Knowing the Tricky Pixie Princess (48)

I returned home to find Meli and Cole still bickering. Deas remained behind probably to explain how our newest device functioned but had been caught by the entertainment offered. Sert stood with him staring at the scene of our bickering companions. I joined the audience of two without being noticed.

“Did they even take time to break since I've been gone?” I commented. Deas twisted in shock to face me while Sert simply half turned to look calmly at me.

“Welcome back sir.” he said. “I doubt they have taken a breath between launching barbs at each other.” he commented. He smiled mischievously while Deas stared blankly at me with red-cheeks. “Thought it more prudent to remain here than attempt following you.” he continued calmly. His smile turn more into a smirk as he spoke. “It is normal for them to go into hours of tirades of insults at each other.” he informed Deas. “Both are good enough not to physically harm each other.” he added.

“Unlike yourself if Cole would accept your challenge to spar.” I remarked. He nodded as his smile widened to show his teeth in a vicious grin. “Have you explained to Sertian how this device works?” I asked Deas.

“I started but we were distracted by Lady Mekiliean and Colêsträ.” he answered. He blush redder with every word. “I am sorry for failing you Lord Kestrel.” he added quickly. Tears streamed down his face as he drop to his knees before me.

“You take your offence too seriously.” I returned. “Meli! Cole! Enough!” I ordered in a bellow. Both gulped loudly into sudden silence. “Front and centre in silence so Young Deas can teach you to use our new toy!” I told them. They came to stand nearly at attention next to me all staring unblinkingly at the technician. Deas spoke slowly as I felt his nervousness of having all of us staring at him. I knew it would take not much effort for my team to learn using this tool. My fears lay with the information centre that would be added to my study which locking when I was not using it would be unseemly. I would have to remember to have the codes altered to control the information my companions could retrieve from it. I listened only partially to the lesson since I had read the technical schematics already and learn more than Deas would be teaching us. I waited the full hour it took for his explanation before speaking to my team.

“Now that this is done, we must have words about another possible problem coming our way tomorrow.” I stated. “If you have knowledge about pixies, I would ask you to join us Deas.” I requested softly.

“Pixies?” Sert and Meli interjected in unison. I judged the depth of their knowledge and experience by seeing their reaction. Cole's face paled to near white while Deas looked absolutely confused. Meli gritted her teeth as I felt her anger rising through the trembling earth under my feet. Sert's face turned passive as a hint of a blush flushed his cheeks.

“Good parting Young Deas.” I stated calmly to him. He bowed to us and exited quickly from our home. “Conference in the dining room.” I ordered gently.

“Shall I fetch tea since this may take some time?” Meli returned calmly. I felt her anger boiling under the calm facade she presented.

“Yes.” I interjected back swiftly. She was off to the kitchen as the word escaped me. I looked to my other two companions waiting for the next comments I sensed in them.

“The inner garden might be more appropriate for this discussion.” Cole suggested. No emotions emanated from his surface thoughts but my deeper probe showed worry directed at Meli.

“I do not see a difference changing locations.” Sert remarked slowly. “The extra space and natural surroundings might be helpful.” he hazarded. I sense the same worry more clearly in Sert than Cole's mind. “Should I inform her of the change?” he added. He was half turned to follow her as he spoke.

“I am thinking it would be prudent.” I answered. I could still sense her rage level anger rushing through her as Sert rushed to reach her. I considered her level of power released in anger would be destructive indoors making me agree with them. “Easier for me to counteract her if needed.” I whispered to myself. Cole stood unmoving with me in the foyer. “Shall we?” I added motioning him forward. He nodded before leading the way to our inner garden.

“Pixies are known as very sexual but most keep it from public view.” Cole told me. Sert entered in silence carrying the tray of tea and cups followed by Meli. Her hands were clenched in fists at the end of her crossed arms. “Their appetite in that respect is voracious especially with a new race.” he continued.

“Would that make them latch to a stranger publicly?” I asked calmly.

“As a race, they would flirt casually until they came into more private a place to attempt seducing their chosen target.” he answered.

“Unless it was her ...” Meli retorted. She stood with clenched teeth, armed crossed on her chest, stiff-backed, and glaring at Cole. “Their Princess is an absolute slut ready to jump males in public if they suits her fancy.” she continued biting into each word. “We should remain clear of her.” she added.

“So you have meet Trixie before.” I stated calmly. “She ran across me looking for a way of assuring a visit with the Envoy Kestrel.” I remarked. I felt the earth of the inner garden tremble and heat under my feet. “She did not recognize me as him.” I added. I used my ability to chill and hold the ground in place while channelling her powers thousands of leagues deeper into the earth.

“How physical did she get with you?” Cole asked. I felt more anger pulse through Meli at his words.

“She did nothing too open.” I reported. “In other words, my privates are still private.” I added with a smirk.

“I will kill her.” Meli growled under her breath. I glanced at her noting that her anger equalled deeper blushing from Sert.

“What happened between you and Trixie?” I asked her. I moved to stare directly in her eyes. “Tell me what happened!” I ordered bluntly.

“Leave her be sir.” Sert announced softly. “I will reveal the story to you alone as long as you leave Meli out of it sir.” he stated. I glanced at him noticing his cheeks a deep shade of red as his thoughts were protective over Meli.

“Leave the tea.” I ordered bluntly. “Sert and I need privacy.” I told them directly. Meli growled as she departed instantly. Cole looked from Sert to me without moving. “Now Cole!” I grumbled annoyed. He nodded before taking a cup of tea and following Meli out of the garden. With a flick of my mind, I latched the door locked and settled a muting zone against the inner wall and windows. I waved to one of the benches in silence to Sert.

“She is not one to believe that age is a barrier for action.” he murmured. “I was about a hundred and fifty and Meli much younger when we unfortunately crossed paths with the Pixie Princess.” he explained slowly. “She was hanging off a Royal Guard assigned to her when she spotted us walking out of a side street.” he continued in that same slow pace. “She released the Guard to come attach herself to my arm.” he said.

“Tell it to me as one of those tales you created.” I suggested. He nodded before continuing with closed eyes. I watched the events in his mind seeing what he could not say out loud.

“It did not seem strange since many of the girls from the orphanage would grapple my arm saying it made them feel safer when walking. Meli walked on the other side of me and did not notice her at first. Trixie cuddled tighter to my arm with every step until she had her body pressed against my side with her one leg wrapped around mine. Her other leg slid up and down my leg and buttocks making me realize what she was tempting me with. It is at that moment Meli noticed her.

“You should not do that in public!” she told her. She was not angry at that moment.

“But he looks so tasty that I just need to savour him.” Trixie returned mostly in my ear. She began licking and kissing my neck to a point of nearly biting me. Meli came around to try and remove her from me but her Guard arrested her motion. The Guard was whispering to Meli when Trixie moved from my side tripping me to the ground under her. I had no chance to stop her as my clothes were pulled aside and her skirt rose to her hips as she mounted me. She kissed me and her lips felt like fire against my skin arousing me and ...”

He blushed redder as he could not state the fact he had slid into her at that moment. He did not wish to state what followed as he experienced his first sexual adventure by force. I gave him a few minutes before asking him to continue from after that point.

“Meli broke free of Trixie's Guard and pulled her off me by her hair.” he reported. “This would have caused a diplomatic incident if we were not exposed as we were.” he continued with a chuckle. “Before her Guard could capture Meli, my clothing was off as I distracted him by having Trixie chase me from the scene to a more private location.” he explained. “I let her catch me a second time giving her a chance to finish what she had in mind and left reattached to her Guard's arm.” he concluded his tale.

“Meli was unhappy that Trixie had her way with you?” I asked a little perplexed.

“She is angry that she could not protect me.” he replied. “And she has butted heads with that tricky pixie ever since.” he stated. “Nearly fighting over every man she becomes interested in when Trixie visits Atlantis.” he added.

“Happy not explaining to her that Trixie mounted my hip and assaulted my neck with kisses.” I remarked. Sert laughed. “It is the fact that Trixie does not know that I am the person she seeks an audience with.” I stated softer.

“She would be seeking the Envoy of the Ones on High possible to taste him.” Sert suggested. “Or to make arrangement for some treaty letting the pixie mate with other races like the humans.” he added.

“Possibly since she didn't go fully into enticing me until she learned I was human.” I returned pensively. “Tell Cole and Meli to return since I would like to know what pixies as a race can offer in trades to other races.” I ordered.

“As you wish.” he answered. After three to four hours, I had a mental list of possible goods that could be traded from the pixies to humans as long as they allowed Atlantis to perform the exchange. It fell perfectly with the requested trade agreements received from the Egyptians including they did wish to keep a separation between themselves and Atlantis. Trading on open sea away from prying eyes of the world was added in their requests. I was happy not having to explain why the treatise was written in Atlantian as well as Egyptian.

“I have asked for a dozen female mixed Royal Guards to be present for the meeting in the morning with the pixie Princess.” I remarked over the evening meal. I stated this since Meli had complained that I would be defenceless since Sert would never harm a woman “even if she's a tramp of the pixie”. I laughed at her comment but did take it seriously. “Meanwhile, you are not to enter the dining hall during the meeting to keep things calmer.” I told her. I could sense her readying a rebuke to my idea. “I will have Sert, Cole, a dozen Royal Guards, and a Captain present to protect me which should suffice.” I informed her. She sighed as her shoulders slumped. “I do understand that you are worried for my physical safety but it is needless.” I continued. A knock sounded in the room from the foyer. Cole signal us to stay as he rushed to the door. “That was different from his normal behaviour.” I added.

“Very odd.” Sert exclaimed. He was half way out of his chair when Cole entered followed by Miss Hope.

“Yes?” I interjected.

“Her Holiness has heard of your morning visitor.” she stated formally. “She will be present to dissuade Princess Trixie's ideas.” she continued bluntly. “No room for argument on your behalf since it is her first action of freedom.” she growled at me.

“As Her Holiness Annianka sees fit.” I replied. “Please thank Her for Her concern in this matter.” A small smile formed on miss Hope's face before she nodded and walked away. “See Meli!” I nearly purred. “I even have Annianka's and Miss Hope's protection.” I added with a smirk. Meli shook her head before laughing.

“If Her Holiness is present, you could forgo the dozen Guards.” Sert suggested.

“And I believe Meli would behave with Her Holiness at your elbow.” Cole commented. Both men looked at each other before smiling merrily at the turn of events.

“Her Holiness would find it odd if I did not serve the tea during this meeting.” Meli reminded me. I sighed deeply before shrugging in helplessness to the situation.

“Fine Meli!” I retorted. “You are allowed to be present during this play as long as you behave.” I conceded.

“I will act like the perfect helping set of hands.” she returned quickly. “Best we all rest well for our impromptu performance in the morning.” she mentioned. A round of nods answered her before we slowly drifted to our respective bedrooms.

The morning dawned bright with only a few cottony clouds drifting slowly in the azure sky. Is was typical Atlantian skies and sometimes boring because of the daily monotony seen from the windows. I was already awake and in the kitchen preparing breakfast long before sunrise. I knew Sert and Meli usually came to the kitchen to start breakfast before waking me. The water for tea sat boiling while I cut slivers of cheese from its wheel. I had planned a different breaking fast fare for them. “Slices of bread toasted with mixed harder fruits chunks coated in cinnamon butter on top.” I recited to myself. Two dozen of these sat cooking while another two sat waiting to be placed in the oven. “Once ready, I place them to cool with drizzled honey and a sliver of a slice of mild cheese on top.” I continued reciting this simple recipe. “Any remaining can be sliced into quarters to serve as snacks during this morning's meeting or as light dessert for noontime meal.” I added to myself.

“Why do I smell baking apples?” Sert muttered from the back stairwell.

“Because I decided to fix the morning meal.” I announced. With nothing to protect my hands from the heat, I removed twin trays from the oven. I slid the second set of trays into the oven allowing my mind to close the door with a single afterthought.

“Tarts?” Meli stated. They stood waiting at the base of the stairs in awe at the sight. “And why make so many?” she added.

“Of sort.” I returned. “I thought what remained could be quartered as light snacks.” I answered. I glanced at them quickly before dripping honey threads and covering each with a slice of cheese. “A tea that compliments the cinnamon-butter-honey flavour or the apple-peach-pear flavour.” I muttered as I worked. Wordlessly Meli rushed to the other set of cupboards to select her ingredients by smell upon the board. “Verify if any of our guests wait at the door before rousing Cole to help us prepare.” I added toward Sert.

“Right away sir.” he responded. He darted down the back hallway to the foyer.

“Who would you expect here this early?” Meli remarked. As I completed decorating the last slice, I heard the rhythmic pounding of the pestle in Meli's hand.

“Her Holiness Annianka and miss Hope.” I replied softly. I knew she did not see the soft smile on my face. “She would make sure to be in place before our main guest arrives.” I explained. “And I mentally sent her the smells and sights of this meal.” I added. Meli giggled at my back as we moved.

“You are being thoroughly prudent about that deviant.” she said. “Very happy that everyone is charging to your rescue Kestrel.” she added with another giggle. I chuckled back as I placed a stack of plates near the doors into the dining hall.

“Have two to three tea pots ready to receive water while we drink from the fourth one with breakfast.” I mentioned. I set a large caldron of water on one of the hooks above the fire while moving the kettle of boiling water to the warm rocks. “The large caldron should cover our water needs?” I hazarded.

“Perfectly.” Meli answered without thinking. “Three pots ready for the meeting and on steeping on the hearth.” she informed me. Between our respective gifts, we danced around each other easily in the small space we used. I did not look up as Sert entered with Cole at his back.

“Her Holiness is here with her Honour Guard for breaking fast with us.” Sert informed me.

“Told you she would be here.” I commented to Meli. “Bring the plates out to them Sert while Cole shows them into the dining hall.” I ordered softly. “Bring the tea while I complete decorating the last two trays.” I told Meli. She nodded back to me before exiting the room with the tea pot and cups. It took but a few minutes to place the two new trays to cool with the honey and cheese topping slowly melting. I entered the dinning room with a tray in each hand finding my place occupied by Annianka with the chair to her right empty while miss Hope sat to her left. Sert was set at my right with Cole beside him while Meli sat by miss Hope.

“The Guard troop will arrive within the hour and the pixie an hour later.” miss Hope informed me. “I will be standing in for the Captains.” she continued.

“Best we have this gathering in your den forcing Princess Trixie to have a writing desk between the two of you.” Annianka stated. I saw the mischievous grin that sat on her face. “We will enter after she has been escorted into a room filled with female Guards.” she continued with that same grin. “Just play along and she will never dare trying to touch you my Kestrel.” she added.

“You have a very naughty plan in mind.” I remarked. I took my seat next to her as I placed the twin trays upon the table. “Best we eat and make Her Holiness' first day of freedom is joy filled.” I added. We ate slowly while talking about nothing of importance. I doubt anyone noticed the fact that Annianka held my hand under the table.