Tempting the Scion

Telatha sighed, running the brush through her long, flowing red hair one last time before setting it down on the vanity and looking at herself in the mirror. The reflection staring back at her was not displeasing, but the young noble in the mirror was certainly one that Telatha believed should not be carrying such burdens as the ones she bore, at least not at her age. It was for older, wiser heads to lead Houses and delve into politics. Unfortunately she was given little choice in the matter though, and she would do what she must.

With another sigh, likely from tension, Telatha rose and walked the short distance to the luxurious bed behind her. The suite of inn rooms they'd rented in Silvermoon were not lacking for creature comforts, although Telatha would have gladly traded the extra luxury for the security of returning home to Dawnslight Isle where her friends and those she cared about awaited news from her anxiously. It would be difficult to sleep with such heavy thoughts going through her mind, but Telatha knew she had to try; the next few days would be busy with trying to locate and contact members of House Felo'melorn to seek refuge. She'd need to be focused and calm when speaking with them and knew she needed as much rest as she could get.

Slipping out of the robe she wore, Telatha climbed into bed, pulling the silken covers up over herself and whispering a word of magic to dim the magical lanterns in the room. As darkness settled around her, Telatha found herself relaxing slightly; possibly enough to catch a few hours of sleep at least. She closed her eyes, starting to drift off towards slumber.

An hour or two slipped by as Telatha slept fitfully, her mind not ready to surrender all of its worries even in her dreams. As she tossed and turned, a deeper pool of shadow fell over her, and she found herself abruptly awakened as a hand was pressed over her mouth. She gasped as she awoke, finding two pairs of fel green eyes staring into her own from mere inches away.

"Shhhh, be very quiet, my Lady," Braeth'el's voice whispered to her. Telatha's heart was pounding in her chest as she realized he held a dagger in his hands. She nodded once, not making a sound to indicate that she'd understood what he said, placing her trust in him.

After a second he removed his hand, his head dipping closer to hers, his lips almost pressed to one of her long ears, "Someone has been investigating our quarters here in the inn. A spy. I'm not sure who they work for, but I've lost track of them. I need to check your quarters to ensure your safety, my Lady. Please remain still and silent. Pretend you are sleeping."

Telatha nodded again and Braeth'el offered her a reassuring smile before moving off her bed and stalking across the room, blade ready. As Telatha watched his shadow moving, she saw him search her closets and the bathing room attached to her bedchambers. Despite his advice, she found herself nervously slipping out of her bed, her magic coming to her fingertips as he moved out of sight into the adjoining room.

After what seemed like an eternity, Braeth'el reappeared from the bathing room, his blade sheathed as he shook his head to indicate that he hadn't seen any enemies. As he approached Telatha, she had to pause and give him credit for the fact that he didn't even look at her despite the fact that she was wearing nothing more than an extremely short nightgown. At best he'd glanced once at the glowing runes visible through the sheer material on her right hip and on her left ankle, but it was all a very professional assessment.

"It appears that whoever it was either never entered your quarters or has departed before we were able to corner him," Braeth'el said. "It's concerning, but I don't think that the person gleaned any intelligence while here. They likely are just trying to figure out who we are. It does add a bit of urgency to your mission though. I advise you to contact House Felo'melorn as soon as possible, my Lady."

Telatha nodded, her voice still low, "I will try my best Braeth'el. And...thank you. For seeing to my safety I mean. It is appreciated."

Braeth'el paused, as if he were surprised that she was thanking him. He shook his head, offering her a slight bow of respect, "It is my pleasure to aid you, my Lady. Get some rest."

With that he turned and departed, closing the privacy curtains that blocked the room off from the rest of the suite. Telatha sank down on the edge of her bed, still feeling ill at ease despite his reassurance; she was in a dangerous situation, and she knew it.

A voice stirred behind her, female in tone and sultry, "He's cute, isn't he? And he obviously cares about you."

Telatha rolled her eyes, saying nothing as she sensed the presence of the succubus drawing near to her. The demoness sat on the edge of the bed, close behind Telatha, her voice nearly purring into the young noble's ear, "It's okay to think about it you know. I can tell that you still are. You still feel him pressed down on top of you, don't you? You can still taste his fingertips on your lips."

Telatha sighed, saying nothing and trying to ignore the creature. She knew what its goal was; the same as any other demon. Even so, the words were difficult to completely tune out, and she found herself staring at the empty doorway where Braeth'el had departed.

"You wonder what it would be like, I know you do," the demoness continued, moving closer to Telatha and running a hand down her back, feeling the soft young skin of the Sin'dorei. She could see the goosebumps her touch raised and feeling the beating of the elf's heart through her flesh. "It is only natural. And you've no experience with it. It's almost sad to think that you've spent all of this time, and never really had any fun."

Telatha bit her lip, trying to ignore the creature as she leaned even closer, her hot breath in the elf's ear now, "You know, I can show you what you're missing. I can even show you what it would be like with him. You have but to command me, and you know it."

The demoness smiled, feeling Telatha's heartbeat pick up in pace, hearing her breath draw in suddenly at the suggestion, and feeling her shoulder quiver beneath her touch. It was so easy to tempt those who didn't know any better, and the noble's flesh would be delicious. There was nothing quite like corrupting the pure and innocent as far as such demons were concerned!

The demoness leaned forward, her lips practically pressed to Telatha's ear now, about to whisper some further little nothings to sway her. As she moved forward, the young noble suddenly turned, the fel runes on her face blazing with power as her hand lashed out. To the succubus's everlasting surprise, she found her tongue forcibly held between two of Telatha's manicured nails.

"Don't listen to them," Telatha said. The demoness could tell that she was not really talking to her though, but instead reciting something from one of the silly little tomes that Telatha's coven had made. She squeaked a protest, the sound meaningless with her tongue in the pincer-like grip of the Sin'dorei.

Telatha stared the demoness down, power flickering in the air around her as she shook her head, "You do not control me. I am the one with the power here. It is clear that you have forgotten your role as a tool. I cannot complete my objectives with such foulness whispering in my ear, so I'm afraid you'll have to go for a time. I do hope you enjoy your banishment."

The demoness's eyes widened in shock and she tried to protest, but it was far too late as Telatha spat out several words in demonic, the spell flaring to life in the air. Through her contact with the demon the spell flowed from Telatha and then back, purple energies surrounding the creature. With a shriek the demoness was swallowed by the spell, her form shrinking into a purple haze that coalesced in Telatha's hand in the form of a glowing purple gem.

Telatha sighed, shaking her head at the gem as the runes on her face slowly faded, "You really should have known better. I've warned you several times before about attempting to choose a mate for me or even suggesting such things. When the time comes, it will come. I have other things to worry about right now. Like the lives of my people."

With a shrug, Telatha rose, setting the glowing gem down on the nightstand beside her bed before slipping under the covers again. Through the purple glow of the gem's side, she could see the succubus screaming silently at her imprisonment. It meant little to the trained warlock however; demons were tools and were the enemy, they were not things to take advice from.

As she settled down on her pillow again, Telatha found her thoughts drifting back to Braeth'el, and everything he'd done for them so far. Despite herself, Telatha found herself smiling as she recalled the several occasions that he'd been there for her so far. Whether the demoness was right or wrong about what she said, he was at the very least going to become a dear friend.

With a secret smile Telatha closed her eyes and sighed, her last thought of the day that Braeth'el also was rather cute, as spymasters went.