Dangerous Liaisons | Lamia & Regina
Lamia had spent enough time alone in Stormhold, holed up in her magnificent palace hidden from the world. Hidden from those that thought her a myth and long dead. Hidden from those who might attempt vengeance on the Queen-Witch. Hidden from past lovers who had irrevocably fallen under her spell and sought out to find her.
In short, she had hidden from everyone she ever met to seek peace of mind and dwell on the riches she had gained during her last tour across far off lands as courtesan. She had everything she desired. Except for a lover. She didn't miss one them, per se, just the fact of actually having one. It had been several years since she last had one, so it was about time she went on the hunt for a new one. And, considering she had recently hunt down a fallen star she had plenty of a golden burning heart to consume if needed - she had a full heart and half of another from the previous star that fell, which was the one she was going to dig into after she finished preparations for her trip.
Six trunks full of clothes, personal items, jewelery, make up, obsidian blades, and mirrors later, Lamia had only left to choose a destination. Taking a map of Faerie that included all kingdoms - the map had been made so that it automatically updated itself whenever a new one was added - and took one of her great knives. Closing her eyes, with a snap of her fingers she made the map turn and turn, and blindly she stabbed it with her knive; the map stopped its motions, and when she opened her eyes she read the name of the kingdom to which she was going to travel to - the Enchanted Forest.
"Many a year passed since I last visited that land. I shall hope the ogre wars are long gone." She muttered to herself, as it had been almost four centuries since she last visited that vast kingdom, even if within itself there were countless others.
With no other thought in mind, Lamia packed the map and the knife in the trunk that carried her obsidian blades, and proceeded to consume half of the old heart she kept. It had been years since she last ate that much of a star's heart and the results were extraordinary, as much as it would slow her aging process for longer. Even if she still had a full heart and a quarter left, she was going to be careful with what power she used.
Packing carefully and under a handful of spells the hearts in a special box that would only unlock under her magic and touch, she placed everything on the carriage. Her steps carried her next to the four horses that were linked to the black carriage and whispered on their ears their destination; with that alone, she was able to let them know and see the route to follow in their minds, without her bothering to direct them one way or the other. Her power was ancient enough that by mere words she could do that much, after all that was also how she turned animals into humans or soulless objects into living beings.
There were only two things left to do; first she changed from the almost rags she had been wearing to a form fitting midnight blue dress. Layers of tulle and satin made the skirts of her dress, and the back of the bodice. The front was made of an intrincate pattern with threads of silver bringing to life the dress. Except for her breasts as they were covered with several layers of lace matching the colour of the satin fabric - and bringing them to attention due to the corset in which the bodice had been built on - and half the sleeves were also made of the same lace.
Next came hiding her palace. The enchanment was just to keep away both intruders and keep it hidden; not that anyone was aware of the location of the Lilim, but it never hurt to keep one's home and lair guarded. Pleased with her work, after casting a spell only she'd be able to lift, Lamia stepped into the carriage and with a moving her right hand as if she were using a wip, the horses began to move.
During her travel she had enough time to make a list of possible candidates with whom she could get entangled with; even if she didn't know which kingdom she was to visit first court was always the same no matter which land you travelled to, even with mortals the structure was identical. And that, without the shadow of a doubt, was something she was able to use to her advantage.
It took days to reach the land, not that she actually cared. With her biology as a star she didn't need to feed nor drink, though she did requiere rest so she only ever stopped when the horses needed a break. It simply allowed her to get faster to her destination as a part of her was anxious as to what was expecting her, who could she ever meet now and deep down wonder if she was to leave kingdoms in ashes on her wake as she had done in the past. Ah, the joys of being a courtesan and not giving a damn as to whom her affections went to; after all, the highest bidder got her services and if they were foolish enough to believe the lies she whispered in their ears that was not her fault, was it?
The Greeks did have a point when in their mythology they decided to depict her as half human and half snake, because she was as dangerous and sneaky as those reptiles and her words just as poisonous as their venom.
In short, it only made it far more exciting to know what poor unfortunate soul she was going to crush and leave in shambles - and without a good portion of their fortune - by the time she left them behind and moved onto another kingdom and another lover.
The day she was finally within the borders of the Enchanted Forest, she instructed her horses to take her to official residence of the monarch of the kingdom she found herself in. She had to concede the forests surrounding the land had grown far thicker and beautiful, and if her sight wasn't decieving her in the middle of a forest and mountains a magnificent palace had been built. The last rays of light were cascading against the metalic structure, it almost taking away the almost menacing appearance it gave away. Certainly, it was something she had never seen before and it appealed to her; maybe she should set her sights in the monarch? It wouldn't be the first time she takes one as lover, nor would it be the last.
After an hour, the carriage came to a halt at the grounds of before the guards and she quickly charmed her way pass them until she finally reached the palace. In there she met other guards who, for some reason she had not expected, they actually aided her to step down from her carriage even if she had the suspicion they were there for her but for someone else.
"Such manners for poor little old me?" She spoke, with a hint of false modesty, "now where are my manners, I would like to apologise to your monarch for my abrupt and unexpected visit, if it would be possible." She heard a murmur between the guards, and her suspicions were confirmed - they were indeed guarding their ruler if the fear of their eyes was anything to go by.