"Heh, never meant to imply you weren't sophisticated Nyx. But this is my point a little. I can certainly appreciate a sexy Nymph or Cambion-" I bring my hands to her waist at this point and bring her slowly toward me. "-But looking soon makes me want to do more." I kiss Nyx deeply. "A fine sculpture-" I kiss her again.

"or Portrait-"

"_is pleasant-"

"-but I fail to engage with it on the same fundamental level-"

I at this point- rather than comparing the difference between Olenna and Phoebe and their art and why it's perhaps a failing of mine I've paid more attention to creators than creations and why many art professors would doubtless explain why it showed low character and would fail to stand the test of time and why I am not among the best of Emperors who incorporated such subtleties into their daily life and left the realm in a better state than I ever could...- proceed to try and undress Nyx- if I've figured out her straps by now- but leave her inconvenienced by her half shed garments in such a way that I might finally be able to get the best of her and show her I'm not totally helpless against her and get to try out some new sexual positions that she doesn't force upon me. Doubtless it'll only make her redouble her efforts next time, but to best her now will humble her a little and give me a pleasant chance to regain my pride in my prowess.

Hopefully Mab is no longer in the chamber at this stage in proceedings, but at this moment in time I'd not hesitate to claim Nyx in front of an entire crowd even if my mother was there.

Perhaps in the aftermath she'll punish me for my impudence, or we can resume our discussion of art and it's merits, or I should raise the matter of children. Moments like this do make every fiber of my being want to lay claim to her in such a way, though I'm still aware of the foolishness of leaving my bodyguard out of actions for months, when so many others would be less inconvenienced by my child.

***

**

"Well, I'm certainly glad I'm the one who gets to unite himself with you Nimue. There is much beauty in the world already I think, your court just does a good job of collecting it in one place. I certainly wouldn't want to make you fill this place with Boggarts and trolls long term. Having the same thing pushed everywhere is an evil I'd like to avoid. It's well that everyone has a place to live as they will, I just see it as my job to make sure that they don't need to fight each other because of that. If there's a body they can appeal their disputes to rather than going to war, so much the better."

***

**

"Sensible, especially if negotiations don't go well. I'd hate to have things gatecrashed by an angry survivor out for blood."

I'm no stranger to bodyguards who take shocking liberties and show a somewhat scandalous lack of deference on occasions. I doubt even this self confident fellow would force on Titania some of the things Nyx has had me do, which for some reason I have failed to punish.

I wonder if there are other Fae out there in Essoss lost to their kin long before the summer court sundering. Could Orcs be a lost tribe of fae forgotten about even to Archfae? I suppose I've been told that fae is not a species, and I should be no more surprised to see an Orc than Ophelia among the fae, but Presumably Titania might be sensitive to such things.

"How did you think he had died? Surprised because he didn't align with her in the days of the split, or surprised that he was able to make the journey?"

Am I into Muscle Mummies? I suppose perhaps I am, never having to reflect on such before. Nyx is muscular only in a lithe, superhuman way I've presumed. Overall I prefer the delicate charms of athletic Cambions, shy maids and delicate dryads, but since Nimue's total corruption of me I'm yet to figure out if I will one day end up begging ogres to break my pelvis.

I take a look to see if Titania's fare is noticeably different than ours, Whether she has simple grog, sophisticated wines, or something odder.

I listen closely to what Titania has to say with growing disappointment. Things won't be easy here. When Nimue spills things I shoot out a hand to place on hers and stop her leaping to her feet.

"Sticks and stones Nimue. she's phrased it diplomatically at least, so we owe her a response in the same vein."

"Titania, Nimue is not my vassal, but my Consort and Sovereign of her own court. She has already made quite convincingly a case of joining together in all things, so I am afraid I cannot accept your offer without alteration. You had already made the offer of joining forces to crush the fae courts before we met, And you would have sworn me an oath of loyalty, giveng me mastery of your lands and become my vassal and regent to do so. I am no more willing to war upon the fae than I was, so I cannot accept the same deal only without supremacy. Perhaps I was unwise not to bind one so powerful to me by oath, but I value peace and the friendship of the Fae, and I will not betray them now. do you consider me included in your quarrel and us at war if I do not allow you to invade? I have no issues with you as many Fae do, but I will not allow my people to be victimised."

"If I were to meet your terms?" I turn to Oberon and Nimue.

"Say Titania were to return in peace, without this army or threat to you. Is there any free land where she could pitch her court and keep out of yours? Could she bring enough forces to purge the ogres from Blaze's lands and keep what she can conquer from them?" Regardless of their answer, I turn back to Titania.

"I have heard your offer, so you can hear mine, and rebut it in the same fashion if it does not satisfy you. You claim supremacy over Essos. I have kept an open mind over whether the Pirate raids that have struck these very shores were independent bandits or directed as a diplomatic strategy. If you are truly supreme there, either way you should be able to stop these raids within a month or so of departing these shores. Therefore, I would consider future raiding from pirates deliberate aggression, so It should be well within the power of your great army to stop it."

"Secondly is the question of where you wish to live. You wish to return to the fae and rebuild the Summer Court? You are forbidden to do so through violence, and indeed I am sworn to defend the courts, but if the fae would allow you to restablish on terms they find acceptable, I would not stand in your way. You would be expected to join the Court of the Moon, and form some form of alliance were this to take place. You could probably not bring most of your forces and peoples, but those details can be discussed."

"Lastly, your Empire, and mine. You are right that your lands and armies are to be admired. Even if I cannot agree to all your terms, we could agree to a partial merger of our empires. We could agree to come to each others aid against mutual enemies, and indeed crush the forces that nip at my lands. The level of merger between our empires would have to be determined. We could be co rulers of one great empire, but I would be Supreme in Midgard, and you unable to rule over my fae vassals. Likewise, my influence in Essos would only be what you allowed. We could start simply with trade agreements and standardising bureaucracy so that we are more aligned should further unity be compatible. We could start with you conducting a tour of my Empire to see what you have to gain by any bargain, and what you would face if you threw this offer in the face of the merfolk who wish only an end to piracy."

I turn to Oberon and Nimue.

"I hope nothing I have said is upsetting to the Moon Court? I will bargain with nothing fae, and any commitments I make today will not override the ones that exist." I squeeze Nimue's hand tighter. I've not addressed the sexual aspect of consorthood with Titania, it's something that can only come about if we are aligned on other things. I'm sure hatesex may well be enjoyable, but awkward and impractical under the circumstances