(n.) Something that makes you forget grief or suffering

Raneem wrung her hands as she waited for Zane to near the castle. He had been gone for almost a season and she missed him so very badly. In truth, she wanted to curl up to him for a whole night then confess her nightly activities with Leanne and Lucas. She shuddered, remembering and tried not to.

Half the time she found herself failing miserably to keep her eyes on Leanne and Lucas, a third of it, she spent learning how to hold...parts properly with Leanne's guidance and the artificial parts she had made. The rest of the time, she flew out of her own solar feeling the intimacy between them become too private and intrusive. Especially when they were at the throes of passion.

Gods help her! She could not get the sounds they made out of her head!

All of that was for Zane. It was embarrassing and quite gut twisting to make herself go through with her...lessons, but she did. The worst she could do was disappoint Zane when the time comes. She wanted him to enjoy the experience.

Fuck me! I can't compare to the she-elves he had.

Her back stiffened as a knock on the door came in and the door cracked open enough for Lucas to announce, "The prince has arrived."

"Bring them to the grand hall. I will meet them there."

Raneem let out a breath she did not know she was holding. Zane was here. Her heart hammered against her chest. The days she spent without Zane had made her wander to thoughts about children. Would he be interested in playing the role of the father? She remembered that he said he had fathered children he never knew. Would he be just as apathetic to theirs? It did not seem like he cared a whit for children. And the thought scared her.

She took a deep breath. The bridge will be crossed when she got there. For the moment, she had to remember everything that Leanne taught her. She closed her eyes as she headed out of her rooms to the grand hall – only to fling open again. Leanne never told her when to do the things she suggested! She groaned. How on earth did it come easy for Leanne, Shanel and even Zane? She did not even know the difference between flirting and talking. They were the same thing to her! How was she to flirt with Zane if she didn't know the difference?

The doors to the great hall were before her and she steeled herself. None of that! Just a sway of the hips and stolen glances. That was all she was going to employ for now. By the gods, it was going to be difficult to keep herself from staring at Zane! She took a deep breath and sauntered in. Gods! She hoped she did not look like a fool!

The elves were all gathered there with Adam, chatting a while. Hanging at Zane's shoulder was a she-elf she had never seen or met before. Seeing Zane letting her hang onto him like that knotted her insides with jealousy. Who was that she-elf? She wanted to wring her neck, but restrained herself and exuded the aura of the queen that she was.

It did not take long for them to notice her arrival and Zane was the first to make a respectful bow to an equal. "Thank you for receiving us, Queen Raneem." He stood straight and motioned to the she-elf who had been hanging by him. "I would like to introduce you to our king's...confidante. Elsa. We have her to thank for the peace elves extend to Gwahan."

Raneem nodded and looked to the she-elf, jealousy still throbbing in her veins. "I am grateful for your aid." She inclined her head to the she-elf with a smile that did not touch her eyes. It was going to be easier to ignore Zane than she thought.

"It was a pleasure, Queen Raneem." Her smile held a tiny twinkle in them that Raneem was coming to resent. Did the she-elf think she was going to take Zane from her? Not in her life or death! Her father always said she was stubborn. This Elsa was going to know just how stubborn she could be!

"My Queen, might I ask a private audience with you?" Elsa asked.

So it has begun. Her battle for Zane against a woman who was the epitome of beauty. A woman whose body was carved for pleasure and whose face was meant to inspire men in so many ways. She groaned inwardly feeling that she had already lost half the battle. She was a worse enemy than ten of Shanel combined, and she could not even measure up to the woman yet!

"Of course. Adam, please make sure everyone has settled into their rooms."

Adam bowed and Raneem motioned for the Elsa she-elf to come with her. She did not want to take the woman to her solar, but there was no other place they would be away from prying ears. And she definitely did not want to take her to her room!

Raneem closed the door of her solar and turned to the woman. Her eyes bulged finding herself encased in the she-elf's tight hug. Uncharacteristically, her hug was accompanied with a human-type squeal of excitement. As if she were a long lost favorite toy finally found after being looked for in a long while.

Raneem opened her mouth to speak but her mouth jarred close as Elsa pulled heart arms length. She stared at the she-elf in disbelief, shock, surprise and a whole lot of confusion. What on earth was going on?

"I thought you would be something else to have held Zane by the balls! You are not the beauty we are used to but, your face is very...memorable. No wonder he cannot take his mind off you! And your natural sultriness! Do you know how hard you make him all the time? And you look so stubborn. Yes, yes. He'd quite love that. And to top it all off, a virgin! I would never imagine a woman your age would remain a virgin this long!"

The torrent washed over Raneem bringing her into more confusion. She removed the she-elf's hold from her shoulders and shook her head. "Forgive me, I do not quite understand..."

"Oh, dear me. I have forgotten myself." Elsa smiled. "I know it is quite uncharacteristic, but I am a bit of an exception, having spent too long with humans during your ancestor's reign here. Oh yes, I am quite old," She added when Raneem expressed shock. "I was hundreds of years old when the peace was broken. And I live on because I have learned to fall in love with life. Unfortunately, other elves just do not get it. But that is not the point, is it? I am here to advise you with Zane.

"The child has been my charge since he was born and I was wont to let go. Until about two hundred years ago when I attached myself to the king. And my dear, I hope you do not mind that I had been his first." She tittered. "He was unsure the first time, but at the second go, he had become so assertive."

Raneem's mix of emotions never left, only changed. Now she was embarrassed, awed, horrified and jealous.

"Not to worry your pretty little head, child. I will tell you everything Zane likes in bed to prepare you for what he has in store for you. I do not think you need my instruction in how to please him. An intelligent woman like you would know instinctively."

Raneem felt blood rush up to her face. With Leanne and Lucas, talk of such things were enough to make her hide under a rock, but for a stranger like Elsa to talk to her about it...she was quite ready to swoon.

She felt the she-elf's arm wrap around her as her knees felt weak.

"Oh dear, not quite used to the subject?" Elsa ushered her to one of the chairs. "Another charm Zane would love about you. But I hope you are stronger than you look. Physically, I mean."

"I-Iam," Raneem said weakly, trying to regain her composure. "I sometimes train with the soldiers and I often go out tracking. But what does that have to do with anything?"

Elsa clapped her hands in delight. "Good stamina then. Good. Zane likes it rough. You'll love it! And he is often in control. I hope you do not mind surrendering to him or being helpless and at his mercy. Although, there would be times when he relinquishes his control and then you have to be creative. But perhaps you do not need to be. Just the thought of you sends his mind senseless with need."

Raneem looked at her, mouth hanging. Thinking about it, the she-elf was quite right. And of course, she did not mind such things about Zane. But being creative? She did not know how creative she could be without Leanne's teaching. She did not even know something so big could fit...or that feather light touches elicited so much response. She shook her head. Images of Zane in the throes of passion Lucas had been in sent jots of heat throughout her body and a familiar tingling between her legs. She squeezed them together to try and ease it. No dice. Her arousal even intensified with the act so she tried to relax.

"Oh dear, you're even redder. I will open the windows for air. No talk of sex with Zane until you have recovered."

Raneem's mouth was dry. She wanted to say something – anything – but nothing came out. The she-elf was an unstoppable hurricane. What was it with old people and being unstoppable? She was probably so old, even the old king of the elves bent to her wishes.

But no matter how old she was, the woman looked like she was at the peak of her prime. Not a wrinkle marred her perfect face.

Elsa smiled. "I know I should not talk," she said returning to her after opening the windows, "—but I really have to say that you are quite a sensual woman. I doubt Zane would be disappointed in you as long as you let go. Remember to lose yourself in the passion and I promise you would enjoy every moment with him."

"How could you even say that of me?" Raneem asked finally finding her voice.

Elsa leaned into her ear. "I can smell your arousal. And we are only talking about facts."

Raneem groaned. Why was everyone around her so schooled in carnal pleasures? She felt as if she was being left behind. Perhaps she could allow Zane to...

She shook her head. No! She was going to be a virgin until her wedding day. If Zane could not respect that, then he could forget it! Or not...Could she really leave him just because of that?

She groaned. Why was everything such a complicated problem when it came to Zane?

"He is having a difficult time of it, is he not?" Raneem finally said after a stretch of silence.

"Considering what year it is? Quite so."

Raneem sighed pitying Zane. How he must suffer if what he felt was anything like what she had when he cast his spell on her not finding her release. She bit her lower lip and thought about how Leanne dealt with Lucas with only her hands and mouth. Surely she would still be considered a virgin if she did those things?

She shuddered imagining Zane's pleasure and the pressure between her thighs increased. Zane had already brought her to a most pleasurable experience after Amira's execution. Perhaps it was time she had done something of the same nature for him.

"Um, Elsa, could you please close the window?" She licked her lips. "I would like to ask you something."

Hey friends! How have you been? I have logged on to wattpad only to upload a chapter for you guys! I've been very busy with my studies so I might have not replied to some comments. But I love read them.

What were your thoughts about this chapter? Haha, I'm pitying Raneem right now. She's in such a great dilemma.

Don't forget to comment and vote for this chapter if you liked it and tag your lovely friends to share this story. One more chapter to go guys. Thank you so much for all he support you've given me. I would've never reached this milestone alone.