The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Xex alert: OhDefinitely Xex! You've been warned! Turn your head if you are too young or whatever!Cherise waited for her moment. The dance was finally winding down and it was time to make the announcement. She looked elegant. Her red hair was piled attractively on her head. She wore a simple green dress that complimented her eyes and skin that seemed to wrap itself around her like a lover. Her jewelry seemed to catch the fire and hold it. This was usually the time she loved, though this time she felt quite ambivalent. She looked at Iolaus, who waved her on cheerfully, then she took the stand.
First she thanked everyone for participating in the dance, then she thanked all of the candidates for their fine performances, and then finally she made the announcement of the winners. Her face remained calm and pleasant. Then she made the next announcement. "The joining will occur tomorrow evening in the temple. The high priestess will conduct the ceremony." Gabrielle looked at Xena. Xena squeezed her hand reassuringly and looked thoughtful. Then Cherise smile brightly, " Anyone who attends is to wear formal attire. Afterwards we will celebrate." Cheers erupted from the crowd. Cherise stepped smartly down from the stage and nodded at the instrumentalists to continue.
With the formal announcement made, Gabrielle and Xena felt free to leave a little early. Arete and Kalai were still having a fine time at the dance so they stayed and partied. They gave hugs and bid each other good night.
"Talk about complicated," Gabrielle said as she helped her lover undress. "I kept waiting for Cherise to tell us all that there was going to have to be another contest or something. I mean that would have made sense. Though you couldn't have competed," Gabrielle's voice trailed off, "and I guess I would have been upset." Xena raised her eyebrows, but her face remained neutral. Gabrielle lifted the leather shift off carefully and watched how Xena's supple muscles moved. Gods she loved this part of the day. She'd really missed it. "Now there really is going to be a joining ceremony." The bard bit her lower lip, her hazel eyes concerned. "What are we going to do?"
Xena patted the bed besides her. "Come here."
"But, I'm not done with your boots," bard said as she began unlacing.
"Gabrielle." Xena's voice was a low purr that caused the red head to tingle all over. Gabrielle looked up and was caught in the snare of Xena's gaze. "Come sit by me."
Gabrielle set Xena's foot down and scrambled to the spot indicated. Xena smiled indulgently and when the bard was settled down she took hold of Gabrielle's hand. "Are you really that worried?" she asked as she gazed into hazel eyes that were fast changing colors. Xena leaned forward and covered the bard's mouth with her own. "If you are really that concerned," she started, her voice causing Gabrielle's lips to vibrate, "I'm sure we can. . .work. . something out." Her mouth did things to Gabrielle's mouth that had the bard closing her eyes and moaning within seconds. Xena pulled back, her gaze was still even. Her voice was soft, "Maybe you need to do your bard thing Gabrielle."
Gabrielle was still in erotic heaven and didn't quite register what Xena said, "bard thing?" she mumbled.
Xena grinned, "mmhmm. You know, listing out advantages and disadvantages. Then," Xena laid back against some available pillows, "you can tell me what your concerns are, if any, and we can make some decisions. I will offer this observation." Xena stroked the bard's arm softly, "both Arete and Kalai seem very clear on one thing."
Gabrielle's expression was finally unfogging. She blinked back into the world, "What's that?"
Xena grinned as she deliberately leaned up and kissed Gabrielle again, this time feeling one of Gabrielle's breasts with her hand. "whatever happens, they *know* you are mine." Gabrielle's response was a mixture of aroused pleasure and understanding.
A few minutes later, Xena was in a clean shift, sitting upright on the bed, comfortably settled against some pillows. Gabrielle was likewise dressed, except she was comfortably settled against Xena, her quill tapping against her chin as she thought. Her tongue stuck out at the side of her mouth through closed lips in that expression that spoke of intense concentration. Xena simply held her and listened as she talked out loud.
It was turning into a very uneven list, with the pros of the relationship far outweighing the cons. As queen she had to take into consideration the political implications of having three consorts, but she also knew that it actually would e solidify her position. Only the wealthy and the powerful could maintain three lovers at the same time. That would be the silent message people would get anyway. It's just that, unlike certain statesmen and kings she could name, hers would be acknowledged and legal. It gave her leverage. Of course there would be detractors. That could be bad. But Amazons already had plenty of those. There might even be those who objected within the Amazonian ranks. That would have to be addressed.
But she wouldn't even be in this quandary if it weren't for an outdated law, which meant she could maybe put this experience to good use and demonstrate that maybe it was time to reevaluate some of those antiquated laws and ideas and change them (Xena groaned at this one, envisioning a long stay at the Amazon capitol. Gabrielle just grinned and said, "Hey, you started it.")
Other benefits included having trustworthy people to help Ephiny while she was away and they were astute observers and thinkers. That was good. She'd found their discussion very enlightening last night. Also, they had a good sense of humor. Xena's smile broadened, "compatible. Definitely compatible." The pro part of the list kept getting longer and longer as Gabrielle listed out the various good qualities of Kalai and Arete. They were smart, quick, honest, intelligent, capable, nonthreatening. .
"Nonthreatening? Did you happen to see Arete lift that bench Gabrielle."
"Yeah, but she picked up Joxer really gently. She uses her strength wisely."
. . .compassionate "Kalai was really upset you were hurt Xena. I think she'd have rather it'd been her."
"I like her."
"Me too."
"Put that on the list."
. .we like them. . .savvy . . .
"They caught on quick."
"Ah." . . .genuine. . .
They were Amazons. That was always a plus.
Gabrielle decided to tease Xena. "Sexy. Their kisses are sweet."
Xena closed her eyes and squeezed Gabrielle's shoulder, "mmhmm."
Now that wasn't the reaction she was expecting. Gabrielle turned around, "You mean you've kissed them? I thought only I," she started
"Arete kissed me the other day."
Gabrielle blinked, "She did?"
Xena nodded and opened her eyes. They held a smoky passion. "Oh yes and it was sweet."
"It was?" Gabrielle's mouth went dry.
"It was very nice." Xena's deliberately shifted her gaze to rosy lips. "Different than yours."
"Different," the bard felt caught again. She licked her lips.
"mmhmm."
They were in that moment when the heart beats a little faster and the breathing moves to catch up. Xena slowly removed the quill and the scroll from limp fingers. Gabrielle swallowed as she tried to gain a sense of self control, "Xena you are supposed to be resting. It's not like we do this every day or we have to, I mean. You're hurt for Zeus' sake."
"You are very right. We don't have to, and we don't do this every day. But that doesn't mean we can't when we want to and besides," Xena grinned wickedly, "I'm not that hurt." She tapped the bard's chin, "Besides, you are better than any medicine they could come up with." Gabrielle looked doubtful. "Don't worry, I don't expect you to do anything to me. I can be good that way." the bard looked a little disappointed, "But, they never said you couldn't be," Xena's expression turned amorous and she licked her lips, "my sweet,"
"Sweet?" Gabrielle's eyes went wide and her skin flushed.
"Very sweet." Xena affirmed. She licked Gabrielle's lovely face in such a way that the bard moaned, "dessert." She trailed kisses across the line of Gabrielle's jaw and up to her earlobe, "I want to taste you," Xena breathed hotly against the bard's sensitized skin. "I love the way you taste." Gabrielle felt her center grow warm and moist.
"Are you sure?" she whispered, not quite coherently.
"Oh," Xena purred as she liberated the bard from the chemise, "I am very sure."
After a certain amount of time in which kisses and touches had been exchanged with tender fervor, Xena while still in an almost prone position, was relishing the sweet elixir of her lover with restrained abandon. Gabrielle, who straddled Xena in such a way as to allow for really easy access, on the other hand experienced almost no restraint at all in her head long rush to orgasmic release, which thrilled her warrior no end. It was probably a good thing the band was so loud.
Later, the bard, being the clever and talented woman she was, figured out a way for Xena to also experience that joy, only a little more carefully. But that was just the fun part. The best part was afterwards when they could cuddle and for the first night in several they actually got some real sleep.