Of Love and Duty
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 14 - Choices <
As the first glow of dawn began to streak the sky, Geoffrey awoke, finding Mina still asleep, snuggled next to him. He ran his hand lightly over her smooth skin, and could feel the soft, slow rhythm of her breathing. 'God, she's beautiful,' he thought.
She began to stir, her eyes flickering open. Her heart warmed as she looked up into his face. Leaning up, she kissed him.
"Oh! You're all bristly," she exclaimed.
He nodded. "I'm afraid that happens."
"I don't care. As long as I can have this forever," she said. Her hand swept down his abdomen and soon came to his penis, already fully engorged. "Ooohhh, and this too!" Her fingers quickly began stroking his hardness.
He groaned as his penis throbbed in her grasp. In just moments, he rolled her onto her back, then pressed his lips to her nipple, feasting on her breast hungrily. One of her hands continued to caress his member, while the other swept over his back. His tongue rasped across the hardened tip of her nipple, bringing a soft gasp from her, before he mashed his lips over her breast and sucked her soft, smooth flesh.
Almost immediately, his arousal overwhelmed him. Looking into her eyes, he saw an equal fire within her. He pressed his lips passionately to hers, while lowering himself between her spread legs. The tip of his swollen manhood quickly rubbed across her moist opening.
"Oh, Geoffrey," she sighed in delight.
He kissed her once more, seeming to drain the breath from her as their tongues danced slowly and sensuously. His tip stroked her lips, then slipped through, beginning to spread her wide. She moaned into their ongoing kiss as his manhood began its slow, exquisite entry into her waiting, yearning channel. The tip stretched her inner muscles open to accommodate it, and she could feel the warm mass sliding into her, setting her nerves on fire with raw carnal pleasure. It was a moment that seemed to last an eternity as he filled her up with his shaft, driving it into her womanhood, where she held it firmly in her loving embrace, never wanting to let him go.
He groaned with delight as he was enveloped in her warm, silky moist embrace. After taking a breath, he kissed her once more, while their conjoined bodies fell into a slow, steady rhythm, rocking back, then thrusting forward as one, burying his shaft deep within her.
"Oh, yes!" she gasped, clinging to him tightly.
"Mina," he groaned.
Her hands swept over his back as his member shifted within her again and again, over and over, its steady motion, in and out, in and out, in and out, driving her crazy with passion. Wave after wave of intense ecstasy crashed over her, propelling her ever higher into realms of raw sexual pleasure.
Looking down into her deep blue eyes, ablaze with passion, he felt his love for her swelling still stronger in his heart, even as his body continued to demand physical gratification. He brushed a lock of hair from her face, then kissed her. As he did so, his body thrust into her, sliding his shaft between her tightly grasping inner muscles.
"Oh, yes!" she cried. "Oh, gods!... Yes!... So good!"
With a groan, he shifted position slightly, then pushed himself back into her forcefully.
"Oh, gods!" she groaned. "Please!... Oh, yes!... Like that!... Oh!"
"Oh, Mina," he gasped. "Oh, yes!"
Her hips rose to meet his every thrust, as her body burned with passionate desire. She gasped and cried wordlessly as he maintained his maddeningly slow, steady, driving pace. Her body shook and she pulled at him frantically, feeling herself fast approaching the brink. Finally, with a wordless cry, she soared over the edge, her entire body looking up in orgasm, and her nerves overloaded with raw ecstasy.
He groaned as he fought to hold himself back. Her spasm clamped unyieldingly onto his warm, throbbing mass within her, and nearly carrying him away with her. Finally, as the spasm was fading, he resumed his slow motion.
"Oooohhh, yes," she sighed, a bright, euphoric smile on her face.
She looked up at him, feeling an unmatched happiness to the very depths of her soul, and knowing there could never be another man for her. His lips brushed over hers, and she felt an intense warmth within her.
He pushed himself into her again, now feeling passion welling up within him and driving him on still faster. Gasping softly, he rocked back, then thrust forward. As he repeated that beautiful, timeless motion, his pace grew faster and harder.
"Oh, gods!... Oh, yes!" she cried, gasping for breath as his bulging, throbbing mass moved irresistibly within her. With his every thrust, she pulled with her inner muscles, striving to hold him there.
He braced his hands, driving himself forward with a powerful thrust. The bed shook and she cried out breathlessly. His member began to quiver deep inside her as he approached the edge. He pulled back and, with a tremendous effort, held himself still for a moment.
Gasping softly, she pulled on him. "Oh, please!" she cried.
In just a moment, he thrust forward, burying his shaft within her and flooding himself with exquisite pleasure.
"Oh, yes!" she groaned.
Her hips rose to meet his next motion, and she gasped with ecstasy as his shaft plunged deep into her. She quickly fell into unison with him, their conjoined bodies moving as one. Each movement stoked the fires of passion still hotter within her.
"Oh, Mina," he gasped.
"Oh, gods!... Oh, yes!... Oh!... Oh!... So good... Oh!... Oh, Geoffrey!... Oh!... OH, YYYEESSS!!" she cried in purest ecstasy, finally swept away into climax.
His own body was consumed by a powerful climactic spasm, plunging his swelling penis still deeper into her and flooding her with his seed. He groaned in delight as he trembled above her.
Their spasms slowly passed, and they fell limp, still holding each other.
"Oh, Mina," he sighed. "I love you so much."
"I love you," she whispered.
They lay together quietly, still intimately connected, for several more minutes. He then carefully slipped himself out of her, and lay beside her. They kissed softly, then drifted back to sleep, happily snuggled together.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
They stood together in the tub as water cascaded down from the sill overhead. With his arms around her waist, he moved her back into the water, letting it rinse the soap from the long golden strands of her hair. He leaned forward and kissed her.
"You know, you are absolutely the most beautiful woman I've ever met," he said softly, gently sweeping his hands over her.
She smiled, then kissed him in return. "And you are the sexiest, most wonderful man I've ever met," she replied.
He stepped into the water stream with her, letting it wash over both of them. She pressed herself forward, melding her body to his, and rubbing across his swelling manhood. He groaned softly and she grinned at him.
"Are we going back to bed?" he asked.
"That sounds good to me," she said. "But first, you still need a shave."
As he nodded, she stepped away and picked up a small crystal which glowed softly in her hand. She brought the crystal to his face, where its glow immediately faded. A look of puzzlement flickered across her face.
"Remember, magic energy fields are nullified around me," he said.
She nodded her head, putting the crystal back down.
"I have to do this the old-fashioned way," he said, picking up a straight razor, and beginning to slowly and carefully run it over his face. When he finished, she slid her hand along his chin.
"That feels much better," she said, then pressed her lips to his.
"I'm glad you like it," he said.
He set his razor aside, then pulled her tightly into his embrace and kissed her, his tongue plunging deep into her mouth. She again rubbed herself across his bulging penis.
She reached down and turned off the water.
"Let's head back to your cottage before anything else happens," she said, as they dried themselves off.
Just then, a bell chimed. She stood up, hearing it chime again, and rolled her eyes.
"Oh, no," she groaned.
"Something has come up?" he asked.
"Apparently," she said.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mina and Geoffrey gathered with the other Sailor Soldiers in a conference room with Serenity and Endymion. Kunzite entered the room, accompanied by his protege, Zoicite. King Darius entered moments later, and they all rose.
"Please be seated," Darius said, then taking a seat himself. "Kunzite, proceed."
Kunzite and Zoicite stepped to the front of the room. "Thank you, your majesty," Kunzite said. "First off, I must apologize to Princess Serenity and, in particular, Princess Mina. Since this concerns events on Venus, we would ordinarily have given Princess Mina the courtesy of a private briefing in advance, but in this instance there simply wasn't time."
Mina sat up in her chair, a feeling of anxiety rising in her stomach.
Zoicite stepped forward. "For the past several days at least, a political crisis has gripped the Venusian government," he said. "It began when King Philos issued a proclamation that Queen Ardora was no longer fit to exercise her duties as co-regent, and that he was assuming the sole regency."
"What?!" Mina gasped.
"The Venusian parliament has been in session for the past two months. Although their authority is rather limited, they do have a specific role in arbitrating succession issues," Zoicite explained. "And they almost unanimously rejected the king's proclamation, leading to the current crisis."
"What is the present situation?" Darius asked.
"The government of Venus is split, your majesty," Zoicite answered. "King Philos issued a decree dissolving the parliament, but the parliament has refused to accept the decree on the basis that the king's assumption of sole regency is invalid."
"Which would require the queen's concurrence," Mina said.
"Yes," Zoicite agreed.
"Has there been any response from Queen Ardora?" Serenity asked.
"Not as yet, you highness, although several Venusian leaders known to be close to the queen have spoken out, insisting the king's claim is extremely dubious," Zoicite said.
"And I presume the parliament is basing its stand on its role as arbitrator," Darius said.
"Yes, your majesty," Zoicite said. "And they are insisting they will not accept an assumption of sole regency until they've had independent access to the queen and are able to verify the king's claim for themselves."
"What is King Philos' response to that?" Darius asked.
"He has not answered it directly, your majesty. He simply issued the decree to dissolve the parliament, and since then has staunchly maintained that all subsequent actions of the parliament are illegal," Zoicite answered.
"Where is my mother?" Mina asked.
"I'm sorry, your highness. I do not know," Zoicite said. "King Philos has said only that she is unable to receive any visitors."
"And he expects anyone to just believe that?" Makoto asked.
"I doubt he seriously cares what others think," said Zoicite. "He's probably convinced that his decrees claiming for himself the sole regency and dissolving parliament put an end to any legitimate discussion of the question."
"So... What do we do now?" Rei asked.
"Nothing... for the moment," Serenity replied, already seeing clear disagreement in the faces of the Sailor Soldiers. "There is nothing for us to do. This is a matter to be decided by Venusian law."
Darius nodded. "I'm afraid I must agree. I have recalled our ambassador as a gesture of protest, but there is really nothing more I can do."
"I have sent a message to my mother, asking for instructions," Serenity said. "Until she responds, we will not do anything."
"But, Serenity..." Mina protested.
"No, Mina," Serenity cut her off. "I know you're worried about your mother, but we have to be careful not to do anything that gives the appearance either of giving recognition to King Philos' declaration, or that seems to interfere in the processes of Venusian law. Until we have a clear plan of action, we mustn't do anything."
Geoffrey placed a comforting hand on Mina's shoulder as she sat back down. "I'm sure she's doing everything she can," he whispered.
Mina simply nodded.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Two hours later, a special envoy from King Philos arrived. Endymion stood in for his father in receiving him. Serenity and the Sailor Soldiers stood to one side. Geoffrey stood at the back of the room, observing but staying out of the way.
"I am Tala, and I come on behalf of His Royal Majesty, King Philos, sole regent of Venus," the envoy announced, offering his credentials.
Endymion stood there, making no move to accept Tala's credentials. "To my knowledge, Venus is ruled by co-regents," Endymion said.
"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Ardora, is no longer fit to carry out that duty, leaving King Philos as sole regent," Tala said.
"I have heard that King Philos has made such a claim," Endymion said. "But I have also heard that the Venusian parliament has not yet ruled on his claim."
Tala clenched his jaw for a moment. "Forgive me, your highness, but your understanding is... incorrect. The parliament has no authority in this area. King Philos' declaration is purely for information purposes. He does not require approval from any quarter."
"I must say that your statement is open to dispute," Endymion said. "The world confederation of Earth does not receive you in any official capacity, but you may present your message... unofficially."
"This is a gross insult!" Tala fumed.
"If you wish to return home without fulfilling your office, that is your decision," Endymion said.
Tala stood there for a moment, glaring at Endymion. Finally, with Endymion's icy demeanor not disturbed in the slightest, Tala nodded, his eyes remaining fixed on Endymion. "His Royal Majesty sends greetings to his step-daughter, and commands that she return to Venus at once to publically display her loyalty. Furthermore, as a gesture of her loyalty, she is commanded to publically disavow the release of betrothal claimed by Lord Devon, and to proceed forthwith to marry him. And if his step-daughter should refuse, His Royal Majesty commands that she be disinherited immediately. So says His Royal Majesty."
Endymion took a step forward. "You have discharged your duty," he said, his voice cold and low. "Does the Princess of Venus have a response?"
Mina fought back the string of obscenities that were her first inclination. Summoning every bit of self-control she could muster, she turned to face Endymion, studiously ignoring the envoy. "No, your highness. This man's interpretation of the law of Venus is contrary to more than five centuries of legal tradition. My step-father has no authority to command any of these things, so that the question is moot."
"You heard what her highness has said," Endymion told Tala. "You may depart."
"I would answer some of what she has said," Tala said.
"You implied at least that you had said everything King Philos had given you to say," Endymion interrupted.
Tala nodded. "That is true, your highness."
"Then your office has been fulfilled, and you may depart," Endymion said.
Tala hesitated for a moment, then bowed. "Yes, your highness." He backed up three steps, then turned and walked out of the room.
As soon as the door closed, Darius and Julianna entered the room. "You handled that very well, Endymion," Darius said. "I'm sorry that I had to ask you to deal with him."
"I think it was for the best. Your son is more diplomatic than you are, my dear," Julianna said to Darius.
The other Sailor Soldiers had gathered around Mina.
"Now what are we going to do?" Rei asked.
There was a knock at the side door, and Zoicite hurried in. He handed a note to Serenity.
"The reply from my mother," Serenity said. "She takes the same position as King Darius, and directs that I do nothing to extend recognition to King Philos."
"I have additional information," Zoicite said. "I have been reviewing the details of Venusian succession law, and I've discovered that Princess Mina may be the key to resolving the situation."
"How?" Mina asked.
"Simply put, Venusian law puts great preference on the idea of having co-regents. Only in the case where one dies is the other clearly allowed to serve as sole regent," Zoicite said.
"Meaning what?" Serenity asked.
"The situation of a co-regent being declared incompetent has only occurred twice before," Zoicite explained. "In both cases, the heir exercised the co-regency."
"But Mina's not yet old enough to assume the co-regency, isn't she?" Makoto asked.
"Actually, that's not necessarily true," Zoicite said. "There is legal precedent, and the decision of naming her to serve as co-regent in her mother's place rests with the parliament. She simply has to place a petition before them."
"But if my step-father challenges such a move..."
"Once you place a petition before parliament, then there is no question as to their jurisdiction," Zoicite said. "The only objection that can be made is that there is no need for you to assume the co-regency. If King Philos continues to maintain that your mother is unfit, then he will have no legal grounds to oppose your claim to exercise the co-regency on her behalf. His claim to a sole regency will have no place at that point, since the law favors co-regency."
"So, if he doesn't want parliament to name me to act as co-regent, he must drop his allegations that my mother is unfit," Mina said.
"Exactly," Zoicite agreed.
Mina stood there silently, considering. Finally, she looked around the room at her friends. "I'll do it," she said.
"Are you sure?" Rei asked. "This is a big step to take."
"I know," Mina agreed. "But it has to be done. I have a duty to Venus."
"What happens if your step-father decides you're bluffing?" Geoffrey asked.
"Then parliament will name me co-regent," Mina answered. "And then he will not be able to keep me from my mother, enabling me to learn the truth. Once I am certain she is not really unable to carry out her duties, I just have to serve notice to the parliament and she is restored to her position."
"Unless he has already done something more drastic," Makoto suggested.
"I would doubt it," Endymion said. "He apparently believes he just has to hold tough against parliament and he will have his way."
"Are you prepared to assume the co-regency if you have to?" Serenity asked Mina.
"Yes," Mina answered.
"I am willing to accompany you to Venus, if you would like," Geoffrey told her.
"Of course I would," she answered. "I'm sure I'm going to need your support through this."
"And we're more than willing to go with you," said Rei. "But I guess that really has to be Serenity's call."
Serenity thought for a moment. "There are equally strong arguments for both sides, but I am willing to allow you all to go... And I will go with you."
"But your mother's instructions..." Endymion protested.
"I think I have a solution to that one. Certainly Princess Serenity cannot go under the present circumstances, but..." Energy began to swirl around her, replacing her gown with a Sailor uniform. "There is no reason why Sailor Moon cannot accompany the other Sailor Soldiers."
"I thought you didn't want to take on the role of Sailor Moon," Endymion said.
"That's right. I have no interest in being Sailor Moon," Serenity agreed. "I am not a fighter. But I am also unwilling to not stand with my friends."
Endymion kissed her. "I will miss you, my love."
"That won't be necessary," Darius said. "Endymion, I am sending you as my special observer. You are not to present credentials to Philos' government until this matter is resolved, but you are permitted to identify yourself as our personal representative."
"Thank you father," Endymion said.
"Alright, Sailor Soldiers," Serenity said. "We will leave in half an hour."< To be continued >
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NOTE: Another plot twist to pique your interest, but let me assure you, this story does have an end which we are steadily approaching. Still more to come.You can now find all my yarns at http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com and http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net.
Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy.