The Joys of Diplomacy

Gharni looked at the rings being offered by one of her lovers to the other.  "I'm afraid I still don't understand," said Gharni, "why are you upset by them?  I would have thought any gift of a sexual nature would be a turn on for you."

"I'm not upset by them Gharni," said Xlandria, "I'm thrilled and scared at what they represent.  If I accept them and wear them then I am bound to Azran for all eternity."

Gharni glared at Azran.  "Why would you do this to her Azran?  Isn't it enough that she's already your slave?"

"Gharni, stop!" cried out the Succubus. "It's not a punishment, it's a gift, a wonderful gift.  Like most demons, Succubae are virtually immortal.  When we fall in battle our souls return to the Twisting Nether until we are summoned back by our masters.  We also go there when we are dismissed from this realm or another minion is summoned and displaces us from this realm, but it is a horrible place, even for a demon.  There is nothing in the nether but pain and suffering.  Just being there is like feeling your skin dragged across rough sandstone, a burning hot sun bearing it's noon-day heat on you from all sides, the most bitterly cold winds from Northrend chilling your bones, and the stench of death and decay are everywhere."  Tears began to roll down Xlandria's cheeks as she recalled the horrors of the Nether.  "I love you both too much to describe anymore of it to you.  This is why Azran apologizes to me every time he must summon one of his other minions, because he knows where I am going and what I must face there."

"I'm sorry Xlandria," said Gharni, "I didn't know, but what do the rings do?"

"The ring itself doesn't do anything," interrupted Azran.  "It's simply a symbol of a pact between myself and Xlandria.  The power comes from the promise.  All creatures of the extremes of magic, whether of holy light or dark shadow, are bound by the promises they make.  The magic that sustains them forces them to keep those promises.  This ring represents the closest thing to a wedding ring that succubae have.  Just like a wedding ring, it is a promise that our souls are bound to one another.  THAT is why this is such a wonderful thing.  If Xlandria falls in battle again or I am forced to dismiss her then her corporeal form will disappear like it always does, but her soul will remain with me.  She will never have to return to the Twisting Nether again."

"That sounds wonderful, but why didn't you offer her this long ago?" asked Gharni.

"Because this promise exposes his soul to me," said Xlandria.  "Succubae may be sex demons, but we are still demons.  A demon, given the chance, can rip the soul from a mortal body and drag it into the Twisting Nether.  This doesn't just mean he loves me, it means he trusts me with his soul."

"Are you sure of this Azran?" asked Gharni.  "No offense intended Xlandria, I love you dearly, but I've always been taught to be very wary of demons."

"You're not wrong to be cautious Gharni," said Xlandria, surprising Gharni.  "Many succubae have seduced their masters with the sole purpose of convincing them to put themselves into a position where the succubus could take hold of their soul.  That's why this isn't to be given lightly.  It's a sign of absolute trust.  To make this pact, Azran must freely offer me a ring that pierces the flesh and I must freely pierce my own flesh and wear it."

Azran drew one of the rings from the box and held it up for Xlandria to take.  "Xlandria, with this ring our souls are as one.  For eternity, we are bound to each other's fates."

"I accept your offer Azran and I freely bind my soul to yours," said Xlandria as she took the ring from Azran. 

Xlandria extended the index finger of her left hand and the finger nail became thin and pointed, like a needle.  She pierced her right nipple and inserted the open ring after which she closed the clasp.  As the two ends snapped together a small spark could be seen; the ends were now fused into one.

Azran stood and embraced Xlandria, kissing her passionately.

Once they separated Xlandria spoke, "you didn't have to get me a second ring you know.  It only takes one to complete the ceremony and I don't really need a second ring for symmetry.  Women who partake of mortal marriages don't wear a ring on the other hand after all.  I'm rather surprised since you're usually so meticulous in your research Azran."

Azran smiled at this.  "The second ring isn't meant to be from me."  At this revelation he gave Gharni a pointed look.

"Azran!" exclaimed Xlandria, "that's completely unfair of you to put that upon Gharni!  She hasn't even had time to think about…"

"Xlandria, with this ring our souls are as one. For eternity, we are bound to each other's fates," said Gharni.   Without Xlandria realizing, Gharni had removed the ring from its casing and had offered it to her.

"Gharni, are you sure?" asked Xlandria.                        

"Where ever you go, I go," said Gharni, sealing her promise with a gently kiss on the lips.  "Besides," she teased "if you were to steal my new husband's soul away to the Twisting Nether and leave me behind I'd be a widow and I don't like to wear black."

"Then I accept your offer Azran and I freely bind my soul to yours," replied Xlandria, repeating the piercing process with her left nipple.  "Now kiss me again," she commanded.

Gharni and Xlandria shared another kiss, this time Xlandria pressed herself into Gharni causing her new piercings to rasp gently against Gharni's nipples causing the orc to inhale sharply and the surprising sensation.

Azran stood and slipped off his cloak, laying it across the ground near their fire. 

"Now that everyone is good and married," announced Azran, "I say we celebrate in the traditional manner."

"Wait," said Xlandria.  "I have something I'd like to do first to get everyone in the mood."

With that, the succubus placed two fingers into her mouth and whistled sharply causing Gharni's worg to perk up and run to Xlandria.  She rolled him onto his back and began caressing the worg's belly.

 "Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy!? You're a good boy Frekaz! Yes you are, yes you are!"