“I see. Well, you’ve found my usual spot. The owners here are good people. I like to support their business however I can.” Colette noticed Mav’s eyes flick down to her lips as she spoke; it made her bold. She had thought Mav attractive from afar, but up close, she was breathtaking. She remembered that she was face-to-face with her adversary and tried to summon some caution, but every moment in Mav’s presence made Colette more reckless. “I came here tonight to find some company, but there’s only one person here that’s really caught my interest, and I’m afraid they aren’t likely to say ‘yes’ to what I have in mind.” Colette glanced up at Mav with the slightest smirk on her face—a challenge she was betting Mav wouldn’t be able to resist.
Mav studied Colette’s face for a moment before taking another long sip of ale. “What exactly do you have in mind?”
“I prefer to take a more active—some might even say dominant—role with my partners. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.” Colette watched Mav closely and noticed her pupils dilate ever-so-slightly.
“I see. And who was your intended quarry this evening?”
Colette smiled slowly up at Mav, and said simply, “You.”
Chapter Six
Mav was blushing harderthan she had ever blushed in her life, and was infinitely grateful for her fur’s ability to hide it. This human woman, with her warm tan skin and bright blue eyes, was possibly the most lovely person Mav had ever seen. Colette. The name clanged through Mav as she stared at the human’s perfect face. She felt the tingle of nerves spreading through her limbs, across her chest, and lower. She didn’t often give herself leave to feel attraction, but this little human’s presence was affecting her. Mav didn’t know what to do, and ended up just staring at Colette for far longer than was appropriate.
She knew she had come here to see if she could find any leads on her investigation–it was a known haunt for the private guards of noble families–but she hadn’t taken a night off for as long as she could remember. What harm could come of an evening of pleasure spent with a willing partner? She was having trouble talking herself out of taking a break from this ridiculous business with the annoyingly elusive thief. The thought of sayingno to the absolute goddess standing in front of her made Mav’s chest tight. Shewantedto say yes.
“Alright.” The word was out of Mav’s mouth before she could think better of it. Surprise flashed in Colette’s aquamarine eyes for just a second before her smile widened, and she nodded.
Colette put a few coins down on the bar and waved to the bartender before turning toward the door and jerking her chin for Mav to follow. Mav was self-possessed enough to admit that the thought of giving up her rigid discipline for a night sounded incredible. She held such a tight leash on herself, didn’t leave an inch for anyone to criticize or say she shouldn’t be where she was; it was exhausting. Handing the reins over to another for the night would be a relief, in more ways than one. Plenty of people tried their luck seducing the Captain of the Guard, but Mav never indulged. Her career was too important to her. But something about Colette felt different–safe–inexplicably.
Mav followed Colette out into the winding alleys of Zhava City. The cool air of midnight was always a shock after the heat of the day. Mav’s eyes certainly didn’t mind the darkness; she could see just as well as if it were full daylight. She shifted her massive wings from where she had kept them tucked close behind her in the tavern. It felt so good to stretch them after holding them still for so long. Of all the many differences between manticores and humans, for whatever reason, humans found her wings the most disturbing. She had been trying to make them seem less intimidating since she set foot in Zhava City ten years prior.
Colette now walked only a pace in front of Mav, and she glanced over when she noticed the shadows Mav’s wings cast in the moonlight.
“They’re beautiful,” Colette said quietly, all of the boldness from the tavern gone as she stared at Mav in the silvery light.
“They’re a bit inconvenient, frankly.” Mav answered, unsure what to do with such a compliment. No one called her beautiful.Competent? Sure. Intimidating? Yes. Not anything as feminine or desirable asbeautiful. Her wings, especially, had just gotten in the way during her training with the other human guards. They were incredibly sensitive, and were a liability in close combat.
“That may be true, but they’re beautiful too.” Colette returned her focus to the alley, navigating the twists and turns of a ten-minute walk that passed mostly in a taut silence.
Finally, they arrived at a plain wooden door and Colette produced a key, unlocking it and stepping into the dark room beyond.
“Hold the door open for just a moment, would you? I’ll start the fire, but I need to find the matches.” Colette said as she made her way further into the darkness.
After a long moment of rustling noises, Mav heard the distinct sound of a match catching, and its tiny light cast an orange glow on Colette’s face. Mav didn’tgetnervous; but she was nervous now. Why in the goddess’ name had she agreed to this? She wanted it, but she had no idea what to expect. This was so unlike her, and totally new, and she just…felt outside of her very distinct comfort zone.
She took a deep breath as she watched Colette expertly building up a fire in the small hearth, the light gradually revealing the corners of the little apartment. She was anxious, but she did want this. She wanted to let go, and she felt a pull toward Colette. She felt intuitively like she could trust Colette, which was probably ridiculous, given that they had met thirty minutes prior. For once in her life, though, all of her excuses and rules swirled through her mind without making their way out into the world to affect her actions.
Once the fire was healthy enough, Mav stepped fully inside and closed the door behind her. Colette rose from where she had crouched to tend the fire, and Mav realized she had been staringat Colette’s lush backside and the curve of her lovely waist. She wondered what Colette’s soft body would feel like pressed against her own.
“Well, Captain, welcome to my little apartment. It’s not where I stay most nights, so it’s a little sparse, but please make yourself comfortable.” Colette strode over to the small kitchen and produced two glasses and a bottle of amber liquid. She poured a small amount in each glass, and slid one across the countertop toward Mav. Before Mav had even picked up her glass, Colette had tossed back her own in one go. Determined not to be outdone by a human half her size, Mav swallowed hers in one gulp as well, surprised by the spicy burn on her tongue. Mav almost never drank; keeping her wits about her at all times was important. She had to be sharp, be ready.
“What’s your word, Mav?” Colette asked, approaching Mav slowly.
“My word?”
Colette reached out as if to touch Mav’s face, but her hand found its way instead to Mav’s back, where she felt a slight pressure on her mane as Colette untied the leather lace that secured Mav’s braid.
“Yes, Mav. Choose any word, and when you say it, everything stops, no questions asked. I want you to be able to fully let go, but still feel safe. I’ll be tying you up, but you’ll hold the power. So what’s your word?” Mav knew Colette was being practical, but her words still sent a hot bolt of arousal through her.
“Joulum,” Mav said, surprised at how steady her voice sounded.
Colette smiled at that, her eyes dancing with mischief. “An excellent choice. Now, undress for me, Mav. I want to see you.”
Mav’s core began to echo her pulse at Colette’s command. She was always the one giving the orders, so something as simple as this felt…freeing. She didn’t give herself too much time tothink about it. She reached to her side and began untying the fasteners keeping her structured leather breastplate in place. Colette watched closely as Mav lifted it over her head and set it on a chair nearby.
She felt practically naked without her armor on, though with her cropped linen shirt and fitted leggings, she was far from uncovered. Colette kept her distance, leaning against the kitchen counter, taking in every one of Mav’s movements. Mav kept going, her fingers finding the buttons fastening her pants around her waist, undoing them one by one. To accommodate her tail, there was also a tie at the back of the pants, so she unlaced it, and they fell down around her digitigrade ankles. She didn’t wear boots, as the pads of her paws were thick enough to go without.
“Keep going, Mav,” Colette encouraged.
