Chapter 9.3. Whispers of the snakes.

Adrian stumbled back into main room, clothing disheveled and skin flushed with lingering arousal. He plopped down beside Ronan, still dazed from intense private encounter.

– Enjoyed yourself? – the hero asked with a knowing grin, slinging arm around prince’s shoulders.

Before Adrian could respond, hooded stranger leaned forward.

– Allow me to introduce myself, – he said in a pleasant voice: – Name’s Dravid. I’m an old friend of Ronan here.

The prince nodded absently, mind still reeling from pleasures experienced moments ago… He took a fortifying swig of wine, as hooded figure continued.

– In my country, nobles are allowed as many courtesans as they want, – Dravid explained, eyes gleaming with dark amusement: – It’s seen as sign of status – how many lovers they can support.

– Really? – Adrian perked up at that, curiosity getting the better of post-coital haze. The idea held undeniable appeal, truth to be told.

– Oh yes, – Ronan chimed in, grin widening wickedly: – And let me tell you prince…once you’ve had taste forbidden fruit? It becomes hard to stop!

The stranger laughed then, a low, sinful sound that seemed to promise all manner of debauchery, yet uncovered.

Adrian sighed heavily, taking another deep swig from wine glass.

– It’s not fair. My mother, Queen Elizabet. She’s obsessed with virtue and propriety, – he leaned forward conspiratorially, voice dropping to a harsh whisper, as he continued ranting about maternal constraints upon princely liberties: – She insists I stay pure until marriage! As if anyone would believe royalty can be chaste in this day and age, – prince scoffed, dark eyes flashing with frustrated annoyance beneath heavy brows: – It’s not like she was a virgin herself – everyone knows those stories!

Ronan nodded sympathetically, squeezing Adrian’s shoulder supportively, while hooded figure remained silent observer – taking measure of the royal whiner before them.

– I hear you man, – the hero said gruffly, dark hair falling across forehead, with emphatic nod: – Mothers always think they know best, don’t they?

Adrian grumbled agreement, mind already wandering back to pleasures awaited beyond brothel walls, should he manage to slip leash long enough, to truly embrace debaucherous lifestyle, hinted at him so tantalizingly mere moments ago.

Dravid raised an eyebrow contemplating Adrian’s complaint, smirking beneath hood, as he took another sip of wine.

– Ah yes, the ever-vigilant mother. Always watching, waiting to catch you in act of ‘immorality’.

The prince sighed heavily, shoulders slumping under weight of familial expectations.

– You have no idea. She’s convinced my chastity is proof that I’ll make good ruler someday…

– Bullshit, – Ronan scoffed, eyes flashing with sudden intensity: – Being a good king has nothing to do with keeping legs crossed!

Dravid nodded solemnly, leaning forward with conspiratorial air.

– Ronan’s right – if anything, having some experience would make you better monarch. How else will you understand needs and desires of your subjects?

– Exactly, – the hero agreed fervently, clapping Adrian on back: – You’re young once! Shouldn’t waste it being virtuous little boy toy for mother dearest.

The stranger chuckled lowly, glancing between men with knowing look in eyes.

– Well then…shall we help prince here to cut loose a bit more tonight? Show him there’s whole world of pleasure, waiting just beyond palace gates?

Adrian swallowed hard, heart pounding at implications. Ronan gestured to ladies and few of them joined men, and filled their cups.

A scantily clad courtesan straddled Adrian’s lap, grinding sensuously against his growing arousal, as she filled their glasses. She leaned in close, hot breath tickling princely ear.

– Mmmm…you look like man with secrets, – she purred, trailing fingers teasingly down chest: – Tell me prince…what would you do to taste pleasures forbidden by your station?

The prince swallowed hard, pulse quickening as her words stoked embers, already kindled by brothel’s decadent delights. Ronan smirked knowingly, sensing opportunity before them.

– You want freedom? – Dravid leaned in then, dark eyes glinting with cruel promise: – Then prove yourself worthy – get us map and key from royal treasury.

Arousal mingled with trepidation, Adrian’s mind racing at implications, such a theft would have, but oh how thrilling notion of rebelling against motherly restraints!

– I… I don’t know, – he stammered, even as courtesan gyrated above him, testing willpower to breaking point: – If I’m caught…

Adrian’s resolve wavered, arousal and alcohol making rational thought increasingly difficult. The courtesan ground harder against him, fingers trailing tantalizing patterns over sensitive skin.

– Just imagine, – Dravid purred, leaning in closer with a dangerous glint in eye: – All the pleasures awaiting you on other side of that door… And we’ll show them to you.

Ronan nodded enthusiastically, sensing princely hesitation crumbling before their cunning manipulation.

– Come on Adrian, – he urged, voice low and conspiratorial: – When will chance like this come again? Your mother’s rules be damned – live for tonight!

The courtesan giggled, hot breath fanning over flushed skin, as she continued her sensual assault upon senses.

– Yes prince, let go. Embrace darkness with us.

Adrian shuddered, mind racing even as body reacted instinctively to seductive entreaties, being whispered into every fiber of being.

– Alright, – he found himself saying at last, pulse pounding wildly in anticipation of forbidden thrill, now hanging so tantalizingly within reach: – I’ll do it.

The others grinned triumphantly, knowing victory now assured, and night truly beginning in earnest!

Ronan slapped Adrian’s shoulder approvingly, dark eyes glinting with malicious amusement.

– Excellent! – he chuckled cruelly, leaning back against velvet cushions: – You won’t regret this prince, trust me!

And as scantily clad beauty continued working princely form towards fever pitch beyond mere return point, three conspirators made plans to infiltrate royal treasury’s hallowed depths, under cover of darkness.

The night was young after all – and pleasures yet unimagined were awaiting those brave enough to claim them, from mother queen’s iron grasp!