On one hand, I have to admit that Ilina's proven she has a better grasp on people than I do. More importantly, I agree with her that Cara wouldn't rat on us to anyone. But on the other hand, I don't like the idea of Cara watching Ilina and me behave like we did, knowing it was us.
She wasn't subtle about her feelings for me, and just because she's backed off, doesn't mean those feelings disappeared. I'm not comfortable with the idea of intentionally rubbing my relationship in her face. I care about Cara, and she's been a real friend to me. I can't say that about a lot of people.
I sigh regretfully, but I nod, acknowledging Ilina's points.
"I hear you, but maybe no more of those showy dates around Wellick? Now that I can make convincing disguises for us, we can go on dates anywhere. I've also been to all of the nobles' capital cities now, so I can teleport us there." (Mizuki)
I thought that Ilina might give me a hard time about trying to avoid Cara, but to my surprise, she just stares at me with a mix of surprise and excitement.
"You mean we can do this again?" (Ilina)
I scratch my cheek nervously.
"I mean...yeah? No reason to waste all that work on these disguises. Plus, what you said about feeling suffocated by expectations...I sympathize. Even when our relationship is public, you won't get to relax on those dates, right? It's like I told you, Ilina – if you need something, all you have to do is ask." (Mizuki)
She pauses for a second, seemingly stunned by the assertion. Then, her lips twist into a wide smile, and she pulls me into another kiss. Fiercer than the first, more needy. Her hands run down my shoulders and chest, her fists clenching my shirt. Before I know it, I'm slowly being pushed backwards.
I stumble, falling onto the couch. Ilina climbs on top of me, straddling my lap effortlessly. She presses against me, grabbing my face and pulling me in for another kiss. Long, passionate...surprisingly aggressive.
Time passes in the blink of an eye, the boundaries between our bodies blurring as our breathing grows more ragged. Somewhere along the way, Ilina moves my hands to her thighs, guiding me under the hem of her dress, up the back of her legs. As my hands greedily explore her skin, she abruptly moans into my mouth, pulling away.
"Ungh...Mizuki, I have...gasp...another request..." (Ilina)
Her grey eyes are dark with desire, her expression intense...wanting. I suppress my frustration at this sudden need for us to talk to one another. I kiss her neck, my hands refusing to remain idle.
"I'm...kiss...listening..." (Mizuki)
I feel her hands tighten on my shoulders.
"Nina's restrictions...gasp...I'm sick of them. I'm your wife, too..." (Ilina)
I freeze, my mind sobering instantly. I glance at Ilina, but she's staring at me, serious and unflinching.
I swear internally.
"I can't go back on my word, Ilina. That's not me prioritizing her over you, that's me respecting a promise we all agreed to at the start. If it was the other way around, I'd be telling Nina the same thing." (Mizuki)
Ilina frowns.
"Then ask her to lift them. I'm not saying betray her, just...show me I'm not alone in wanting this. Appeal to her, genuinely. Support me...tell her I'm committed to publicizing our relationship and protecting any kids we have, even above my station as Princess. Tell her I can be trusted without these arbitrary restrictions." (Ilina)
My jaw tightens, my face conflicted as I consider the request. I guess...it's an understandable request. Ilina has done a lot to solve the concerns underlying Nina's 'marriage first, sex later' request, and she's only asking that I talk to Nina about it. As long as I don't try and force Nina to relent, and I'm honest about everything, I...guess there's no harm.
I nod hesitantly.
"Okay...give me a minute..." (Mizuki)
Ilina smiles appreciatively, leaning in to kiss my neck, her breath tickling my ear as she whispers.
"Don't make me wait too long..." (Ilina)
Suppressing the shiver that sends through my body, I reach out to Nina through our Bond.
[Hey, uhm...Nina? Got a second?] (Mizuki)
I feel a rush of surprise from Nina. She seems almost...flustered. Nervous, even.
[Mizuki? Is everything okay!? You didn't go to my nest did you!?] (Nina)
I blink, the horny elf in my lap momentarily forgotten.
[Your nest? No, why?] (Mizuki)
There's relief from Nina.
[Uhm, just stay away from it for a while. There's an, err, invasive species...it's not suitable for visitors. Anyway, what did you want to discuss?] (Nina)
Ilina squirms slightly on my lap, her next kiss moving to my collarbone, and I all but forget about Nina's weird attitude.
[Ilina had something she wanted me to discuss with you.] (Mizuki)
I sense apprehension.
[Ilina!? Uhm, does she seem upset about...err, something?] (Nina)
I glance at Ilina, who's biting her lip at me, the tenuous straps of her dress falling away from her shoulders...along with the little fabric covering her chest. My heart goes into overdrive, realizing she isn't exactly being patient.
[N-No, not exactly! Uhm, I'll just be straight with you, Nina, she asked me to ask you if you'd lift the sex-ban on our relationship. I know you had your reasons, and you want to make sure any kids wouldn't be outcasts in their own country. But everyone except the commoners already knows about us and approves. Plus, Ilina swears that she wouldn't let what you're worried about happen, and I believe her.
[Honestly, it seems like this is really bothering her – making her feel like she's some accessory girlfriend. I felt like I owed her to at least ask you to reconsider things. That said, I gave you my word – if you're not comfortable with the idea, I won't blame you for declining.] (Mizuki)
There's silence from Nina for a moment, vaguely conflicted feelings emanating from her. Then, there's a sudden rush of hopefulness and...excitement? Nina's 'voice' comes through, unexpectedly enthusiastic.
[Yes! Yes, Mizuki! You two should have sex, really good sex! Until she's in a great mood! And tell her...uhm, tell her that her and I are a team. No – family! Yes, that's why I agreed to her request. Because we're family, and we need to stick together, right? She needs a favor now, maybe I need forgiveness later...families do that for each other. Okay, have fun, got to go!] (Nina)
Just like that, I feel Nina withdraw from the Bond on her end, and I'm left alone with my own bewildered thoughts. That is, until a certain topless elf leans over and bites my ear lobe, her voice low and insistent.
"What is she saying?" (Ilina)
My whole body stiffens at the sensation, my voice a little shaky.
"She...said yes. Something about you and her being family, and remembering to stick together." (Mizuki)
Ilina's hips freeze their rhythmic movements, and she slowly brings her face in front of mine. Her eyes study me for a second, then narrow. She speaks carefully, her voice slightly suspicious.
"Where is she? What is she doing?" (Ilina)
I raise my eyebrows.
"I don't know? I didn't pry. Why are we talking about this? She said yes." (Mizuki)
She frowns.
"Mizuki, she definitely did something. What if-...NGH!?" (Ilina)
I cut her off, pressing my lips to hers aggressively and picking her up by her thighs. After a second, her body melts against my chest, soft moans echoing against my mouth as my hands roam over her.
I make my way to the bed, dropping her onto it. She looks up at me, face flushed, eyes a little dazed. I lean over her, running my hands up her bare legs, causing her to twitch. I look her in the eyes, my expression serious.
"Still want to talk about Nina?" (Mizuki)
She swallows, biting her lips nervously. She shakes her head.
"No..." (Ilina)
She grabs me by my shirt and yanks me forward, causing me to fall on top of her.
¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
'How is she still so much faster than me!? This is ridiculous!'
Ever since Ciri took off towards her nest earlier, Nina has been chasing after her in dragon form at top speed. And yet, Ciri has steadily widened the distance between them. Now, Nina can't even feel her presence anymore. As best she can tell, that psychotic dragon must be at least twice as fast as her.
It's well-known among Elder Dragons that their basal size, strength, and flight speed are all positively correlated with their magic power. Thought it's not necessarily a linear relationship, the fact that Ciri is outpacing her so spectacularly just reinforces the idea that the gap between them is still far from small. At this point, even with her gravity magic and enchanted weapons advantage, Nina's not sure if she could survive a real fight with Ciri.
'Thank gods she just assumed he'd be at my nest, far from the Elven Kingdom.'
Of course, that doesn't mean the problem is solved. She sincerely doubts that Ciri will just shrug and go home when she fails to find Mizuki at her nest. Nina can imagine several problematic follow-up actions from Ciri at that point. She may just go to Elmesia to ask around about 'Mizuki', maybe even cause some damage, either of which will inconvenience him.
She also might search for other nigh-immortal presences in the area. Having her agitate the Fey, Halzar, or other such existences while inquiring about 'Mizuki' could cause him issues later. She'd be even more worried if the Greater Spirits were something Ciri could harm, since Mizuki seems to like them, but that worst-case scenario is mercifully impossible.
And that's just in the short-term. Nina has no doubts that Ciri will eventually track down Mizuki, maybe as soon as a couple weeks from now. And then...chaos. Not only will Ciri want to fight him first, but after he inevitably crushes her without effort, she'll probably start harassing him to be her mate.
Unfortunately, Nina has a hard time imagining Ciri just giving up at 'no'. She's spent her whole life chasing strength...in other people. Desperate to find someone who could challenge her, to make her feel...something, Nina's not sure what exactly. Regardless, now that Ciri has found such a person in Mizuki, she won't stop until he caves or kills her.
Which brings Nina to her biggest concern – Ilina. It's not like she'll be crushed if Ilina is mad at her, though she'd prefer to avoid it. They're both Mizuki's wives, after all, and Nina has to reluctantly admit that Ilina's very deserving of that role.
Rather, she's worried that Ilina may fly into a jealous rage and incite violence from Ciri. That's why she had zero qualms about trying to preemptively appease Ilina by lifting her prior restrictions. If Ilina actually got injured or killed by Ciri, who may very well see Ilina as nothing more than unworthy competition, then Mizuki...
A wave of genuine fear washes over Nina, and she pushes her already fatigued dragon body to fly faster.