Court of the Crimson King
Copyright© 2025 by Fick Suck
Chapter 20
Fantasy Sex Story: Chapter 20 - When a cranky young veteran of the repulsed brutal invasion is found and returned to the Court of the Crimson King, he is shocked by the poor state of the kingdom. North is dragooned into the reigning queen’s retinue, a position fraught with politics, intrigue, magic, and hints of destiny. The Court is an intricate dance that one must master or else disappear into oblivion. Based loosely on the song of the same title by King Crimson.
Caution: This Fantasy Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa
North stood outside the building with Paquin holding his right hand. The pulsing of the Power between them where their palms touched was undeniable. At the first touch, all the anxiety and fear melted into a point of warmth and comfort. Their holding hands felt right.
“Botham, find out where Lieutenant Bordo is with all haste and report back,” North said. “Oh, tuck this bit of information under your hat: never, never suggest flowers.”
The young man took off at a sprint. As he disappeared from his sight, North heard the door behind him open and close again. “Well done, sir,” the Yellow Jester announced. “My dear Fire Witch, your parents are upset at your predicament, but they’re solidly behind the present plan. May I add, your father’s reputation for good whiskey is confirmed. My. My.”
“I am of two minds,” she said. “I believe they want the best for me, but I also believe they are putting their interests, the greatest plum on the tree, first.”
The Yellow Jester patted her free hand. “My dear, you’re learning. The plum you mention is also the impetus forcing them to decide about your future now. Otherwise, they may have locked you away for another week to confirm the consequences of the Jack of Spades’ challenge and to gauge the response in the House of Lords. They’re eager, but they’re prudent.”
“A week?” she said. “I would’ve torched the building long before then.”
“We would have thought of something else long before you set the building on fire,” North tried to reassure her. “Thank you, good sir, for standing in as my witness this evening. For the moment at least, I believe that payment has been made in full. You know, you could have a second career as a bartender.”
“Bar tending was my first career, and I do not care to return to that sordid past,” the Yellow Jester said. “I must say it because I feel responsible in some way, North and Paquin, but this was the easy part. Everything discussed was reasonable and easy to grasp. The next steps will be much harder, but know I only wish you success.” He departed, only stumbling once over a slightly raised stone in the walkway.
When the Yellow Jester was out of earshot, North said, “It is a good thing that he doesn’t know everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your parents were the most difficult step, Paquin,” North said. “As long as we follow the script, all the rest of this debacle will finish with what we want.”
“If I may, sir, may I ask an intimate question?” she asked. “Are we in love?”
North pinched his mouth and released it. “We’re working on that. Before we spent time together, we were two kindred souls who were resigned to fighting everyone with cynicism and guile. Then we each met a person who offered more than either one thought possible. The sarcasm, the bitterness, the resignation became chains instead of armor.”
“The kissing wasn’t bad either,” she said. “We could run now and come back later.” She gave him a hungry look, like a mountain cat looking at her prey.
“Tempting,” North said, meaning it. “However, we can solve this once and for all if we go before our Queen now. We will need an introduction, but that is being arranged as we speak.”
“Hence, Lieutenant Rake and Defile,” Paquin said with distaste.
“Ah, I see you are aware of his philandering ways,” North said. “Believe it or not, he has come a long way since I first met him. At least he mingles with a better class of people.”
“I don’t think he’s mingling.”
“I was being polite. However, he doesn’t force himself on women either; he’s never had to resort to any of that nonsense. He smiles and the women swoon. Some of his conquests told me that he was quite the ‘delectable rogue’ in bed.”
“Is that why Fianos puts up with him?”
North snorted. “They’re not intimate. Before you jump me with barbs, I am certain. You can figure it out for yourself. Professionally, they are thick as thieves though as they will soon demonstrate.” He pointed. “The messenger arrives.”
“You sound like a stage direction in one of the Yellow Jester’s little plays,” Paquin said. “What’s next?”
“We ask Fianos and Bordo to make the introduction for us and then we plead our case. My ask to you was their idea, which means they will make the introduction while beating their chests and declaring their superior ranks. On top of that, I believe that the Queen is already waiting for us, and probably getting impatient. The whiskey was too good to pass up though.”
“Then we’re nearly done?”
“Ah, then there is the ritual,” North admitted. “I’m a natural and suffered no ill effects. You’re a natural too, meaning I would expect a similar outcome. About what it is and how it is accomplished, I am forbidden from telling you. Only the Queen may explain.”
“Pooh,” she said. “Botham, where’re we going?”
“The lieutenant is playing cards with Captain Fianos and the Quartermaster in the Quartermaster’s quarters,” Botham said. “They’re sober.”
“An interesting detail,” North said. “Lead on and take the shortest route.”
They walked silently through the first dark of the evening, a slight glow of light still on the horizon. While they held hands, they were sending impulses of power back and forth, causing tingles up and down their bodies. Every once in a while, Paquin would squeak.
“Sir, we are here,” Botham said, with a formal bow. “I believe it would be in our best interest if I were to disappear before you knock.”
“Three times is a good reason, so I am told,” North said. “Well done.”
“Actually, four times, sir,” Botham said. “I find the medicated soap they use on sick horses to be the gentlest for your...” Botham stopped speaking when he realized that Paquin was present and leaning in closing.
“Go on, finish your sentence,” Paquin requested with a hint of amusement.
“His, uh, underwear, madam,” Botham said quickly before scurrying off into the rising dark.
“What have I been missing, Jack of Spades?” she asked.
“Please be nice to my assistant, Paquin. He has not required a good deal of training, and he has proven himself invaluable.” North shook his head and knocked on the door.
The door pulled all the way open as a short, squat man with a full beard thrust his head out and looked both ways. He ushered them in quickly, closing the door behind them. They followed him into a cozy room with a table, chairs, and a fireplace with a small fire. Fianos and Bordo sat at the table with nary a card between them.
“You’re a tad later than I expected,” Bordo said.