.” 

“I have you,” she promised. 

“No, the magic. Break me.” 

“You’re sure?” Eloise asked, pulling back to look up at her. 

“I need you.” 

“If I kiss you, is my tongue enough stimulation to arouse you?” 

“Yes. I can feel your pleasure as if it were my own.” 

“Good,” Eloise said, kissing her again. 

For a while, her hands did not move, and Cressida feared that Eloise did not want to do this here. However, the magic was calling to her, and Cressida began to plead for her touch as the arousal building from their kiss grew uncomfortable. 

A hand pushed between her legs then, and Eloise circled a part of her that left Cressida muffling a cry into her shoulder. 

“Head back,” Eloise said. “I wish to watch you break for me.” 

Her cheeks flushed pink as she followed her direction and soon her thumb took over strokes of her clit as two fingers dipped lower. “My bonded,” Eloise said, pushing into her with the two of them slowly. 

Cressida’s brows drew together, and she bit her lip as a sharp pain was felt between her legs. However, it wasn’t like she had heard. That was it, a quick pain soon followed by a delicious soreness as Eloise kept her fingers still and continued to rub her clit. 

“There, that was it. Wasn’t too bad, was it?” 

Shaking her head, she moaned as those fingers began to move. Her legs were still wrapped around Eloise, and her arms around her neck as she rocked her fingers into her. When she drew her in for another kiss, Cressida swore and released a sob into her mouth. 

It was soft, filled with gentle words from Eloise as she worked her closer. “That’s my girl,” Eloise said, kissing her neck. “Do you feel the magic?” 

“Yes, shit.” 

“Let it wash over you as you come for me.” 

“I think I’m close,” Cressida said. 

“Watch me as you unravel,” Eloise said. “There, give yourself to me.” 

Fingers grew firmer in their touch, leaving Cressida’s skin hot as the magic left her trembling with a chill down her spine. 

“Give your break to me,” Eloise said. 

Cressida fell apart on her fingers, her head tipped back as Eloise watched the strain to her neck and the way her lips parted with a low moan. 

The magic changed then, and Cressida felt the rush of it alongside their shared orgasm. Eloise must have felt it too because she groaned and continued to take her, soon saying, “Cress, your tail.” 

“What?” 

“Take me.” 

“Oh.” Cressida eased the bulbous tip of her tail between Eloise’s legs and found her slick there. Even in the water, she still felt her arousal. “Eloise,” Cressida moaned, pushing inside of her with it. 

The look on Eloise’s face then was a sheer pleasure she had never seen from her. It was a gasp of relief as Cressida worked the tail within her, and it was a sigh of her name as Cressida felt the pleasure with her. Their arousal joined, both moving within one another at once. The stimulation Cressida felt from her tail paired with the penetration of Eloise’s fingers within her, leaving them both fighting to catch their breath between moans. 

“Good, Cress, gosh, you’re so good.” 

“I’m good,” Cressida repeated, feeling her arousal like hot honey low in her stomach. 

“So good,” Eloise moaned. “Come with me.” 

She nodded, pulling her back in for a kiss as they plummeted over the edge together. Now the magic thrummed within their chests, pulsating with the beat of their hearts. 

“Gods,” Eloise whispered, kissing her again. She rested her forehead against Cressida’s and gently eased her back down onto her feet. 

Finally, the magic felt appeased, leaving them both light and giggly as they moved to stand in the centre of the pool again. “I love this,” Cressida said. “The lilacs growing from the walls, it is gorgeous.” 

“How was your break?” Eloise asked. 

“Perfect.” 

“Good.” 

They held one another for a while longer before dressing again. The walk to the cabin was fairly short, but Cressida could not wait to lie down. She even ignored the pastries on the side, instead tugging Eloise to bed. Neither of them slept well the past few nights. 

They changed into satin shorts and bralettes, and Eloise pulled Cressida against her chest. 

“The bond feels good now,” Cressida said. “Secure. Grounded.” 

“It does. Now, rest those beautiful eyes of yours, Your Highness.”

She buried her face in her hands as she laughed. “That sounds so peculiar.” 

“In an alluring way?” Eloise asked. 

“Oh my gosh, Eloise!” 
 

Chapter Text

Eloise

When she awoke the next morning, Cressida was wrapped around her, and the bond was practically singing between them. She felt the pull as soon as she blinked her eyes open, and obliged, pushing her hand into the front of Cressida’s shorts as she slept. 

A sleepy hum left her as Eloise touched her, and the bond eased slightly, but soon Eloise felt it thrumming once more and found Cressida’s sleepy gaze trained on her, a soft whimper leaving her. 

“Morning,” Eloise said, dipping her fingers lower and slowly pressing them inside of her. 

“Oh.” She arched as she took her fingers, Cressida letting out small sounds as Eloise went about delicately waking her up. 

She used her free hand, peeling the satin shorts down her lover’s legs as she kissed her way down her body. “I want to try something,” Eloise said. “How do you feel about my mouth on you?” 

“I would like that,” Cressida rasped. 

“And if I used my magic to restrain you?” She knew how Cressida had responded before, and still remembered that blissful look on her face, but she wasn't sure if Cressida wished to try it again.

“Gods, yes.” 

She parted her thighs, watching the trail of arousal that came from her fingers as she removed them. The books were right, Cressida became wetter for Eloise than anyone should. 

She grabbed her thighs with wet fingers, angling them apart and back as she moved her mouth to envelope her sex, letting her tongue part her labia and caress her clit. Hips shuddered with surprise at the sensation, and Cressida let out a slight squeak as her hand shot to grab Eloise’s hair. Slowing her tongue, she tried to let her get used to the sensation before she parted her once more with her fingers. 

“You feel so warm,” Cressida groaned. “Shit. You’re tongue…” 

She smiled, speeding her tongue as she made a decision and added a third finger that she gave Cressida a moment to get used to. As Cressida relaxed into it, Eloise used her magic and guided the vines to pin Cressida’s wrists to the metal at the head of the bed. Another wrapped around her throat with a gentle pressure, and another tied her hips to the mattress. 

“Mine,” Eloise said softly, removing her mouth so that she could look at her as her fingers pumped within her. The effect her magic had on Cressida was not wasted on Eloise. It was clear as day in the way her eyes rolled back and her chest heaved, the way her thighs shook and the desperate sounds that left her. “Would you like to come for me?” 

“Yes.” 

“Wait,” Eloise said. She moved her thumb slowly against her clit as she guided a vine that was far thicker than the others between her bonded’s legs. She let the tip dip barely into her and waited for Cressida to okay it before guiding the vine inside of her. 

“That’s…” 

Eloise nodded, watching her with need as she worked it deeper inside until she knew it could go no further. “Good?” She trailed her hand up Cressida’s thigh. 

“It’s warm,” Cressida sighed.

“The magic,” Eloise stated. “It tends to carry heat with it as it's created. Is it uncomfortable?” 

“The opposite. It feels divine.” 

She grinned devilishly and began to move it, urging the golden magic vine free from her, only to force it deeper once more. Many times, Eloise had heard Cressida in the throes of pleasure, but now, she was louder than ever before. 

Eloise decided to test her, widening the vine a fraction, but Cressida only sobbed louder, taking Eloise’s magic quite happily. So, Eloise widened it again, and this time Cressida’s brow pinched. “Too much?” 

“It’s uncomfortable, the stretch, but I like that,” Cressida admitted. “No bigger, though.” 

The vine shifted, and Eloise stimulated her clit. “You’re doing great. Taking far more than I could.” 

“I am?” 

“So good,” Eloise said, kissing her knee. 

For a few minutes, she simply enjoyed the sight of Cressida spread for her as the vine speared into her, her bonded unravelling more and more by the minute until she surprised them both. Eloise was so fixated on the sight of Cressida that she forgot the pleasure was hers too. When her orgasm hit, it took them both by surprise, but the bond would not let Eloise stop. 

She swore, scrunching her brow as Cressida did the same. 

“El-”

“I know, my love, give it what it needs.” 

“It’s too much,” Cressida said, her arousal now thickly coating the vine. 

“A little more. We can do it, together, okay?” 

Cressida’s legs shook violently as Eloise continued to touch her, knowing the bond needed it. If Eloise felt it this strongly, it would be far worse for Cressida. 

“You’re doing great," Eloise encouraged. "You can manage another for me, can’t you?” 

She nodded; her eyes now wet as she bit her lip. “El-”

“How deep does it feel?” 

“I’m so full for you,” Cressida replied. 

“And I’m so proud of you. Try not to think of the discomfort. Relax for me and let it build again.” 

“It’s already building,” Cressida said. “But it is too intense.” 

“Relax,” Eloise encouraged. Their bond was doing exactly what the books warned them about when recently confirmed, seeking more than they felt able to give. She knew she needed to calm Cressida and to get it to build again. “You’re so beautiful, Cress. And you will look even more so when you break for me again." She felt Cressida giving in to it, and soon Eloise sped her thumb. “One more.” 

Her legs were trembling so violently that Eloise worried about her, and when Cressida finally met her climax, her release leaked around the vine and dampened the bed. 

“Gods,” Eloise shuddered with her, her hand firmly grasping Cressida’s knee to keep her still. When the bond waned, Eloise released all the vines, making them disappear with a flick of her wrist. Her vines used to be different, dimmer and thinner, but since the goddess's blessing, they had changed greatly, as had Eloise’s control over them. 

Eloise moved up the bed, pulling Cressida against her. Cressida still shook, and she muttered apologies as Eloise held her. 

“It can happen,” Eloise said. “The book spoke of it, worry not.” 

“I ruined the bed.” 

“There are spare sheets.” 

“El-”

“I’ve got you. Let’s just calm your body down a bit. That was a lot for you to handle.” She held her as the sun rose outside. Eventually, she ran Cressida a bath and left her in it whilst she dealt with the sheets. 

When she returned, Eloise slipped in behind her and ran her fingers through Cressida’s hair. “How are you feeling now?” 

“Far better,” Cressida said. “Will the bond do that often?” 

“No. The books said it was rare for it to happen like that. Normally, if the bond seeks multiple climaxes, it does so with breaks between.” 

“Good,” Cressida hummed. “I do not think I could take that often.” She relaxed into Eloise but then drew her wife’s hand between her thighs. 

“Again?” Eloise asked. 

When Cressida nodded, she worked her up once more, this time with a gentle pressure and no penetration as she kissed her neck and nipped at her ear.

This climax was more manageable for them both, especially Cressida, who relaxed further into Eloise and let her eyes close. “I enjoyed the vines far more than I likely should have,” Cressida said. 

“Then I think you will quite enjoy my strap.” 

“Strap? What is that?” 

“I’ll show you later. I had it made just for you.” 

“Later,” Cressida agreed, enjoying the hot water and scent of lavender. 

They didn’t have sex again for two days, the bond did not call for it, and Cressida mentioned she was still sore from her break. 

Instead, Eloise applied ointments with her fingertips each morning and night to Cressida’s skin, enjoying the happy sounds that left her as she did so. 

They spent the days reading and talking about their pasts, filling one another in on the most random of stories that cemented their bond stronger than ever. 

Eloise massaged her with oils and washed her hair for her in the bath. She kept a close eye on her discomfort, knowing how sore she was after her first time with Clara. Whilst it was a delicious feeling, she didn’t want anyone penetrating her for a week after. 

So, she was surprised when Cressida asked for her three days into their cabin stay. She took that moment to tug the harness on, letting Cressida run her hand over the leather. 

“I do not get what the point of this is,” Cressida said. 

Eloise chose one of the thicker toys crafted for her and pushed it into place. “And now?” 

“Oh. I think I understand now,” Cressida replied, swallowing thickly against her dry throat. 

She rested Cressida on the cabinet and hiked her skirt up her thighs. Eloise dipped her fingers in first, both to check Cressida wasn’t in pain and to ensure she was wet prior to penetration. 

“Always so ready for me, Your Highness.” 

“Take me.” 

She eased the entire toy in with one slow stroke until it bottomed out. Cressida let out a sob as she did so, holding her in place. 

“Sore still?” Eloise asked.

“Yes, but I need you.” 

“The bond?” Eloise asked. 

“No,” Cressida admitted, blushing. “This is just a me problem.” 

“That desperate to be filled again?” 

“Eloise!” 

“Sorry.” A cheeky smile was given, and Eloise held her hips as she rocked the toy. 

“Touch yourself for me,” Eloise guided. It wasn’t easy in their current position for her to do so. 

Cressida leaned back, resting her weight on one palm as her other hand ventured between her thighs. 

“Good girl. Nice and slow for me.” 

“Sometimes you say the most sinful things,” Cressida complained. 

“Do you not approve?” 

“I fear I approve far too much,” she admitted. 

Setting to a slow, deep rhythm, Eloise took great pleasure in the way Cressida’s breaths soon became ragged. 

“Is that a yes on the toy front?” 

“Definitely.” 

Eloise had used a strap before, but it never felt like this. Given that she now shared some of Cressida’s pleasure, strapping became just as fulfilling for her as it was for her wife. 

“You feel so good,” Eloise groaned, speeding her pace as she chased their high. 

Cressida’s hand picked up its pace too, allowing them to come swiftly. “That’s a definite yes to the toy,” she uttered. “Shit.” 

The rest of the cabin stay was filled with frequent orgasms for them both, and by the time the carriage arrived to pick them both up, Eloise was just as sore as Cressida. 

“I feel like your tail should be paying my parts rent given how often it resides within me.” 

“Do not dare to repeat that in front of anyone!” 

She smiled and fidgeted as she tried to get comfortable. “Gods, I should have let you apply that damn balm.” 

“You are that sore?” 

“Perhaps I’m being a little dramatic, but yes, I am.” 

“I would say I’m sorry, but it feels like we should call it even after you used the vines to tie me to the wall and take me,” Cressida replied. 

“You enjoyed that.” 

“And you quite enjoyed my tail earlier. I seem to remember you cleaning it off with your mouth after.” 

For once, Eloise was the one left blushing. 

Chapter Text

Eloise

When they returned to the castle, they still had a week away from their duties. One that they spent making everyone around them feel sick over how desperately clingy they were. Cressida returned to gardening, and Eloise to her books, feeling a great relief in how settled the bond had become. 

Eventually, though, their duties returned, and with that, the weight of realisation that Eloise had tried not to consider during her holiday. 

“Calliope is truly comfortable around her,” Amaria said. 

“Yes, she is.” Eloise worried her lip. “Might we step inside for a minute?” 

The thing about the settled bond was that Eloise could feel even more of Cressida’s emotions through it. What the goddess wanted was now apparent, too, and Eloise would be stupid to have tried to fight it. 

“Of course, Your Highness.” 

As they stepped inside, Amaria said, “I take it you can no longer do these visits?” 

“Oh.” Eloise composed herself. “No, we would love to continue them. We are yet to find a gardener to take our place, but we shall. I actually had a question for you regarding the adoption process.” 

“Calliope?” 

“That obvious?” Eloise replied. 

Amaria smiled. “There is paperwork and background checks, but given who you are, the checks are not needed. We know you can house her safely and have the funds to do so. The paperwork will still need to be completed, and of course, we will do an introductory meeting with Calliope as potential parents to see how she reacts to the news.” 

Eloise felt the weight of that and nodded. “Okay. I shall speak with my mother and Cressida first, but if we send word that we would wish to set that up, how long would it take?” 

“We would sort the meeting to fit your schedule, Your Highness.” 

“Thank you.” 

“I meant what I said earlier, Calliope is like that with no one but the two of you.” 

“Yes,” Eloise said. “I noticed that when we arrived to her hanging a boy upside down because he got mud on her shoes.” 

“I just wish to ensure you take this seriously, a child is no easy feat to raise. Especially Calliope.” 

“I do not expect it to be easy, but I have seen the way my bonded is with her and…” Eloise worked her jaw. “The goddess has now had her say also.” 

“The goddess?” Amaria replied, surprised. “Your bond must be strong, but it is best to listen to how you are guided.” 

“I agree.” 

“I will send you back with the paperwork to look over. If the goddess is at work, it is better not to make her wait.” 

As they headed back, Eloise gnawed on her nail anxiously.

“What is the paperwork for?” Cressida asked. 

The carriage came to a stop, but Eloise told Edgar to leave the doors shut for a moment more. 

“El, you’re worrying me.” 

“It is nothing to worry about,” Eloise said. “I…” She shook her head. “The previous times we’ve visited the orphanage, the bond has been strange. I think I knew the first visit, but I wanted to check with you in case I’m completely wrong.” 

“What is it? Are you unwell?” 

“No.” She smiled and took Cressida’s hands. “You light up around Calliope. But it is more than that. The bond seems to calm when you sit with her. I thought it was odd at first, and Amaria always says how great you are with her.” 

Cressida’s brow pinched, and she refused to look at her bonded. 

“Now, feel free to tell me if I am miles off in my assumption, but these are papers to look at, should we wish to adopt her.” 

Eyes shot up and met Eloise’s, and Cressida stared at her as tears swam in them. “Adopt her?” 

“The bond and the goddess seem to think it is a good idea. I can feel them; I just wasn’t sure at first. Not enough to broach it.” 

“Eloise, I do not expect you to adopt simply because I would want to. We have barely been together long; it is insanity, and I understand that.” 

“That sounded an awful lot like you admitting that you would like to adopt her,” Eloise replied, smiling. Wiping her tears, Cressida nodded and looked away once more. Resting her fingers on her chin, Eloise drew it towards her so that she could look at her again. “I want this too, if you do. I am not just saying that. The first time I saw the two of you together, I thought of it and wondered. Even whilst we were away, I missed watching the two of you planting potatoes, and I think you missed seeing her also.” 

“She will be a nightmare to raise,” Cressida said. “Her magic... And she has no concept of manners.” 

“The girl reminds me of my younger self in that way. I fear I was worse behaved than she, but my parents made it through and look how many children they had together.” 

“You want this too?” Cressida asked.

Eloise thumbed away her wife’s tears. “I do. Greatly.”

“Your Mother-”

“I shall speak with her now. Given I can feel the goddess, my mother will most likely listen.” 

“I think I can feel her too,” Cressida said. “Whenever I sit with Calliope, it is like someone is there beside me, guiding me when she gets stressed.” 

“I will speak with her now, if you feel able to part from me for half an hour. You are welcome to sit in should you wish, I just thought you might rather I tackle it alone.” 

“Your Mother is a little intimidating,” Cressida said. 

Eloise placed a kiss on her salty cheek and pushed the hair behind Cressida’s ear. “Okay. I shall speak with her now if she is free. Would you like to look over the paperwork whilst I do so?” 

Nodding, Cressida took the papers from her. 

“Come on, let's head in.” 

Once she was sure that Cressida was relaxed again, she left her in their room to read over the papers and headed down to her mother’s office. Knocking three times, Eloise waited for her reply before entering.

“You knocked,” Violet said, staring down at a letter in her hands. “In that case, what is it you want?” 

“What?” 

“You only knock when you want something you have to ask politely for,” Violet replied, looking up at her. “So, what is it you have come to ask for?” 

“Before the ceremony, you asked me if something was on my mind.” 

“Well, I knew something was. I was merely being polite in asking what that something was,” Violet corrected. “I take it you are ready now?” 

Eloise couldn’t help but smile. “At the orphanage, there is this one girl: Calliope. She is six, quite rambunctious. The first time we arrived there, she threw a boy at the wall and encased him in vines for stealing her biscuits.” 

“Sounds like someone I know,” Violet replied, eyeing her daughter. 

“Yes, it is much like looking in a mirror that way.” 

“Does she look like you?” Violet asked.

“She is fond of wearing boys’ clothes,” Eloise replied. “But actually, she looks strikingly like Cress. Long golden hair and eyes just the same as hers. You should see the two of them together; it completely throws Amaria. Calliope hates most people and won’t let anyone touch her, but whenever Cressida arrives, she takes her hand.” 

“What’s her magic like?” 

“Stronger than Anthony’s was at that age.” 

Violet barked out a laugh. “Be honest, Eloise. If she will not be strong enough to hold herself, we need to prepare for that. Give her enough extra guards. I realise she is not of royal magic, but we need a grasp of how powerful she is for such.” 

“No,” Eloise said. “I am not exaggerating. Her magic is stronger than Anthony's, and not by a slight margin.” 

“There is no way that is possible,” Violet replied. 

“It is, I have seen it. Mother, I do not know what to make of her. Her parents are odd, too.” 

“Passed?” 

“Yes.” 

“Both elven?” 

“No.” Eloise shook her head. “That is the odd part. Her father is elven, but her mother is a succubus.” 

Now, Violet stared on in surprise. “What does the bond tell you? That it is a good fit?” 

“The bond told me it was meant to be the first time I saw Cress with her. But I did not listen. We had the ceremony to worry about, so I-”

“Eloise, you should always listen to the bond. It could harm you to ignore it.” 

“I know,” Eloise said. “But I did. And then today, when we went to see her, I felt her.” 

“Who?” 

“The goddess,” Eloise said. “Demanding at that.” 

Now, Violet rubbed her face. “Did you talk with Amaria?” 

“Yes. Cressida has the-” Eloise’s eyes widened as her mother rose and pushed past her. 

“Edgar, ready us a carriage. Send word ahead to Amaria that we will be needing a meeting with the child sooner than planned,” she said as she walked. 

Eloise stumbled to keep up with her. “Mother-”

“If the goddess is here, it is serious,” she replied. “You said her magic was stronger than Anthony’s? Do you truly mean that?” 

“Yes. Not just slightly, massively. Her magic does not tire, either.” 

“We need to find out who her parents were,” Violet said. “Magic like that should not be found in a child unless they are a bond child, Eloise. They are the only accounts of magic stronger than a royal’s. If she is, that will be why the goddess and the bond are guiding you to one another so strongly. In the absence of a bond, new ones are sought.” 

“You and father?” 

“You, our children, held a fraction of a bond: only small,” Violet said. “Or bond, lives in all of you in the smallest of fragments. There were so many of you that I think that is what kept me alive. All of you, giving the bond enough strength to continue. If her family is gone, Calliope likely has a destabilised familial bond, which could also cause her emotional issues that you spoke of.” 

“I don’t know,” Eloise said. “I think she might just be a tad unhinged, but in a completely adorable way. Who can stand boys anyway?” 

They got to the room, and Violet knocked, not even waiting for Edgar to make the announcement for her. 

Cressida opened the door with a look of shock. “Violet. I did not realise Eloise was bringing you here.” 

“My daughter has been ignoring her guidance. I have readied the carriage if you would like to go pick up your daughter.” 

“What?” 

“I will explain on the ride over.”

So, Violet repeated herself once in the carriage, and a second time to Amaria, who confirmed after checking the paperwork that Calliope’s parents held a soul bond. At first, she did not think they did, but when their names were checked, they had one. It was just a bond that was not confirmed in a ceremony in their town. 

It also turned out her father was trans, which would mean Calliope was most likely born of a bond. She was a bond child, born of the magic of two bond-holding parents who could not conceive by other means. 

“Her magic is just as you said,” Violet stated. “Magnificent.”

Calliope looked up at her, hiding behind Cressida’s legs in a move most unlike her usual self. “Hello, Your Majesty,” she said. 

“Hello, what a lovely honour to meet you, Miss Calliope. I hear my daughter wishes to adopt someone here.” 

Calliope released Cressida’s leg and grew quickly upset before leaving the room. It was a strange reaction; a change of her disposition so swift that Eloise worried she did not wish to be adopted.

“I will speak with her,” Amaria said. “She is not fond of change.” It was only minutes later that Amaria returned. “We have a slight misunderstanding. It seems that Calliope was worried you were here to adopt someone else, and that upset her a bit.” 

“Sorry,” Calliope said, wiping her cheeks. 

Violet knelt then, something the queen should not be doing. Eloise stared at her with wide eyes. 

“Never apologise for worry,” Violet said. “It affects all of us, even me.” 

“It does?” 

“It does. Now, I should be clear, I am here because my daughter and her bonded, Princess Cressida, wish to adopt you. If that is alright?” 

“Me?” 

“Yes.” 

Calliope moved back to Cressida then, and when she cried, Cressida lifted her up and rested her on her hip. “Hello, little rascal.” 

Leaning in, Calliope rested her head against her shoulder and wiped her tears on it. 

“I see what you mean,” Violet said to Eloise. “The bond has likely shifted to the two of you the first time you met her. Amaria, I think it might be best if we go through the paperwork now. Apologies for the short notice, but the goddess and bonds work in their own time, that none of us are exempt from. Even you, Eloise.” 

“I said I was sorry for not realising,” she groaned, embarrassed. 

“The two of you should sit with Calliope. How would you feel about coming back to live at the castle today?” 

“Miss Amaria said I don’t have nice manners,” she said. 

“That is fine, neither did Eloise. She gets that from her father. It comes with time. If she can turn out well, anyone can.” 

Eloise’s cheeks heated once more. 

“Yes, please,” she replied. “Thank you.” 

“Already better with the manners than my daughter,” Violet teased. 

“Mother!" 

Violet left to sort the paperwork, and Eloise went and sat in the playroom as Cressida did a puzzle on the floor with Calliope. Once she was done, Calliope yawned and walked over to Eloise, tugging on her trouser leg. 

“Yes, sweetie?” 

“Hold her,” Cressida said. “She wants a hug from you.” 

“Oh.” Eloise felt honoured that Calliope wanted one. She was used to her being tactile with Cressida, but she never stepped near Eloise. 

She gave her a hug, feeling the goddess finally appeased that she was listening. “We will have to take you shopping soon. Your room might be a bit empty, but we will soon fix that.” 

“Can I still wear trousers?” Calliope asked. 

“What do I wear?” 

“Trousers,” Calliope said, smiling as she realised what that meant. 

“We will take you to my favourite shop. Lots of brilliant clothes, I think you will like just as much as I do.” 

“Can I get big boots like yours?” 

“Of course, you’ll need them to kick your uncle Anthony with.” 

“Eloise!” Cressida hissed. 

“What? I’m preparing her manners.” 

Violet watched them quietly in the carriage, even as Calliope fell asleep against Eloise’s chest. 

“She might be unwell for a while. Untethered bonds, even familial ones, can cause similar issues like emotional distress and sickness.” 

“Could it harm her?” Eloise asked. 

“She should feel better soon with you both raising her,” Violet said. “But for now, Calliope will need to be moved into Cressida’s old room until we ready your family wing.” 

“She’s snoring,” Cressida noted with a smile. 

“Are you feeling better now?” Eloise asked. 

“Yes.” Cressida swallowed. “I hated leaving her after the past visits.” 

“You are a family now,” Violet promised. “Do not worry about that further. We will ensure she’s signed up for classes as soon as she settles. We’ll play it by ear and let her decide. She’s coming from a great deal of unknown and a destabilised bond. The loss of her parents.” She nodded. “We will make sure she has all the support she needs. I know something of broken bonds myself, and they are a great event to overcome.” 

Calliope fidgeted then, yawning as she awoke, only to move into Cressida’s arms. 

“Go back to sleep,” Cressida said, smoothing her hair down. “It will be a while before we arrive back home.” 

Snores eventually rose again, and Violet smiled. “You are both great with her. Motherhood is never easy, especially when one is ill-prepared. You will both have support should you need it.” 

Eloise shifted beside them. “Where do we even start?” 

“Take it day by day,” Violet said. “But it might be best to start tomorrow with some shopping. She will need a great deal, given she only has a small bag of things.” 
 

Chapter Text

Cressida

There was an elephant in the room at breakfast the next morning as everyone filtered in. All had been going well until the door opened once more, and Cressida entered with a small child at her side, holding onto her hand for dear life.

Calliope looked a spitting image of Eloise’s bonded, which seemed to throw everyone in the room. They were only confused further as they realised an additional seat by Cressida, which the young girl took. 

“Who are you?” Anthony asked, staring at her in confusion. 

After a moment of nervously chewing on her thumb, Calliope replied, “Your worst nightmare,” whilst narrowing her eyes, causing Eloise to snort. 

Knowing her wife’s shit stirring when she saw it, Cressida turned to her and said, “Did you tell her to say that to him?” 

“What? I knew he’d ask a ridiculous question.” 

Her daughter and wife exchanged a quick smile, and Cressida couldn’t bring herself to be mad, not when both of them seemed so happy. She knew all too well the fear of sitting in on a Bridgerton meal for the first time as an outsider, and those words seemed to break the tension as Eloise’s siblings burst out into laughter. 

“Family of yours?” Daphne asked. “She’s a spitting image of you.” 

“I…” Cressida wasn’t sure how to answer that. They were family, but not in a way that explained the resemblance. 

“Calliope is family, but she is not related by blood to Cressida,” Eloise stated. “She is our daughter. We adopted her yesterday.” 

Suddenly, the laughter died down. All apart from the sound of Benedict swearing. 

“Shit,” Calliope repeated. “What does that mean?” Then she turned to Eloise. “Is it good or bad?” 

“It can mean either, but it is not a word you are to repeat,” Eloise warned. “Uncle Benedict lacks manners.” 

Their daughter turned to her uncle then. “Did you mean good shit, or bad shit?” 

Smothering her mouth, Daphne snorted into her palm, though her shock was still apparent. 

“How about I take Miss Calliope to see the chef whilst you discuss this?” Edgar suggested to Violet. 

“Please. Calliope, Edgar is going to take you on a quick tour,” Violet stated. 

“Did I do something wrong?” 

Her amusement was gone now, and Cressida sensed the turn in her emotions like a tide. Pulling her onto her lap, Cressida said, “Of course not.”

“You can stay if you would prefer,” Violet stated. 

A nod was all she got in reply as Calliope nervously bit her nail. 

“We met Calliope at the orphanage weeks before the ceremony,” Eloise stated. “Every time we saw her, she and Cressida took to one another like peas in a pod. I knew something was off, but I didn’t know what. Yesterday, we visited the orphanage again. This time, with the feeling, she was there too.” 

“Who was there?” Francesca asked. 

“The goddess,” Eloise stated. “She was irritated that I had ignored what the bond was directing us to do. You see, Calliope’s parents were a succubus and an elf, just like Cressida and I, who held a soul bond. And Calliope, she is a rarity. A bond child, a child made of magic between a bonded pair who cannot conceive.” 

“The lands have not spoken of a bond child in centuries,” Anthony stated. “They are mythical. A tale told by elders, passed down by theirs.” 

“Cal, what we talked about earlier,” Eloise directed. 

As a vine wrapped around his foot and launched him into the air, everyone stared on in disbelief. 

“Well, she’s quite strong, granted,” Colin started. “But a bond child is a huge leap for-” 

Now, two of Eloise’s brothers hung upside down from the ceiling, with a vine attached to each of their ankles as Calliope’s eyes burned gold.

“As I was saying,” Eloise started.

“Can you get us down?” Anthony called out. 

“No,” Eloise replied. “You can stay up there whilst I speak. My daughter is quite tenacious when given the chance, she could likely hold you up there all year should I ask.” 

“Eloise!” It was Colin this time, his face now bright red as all the blood drained down towards it. 

“So, there is your proof. Our daughter is a bond child, and because of her severed familial bond with her parents, who both passed, her bond latched onto ours. We now share a familial bond with Calliope, and she is ours to care for, to protect, in the name of the goddess. Now, I know how protective those of you who have children are of them. But bonds cause more of that, as you are aware. So, when you talk to our daughter, I hope you know that Cressida and I will not hesitate to break bones should she be upset.” With a smile, Eloise said, “Cal, could you place your uncles back in their seats before they pass out? I fear for the blood flow to their tiny brains.” 

Cressida had never felt as proud of Eloise as she did in that moment. She let her hand take hers and smiled at her before leaning in to kiss her cheek. 

“Fine,” Calliope huffed, lowering them to the table. 

“You’re bloody strong,” Simon said, peering over the table at her. “Have you ever tried using your magic to-” 

“Do not put ideas in her head,” Eloise warned. Whilst one could normally joke with a child, if Simon asked her if she’d tried to conjure entire waves to water crops, she had no doubt their daughter would try it. “Her magic is strong, and she tends to misbehave.” 

Violet laughed loudly. “You’re just like Eloise was at your age. But you have far more strength than any of my children did.” She turned her attention to her children. “Do not give her any ideas. Her magic does not tire. Calliope will be spending the week with Eloise and Cressida, but after that, she will be starting her education here with the other young ones. Does that sound alright?” Violet asked. 

But Calliope was busy chewing on her eggs, so as she replied, they sprayed across the table. “Sounds good.” 

“She really is like Eloise,” Anthony said. 

“I changed my mind,” Eloise uttered. “Lift him up again.” 

“Eloise, don’t say thaaaaaa-” Anthony’s fork clattered to the table as he shot into the air. 

“So, how was everyone’s day yesterday?” Eloise asked, smiling. 

They gave Calliope a tour around the castle and its garden. Like Cressida, Calliope immediately took to the gardens there. Here, she relaxed, and Cressida knew the feeling well. Being stuck in a new place, terrified with no family, unsure if you’ll live up to the expectations of a royal. 

“She seems anxious,” Eloise said as they watched her from afar. “Less so now, but earlier.” 

“You have a massive family, and you’re royals. It’s incredibly daunting joining you all as an outsider. She will grow used to it with time and will soon find that she fits. Until then, all we can do is find what makes things easier for her.” 

“Gardening is working a treat,” Eloise stated, watching their daughter, who was now covered head to toe in mud as she used her magic to move the dirt around. She was building intricate dirt castles on the side from what she removed to create holes for the tomatoes she was planting. Cressida had talked her through the first few and then left her to it once she got the hang of it, knowing she would need her space. “Even if she is currently wearing more mud than the tomatoes.” 

“I didn’t know she was going to jump into the dirt,” Cressida replied. “We should take her shopping soon. She only has three sets of clothes, and none of them fit her. They’re all too big.” 

“We’ll do that tomorrow. Her bedroom will be sorted soon, also. We’ll have someone come to the palace for that with sample swatches and sketches.” 

Cressida felt her own bond then and gritted her teeth as she breathed out through her nose. Seeing Eloise doing such a brilliant job of parenting was not making things easy for her. “I can ask Benedict to watch her for a moment if you need-”

“I’m fine,” Cressida replied, but they both knew she was not. 

They hadn’t had issues like this with their own bond since the bond ceremony, and now Cressida felt a pain in her stomach. 

“Cal,” Eloise called out. “Would you be alright if Benedict toured the sporting areas with you? He’s brilliant at fencing.” 

“Like with the sword things?” She replied, already sitting up. 

Cressida gripped Eloise’s arm, but then the pain thankfully faded. She let out a breath and said, “We’ll come with you.” 

“Are you sure?” Eloise asked, worried. 

“I’m fine.” 

Eloise

The next day, they took Calliope to pick out her wardrobe and chuckled as she chose an entire selection of boys' clothing. They had not seen her smiling that broadly before, especially as she tried on a tie. 

“Mum?” Calliope called out. 

That left them freezing. “Did she just-” Cressida started. 

“Call us mum?” Eloise added. “Wait, which one of us is she referring to?” 

“Mum?” 

“Which one?” Eloise called back. 

“Cressida is Mum,” Calliope stated, frowning. “You are Ma.” 

Choosing not to note how tearful Eloise was, Cressida swallowed down her own emotions. “Well, I didn’t think we’d hear that for a while.” 

“Mum! I can’t do the knot thing you did!” 

“You’d better go before she takes back our titles,” Eloise whispered. 

As Cressida moved to their daughter’s side, Crystal said, “The palace has not posted a notice of a new royal child yet.” And then, “You have a daughter?” 

“Yes,” Eloise replied. “Calliope is a bond child who lost her parents. The familial bond-”

“Latched onto you,” Crystal finished. When she noted Eloise’s surprise, she added, “It is not hard to see, given how the three of you already act like a family. She acts like you’ve been dragging her here for years.” 

Then she saw a mass of brown hair running past. “Sapphire, go say hello to Eloise’s daughter.” 

“Eloise doesn’t have a daughter,” Sapphire replied. She was around the same age as Calliope, perhaps a year older. She was the complete opposite of their daughter, though, wearing a dress and sporting glitter on her cheeks. 

“She does now,” Crystal replied. “Be kind.” 

“I’m always kind.” 

That was no lie; Sapphire was. Eloise had once held her when she was a baby whilst she was picking out outfit swatches, and she never once cried, perfectly mannered before she could even walk. Which made it all the more concerning that she was walking up to their daughter, who didn’t even have concepts of manners. 

“Hello, I’m Sapphire.” 

She expected the worst. Eloise had seen how she threw all the boys around in the orphanage and how she hated talking to others. Even when they gardened, she once ran off with all the tools so that the others couldn’t pot their potatoes until Cressida found her under the stairs with her collection like a slightly crazed magpie. 

Even with the bond calming, she was still just as Eloise was at that age. Bold and a tad unhinged, with a sprinkle of needing to show everyone how tough she was. 

Yet as she watched, her daughter turned bright pink. “H-” Her mouth snapped shut, and she stared down at her shoes. 

“What’s your name?” Sapphire asked. 

“C- C-” Now, Calliope grew embarrassed and frustrated the more she tried to talk and failed. Not knowing whether to be concerned, Eloise stood there shooting looks at her wife. 

“You don’t have to tell me,” Sapphire said. “My mum says I can talk for all the lands. It annoys her sometimes. The tie looks cool. I like the colour.” 

Finally, Calliope smiled and played with the material. “I can’t tie it.” 

“Here, my mum taught me how.” Once it was done up, Sapphire said, “Do you want to play on the swings when your mums pay?” 

“That sounds fun.” 

Fun? Her eyes widened as did Cressida’s. 

As they paid and went over the order forms, Eloise said, “I think our daughter made a friend.” 

“I think our daughter might have a wife when she’s our age,” Cressida whispered back. They stared out of the window at Calliope, smiling as they played on the swings. 

“I think that’s a fair guess given her love of boys’ clothing, too.” 

When they got back, Calliope informed everyone at the dinner table about Sapphire, even as Daphne stared at Eloise and her wife with a look that said, “Your daughter is gay.” 

Luckily, the store had some pieces in already that fit Calliope, so she now sat in the palace in dungarees and boots. Was it regal? No. Was it exactly what Eloise used to wear? Yes. 

“She really is a mini you,” Violet stated as Calliope stole a bun off Anthony’s plate with her magic. “Calliope, theft is not permitted in the palace,” Violet warned, raising a brow. However, she smirked as she did so, her usual sternness lost. 

“What happened to being a strong grandparent?” Eloise asked. “You are weak-willed, smiling at her whilst she commits bread theft.” 

“She reminds me of Edmund,” Violet stated. “It’s where you got it from, too, that cheekiness. How is the familial bond?” 

“Settling,” Cressida said. “Each day we seem to have fewer tears and tantrums than the last.” 

“Good. Well, you make wonderful mothers. The following years will not be easy. Wait until she’s old enough to sneak out of the window.” 

When a look was passed between Eloise and Violet, Cressida said, “Is there a story there?” 

“She broke her wrist sneaking out to meet a girl,” Violet stated. 

“You knew I was sneaking out to meet a girl?” 

“You were never as cunning as you thought,” Violet replied. “I always knew who you were seeing. If you weren’t gay, I would have called you out on it, but I couldn’t do so without admitting I knew. Which I knew you did not want me to. So, I pretended to believe that you had fallen out when a stiff breeze hit you, as the story went.” 

“That was your cover story?” Cressida blurted.

“I had a broken wrist,” Eloise replied, pouting. “It clearly impacted my train of thought.” 

“Clearly.” 

Chapter Text

Eloise

Four weeks into her stay at the palace, Calliope had finally settled in somewhat. She had found a love for fencing and gardening, and often spent hours in the library making Eloise read to them.

Whilst Eloise loved seeing her settling in, there had been issues. Mainly Benedict. 

“You taught her to create magical water balloons?” Eloise snapped, storming into his room. 

“Now, now, dear Sister, do not get angry over such frivolous things.” 

“She used one on a guest!” Eloise yelled. “A king, no less!” 

“Ah. Shit.” 

“Luckily, he was too impressed with her powers to worry about the watery attack, but you cannot teach her these things! My wife is livid, Mother is pissed - at you not Cal - and I am feeling insane because for once, I, apparently, am the responsible one!” 

“Okay, no more water pranks,” Benedict agreed. 

“Or any other element!” 

“Surely wind is safe,” he replied. 

“No.” 

“Fine.” But there was a hint of mischievousness to his smile, and whilst Eloise loved that they got on so well and that her brother was a great babysitter, he was leading their daughter swiftly astray just as they were making headway with her manners and safety. 

Later, she found Cressida in the last place she expected to find her. 

“Mother, have you seen-”

“Your bonded is right here,” Violet said. “She had some stomach pains, so I just asked the guards to track you down. They must have just missed you.” 

“Are you okay, my love?” Eloise asked, resting her hand on her cheek. 

“Yes. Perhaps it was us parting.” 

“Parting for ten minutes should not cause this much pain, especially after the ceremony,” Violet stated. “You said this seems to be happening more frequently. When was the last time the two of you…” 

“Mother!” 

“A valid concern,” Violet said. “You are bonded.” 

“We haven’t had much time for… that,” Eloise said. “Sorting everything for Cal has taken a lot of time, as you’re well aware. Raising a child is not easy, especially when we are so ill-prepared. It’s been weeks of sorting things for her, like her room and her clothes, her school, and her hobbies.” 

“Tomorrow, perhaps you should visit the cabin for a couple of days whilst Benedict watches Calliope. Take a day’s break where you can focus on your bond and health. I understand you have a family to think about now, but you are still soul-bonded wives. You need to make time for yourselves. Your father and I often took time away for such. We ensured that we regularly-”

“Gross,” Eloise uttered. “Please do not finish that sentence.” 

“The cabin, Eloise. Tomorrow. Your bonded is sick.” 

“Yes, I will make sure we head there,” Eloise replied. She stroked her fingers through Cressida’s hair. “How bad is the pain?” 

“Manageable now.” 

“She was in a great deal before you got closer,” Violet replied. “Do not part from her for the next few days. Not even for ten minutes.” 

“I won’t.” 

As they headed out, Cressida gritted her teeth, and Eloise moved to help hold her up. “Shit, okay, our room.” 

“Cal-”

“Doesn’t finish her classes for a while.” 

Eloise moved towards their room, her arm slung around her wife as they navigated the corridors. Thankfully, they were empty, and as soon as she shut the door, she lifted Cressida’s skirt, removed her underwear, and knelt. Using her magic, she conjured a vine, and as she moved her mouth to the small bundle of flesh that she soothed over with her tongue, she lifted Cressida’s leg over her shoulder and guided the vine inside of her. 

Holding her hips firmly, Eloise ate roughly. Fast, broad strikes of her tongue met Cressida, and the vine pushed into her at a fast pace as Eloise thickened it until Cressida whimpered, a hint of discomfort there that told her not to push further. As such, Eloise kept the vine at that thickness and continued stimulating her with her mouth. 

“El, gods, I need-”

“What do you need?” Eloise asked, looking up at her with a wet mouth. 

Cressida pulled Eloise to her feet and began unbuckling her trousers. “I need to feel you.” Her fingers worked quickly, and soon Cressida removed her own skirt and shoes and pulled Eloise onto the bed. “The position mentioned in the bond book,” Cressida stated. “I want to try it.” 

They had read about those at one point but were yet to try them. Proximity sex was something that came easier for most, but with bonded couples with two vaginas there was only one way to achieve the proximity the bond sometimes called for. 

She grabbed Cressida’s leg and slotted their bodies together until their wet labia met one another’s, and they both gasped. “Fuck,” Eloise whispered. “Is that soothing it?” She asked. 

“It’s helping.” 

Beginning to rock, Eloise’s eyes rolled back as she felt Cressida’s warm and wet self moving against her. It did calm the bond, and Eloise felt closer to her soulmate than ever before. She felt Cressida rocking her hips too, the softest moans tumbling from her lips as she ground against Eloise, sliding as their arousal mixed. 

“Good,” Eloise said. “Take what you need. Let the bond guide you.” Her hips grew more erratic, and Eloise felt both of their orgasms inside of her, building as one large high. 

“El, angel-”

“Take.” 

Hips grew sloppy now, Cressida’s rhythm becoming an unpredictable shudder as the pleasure began to peak for her. Those moans, soft and sweet, now grew different. 

Pained. 

“Cress,” Eloise said, pulling away from her. “Baby, tell me what the bond needs.” 

“Your magic.” When Eloise conjured a glowing vine, Cressida shook her head. “It needs to be an extension of you,” she said. 

“What?” 

“The bond needs it,” Cressida said, wincing again. “You.” 

“Okay, um, sure, okay. Let me try, I guess.” She tried, she really did try, but Eloise couldn’t figure out what was needed or what Cressida meant. “I don’t know what-” A pained cry filled the room, and Eloise did all she could think to do. She eased a vine inside of her, and let her fingers find her clit. Orgasms calmed bonds. 

“That’s not what the bond wants-”

“I know,” Eloise pleaded. “Baby, I know. But you need to come, and after we will figure out what the bond wants. We don’t have time.” 

“My stomach hurts.” 

“Look at me,” Eloise said. “God, those eyes are beautiful.” She pushed the sweaty hair out of Cressida’s face and rubbed her clit harder. “Let yourself come.” 

“I can’t. I-”

“You need to come.” 

Finally, Cressida’s body allowed her it. The orgasm didn’t sound as if it comforted her as it should, and whilst she relaxed after, this sickness, whatever it was, seemed to be taking its toll as Cressida’s eyes were now lidded and her skin deathly pale. “I don’t feel good.”

“Okay,” Eloise said, kissing her cheek. “Let me dress you, and then I will call for help.” 

“Underwear,” Cressida reminded her, as if Eloise would forget. 

“I know, my love. Rest for me.” 

By the time Eloise got Alister to her room, it drew quite the commotion, namely because a worried Eloise was not quiet. Daphne and Benedict were forced to wait outside whilst Eloise allowed Alister in. 

“The bond is calling for something, but I do not understand what. Cressida speaks of things my magic cannot do.” 

“There have been times when bonds can alter magic,” Alister said. “It could be that Cressida’s body is calling for a use of your magic you are yet to discover, or one that’s yet to present.” 

“How do I discover it?” 

“The ceremony pool,” Violet said, shutting the door behind her. “In times of bond stress, if you are struggling to understand the messages from the goddess and her magic, you will be closest to her there.” 

“Cal-”

“Benedict and I shall watch her. You two need to leave for the pool now. Take Alister with you, he can stay in the guards’ hut in case medical attention is needed and can watch her in the carriage over.” 

“She won’t wake up,” Eloise said, wiping her tears. 

“You need to calm down,” Violet encouraged. “She will feel your emotions, even in slumber. I know how hard it is, especially when you feel like you have failed in protecting her, but I have been there myself. I clawed myself back for your father, and you need to do the same. We raised a strong woman,” she said. “Be that for Cressida. Listen to the bond.” 

Standing taller, Eloise wiped her tears. It took several moments for her to gather herself, but when she did, she opened her mind and heart to the bond and felt its guidance. “I will pack quickly. Alister, ready your own bags. Mother, you need to tell Cal the truth. She will soon know Cressida is sick, given the familial bond, which will alert her to the fact that something is wrong. Please do not worry her, let her know Cressida is getting better and that we will be back soon.” 

Violet smiled at the way her daughter pushed aside all her unease and panic, leaning into the protective state of the bond as she grew decisive and firm. 

“Alister, prepare a balm for the travel over. Something to help warm her stomach. We cannot heal the pain, but it can at least be soothed to a degree with heat when it starts again.” Then after a moment, “Move. Now.” 

“Yes, Your Highness,” Alister said, running out of the room. 

“Trust the bond,” Violet stated, holding her daughter’s wrist. “Feel it in your heart, and let it tell you what is needed.” 

“It wants us at the pool,” Eloise stated. “How did you know?” 

“Your father was sick once,” Violet replied. “The bond guided us there, too. He needed a herb, some strange root, but I have read of the pool guiding couples to all sorts of resolutions before. We do not know why Cressida is sick, so you cannot treat her until you do. I’ll get the chefs to prepare some food for your travels. Pack light and fast.” 

Eloise followed her mother’s words, throwing several things into the bag. Wash items, the strap, a few sets of clothing and many sets of underwear, given she didn’t know how long they would be there. She then packed two towels for each of them and some washcloths. 

Light sounds left Cressida as she fidgeted in her sleep, and Eloise moved to her side, feeling the bond. “Edgar,” Eloise said as he entered. “Please take the bags to the carriage.” 

“What about-”

Feeling the strength of the bond, Eloise picked her soulmate up. “I have her.” 

Oddly, Violet did not comment on how Eloise easily carried her wife through the halls and down the stairs with no sign of a struggle. 

“Alister is already in the carriage, as are the guards,” her mother informed her.

“Will Cal-” Eloise started.

“Calliope should be fine. Her familial bond will know that Cressida needs time away.” 

“Okay. Can you-”

“If anything happens, I will call for you.” 

“Thank you,” Eloise said, gently lifting Cressida into the carriage where she sat and rested her on her lap. 

“Remain calm for her,” Violet reminded her daughter. 

Chapter Text

Eloise

This carriage ride wasn’t like the last. Before, Eloise was filled with nervous anticipation, lust at the idea of seeing Cressida naked and helping her through her break, and happiness at the thought of spending their lives together. Now, Eloise felt nothing. Purposefully, she muted her emotions, pushing them to the side as she spent all her energy focusing on Cressida and the bond. 

As the trees flew past, the scent of the forest met her nose, growing damper as they grew closer to the waterfall cave. 

“Station two guards outside of the cave,” Eloise said. “Do not come in under any circumstances.” 

She could feel the goddess’s warning. No one was to enter with them; they needed privacy and to respect the magic of the cave that others should not witness. 

She carried Cressida down the many stairs and then laid her on the rocky ground at the bottom. Eloise stripped herself first and then removed Cressida’s clothing. Her body was limp in her arms, her skin covered in sweat as she mumbled things in her sleep. 

The pool. 

The guiding was clear; Eloise carried her bonded down the stairs and into the waters. As soon as they stilled in the middle, the waters began to glow, and soft tides rippled outwards from Cressida’s form even though she didn’t move a muscle. 

The water changed course suddenly, and Eloise panicked as it began coating Cressida, running up her arms and legs. Fear clutched at her as it suddenly covered her face, but Eloise could not move. Something in the magic held her in place as that water coated her too now, travelling up her body until she took a deep breath and was submerged by it. 

She expected to drown, to struggle and die. She expected her last moments to be filled with her struggling for breath with her wife in her arms, dying too. Yet, when the water covered her, Eloise could still breathe. She could no longer see, though. Colours danced behind her eyes, and she felt herself as if she were on another plane. 

Cressida stood beside her now, her hand in Eloise’s as they looked around a stone temple with intricate carvings of flora. 

Then they heard it – footsteps. Bare feet padded across the floor, a large gryphon that should have brought terror. Instead, Eloise felt at peace. 

Eloise knelt, and Cressida watched her, confused as the gryphon moved closer. When it stilled, the creature’s form began to alter into that of a gorgeous woman with soft pink hair that tumbled past her hips. She was tall, greatly so, and gold armour glowed where it fitted snugly against her body. 

The goddess. 

She knew this was important at that moment. Something was happening that Eloise had missed entirely or wasn’t yet allowed to know. 

Quietly, the goddess rested two fingers on either side of Eloise’s temple and shut her eyes. Feeling the magic, Eloise closed her eyes too. 

She felt her own powers then, like a dam breaking around her. Sensations flooded through her, leaving her gasping as something altered within her. Those powers changed, and Eloise felt them burning in her heart and fingertips as she cried out in pain. The pain soon faded, her breaths falling raggedly from her lips as her eyes glowed. 

“There are times ahead that will need a strong front,” the goddess announced. “Calliope, my child, your child, and theirs, was gifted with magic beyond what any child should have. Now you, Eloise, hold your own form of bond magic, more potent than the world has ever seen. I was unsure at first if you were the one needed to pave the future of the lands. But it is you, the girl the winds drew me to when your mother birthed you. But you were not the only one they tugged me towards.” 

She moved to Cressida, letting her fingers fall to her temples now. There was no pain with Cressida, but her eyes flooded pink as her lips parted with a gasp. 

“The two of you hold bond magic within you, but now it is more than that. Each of you holds muted powers of the gods. Subtle ones, but mighty for your kind. Your leaders will be informed of this, I will visit them with time.” 

Eloise took Cressida’s hand, holding it tightly. “Cressida is sick, is this why?” 

“No,” the goddess replied. “And yes. The two of you are destined for much, as will your family be. For now, I think you will find you have the magic Cressida seeks, and more.” 

“What are we-” Eloise felt a sense of falling then, plummeting even though she had been kneeling on solid ground. With a gasp, she felt the water draining from her face in the pool. Cressida’s eyes opened, where she still lay in Eloise’s arms, floating in the water. 

Again, a sob left her, but this time, Eloise felt it. The magic Cressida needed, responding to her pain. She moved them back, setting Cressida down on her feet as she kissed her. 

“El-”

“I understand now,” she replied. Her magic fed through her, and soon a smooth gold appendage jutted out from her hips, much like the strap she had packed. However, this was different. As Cressida traced her fingers along it, Eloise shuddered. 

“You can feel that?” Cressida asked. 

Nodding, Eloise’s throat bobbed as Cressida wrapped her hand around it. It was thick enough that her hand could only grasp some of it, and Eloise bit back a moan when her hand ran along it. 

It felt maddening, stronger than when Cressida stroked her clit. She leaned in, biting the skin of Cressida’s neck as her hips rutted into the hand around her length. “How does it feel for you? I can feel your arousal,” Cressida breathed shakily. “I- Gods, it feels good.” 

Eloise moved her fingers between Cressida’s legs, pushing into her with three. Legs wrapped around her back, and Eloise let the digits flex within her as the bond instructed her to do so. Eventually, she pulled them free and lined the tip of the golden length up with her. “Cress, relax for me.” 

“I do not know if I can-”

“You can take it,” Eloise assured. She felt the protectiveness coursing through her, along with the lust and need as she held Cressida’s hips firmly. “One inch at a time for me.” When Cressida nodded, Eloise used her grip on her hips to pull her down against her length. She felt Cressida then, warm and wet around her. Tight. Gods, she was so-

“El-”

She stopped moving and held Cressida, her opening wrapped around the first inch of her. “Breathe and play with your clit for me. It will help, but I can’t let go of your hips.” The bond was telling Eloise to keep a grip on her, that she needed to hold her in place and guide her through it. 

With a wince, Cressida began touching herself. It seemed to work, and she felt Cressida tensing and relaxing around the tip of her. It was maddening, and Eloise felt the urge to simply push it in. She knew she couldn’t, but she bit her lip and groaned at the thought. When she opened her eyes, Cressida was watching her, her own irises now pale pink and her lips parted. 

Somehow, she knew exactly what Eloise wanted. “Take what you need,” Cressida said. 

“Cress-”

“Take it.” 

Holding onto her hips, Eloise leaned in and kissed her as she worked the magical length within her, swallowing moans of pleasure and pain as Cressida stretched to take her. She didn’t do so with breaks, easing it all in until she felt Cressida’s entrance ending and the tip pressing against something firm within her. “That’s my girl,” Eloise said, pulling back as Cressida cried. “Am I too much?” 

“No. You feel perfect,” Cressida stated. “It’s helping. The discomfort, it’s…” She whimpered as Eloise began pulling the length from her, and Eloise worried. “I’m fine. My body was growing used to you inside of me. It doesn’t seem to like you pulling out.” 

“Should I-”

“Keep going. I need you to come. The bond-” Cressida swore. “Please.” 

So, Eloise held her and pulled it free, quickly burying it again. The pleasure as she did so left her groaning against Cressida’s neck. “So good,” she said, rocking her hips again. She felt the bond calling to her, empowering her with a confidence and desire that left her eyes glowing as she buried herself in Cressida hard and fast. 

“Yes,” Cressida said. “It- It’s helping.” She looked dazed now, her eyes hooded as Eloise chased their climax that she knew Cressida could feel. It must have been overwhelming, sharing Eloise’s arousal whilst also dealing with the physical intensity of the penetration that was not soft by any means. 

“Cress, I think-” She rutted harder, chasing a climax far more intense than she was used to. “That’s it. I’m almost there. Take a bit more for me.” 

A sob left her, and Eloise’s eyes widened as Cressida’s climax ran through her, one that must have been caused by the penetration, given that her arms were now wrapped around Eloise’s neck. 

It was enough to drag Eloise closer, as the whimpers that left Cressida grew higher in pitch with her discomfort. “Almost there,” Eloise promised. “You’re so tight,” she uttered. “I can feel all of you. You feel. So. Fucking. Good.” She uttered with each thrust and felt her thighs aching as her climax neared. “Mine,” Eloise uttered, the word carrying a weight with it as they were blinded by Eloise’s high. 

She felt the bond, even as her orgasm left her whole body alight with pleasure. It hit her with a swift impact, and she worried her knees would give way. When she came back to herself, her fingers held Cressida’s hips tightly. 

“Don’t pull out,” Cressida said. When Eloise looked at her, her cheeks were flushed and her pupils dilated, but she was finally smiling. 

She looked dazed and tired, but she also looked so utterly in love and that melted Eloise’s heart. “I love you,” Eloise said. 

“What came over you just now?” 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be,” Cressida replied, shifting slightly as Eloise moaned. “Sorry. Getting comfortable.” She pressed a kiss to Eloise’s lips. “I like it, whatever side I can feel of you since the palace.” 

“You could feel me in the palace?” 

“Through the bond,” Cressida said. “Your fear at first. But then you were like this stable rock, holding me up. I felt it change, you- I… fuck, El.” She sighed and began to lift herself from Eloise slightly, only to drop back down again. “Again.” 

Eloise’s new magic was so sensitive that she shuddered. “I do not know if I can-”

“I could get past it,” Cressida stated. “So can you.” 

She helped Cressida, lifting her as she began rocking into her again. It was too much, but as soon as Eloise watched Cressida losing herself to the feeling, that resolve in her flicked like a switch. Her hands tightened, and she took Cressida in a way that left them both with a heat in their stomachs, a knot forming of lust that soon pulled taught enough that once again it broke, and this time Cressida let out a surprised cry. “El, um, did you just…” 

She had felt it too, and as she pulled out a few inches, she saw the gold fluid escaping and roughly pushed herself back inside when the bond grew agitated. 

“I think I just came in you.” 

“A lot,” Cressida replied. “I can feel it. You’re…” she moaned as Eloise shifted deeper. “It’s warm.” 

“Should we be worried about what that means?” Eloise asked. 

“What are you talking about?” Cressida asked, and gods was she adorable when she was so bloody oblivious. 

“I think you might soon be carrying.” 

“Carrying?” Cressida asked. 

“A child.” Eloise could feel it in her bones. "Our child."

“You do not have the needed equipment for that.” 

“I think the goddess just gave me magical equipment for that,” Eloise retorted. “I just came inside of you with my magical third arm.” 

“Oh.” She shifted, and Eloise groaned. Cressida’s hips began rocking, never letting Eloise pull out more than two inches. 

“Are you trying to make me come again?” Eloise asked. 

“No. I mean, yes. If you want. The bond just…” Cressida’s lips parted as she touched herself and continued to use Eloise’s length, grinding against it in gentle motions. “Shit, angel. I-”

“It’s okay,” Eloise promised. “What does the bond want?” 

“I need to come again. Don’t move. Let me use you.” 

Her eyes shut at that, and she breathed deeply as Cressida rocked against her. It felt blissful, those small movements encouraging Eloise’s hips to shudder, leaving her coming again soon after Cressida did. 

She held her hips firmly against hers this time, not allowing Cressida to move an inch as she buried herself as deep as her soulmate’s body would allow. 

“Don’t move,” Eloise stated. “Let it take.” 

Cressida’s eyes were intense as she nodded, her brows slightly pinched from how deeply Eloise had buried herself within her, feeling the press of her to the point of discomfort that Cressida’s body oddly welcomed. 

She could feel it now, the magic between them in whatever had leaked from Eloise as she came. It was warm, and when she heard Cressida whimper, she knew something was changing. 

“Keep still, my love,” Eloise said, kissing her through the sensation as it warmed Cressida’s stomach. Finally, Eloise felt the bond like a soft tide over her skin. “There.” 

“The cabin,” Cressida rasped. “I will need you again soon, but I wish to lie down.” 

Eloise nodded and watched as Cressida stretched around the length that she slowly began to remove, the golden magical fluid dripping from her. She helped Cressida to stand and then began cleaning her with the water.

“Let me dress you,” Eloise offered. As she was pulling her underwear into place, Eloise cursed as gold dripped down her thigh. She ran her tongue along Cressida’s inner thigh without thinking, tasting the sweet magic as it laced her tongue. 

“El-” She uttered, echoing her name when that tongue pushed inside of her. Her hand gripped Eloise’s hair as she set to cleaning her up. When Cressida came, she used her tongue to lap up the last of the magic that dripped from her. After tugging her underwear and skirt into place, she rose. 

“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” 

A hand yanked her closer, and Cressida kissed her roughly. “Take me to our bed.” 

Chapter Text

Eloise

When they stepped out of the cave, everyone ignored their state of rushed dress, and the guards and Alister quietly followed behind. “Cressida is well now, but we require some time alone together,” Eloise stated. “Do not interrupt us unless it is urgent.” 

“Yes, Your Highness,” the guards echoed. 

She felt Alister beside her then, slipping something into her hand. “A balm to ease the pains of your activities,” he said quietly, stepping back with the guards after. 

When they stepped inside the cabin, the guards placed their bags down and then left. Eloise dragged her wife towards the bedroom where she worked her underwear down her pale thighs, and her own trousers and underwear off as she channelled her new magic again. 

“Bend over for me,” Eloise said. “I wish to take you from behind.” 

When Cressida moved, a sound of annoyance soon left her. “Hurry up.” 

With a chuckle, Eloise pushed the length straight into her with no build-up. “Better, my love?” 

“I need you.” 

Not wasting a second, Eloise buried herself within her, finding she much preferred the ease of this position. It sounded like Cressida did, too, because the moans that left her now were far louder than before. “I can't wait to come in you.” Gods, she loved being able to say that. She was glad Cressida couldn’t see her smile after the words left her lips. Eloise was far too pleased with herself. She felt Cressida tightening around her at that, a soft sigh leaving her as her fingers gripped the sheets. “You like this? Don’t you? Knowing I can feel you around me. Hugging my magic like a glove.” 

“El-”

“You always did like my magic, it’s unsurprising you enjoy being filled with it.” 

“El-”

“You keep clenching around me, so close, and I haven’t needed to touch you. Always hungry for more.” 

“El-”

The sound of her hips slapping into her filled the room, and Eloise groaned as her orgasm built. “You’re mine,” Eloise said. “My wife, my bonded, made perfectly for me to fill. Just as I am yours to give all that I have to.” 

When Cressida came this time, it was unrestrained. It was a scream that left her as her walls clamped around Eloise, forcing her into her own orgasm. It was as if Cressida’s body was controlling her bonded, forcing her over the edge as her walls clamped and relaxed around her. 

This time, Eloise didn’t need to hold her hips in place after she had come. “Push in harder,” Cressida complained. “It’s running down my thigh.” 

“So demanding,” Eloise teased. “Better?” 

“Yes, fuck.” 

“I’ll pull out when the bond relaxes, and then you can bathe as I sort the sheets.” 

“How does one clean your magical release off sheets?” Cressida replied with a smirk. "Might be too stubborn for soap." 

With a roll of her eyes, Eloise gripped her hips again as she pulled Cressida further back against her length and swore. She could hear Cressida’s muffled sob and smiled. “Good?” 

“I love you,” Cressida replied. 

“I love you too. We need to talk once the bond calms.” 

“I know,” Cressida replied. “Angel?” 

“Yes?”

“I feel so warm from you.” 

“What does it feel like?” Eloise asked. 

“This tingling warmth, spreading through me. You feel… magnificent.” 

“Good. I worried it hurt you.” 

“It did the first time,” Cressida said. “I think my body changed with it. Now you feel like you’re easing the pain each time you take me.” 

“How is the pain?” 

“Gone,” Cressida replied. “I’m tired, though.” 

“I know. I’ll run that bath for you whilst I clean up, then we can talk after you’ve rested those beautiful eyes of yours.” 

“Mm.” 

They stayed like that, Eloise smoothing her palm across her back in calming motions until the bond allowed her to remove herself. She watched as the gold liquid stained the sheets and said, “Let me get a cloth and a towel.” 

There was something romantic about cleaning Cressida up. Her cheeks flushed as Eloise ran the damp cloth across her thighs and told her to part her legs, the material catching her clit as Cressida’s breath hitched. 

Eloise knew the effect adoration and care had on Cressida, so she smiled knowingly as she let her fingers push into her, having got rid of her magic. 

When Cressida came this time, it was with her watching Eloise as tears swam in her eyes. She was emotional, greatly so, and Eloise knew why. 

The love. The care. Their children. 

Her hand found Cressida’s stomach, although she knew they would take many months to grow. “Three,” Eloise uttered. 

“Three,” Cressida agreed, feeling the weight of their unborn children in part of the familial bond. 

“The bath,” Eloise said suddenly, hurrying out of the room so that she could wipe her tears away from her wife. As she stood over the tub, staring at it as she took several deep breaths, Cressida’s arms wrapped around her from behind. 

“Breathe, angel. Slowly.” When Eloise followed the instruction, Cressida added, “You’re a great mother to Cal. This will be no different.” 

“It will be a baby,” Eloise worried. “Three babies. How does one raise one, let alone three? Plus Cal.” She eventually took a settling breath. “I’m sorry. I am happy. A little shocked. And worried.” 

“You will be a good mother.” 

“That is not what worries me.” She turned in Cressida’s arms. “You were so sick earlier. I- I worried I would lose you, just like my mother lost my father. Cress, I can’t live without you. I can't do any of this without you.” 

“Hey.” Lips met her nose and soon pulled away. “It will all be okay.” 

“Promise?” Eloise replied, sniffling. 

“Promise.” 

She didn’t let go of Cressida for an hour, until her tears and shaking subsided enough to run the bath. Gathering herself, Eloise let her hand rest on Cressida’s stomach as her bonded bathed. 

“I love you. All of you.” 

“I’m sure they will love you too,” Cressida replied, smiling. “I’m going to shut my eyes for a moment,” she said with a yawn.

Eloise let her sleep for a while, only waking her to wash her and help her into her pyjamas. She changed the sheets and sorted the bed whilst Cressida ate, seeing her hungry for the first time in days. She should have felt sated from feeding through sex, so Eloise was taken aback when she devoured two sandwiches and some snacks before drinking some apple juice. 

“Alister,” Eloise said. 

“I know. In the morning. Give me one day without the outside world.” Cressida pouted. 

“Fine. You’re so beautiful with those freshly fucked rosy cheeks.” 

Blushing, Cressida ate some more strawberries. 

They were both exhausted by the time they settled into bed, and it didn’t take long for them to fall asleep. 

Later, Eloise was woken in the pitch black of night by a naked Cressida tugging on her shirt, her own clothes kicked off and discarded. Her skin was hot to the touch, and her hand held her stomach. 

“Okay,” Eloise said. “I’ve got you. Are you wet?” She traced her fingers through her and let out a breath when she found her more than ready. Pulling off her shorts, Eloise conjured the magic again and moaned as she slipped inside of her lover, soothing her with soft words as she guided her to take it. “That’s it. Do you need to come?” 

Shaking her head, Cressida wrapped her leg around Eloise, and then, like she had never woken up at all, fell back asleep with her inside of her. 

The issue came with the fact that whilst Cressida seemed to be able to sleep well like this, Eloise gritted her teeth as her wife shifted in her sleep. It started out as a few slight movements, and then, Cressida began to rock against her. 

“Cress? Are you awake?” 

When no reply came, Eloise let her hands hold her lover’s ass and bit her lip. Soft sounds left Cressida, happy sighs and content moans. She couldn’t feel Cressida the same way she could when she was awake, and her lack of reply confirmed her suspicions. Eloise needed the bloody bond book, but she had left the thing at home when she rushed to pack. 

She assumed this was normal. She had read up on submissive bond holders seeking stimulation in the form of fingers or something within them whilst they slept. But that had stated it was non-sexual. It was a comfort aid, but this… This was sexual. 

Eloise moaned now, praying to the gods for some resolve as Cressida rocked against her in her sleep, clinging to Eloise. When she grew frustrated, her actions seeming less controlled, Eloise tried something. “Good. Use it for me, any way you need.” 

The words soothed Cressida, even in her slumber. Her wife sighed, calming again as she rocked and moaned. 

Eloise lost her control at that point. 

The intense pressure building low in her stomach snapped, and she groaned into Cressida’s neck as she felt herself coming inside of her. The rocking continued, and Eloise whined and shook, Cressida refusing to ease up as Eloise felt herself twitching at the stimulation inside of her. “Fuck, cress, no more, baby.” 

Thankfully, Cressida stopped. A happy sound came from her lips as she clung to Eloise, and now, when she rocked, it was only the smallest movements of her hips, though Eloise gasped each time. “Good. Sleep for me,” Eloise hummed, stroking her lover’s hair. 
 

Chapter Text

Eloise

Come morning, Eloise woke to her magical length still inside of her. When she went to pull out, Cressida clung on tighter and made a disgruntled noise of complaint. “Stop moving.” 

“I really need to pee, and that’s not great if you keep- Ahhh-” Eloise pulled out of her. “Sorry. I really have to go.” 

She peed, having gotten rid of the magic for long enough to. When she made it back, Cressida pulled her down against her. “El-”

“I know.” She commanded it back and sank into her, holding Cressida’s hands above her head as she rocked. Now the bond was calling to Eloise, and she was chasing the comfort the bond needed. 

“Angel?” Cressida said, surprised. She hadn’t expected to be woken up, pinned down and made love to, but she appeared to be enjoying every second. 

“The bond,” Eloise uttered, using her vines to pin her now so that she could hold her hips. 

“Oh. Right there.” 

By the time they managed to get out of bed, the two of them looked like they had been fucking for two days. Both their hair was messy, Cressida was wearing Eloise’s clothes, and Eloise was in Cressida’s jumper because her things were either dirty or had been stolen by her wife. 

“Morning,” Alister said, giving them the once-over. “Good night, I take it?” 

“Shut up,” Eloise replied. “We need to talk.” 

“Are you still in pain?” He asked, turning his attention to her wife. 

“No, I’m fine,” Cressida replied. 

“Then why are you here speaking with me?” 

For a moment, Eloise was simply thankful her mother had sent Alister, who Eloise had grown up with, who was a close friend of hers, and not one of the elder healers or trainees. “Yesterday, the goddess bestowed Cressida and me with god magic, only a fraction. Part of that magic allowed me to grow godly parts, and now Cressida is pregnant with not one but three bond children. So, if you could check her over, I would appreciate it.” 

“Sorry, you can grow… parts?” 

“Yes.” 

"Elven?" 

"No. It sort of... Well, it glows. It's smoother, too. Do I really need to give a description of my newly acquired magic member to you?"

“Can I see it?” 

“Alister!” Eloise whispered harshly. 

“What? How will I know what I’m treating otherwise? Does it… create fluids like…” 

“No and yes. Give me a sample cup, and then we’re never speaking of this again.” 

“Make sure you-”

“Fill it to the line-” Eloise replied, walking away. 

She was mortified taking the thing in her hand in the bathroom, knowing the others were out there, and even more so when Cressida opened up the door to Eloise standing over the toilet getting her new member off. 

“I was in pain,” Cressida said, but she had been momentarily taken aback by the sight. “Alister is in his cabin. Let me help you so I don’t deal with any more issues from the bond.” 

“Sorry,” Eloise said. “For a moment, I forgot about the whole…” 

“Well, now we’re even for the time you walked in on me when I was bathing,” Cressida stated, moving her hand up and down the golden appendage. It didn’t look like an elf’s. It was completely smooth with no texture to it, and had a metallic sheen to the soft gold. 

Eloise gripped onto the sink behind her as Cressida rubbed her hand along it, holding the pot at the tip. “Does that feel good for you?” 

Nodding, Eloise let out a moan through clenched teeth. It felt too good. Her wife’s attention was on the top of it, which was more sensitive for Eloise, and she could feel her thighs tensing as the sensation built in her stomach. “I’m going to come.” 

“I know, I can feel it,” Cressida said, sighing. “Be a good wife and come into the pot for me.” 

“Not funny,” Eloise replied, narrowing her eyes. “I can’t get there.” 

“Last night I woke up,” Cressida started, “at one point with you inside of me. These sounds were leaving you.” Her hand continued to work Eloise. “You were moving, but not much, so I didn’t think anything of it. But then I felt your arousal building, and you came when you were sleeping.” 

“Ahh-”

“I fell back asleep after that. I think your body knows that right now, I need you’re release in me to keep me at ease.” 

“Cress-” She was pleading now. 

“Let me help you come,” Cressida said. “I’ll be so good for you.” 

“Shit.” Eloise’s hips trembled, and she came. Cressida’s hand kept moving, even as Eloise filled the pot, and the rest began to cover the floor. 

“I think that’s a good sample,” Cressida said, swallowing thickly. “I um, I don’t like you not-”

Eloise put the pot on the side, pulled Cressida’s underwear off and pushed her skirt up, resting her on the counter as she eased into her. “Better?” 

“Yes. Thank you.” 

“Do you need to come?” 

“No. My body just needed you-”

“Inside, when I do that, noted.” Eloise smiled. “Alister can wait a while.” 

“You shagged again, didn’t you?” 

“I will hit you,” Eloise uttered, passing him the pot filled far beyond the line. 

“Gods above. What are you? Some magical semen fountain?” 

This time, Eloise did hit him. 

“It’s so strange, like molten metal to look at.” He tilted the jar. “I’ll run some tests; never hurts to know more about what we’re dealing with. Cressida, I’ll take a look at you shortly.” 

Eloise held Cressida’s hand later as Alister checked her over. “Her stomach looks normal, and given the accounts, I doubt we will experience a faster-than-usual growth. It should be a normal term pregnancy, but bond children can pose more risks given their heightened strength. Broken ribs would be a worry, but that is at a much later stage.” 

Cressida’s hand tightened in her own to something painful. 

“You’ll be okay,” Eloise assured. “I will be with you the whole way.” She turned to him and added, “Cressida was eating a great deal of human food this morning.” 

That, Alister seemed unfazed by. “Appetites are likely higher given the magic creating them, and your children will be half elven. They will require food to feed as well as however Cressida prefers to. You will need to remember regular meals again,” he warned her. “Plenty of water, too.” 

“I will.” But Cressida soon grew irked. “El, I wish to head home.” 

There was an urgency to her voice that could only mean one thing. “Cal?” Eloise asked. 

“Something isn’t right with her.” 

As soon as Cressida said it, Eloise focused more on their familial bond. Sure enough, it felt tense. Unsettled. Familial bonds were far different to the romantic one she held with Cressida. They only allowed the smallest of glimpses into emotion and health, just enough to tell happy from sad and healthy from sick. 

Now, Cal’s bond was tense and jagged. 

“Ready the carriage,” Eloise called out. 

“When you get home, you need to make sure you’re making time for Cressida each night,” Alister stated. “She will be at more risk if she falls sick with bond issues.” 

“I will make sure of it.” 

During the carriage ride back, they were both tense. 

“Something is deeply wrong,” Cressida said, “Calliope is…” She shook her head. “She’s hurt. Emotionally.” 

As they were heading to the castle, another carriage passed them and they stopped. Both carriages now sat opposite one another with the same crown emblem painted on the door. Soon, Benedict poked his head out. “Calliope is not well.” 

“We know. We can feel her. Is she hurt?” 

“No, but she won’t stop screaming.” 

Sure enough, once they made it to the palace, they heard crying and frustrated yells from their daughter. Eloise and Cressida ran, forgoing palace manners as they headed up the hall and found their family in the piano room with Calliope on the floor. 

“Cal?” Eloise called out. “Sweetie, are you-”

Finally, the crying and screaming stopped. “Mum? Ma?” 

They moved closer, and everyone watched, baffled, as Calliope headed closer to Cressida and rested her cheek against her stomach. “I missed you all. Why didn’t you tell me about them?”

Eloise knelt. “What do you mean?” 

“My siblings,” Calliope said. “You never said anything.” Her hand lifted to Cressida’s stomach, and Eloise realised then that Calliope could also feel them through the bond. “What are their names?” 

“Whose names?” Daphne asked. 

“Is she alright?” Violet asked. “I can have Alister check to see if she has a fever.” 

“No,” Eloise said. “That is not needed. Cal, why don’t you sit with your mum and them whilst I talk to everyone?” 

She watched as Cressida took a seat. Eloise’s family were all tired from the crying and confused about what on earth Calliope was talking about. 

So, Eloise filled them in, first on the goddess. Their powers. The warning. 

Cressida covered Calliope’s ears as she mentioned the risk of something bad in the future where such magic would be needed against it. She showed them the mark that Cressida and her now had, a small crescent moon on their forehead that shone when they used their magic. The mark of a goddess blessed ground walker. 

And then, she told them the rest. 

“I was given magic that allowed us to conceive. We did not realise at first that was what it was for.” 

“Cal could sense she had a brother or a sister,” Violet said. “She could feel the baby through the bond, even this early on.” 

“We can feel them too, given they are bond children.” 

“Children?” Francesca asked. 

“Three.” Eloise smiled. “Given how powerful bond children are, it will not be easy months ahead for Cress. And after they’re born… I think we might need some extra staff. One bond child is a lot, but four under one roof…” 

Violet moved to Cressida’s side. “May I?” Given a nod, Violet moved her hand to her stomach. “You have the crown’s and goddess’s blessing. Anything you need, you ask. This will not be easy on you, daughter.” 

A single tear dropped down Cressida’s cheek, and Calliope wiped it away. “Are you sad?” 

“Happy,” Cressida replied. “You will be the best big sister.”

Laughter left Violet then as she walked back to her chair. “If she doesn’t teach them what Benedict taught her.” 

“What did you teach her now?” Eloise snapped. 

“It was some light fire conjuring,” Benedict replied, already backing away. “El, El, it was an accident. The teachings slipped out, and before I knew it-”

“She set fire to the kitchen,” Violet stated. “Fixed now, but we did lose one of the ovens.” 

“You little-” Eloise snapped her mouth shut before she could swear. 

“An accident!” He squeaked. “How was I to know she could cast a whole bloody wall of fire?” 

As Eloise tucked Calliope in at night after reading to her, she stared down at her tiny frown. “Don’t go away again.” 

“We won’t. If we do, you can stay with Uncle Benedict in one of the smaller cabins. That way, we’re not too far away if we’re needed. How does that sound?” 

“Okay. Is Mum better now? She was sick.” 

“She’s well. But as the babies grow, she might get unwell again. Hopefully not a lot, but carrying a child is not easy work, and she has three mini yous that will soon be kicking around in there.” 

“Can I help pick out things for their room?” 

“Of course,” Eloise promised. 

“If Mum gets sick again, ask Grandma to make her chicken noodle soup. She made it for me when you went away.” 

“Grandma cooked for you?” Eloise replied, shocked. 

“Each meal. It’s tasty and made me feel less sad. She says it makes your soul smile,” Calliope stated. 

“Well, I will be having words with your grandmother about her secret talents,” Eloise replied. “Now get some sleep. Tomorrow, you have fencing and you can’t be tired if you wish to beat Auntie Daphne. She’s tenacious.” 

“I could use the fire Uncle Ben taught me about to-”

“No. Fire.” 

“Fine.” 

As Eloise headed out, she found her mother. “Chicken noodle soup?” 

“It doesn’t hurt for a person to know how to cook. When I lost your father, I spent many nights making that as a distraction. That, and for some reason, it always brightened me up. When you left, Calliope found it tough. She knew Cressida was sick and didn’t like being parted from you both, so soup it was.” 

“She will likely ask you to make that all the time now.” 

“Four children,” Violet said, changing the subject to what Eloise had been hoping to keep her away from. “Trying to outdo Anthony?” 

“If you’re going to blame anyone, blame the goddess.” 

“Magic only works if we wish for something,” Violet stated. 

Blushing, Eloise walked away. 

When she found Cressida in bed, she locked their bedroom door and quickly changed. 

“Do you need-”

“Not tonight. I miss your fingers,” Cressida stated. 

Kissing her, Eloise smiled. “Let me rub your back. We should get into a habit of this each night. A massage, to help with the aches and pains you’ll eventually get. It should help the bond, too, and I can always make you come after.” 

“I would like that. I missed you over the past weeks. I know we have our duty as parents, and that will sometimes get in the way, but we need to make time for one another. Late nights are ours unless there’s something important.” 

Eloise kissed Cressida’s shoulder blades and rubbed some oil into her palms. As they moved across her skin, she felt the bond thrumming between them. “You like this.” 

“Mm,” Cressida replied. After a moment of peace, she added, “Did you have to commit to triplets?” 

“You’re to blame too,” Eloise said. “The books said that bond children are only created when both bond holders wish for one. Clearly, we both wanted a large family, and that didn’t translate.” 

“El?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Soon we’ll have that big family we both wanted.” 

Eloise kissed her shoulder again. “Soon, my love.”