Oneshot collection

If he lived to be a thousand years old, Seiran swore that he would never forget, never forgive the one who had insinuated himself into Shuurei’s mind and no small part of her affections. That man, that tall, arrogant, ever so beautiful man. Sakujun Sa.

He had known from past experiences that Sakujun was more dangerous than other opponents, his clever mind and manipulating hands had been pulling secret strings for years. At the tender age of fifteen, he had one of the most prominent groups of bandits dancing like marionettes from his elegant fingertips.

Had he been after anyone else, Seiran might have admired his clever thinking and his tactics for staying alive in a feud ridden clan. However, since the auburn haired man had set his devious sights on the Kou princess, Seiran could only feel enraged and more than a little dangerous himself.

He had every right to be, he told himself. That man could simply bring no good to Shuurei. He was like a child and the world around him was simply filled with toys. Hadn’t he said as much to her on that night? Shuurei hadn’t been aware of how long he and Ensei had listened before charging to her rescue.

Throwing open the door and hurling a dagger like silver lightning. He had needed only that split second to see Shuurei, small and delicate pinned by the enemy. Had she been anyone else, she surely would not have forgive him. But Shuurei, being herself, had. Eager to see people become better.

He had seen it. There, in her eyes, written like a hazy note. She had been affected by the forceful man. Perhaps because he was intelligent, beautiful and above all, broken. Very much so. Shuurei had never been able to turn her back on anyone who was so fundamentally hurt.

It was the reason that she had remained beside Ryuuki despite his many deceptions. She understood loneliness, she understood the desire to have someone care about you, and of course, she wanted to people to be good. The image of goodness that she knew they were capable of.

Ryuuki had never been a bad person to begin with, he had only been overly cautious. A lesson learned at a young age that had kept him alive and put him on the throne. He was not malicious, had no desire to be. Sakujun…… now he was a different animal all together.

The wedge he had driven between Seiran and Shuurei remained, although they had discussed the issue in depth. Shuurei wasn’t sure what her feelings towards Sakujun were, she admitted that she was attracted to him on some level. Seiran had confessed he felt himself to be a better partner for her. She’d seemed stunned, and Seiran, had taken her silence as a rejection. A decision to take the Sa son instead.

It had been Ensei that had patched things between them. That discussion had made Seiran realize that yes, Sakujun was a danger to Shuurei, and that she was very much aware of that. However, the choice was going to have to be hers and despite everything that the red-haired man had done, she must see something redeeming in him.

Seiran would have to wait to know her actions, and content himself with being second in her heart. Second only to her beloved father. He had wanted to make her say that she would choose him. That he was more than her retainer, that he was the eldest living prince of the Imperial family, but he couldn’t. He wanted to say that he loved her, but Sakujun had already done that.

No, Seiran knew he could only be as he had always been, until he saw that opening. It was because of Sakujun, that Seiran’s true nature, his quick temper and possessive streak began to show itself. It was because of him that he had spoken rather harsh words to the one he cherished most.

Shuurei had forgiven him, of course. She’d known that Seiran had been worried for her. Rushing into a room to see her sprawled, helplessly against the linens, Sakujun looming over her, he must have thought the worst. And perhaps he had good reason to. Sakujun had never promised not to do anything to her. Only said that he’d be gentle.

Shuurei had little experience with matters of the heart, or the body. And Sakujun Sa was like a heated whirlwind ripping through her world. Forcing her to think about her position, dripping sensuality around her like some exotic weighted perfume.

She recalled his kiss. Aggressive, commanding and gentle at the same time. A strange combination of giving and taking that had left her breathless, head reeling. Ryuuki’s kiss had been soft, coaxing, though no less skilled. As though she were a skittish mare afraid of rough handling.

Sakujun was not so delicate in his pursuit. A habit, she deduced that he had picked up long ago and now, he was accustomed to getting his way. She’d known that then as well, still found it difficult to fight against him. And he always seemed to know what to say to keep her on that perilous edge.

She stared out the tall window of her office in the governor’s mansion, fingertips pressed to her lips as she recalled the feel of skin on skin. The taste of muted wine, and spice. Closing her eyes she shook her head. “I have to stop that” she quietly admonished herself, “He’s an obstacle. A dangerous one at that. I have to keep my wits about me, more so when I am with him.”

But he lingered. What he had stirred up inside of her lingered. “Damn him and his hedonistic ways” she snapped, turning back to her unfinished letter to the imperial capital. Curiosity. He had shaken it awake within her, made her wonder about things. Things that should not be bothering her. Things of the heart, things between men and women.

The curiosity made her notice things. Made her more aware. Made her notice Kourin’s soft sighs and lingering gazes for Eigetsu. The shy smiles and faint blush that resulted on the young man’s face. The way Seiran’s hands were callused, yet lovely. The looks he sent her. The way those looks made her feel.

“Am I special to you?” he had asked her. She’d been shocked, for Seiran was rarely so straight forward on such matters. She’d not known how to answer. He had been much like a brother for most of her life. A brother, who wasn’t a brother. A man who was gentle and ruthless. A man who smiled over tea and hid his past. A man no less commanding than Sakujun.

What, she wondered would it have been like to feel his kiss rather than Sakujun’s. Would she have felt that warm spiral in her lower belly, felt the breath in her lungs constrict to a nearly painful euphoria? Was it simply some biological, basely physical reaction to the stimulus or was it something more?

She’d been dying to know, but far too ashamed to ask such a thing of him. Seiran was a grown man. If he had wanted a kiss, he would have had one by now. Wouldn’t he? With a frustrated sigh, she set her brush aside, replaced the lid on her ink pot and pushed away from the desk.

“I won’t get anything done with my head all muddled” she bemoaned, “Better to go for a walk. Fresh air always makes me think more clearly.”

It was cold outside, the gardens covered with a mantle of white that shown blue under the moonlight. But the serenity of the scenery did nothing to quiet the turbulent waters of her heart and mind.

Golden eyes appeared before her time and time again, haunting her, mocking her. She braced her back against the thick bole of a tree and pressed the heel of her hand to her brow. She had no more tears for Sakujun, though she missed him to this very day.

Her thoughts in chaos, she failed to hear the faint crunch of snow under boots before Seiran's voice filled the silence. "My Lady?".

Stormy blue eyes saw her tense, saw the shift her eyes and Seiran sighed inwardly. Sakujun. Again. The man was like a disease, tainting all that he touched and Seiran refused to see Shuurei fall to such a despairing state.

"You shouldn't be out here on such a cold night" he gently admonished, noting that she barely wore proper winter clothing. "Go inside, you'll catch your death."

She blinked slowly and tilted her head to the sky, her unbound hair falling around her like inky waves. Seiran preferred her hair down like this but she'd never worn it so. Not until him. "You miss him, still", the words were out before he could stop them.

Shuurei's shoulders slumped. "At times, yes" she admitted, "He was....different."

Seiran rested his hand on the tree beside her head, "You mean he made you feel different."

Not a question and Shuurei knew that if she lied to Seiran now he might not forgive her. She didn't want to. She nodded slowly, twisting her fingers together as she stared up a the starlit sky, "That's true. I never thought about these kinds of things before. Well.... not as much anyway."

Sieran nodded, that was a fair statement. The Kou princess was innocent of men and women and Sakujun, like himself was the opposite of that. He knew only too well what the advances of an experienced suitor could do to one's senses.

"I suppose it was his way of being remembered." she said sadly.

Seiran shook his head, "Perhaps. More likely this was the only way he knew to show affection of any type. No matter how fleeting."

Shuurei looked at him then, her gaze alert and curious. "And you Seiran?" she asked, "Have you shown such affections?"

He wouldn't lie to her. "I have" he said without shame or embarrassment, "It is the way of things. Of women and of men."

She pulled her light cloak closer around her shoulders and shivered slightly, Seiran's nearness doing little to warm her against the chill of the night.

He noticed of course. "Come my lady. Let's get you inside and warm you up with some tea."

She resisted, "Not yet Seiran. Please? I'm cold yes, but the night is soothing and I feel like if I stay just a little longer I might grow numb to the things burning in me now."

Her voice was soft, plaintive. Her hand on his arm was small and held little warmth.

Seiran stepped ever closer, pressing her back against the tree, his warmer, larger body touching hers.

Her eyes widened and the heat rushed to her cheeks. "Se Seiran..."

He shook his head, "You don't need to become numb. You simply have to understand them. Is he the only one who makes you burn?"

His voice was hypnotic, she was lulled by his warmth, his strength. Slowly she shook her head and his eyes took on a feral gleam. "And do I my Shuurei?"

He knew the answer of course, wanted to hear it from her little pink lips. He had known that she had always thought him beautiful, in fact many said that he and Ryuuki rivaled the red haired man. She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again.

"M- My Shuurei?" her voice a tremulous whisper now.

He leaned closer, brushing his nose against her cheek, "Mm. My Shuurei. You've always been. Don't you know that?"

And she did. She always had. "Seiran?" she asked.

His hand drifted to thread through her hair, cradling her head. "Shh. Just let me love you Shuurei. I'll prove that his fire is fleeting, while mine is not."

His lips closed over hers with gentle insistence, the satin slide of flesh on flesh and then the velvet glide of a tongue as he sought entrance. A familiar feeling. A slow unfurling of molten petals in her lower belly.

Slowly, she parted her lips and he dipped inside. the barest of touches, the hottest of flames and all familiarity vanished in the mastery of his kiss. His unique taste and texture, actions that made her head spin, her heart thud almost painfully. That heated blossom bursting to scorching bloom.

She whimpered against his lips, and he slanted his mouth over hers, taking the kiss deeper. His arms were around her now, holding her close, holding her upright.

Tiny hands slid over warm silk to twine with silver hair, her body melted against him. There was something in his kiss that Sakujun's had lacked. While she sensed the danger of Seiran, she had no cause to fear it. She knew that to give herself over wholly was to lose herself forever in either case. However, Seiran, she knew without question that he loved her. Wouldn't let her fall.

Tentatively she let him lead her through the kiss. Seiran carefully taught her. Teasing, stroking, slowly withdrawing his tongue into his own mouth, forcing her to chase after it. Her timid touches inflaming him. Making his groan as she learned his textures.

He was content to let her play, explore at her leisure. Her warm taste, like spiced chai and female sweetness flooding his palate. He felt her lips tremble against his, even as her small tongue curled against his own.

With a male growl of want and long suppressed need, he took control once more, pressing his tongue to the roof of her mouth. Showing her how surprisingly sensitive that area was. She clung to him, her nails now scraping lightly against his nape.

Seiran reluctantly broke the kiss, knowing he was in danger of ravishing her there against a winter barren tree. That would no doubt come later, but not for the first time. He would not act so basely.

Shuurei sagged against him, sucking in steadying breaths and tried to make semblance of her scattered thoughts. Seiran. Oh, how her head whirled. She had always suspected that with that face, that powerful body, that he had more than his fair share of experience. He'd been more than discreet however.

Now, she had her proof. He had in one scorching moment, obliterated the lingering fire that Sakujun had kindled to life. No, he had wiped in out with the wildfire of his own touch, rather than help, Shuurei wanted even more!

She lifted her head from where it rested against his chest to see him smile... no not a smile. Seiran was smirking at her in a very knowing way, but his eyes held tenderness and kept her from soundly kicking his shin.

"Not what you expected?" he asked, his voice soft and husky. Those moonlit tones of sapphire velvet that she adored for half her life. She blushed, "A bit more actually." she admitted.

He reached up to stroke her hair, a familiar gesture. One that he'd done countless times before. A comforting gesture. "There is no need to wonder about it Shuurei. I would give you more than you expect in everything. I've always been willing to."

She nodded, "I thought you did so out of some feeling of duty and obligation to father" she said quietly. He chuckled softly, "I do not love you out of obligation or duty." he pointed out, "Nor do I think that you love me for those reasons. And you do love me Shuurei, it's why you worry so."

She nodded again, "I could argue that it is a different type of love." Her face settled in firm lines but those melted as she looked at his perfect face. That would be a lie and he knew it.

"You love me as I love you. That much is finally clear, and I am not willing to deny that any longer" he told her. He took her hand, his large callused palm closing around her own.

She marveled at his strength, and his innate gentleness. She knew what he was capable of. Knew that he could be as blood thirsty and cruel as any. It was why he was so very good at keeping her safe. Yet, she loved the fact that those hands were only ever gentle with her and her father.

He led her across the gardens, the crunch of snow and the chill whistle of the rising wind the only sounds. It seemed only natural to her to be strolling casually through the midwinter landscape with him. As though all their years together had come to fruition. And perhaps, she considered, they had.

She saw that they were making progress towards Seiran's room and not her own. That was telling she supposed. Yet she didn't fight it. She would not, not anymore. She supposed a part of her had always know that Seiran was home for her. It was likely the reason it had taken her so long to come to this.

He paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder at her in askance. This was her last chance to deny him. Shuurei considered him a for a long moment, before blushing softly and stepping ahead of him as he opened the door for her.

His room was spartan, but by no means poor. His position in the Urin army had seen to that. She and her father had been able to pay him very little and she had discovered early on that he merely poured his earnings back into the family accounts.

Now, he had fine things and all was nearly ordered. Testament to his militant nature. She was pleased to see that one long shelf held several books and scrolls. She admitted that she loved to watch him read. As a child he had read to her.

He followed her gaze to the writings and smiled, moving to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, drawing her back against him. “I never travel very far without them if I am able.” he murmured against her ear.

He brushed his lips against the delicate shell making her shiver. “Are you still cold?” he asked her, knowing cold was not the cause. She shook her head, a slight negation and he dropped his head once more, pressing chaste nuzzling kisses along her exposed throat.

Shuurei let her eyes fall closed, her head fall to the side to give him better access and he took her breath away. Where soft kisses had passed, blazing open mouthed kisses followed. A gentle pressure of his mouth, the lightest nip of teeth soothed only too soon with the graze of his tongue.

Her hands, clasped together before her were caught in a white knuckled grip. Seiran caught them both, drawing them apart and away from her body. Leaving her unable to touch, only to feel.

His silken hair teasing her cheek as he lavished his attentions on her slender neck and shoulder. He released her hands and caught hold of the ties of her thin robe, tugging them apart slightly, just enough to loosen the upper portion of it.

He drew his hands down her arms, taking silk with him, until her shoulders and the tops of her breasts were exposed. His lips wandered over the ivory flesh, paying homage to the curve of her shoulder, even as his hands moved from her waist upwards to trace against the underside of her breasts.

She shuddered at the feeling and Seiran knowing that she wanted more, cupped her boldly in both his hands. Testing the weight of the twin globes only half concealed. She gave a soft whine as his fingertips brushed over silk covered nipples, already erect from her walk in the cold.

She had no protests as Seiran’s large, warm hand slid beneath the warming silk to tease her further. Plucking and pulling lightly as he rolled the coral buds between his fingertips.

Her head fell back against his shoulder, her lips parted on soft pants and small moans. Seiran turned her in his arms, eager to devour her lips once more.

Her hands slid to the fastenings at his neck and Seiran helped her remove his shirt. Her small hands trailed over the hard muscles, the faint scars that spoke of his many battles. Most for her sake. Leaning forward she pressed a kiss to one that should have claimed his life.

His hand slid through dark locks to cradle her head there. Slowly he walked them backwards until the bed was just before them. He reversed their positions, catching her round the waist and falling back on the bed, letting his body cushion her fall.

Shuurei yelped softly as the world suddenly spun and she found herself staring up into blue, blue eyes. When Seiran closed the distance between them, catching her lips with his own, she moaned into the kiss.

Her hands roved over his muscled arms, his shoulders, sliding upwards to catch the tie that held his wealth of hair from his face. With a tug, the silver strands cascaded around them like rivers of moonlight. Ryuuren’s words came to her then, “White is acceptable but silver is not. Beware of silver haired men.”

She had thought the warning had meant the Hyou clan leader, but it seemed that Ryuuren had tried to protect his own interests as well. Clever man. Her thoughts ended there, as Seiran began laying a fiery path of kisses along her throat, nipping the underside of her chin, his hand caressing her waist.

His mouth moving against her with a delicious friction, and then she vaguely became aware of the slight parting of her robes. A callused hand sliding up her calf, cradling her knee and slipping higher.

A gentle caress to her outer thigh, a soft squeeze to her hip and through it all Shuurei became aware only of the fact that she was slipping further and further into the silver seduction looming over her.

Seiran closed his mouth over one jutting breast, half covered with silk. Wetting the fabric just enough he barely lifted his head and blew across that peak, causing her to moan and her hands to clench on him.

Murmuring soothing words into her ear, kissing the nearly frantic pulse thrumming in her neck, his hand curled to cup her sex. She jolted beneath him, unaccustomed to so familiar a touch, but he soothed her with honey words and tender touches.
When his clever fingers slipped between molten folds to press against the pearl of her passions, she nearly came off the bed. Her eyes snapping open, fogged with heady desire at the sensation.

Seiran marveled at how beautiful she became in her pleasure. He stared intently at her face, dropping kisses here and there, as his fingers worked her ever closer to completion.

Shuurei panted and moaned, the callused fingers sliding gently over that hidden bundle of nerves sent spirals of heat zinging through her body. She was nearly unnerved by Seiran watching her so closely and tucked her flaming face against his neck.

He seemed to sense that she needed that small escape and allowed it. Listening to her frantic breaths.

“O..oh… Sei…Seiran!”

Against her brow she felt his jaw tense, his own breath coming fast. Slowly he slipped one finger into that most sacred place and the world fragmented around her.

Seiran felt her muscles flutter and then clamp around his finger, and pressed in a little deeper, prolonging her orgasm. Her body shook hard, her exposed flesh covered with a fine sheen of sweat.

He decided then that he had to taste her. Sliding away from her, he tore the silken robes from her entirely and shucked his pants. Coming to rest against her, hot naked skin to hot naked skin.

When he ravaged her lips, she mewled into his mouth, her arms drawing him closer to her. Her breasts flattened against the hard panes of his muscles. He became the world and all that was in it, the universe narrowing to the artful strokes of his tongue against her flesh as he kissed his way lower.

Nipping kisses rained down upon jutting breasts, her hands cradling his head, but as much as she seemed to enjoy his attentions, Seiran wanted more and what he wanted, he would have.

He dipped his tongue into her navel, and then gently forced her legs apart to drape over his powerful shoulders.

“Seiran?” she asked suddenly and he looked up, over the slight swell of her stomach to meet her uncertain eyes. “Do you trust me Shuurei?” he asked softly, using more breath than needed so that the air itself teased against her.

“I do” she responded at once, “But I’m not sure… well… what are you doing?” Seiran flashed a feral smile and answered plainly, “Conquering.”

Her thoughts were violently torn from her as his tongue lashed out against her, making her body arch. This, this whatever this was, just couldn’t be right, but oh how wonderful he made her feel.

Seiran groaned against her dewy petals, savoring the scent and taste that was woman, that was his now. Always. He had known quite a few men who held distaste for this act, he however felt that no red blooded male could resist this forbidden fruit.

His tongue slid through her folds to circle her opening, dip lightly inside and then traveled higher to dance in feverish circles around her pearl, before sucking on it hard. When she cried out, he gentled his touch once more. Over and over again forcing her to balance on that knife’s edge between painful awareness and utter bliss.

Shuurei tried to scoot away from the overwhelming sensations, but he locked his arms around her hips holding her captive until escape was a long forgotten idea. When she felt a finger press inside of her once more, then two stretching, scissoring she cried out.

Her hips worked against his hand, his face and Seiran was pleased in a very masculine way. She was very close again. Perfect.

“Come for me my Shuurei” he growled against her soaking core and she, helpless to disobey, did just that. Her body arching off the bed, her eyes squeezing shut tightly as she screamed his name into the night, her little hands nearly ripping his pretty silver locks from his scalp.

Ensei had to have heard that, Seiran supposed. Oh well, in a few moments more, it wouldn’t matter anymore.

Before Shuurei could fully recover from her second orgasm of the night, he slide upwards taking her mouth with his own again. Growling when her little tongue sought his immediately.

He pulled her legs onto his hips and positioned himself at her entrance. “The pain will end swiftly” he managed to grit out to her, feeling his own control unraveling fast, his groin so hard, he ached.

He inched his way inside of her, his shaft filling, stretching every part of her. When he felt that barrier that kept her from being entirely his, he slammed forward, sealing his lips to hers again, drinking in her soft cry of hurt.

He stilled, buried within her. Allowing her much needed time to adjust, he was not a small man by any means after all. Long minutes passed and he wondered if he had the stamina to remain still within pulsing heat as he was.

“I’m no longer pure” she finally whispered.

Seiran kissed her brow softly and sighed, “You aren’t” he agreed, “Not in body anyway, your heart will always be pure Shuurei.”

The Kou princess stroked his long hair, “I feel a little lost” she admitted, “Women are supposed to be pure aren’t they?”

Seiran shifted slightly above her, “Until they are wed, but when you came here of your own volition, you gave yourself to me entirely. Within the week we shall visit your father.”

Shuurei kissed his chin, “I am married to my work Sieran” she pointed out ruefully. He chuckled, “Wrong. You will be married to me and probably still work too much. But that is fine Shuurei, now share all your burdens with me.”

She nodded, feeling safe and secure. Happy. Content. Then he shifted again.

“Oh!”

She turned wide eyes on him, “You didn’t think we were done did you?” he asked lightly. From her expression he deduced that she had thought that very thing.

Kissing her, he began to move, slow even thrusts. She cried out softly, whimpering against him. Her body clenched on his length when he withdrew as though to hold him in place.

“Shuurei, you feel so good.” His voice sounded like he had run a very long distance. As her cried escalated and her nails bit into the muscles of his shoulders, he sped up. His thrusts coming harder and faster.

Shuurei couldn’t hold on, the spiral in her lower belly twisted to a tightness that could not be described. She thrashed against the sheets, called to Seiran, rushing headlong towards some starry plain that only he could send her to.

Seiran knew he was close, but wanted her pleasure to come before his own. Sliding his hand between their joined bodies, he pressed against her nub, sending her over that precipice. He followed her headlong over the edge. Warm fluids mingling.

Long hours later, his betrothed sleeping deeply in his arms. Seiran took the time to consider how odd life was prone to be. Had he not been exiled from the palace he would never have ended up in the Kou household, he would have never been so close to Shuurei and he might never have learned to love as he did now.

Outside came a discreet cough, “I guess this means you won‘t be so irritable” came Ensei’s voice. Seiran stared at the ceiling before speaking through the closed door, “We leave for Kiyo in a few days, I’ll ask Shouka for her hand.”

“What if he won’t give it?”

“He will, he did a long time ago you could say. Get away from this door you pervert and go to sleep.”

He waited until the retreating steps had faded before settling back to sleep. He tightened his hold on the sleeping woman, dropped a kiss to her mussed hair and closed his eyes.

Seien Shi, second eldest prince of the empire had at long last come home.