He expected her blush - she was a lady, and to have been kissed the way Magnus had just done to her was no common matter. Magnus was beginning to suspect more and more that her previous, dead husband, had done nothing to show her of the joys that could be hand between a married couple. Magnus on the other hand was not so tame behind doors. Of course, this wasn't knowledge he bandied about, but he knew better then to expect just anyone to be able to accept his likes and dislikes between the sheets. It was why he preferred priestesses and flute ladies to taking a wife.
But someone as fresh as Iolanthe? Perhaps. What she brought to the marriage was, of course, a plus as well.
He felt her fingers curl into the fabric of his tunic on his chest. She made no move to pull away, and that, the spymaster took as a good sign. That must mean she wasn't entirely disgusted by him and his behavior after all, right? Moving his lips against hers in a purposeful manner now, it was clear Magnus had taken the happy 'accident', as it had happened, to much further heights. Her lips against hers brought a quick thrill under his skin, and his hands fell from her shoulders, to be cradled in the little dip of her waist, resting just on her hips.
Her eyes staring at him when he pulled back made the dark-haired male preen inwardly, noticing the slightly hazy look in her eyes, a proof that he had done his job well. Not that Magnus was unaffected. His breath came heavier then it did when it was just casual conversation between them.
As she searched his gaze, her words hesitant and suspicious, Magnus's heart skipped a beat - whether it be from excitement or nervousness, he could not be sure. Was he actually trying to seduce a noblewoman once he found her barony that came with her hand in marriage? How much of his actions was a farce, and how much did it come from his actual attraction to the lady? They were thoughts that lingered in his mind, yet something he knew he would need time to consider.
It was time he did not have for now, not when she awaited an answer.
"If the lady asks... then she shall receive." his low whisper came, and this time Magnus smiled along with his words. Unlike the chivalrous, friendly smile Iolanthe had likely seen him wear in Taengean courts and to her respectful self as they rode through the streets of Vasiliadon, this one held more promise. The smile somehow managed to be both boyish yet dark, a promise of things he could do to her if she would let him. "You only have to ask, should you wish to stop."
That was his final out for Iolanthe, his only way of promising her that if she wanted to stop at any time, Magnus would, no matter how hard, pull himself away. For plan or no plan, barony or not, he was still a spymaster in service of the royal family, and he had not only his reputation, but that of his kingdom to uphold. To have a noble house cry foul on his name would be to kill all he's worked hard for.
So he would let her lead in how much liberty she would allow him for now. Leaning in again, he captured her lips with his once more, nibbling on her bottom lip, stroking his tongue against her. Angling his head, Magnus leaned in such a way that would make Iolanthe have no choice but to bend backward, if she allowed him. His pressure was gentle, but also insistent. If the lady did not want to pursue this, all she had to do was to lay her hand on his chest and push. But if she did not, Magnus had no qualms at all about coaxing her till she lay all the way down on the blankets he had lain on the deck of the ship. For if he could, Magnus wanted to coax that passion that her husband had never introduced to her, the kind that existed dormant in everyone, until they found the right person to awaken it.
Iolanthe stared at him with parted lips for what felt like forever, trying to decipher his gaze and the way he held her and the words he finally spoke. Everything within her was at odds, desire and sense battling it out as his hands sent sparks of heat through her in a way that she had rarely felt, certainly not in the arms of a man like this. He was genteel and kind, seemed honorable enough and had the esteem of the royal family, and the less rational part of her mind reminded her that though he was not noble by blood he carried himself as one born into it and a good word from the Kotas was a ringing endorsement.
Where could she take this? How far could she go without crossing the line? Again she was at war with herself as part of her chimed in once again to say that she had already taken it too far so what was the harm in continuing. It wasn’t as if they would be getting off the boat any time soon, and this was a far better alternative than being bored and cooped up in her cabin as she had on the journey over. But then again, was she bold enough to take a lover, even on a temporary basis? What would Gala say when she told her of her indiscretions and how could it harm her family name. She was a widow, no virginity was expected of her, nor lack of knowledge or experience. Why not once, just once allow herself to indulge. If he wished more of her it could perhaps end up being a better arrangement to stay at home in Colchis than to leave for yet another foreign land.
”And if the lady wishes for...discretion? Would that be granted?”
She didn’t wait for his answer before her body was bent to his whims, clutching at him still as she gave over her weight into his arms as he laid her back on the deck. For a moment she was lost in him as their lips met again, hands moving from his shirt to tangle in his hair as she now realized she had been longing to do for quite some time. The curls he kept short were easy to wind her fingers through as she pressed her body against his in a far more wanton way than ever with her late husband. Titus had found any sort of expression of desire unnecessary, a waste of time when her only purpose was to serve his pleasure and bear him children. Clearly Magnus had quite the opposite opinion.
Parting her lips for him, Io had almost forgotten they were in an entirely exposed position on the deck of the ship and that anyone could be watching them. Only the sound of men’s laughter from below managed to remind her exactly how vulnerable she was at the moment, and she broke the kiss with a gasp, looking over as if expecting the entire crew to be watching them. Flushed and out of breath, she looked back to Magnus once her fears were assuaged and gave him a slight smile.
”I think perhaps it would be best if you escorted me back to my cabin. With the wine...I have quite forgotten myself.”
What were the repercussions that faced him? Magnus had to remind himself that widow she may be, Lady Iolanthe was still an esteemed member of the nobility, the cousin to a baron and the sister to another - she was no simple lady to trifle with, and should she wish harm on him and his family, even with the royal family's trust, the Kotas would not pick protecting him over a member of their noble houses. He risked a lot.
But what if she offered?
Her words tempted him. The spymaster chuckled at her question, but did not answer, too enraptured and eager for the taste of her lips on his own, to explore the depths of the passion her dead husband had left untapped. For the lady was proving to be a very willing partner in their actions, the kind that made Magnus wonder if perhaps, she'd be an eager partner when it came to his... more basal desires.
Pressing her to the deck, he moved with the grace of a jungle cat to bend over her. The hands which had slowly lowered her, now moved to her waist, grinning into the kiss as he felt her fingers in his dark curls, obviously a willing participant in this exchange. With her body pressing against his, Magnus moved his legs to tangle his ankles with hers, before crooking his knee, pressing it against her skirts so it would press against her warmth. Softly, gently, with not so much pressure that she would feel shocked, yet just enough that she would feel a warm presence right where she was most sensitive.
The rest of the deck was scarce of humans - Magnus had been clear in his instructions. When he was with the Lady, everyone else was to remain away and grant them their privacy. He had not shared the tidbit of information with her, but Magnus had always been someone who took the thrill in engaging in more basal acts in the presence of Boreas and under the skies of the Gods. Of course, this would mean his reputation would be at risk, so he kept his partners hidden, and his indiscretions even more secreted away.
When she broke the kiss, Magnus allowed her with no fight, merely pulling back with his breathe coming heavier, allowing Iolanthe to come down from her high, and to regain her senses. As she did so, he allowed himself to observe her flushed cheeks, darkened eyes, and came to the simple conclusion from her surprised and flushed look - her husband had never introduced Iolanthe to the world of pleasure a marital bed could offer.
What a shame.
"Of course, my lady." he murmured in response, such formalities laughable considering the compromising position they were in. But Magnus was well trained. He dutifully got up, helping the lady to her feet, and then turning his back so she may right himself. Only when she made an indication, did Magnus finally turn back, and offered his arm.
In silence, he escorted her down below decks, down to the narrow hallway that led to the cabin. At her door, he bent to unlock the door, opening the door with a flourish. Yet before she could venture deeper in, Magnus paused her, and without warning dipped his head to press a short but deep kiss against her lips, pulling back just as suddenly as he had kissed her, a small smile on his lips. "Had the lady asked for discretion... of course, it would be granted with no question. Anything, for the pleasure of the lady."
The whisper was husky, in a tone that was obviously meant for her ears only. And leaving her with that, Magnus took a step back, giving her a quick shallow bow, before turning on his heels to return to his room, his mind turning with possibilities and chances, many future plans that needed to be made if he wanted to set a plan in motion to gain his greatest ambition.
She could barely breathe with him atop her though it had nothing to do with his weight. The way his lips moved against hers and his body shifted with her sent sparks along her spine and a heat pooling in her stomach that was delightfully surprising. A gasp left her as his knee pressed against her center and without realizing what she was doing her hips moved against him and her teeth grazed his bottom lip until she pulled herself together. As he lifted away, Iolanthe panted on the deck for a moment before accepting his hand up, flushing as he turned away to allow her a chance to right herself. Brushing her chiton into place, she tugged her shawl around her shoulders before reaching out to touch his back gently.
Walking in silence with him, she finally noticed the absence of everyone else on deck and shot a glance at him sideways. He was clever, if he had been planning for this, and at the thought she felt her heart racing as they moved into the darkness below deck. When they reached her door she barely stepped inside, turning to try to put words to her thoughts when suddenly his lips were on hers and she felt herself melting into his chest once again. How could someone else so quickly set her aflame when before they had been comfortably friendly? His touch left her speechless as he moved away and bid her goodnight, and staring at his retreating back with her mouth agape she couldn’t manage the words she had been planning to say.
It had been her intention to ask if he would stay, if he would spend the night or at least part of it in her cabin with her so they might explore this moment, but he had left before she could. Anything for the pleasure of the lady…
Iolanthe watched him a moment longer before closing her door behind her and following through the darkness. She hadn’t felt like this since she could remember and she had no intention of letting the moment end without getting at least one more taste. Kisses with her husband had never felt like this, even when they had been in bed together her heart had never raced in the way Magnus’ touch had shocked from her. She had come to believe that her wedding bed would always be unfulfilled, had even planned to turn back to Galatea for...those sorts of desires.
”Magnus.”
Through the dark she reached out to touch him, her hands resting on his back and shoulder to try to draw him to a halt and turn him to face her. His words and touches had been too promising, and even if it was a shame on her she wanted more. Lifting onto her tiptoes she gripped one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chiton to drag him down to her level, kissing him with as much passion as she could muster. It wasn’t until she needed air that she pulled back, looking up at him with a gaze darkened with desire she couldn’t catch her breath as she finally managed what she had been trying to say.
”The lady would like discretion. But also a bed, to start at least.”
He had been raised to be a gentleman, even when he was a simple weapon crafter's son living in a small hut in Chaossis. Growing up watching his father treat his mother with the utmost respect, and watching the warmth between his parents, Magnus had long since learned that women deserved to be treated like the gems of the world that they were, to be cared for and protected. It was why he was infinitely careful of the friends Leto made ever since she and their parents made the move to Midas.
Yet the lady tempted him.
Her voice settled across him like a shroud on a misty day, stilling his steps even as he was walking away from her, from her quarters, from the temptation that staying next to her would bring. But she was the one who stopped him. Her fingers managed to incite frisson's of electricity even through his thick coat and tunic, tensing his muscles. But he did not resist.
When the lady turned him to face her, even when she dragged him down to her to meet his lips with hers, he did not struggled. Like putty in her hands, he returned her kiss with equal ardor. Hands came to hold her small waist, pressing against her, yet holding back. How far could he go? How far was she letting him go? Caught in between want and indecisiveness, it all showed when she pulled back.
But all it took was those simple words from her, to wipe all the indecision away from her.
Magnus gave a low chuckle, relief flooding across his face. "Then what the lady wants, the lady shall get." he replied in his husky voice, before surging against her again to resume the kiss. This time though, it was much more insistent, so much so that the spymaster pushed Iolanthe against the wall of the narrow corridor that separated their sleeping quarters. Against the wall, he pressed the whole length of his body against hers, hand slipping below to splay his long, calloused fingers over her bottom, cupping them and giving them a gentle squeeze. Using his palms, he pushed his hips against hers, aligning his own so he would push against her center.
His lips move downwards, trailing gentle, butterfly kisses along her cheek, down the column of her neck, to where neck would meet shoulder. There, right in the crook, he buried his nose to take a deep breathe, almost memorizing her scent. "You should not fear a bed with your next husband, my lady. I'll assure you, you'll find it quite pleasurable indeed." Magnus murmured, nibbling at her earlobe. Trailing downwards again, his nose nudged the shawl and the sleeve of teh chiton so it fell off her shoulder, and there he rained kisses over the bare shoulder, just grazing his rough stubble over the top of her breasts. "Even if there was no bed involved."
While he enjoyed the bed, it wasn't exactly Magnus's favorite position for the act of lovemaking. Yet considering this was likely the lady's rare few occasions of the act, he finally straightened up, and grasped her hand, leading her towards his quarters. There, the male closed the door behind them, and was quick to pick her up, wrapping her legs around his waist, and then dropping her on his well padded, nailed down bed, grinning as he crawled over her. "Now... you'll have to show me what you know, my lady. The lessons shall proceed from there."
A thrill shot through her as he bent to her level and met her lips with as much desire as she felt, his hands landing on her waist a welcome warmth in the cool darkness. His words were a promise she hadn’t realized she ached for, and she breathed out a laugh of relief at his response before being swept up in his arms again. Standing, the height difference between them was far more noticeable than it had been when they had been up on the deck, and she found herself trusting him more than she had anyone else lately as he pushed her first against the wall and then held her aloft.
Her legs wrapped about his waist as she clung to his tall frame, back pressed against the rough wood of the wall as she drowned willingly in his kisses. Never before had she known anything quite like this. Titus had been too old to lift her onto anything in spite of her petite size, and in that same vein his kisses had never tasted this sweet or sent such sparks along her body, his touch had never drawn desire from her in any manner. It was unkind to a man who had done his best to ensure that she was well taken care of in his passing, but Iolanthe found herself wishing that she had been bold enough to take a lover back then instead of waiting so long to find this heat in her life.
The kisses trailed down her neck draw a soft sigh from her lips and as they ran lower she twisted her hands into his hair once again, allowing herself to get lost in the scent and feel of him against her. His words once again were intriguing and she found herself wishing that she could live in this delicious world of suspense forever, lingering just on that edge of longing and satisfaction. Cool air hit her skin as her chiton was tugged from her shoulder and Iolanthe shivered at the combination of that with the scratch of his beard across sensitive skin.
”Do not make promises my husband might not be able to keep. Unless you are willing to fulfill them.” She lost her voice after that, unable to properly articulate words while his mouth and hands were just so, his body pressed to hers in such a manner. A rather unladylike whine left her as he set her down, her legs not exactly confident in carrying her to where she next needed to be after his treatment of her. She gripped his hand and all but fell after him until they reached his room, the closed door giving her a boldness she hadn’t known she was capable of as he next lifted her to settle her on the bed. There was no hesitation as she slipped her chiton from her shoulders, arching up against him to push it down and expose her from the waist up, her legs parting for him to settle between and wrapping around his own in a wanton way she hadn’t been able to express on the deck.
”I always found it difficult to focus on some lessons…can we not simply...be?” Arms and legs wound around him as she tried to pull him down into a kiss, his banter was charming but she had far less patience than usual in this moment for his clever words and tricks. Better to occupy his tongue in different ways in the hopes she could both hide any lingering inexperience and learn from him what felt best.
He smirked at the sounds she made, promising to Magnus's ear. He was always hesitant when he started with a new bed partner, a new lover as one may. Magnus was always discreet in his affairs, albeit he has not had many in the years. One who was intent on his work, the human needs fell by the wayside when it had naught to do with his family. Whatever desires he slaked, it either was done at the city brothel, or with whomever necessary in order to gain information for his job. Whichever way it was though, Magnus's own favorites for the act between man and woman meant that when it came to lovers of noble birth, he had to be more careful.
"I shall fulfill them till the lady denies me, then."he murmured, the smirk firmly in place. Settling in between the legs she had offered to him, he buried his nose in her neck, taking a deep breathe as she pushed her chiton away from her shoulders. Taking that as a sign of invitation, Magnus pushed them all the way down, exposing the cream of her breasts to which Magnus dipped his head to press soft, gentle kisses to. He started from her collarbone, drawing a trail downwards until his lips found the peak in which he could close lips around, moving in such a way that would ensure Iolanthe's pleasure. He was calculating each move based on the arch of her body, the sounds he managed to pull with the flick of his tongue, and the nibble of his teeth.
Rolling the chiton down to her waist, his hand found the twin mound of her chest, feeling the weight of her breasts in his palms. His fingers toyed with her, even as Magnus looked up again, drawing his lips away.
"No lessons then." he murmured huskily, reaching down to adjust her chiton so his he could press his hips firmly against the center of her. Even through his pants, he could feel her heat, and he was sure she could feel his desire for her growing. Going willingly with her kiss, his hands left her breast to now travel downwards, one palm on each bottom cheek, so as to firmly hold her against him, pressing their cores against each other as he rocked his hips against her.
Slowly at first, he took his time before he firmly pressed harder, pulling back from her amorous kiss. Breath came in heavy pants, and Magnus thanked the Gods that the women's undergarments proved easy to shift aside, yet his pants were proving to be a hindrance for now. "I'll need your help, sweet one." he murmured, one hand gripping hers, and bringing her fingers to the ties of his pants that held the garment up. Leaving them there, his own fingers trailed to her own center, finding the skin that was most sensitive to her as he murmured in her ear. "Clothes are such a hindrance, but I find my hands too busy to take mine off. Could you help me?" he teased, as he played with her pleasure.
A giddy laugh sighed from her lips at his words, so wrapped up in him and this haze of desire that had settled over her that she didn’t think she could deny him anything. His assistance in pulling the material of her chiton out of the way spoke of an experience that she could not match in spite of being married for ten years. Twining her legs with his she lifted her arms away from her chest, sliding her fingers once again through his hair to distract herself from any insecurities that might have been rising, the texture of his curls so different from her own that she felt he must think her mad for how much she enjoyed the feel of it against her fingertips. His lips closing around one of her nipples brought a sharp gasp of pleasure from her and she released her hold, allowing him his freedom and gripping at the sheets of the bed instead.
Despite her remark about not needing lessons, there was so much more he could show her. Every movement of his body against hers spoke of a promise of feelings that had never been stirred quite like this before, sparked sounds and sensations she hadn’t thought herself capable of and she brought a hand up to cover her mouth after one particularly unladylike moan, afraid that they might be overheard. All it took though was a word from him and she found herself fighting at the fears and insecurities. Perhaps it was the intensity of how she felt in this moment, the wine she had consumed earlier, but she trusted him completely with her body and oddly enough her heart. It was unlike her to do this, to allow herself to feel so much, but Magnus had pulled from her somewhere dormant a fire she had never known.
With her legs hooked around his own she rocked up against him eagerly in response, happy to kiss him until they ran out of breath as her chiton became entirely bunched around her waist and he removed most of the fabric between them. His hand finding her center sent a spasm through her, unused to anyone else actually taking the time to touch her like this. Hands shaking, Iolanthe opened her eyes and bit at her bottom lip to try to keep what little composure remained as her fingers worked at the lacing of his pants. They were the most inconvenient article of clothing she decided, tunics and chitons were far easier to manage in moments like this. It was slow going but eventually the laces loosened enough that she could slide her hands beneath the material and shove them down his hips.
”Show me your promises then..”
It could have been hours or minutes, but each movement was a delight, nothing like the chore of lovemaking with Titus. She had always tried so hard to please him, to make him love her and give her more than passing thought. It had never worked but with Magnus, it felt as if they were both working toward each other’s pleasure, and Iolanthe had never felt so desired or wanted before as she slowly melted back down into the spymaster’s chest. Her hair that had been simply down before now felt a wild knotted mess and her body was slick with sweat from their joint exertions which set her shivering as her heart rate slowed and the cool air hit her bare skin. Legs still tangled with his, she curled against him seeking his warmth as she sighed out a satiated breath.
”So. Now I see what you mean. I fear you’ve spoiled me.”
He had pulled her above him, a postion to let her explore, to let her see a world she likely had never seen before. It was a shame, to Magnus, that her husband had never allowed a sensual woman that he was beginning to think was simply never introduced to the marital bed properly. A heinous misgiving Magnus intended to correct - at least for now. With her hands on her waist as she came down from her high after the long minutes or even hours of lovemaking, sweat a sheen on their skin now. Her sounds echoed within his quarters, and he smirked she came down to his chest, still seated over his hips, but seemingly content in her position.
His thumbs rubbed slow circles over her hips where he had gripped her, as he moved her to curl up next to him, and then flicked a blanket over her small, naked and shivering body, his long limbs curling and tangling with hers. The experience had definitely not been one sided. While Magnus had enjoyed bringing her to a shivering completion under his fingers, he had came to his own pleasure, one that was brought about by a woman who, he was now coming to realize, was unafraid to seek for her pleasure, if he judged it by the way she had been above him.
Chuckling as he threaded his fingers through her brown locks, he gently kissed her whilst they lay side by side at first. His kisses were slow at first, from her cheek to her earlobe, and then they trailed downwards to her throat and length of her neck. One hand sneaked up from where they had been resting on her hip to glide across her torso, and then cup one breast in his hold, grinning into his kiss.
"I can spoil you more, my lady." he finally murmured, pulling back to give Iolanthe a smooth smile. If he was to ensure she would agree with his request, that she would fight against her cousin and convince her sister in law, Magnus was beginning to realize he first had to make himself irresistable to her. Besides, it wasn't as if it was a difficult task.
So he squeezed his hold on her breast, pressing closer so his body was so close to her, parchment would not be able to pass. His lips trailed lower, ghosting across the top of her breast that was not in his grip. "I do hope you have enjoyed yourself." he paused, and then slipped lower, hands holding her waist as Magnus pressed kisses from the middle of her breasts, and then began a slow trek down, occasionally nipping at the softer skin of her tummy. "For I have more where that came from."
With a last smirk flashed at her, he disappeared beneath the covers he had pulled over their bodies, to rain kisses on her thigh, intending on making sure she came to understand the full extent of pleasure a body can take.