Full of Grace

Although Penelo enjoyed daily visits from Larsa for the week or so after her attacks, she found herself annoyed that he refused to allow her to leave the medical ward and when she did it was only with a guard at her side. On one such visit she found out that Wren's claim of Balthier and Fan's deaths had been a lie. They had been attacked but the two were harder to kill than the assassins had planed for. In fact, they were able to put four in the ground before making their escape, much to Penelo's delight.
After some convincing, Larsa finally agreed to let her leave and wander somewhat freely. Grateful at the chance to stretch her legs, Penelo walked the halls, finally coming upon the largest library she'd ever seen. Hundreds upon hundreds of books reaching up the the ceilings surrounded her and although Penelo herself could not read very well, she was able to find herself a cozy corner in which to practice her skills. Although still followed by at least one guard at a time Penelo was able to ignore them for the most part by losing herself in a book. And those kisses... she'd tried her best to forget them but whenever a memory fluttered into her thoughts she found herself weak and out of breath.
On one such day while Penelo sat in one of the over-stuffed armchairs that Larsa found her, nose so close to the pages of a book that it almost touched them.
" 'Ever skyward'? I didn't take you for the epic poem sort," Larsa murmured form behind her.
"It's a classic," Penelo replied, not looking up. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Can't a man come into his own library?" he asked, leaning against the chair.
"Of course he can though why does he choose to stand behind me?" she asked, turning a page.
"Actually, I was looking for you..." he replied, touching her hair lightly.
Penelo shivered slightly, leaning into the touch.
"Come to my chamber tonight," he whispered. "I have something to discuss with you."
"As you wish," she whispered back, staring at her book blankly.
"I look forward to seeing you..." he replied, lifting his hand from her hair and turning away.
Penelo waited until Larsa was gone before letting out her breath. It wasn't strange for Larsa to invite her to his room but even so, she felt her chest clench at the thought of it.

*****

Standing outside Larsa's door several hours later, Penelo felt her heart pounding within her breast. Trying to calm herself, she took a deep breath and knocked on the door lightly. Seconds felt like an eternity before the door swung open to reveal the young emperor.
"Penelo," he whispered. His eyes moved to the guard at her side. "You are dismissed."
"Yes my Lord," the man replied, bowing.
Once he was gone, Larsa took Penelo by the hand and pulled her inside, shutting the door firmly behind her.
"Larsa," she started, the words dying in her throat when she saw the look on his face.
Larsa was gazing down at her, face passive. She stayed motionless as he raised his hands, cupping her face and stroking her skin.
"Penelo, sweet Penelo," he whispered, lowering his mouth to hers.
Their lips brushed lightly in what could barely be considered a kiss. He drew her close, pressing their bodies together. Penelo raised her arms to rest on his shoulders, her hands touching his hair. The kisses were light, timid. His hands stroked her neck, running his fingertips across the fine hairs on the back of it. When Larsa flicked his tongue against her lips, asking permission, she parted willingly. Penelo shuddered against the touches, feeling light headed. When Larsa slid his hands from her neck down her arms her caused gooseflesh to rise where he'd touched.
When his hands moved from her ams to the lace of her bodice, she shuddered. Nervousness rose in her as Larsa kissed her shoulder, dragging his teeth across her skin lightly.
"Larsa," she gasped, twisting.
Larsa groaned, easing away from her suddenly, eyes hazy with lust. "Penelo, I am sorry. I desire you...." he whispered, lowering his eyes. "Please, if you do not feel the same, stop me before I cross a line that in unacceptable to cross."
Slowly, Penelo raised her eyes to meet Larsa's. She stared at them, the grey orbs clouded with the heat of the passion he felt. She noticed the dark blue around the iris that swirled in and out of the grey. The look was sincere and Penelo found herself rising to her toes to kiss him softly. Larsa was still beneath her, allowing Penelo to be in control.
Slowly, she raised her hands to rest on his shoulders again, drawing his face down so she had better access to him. Larsa groaned deep in his throat, fighting for control as Penelo's hands fell to rest on the buttons and clasps of his elegant shirt. It parted beneath her fingers, revealing pale flesh beneath. A soft sigh escaped Larsa's lips when she placed a hand against his chest, feeling the muscle beneath the skin. Larsa trembled at the touch, raising his own hands to the laces of her bodice, pulling them free with ease.
Penelo raised her arms, allowing the dark haired man to slide off her dress more easily. As it slid to the floor in a pile around her feet, the blond turned to look at Larsa. The young man moved his shoulders, letting his own garment fall away until he was naked from the waist up. Easing his hands to her waist, Larsa lifted her, setting her on the bed gently. As she laid back, Penelo felt uneasy. The slip she wore rode up her thighs as Larsa lowered himself upon her to kiss her.
Her hands wrapped around his shoulders even as she fought the panic rising in her chest. When one of his hands lowered to the hem or her panties, she pulled away.
"Larsa, stop," she gasped, shaking her head.
"What is wrong? Am I moving to fast?" he asked, withdrawing his hand quickly.
"No, it's not that... I, I want you but..."
Tears prickled her eyes as she choked them back. It was unfair of her to join with Larsa when she was so tainted. Those men who'd hurt her left her feeling foul, unworthy of Larsa's touch. She pulled away, curling in on herself to hide her body from him.
"Penelo, what ails you? Is it your first time?" he asked, moving away from her.
"No," she gasped, a small sob leaving her lips as she turned away from him.
Larsa was silent, watching her struggle to control her breathing. Finally, he sat back on his knees, face unreadable.
"Penelo... Has someone harmed you?" he asked quietly.
She did not reply for a second. When she nodded, Larsa let out a ragged breath.
"Did they harm you... in a personal way?"
She nodded again, so disgusted with herself she couldn't even look to see his reaction. When he touched her lightly, she jerked away.
"Do not... I am foul," she cried, shaking her head.
"No," he soothed, pulling her into his arms. "No, never. You are pure, my Penelo. No one can soil you."
"It.... I couldn't fight them."
"Them? There were many?" he asked, voice quavering with anger.
"Two. There were two. I was lost, angry, drunk... They said they would help me find my room..." she whispered, burying her face into his shoulder.
"Penelo, were you attacked here? In my own palace?" he asked eyes dark.
"Yes..."
"Who did this? Do you know their names?" he demanded, stroking her hair as she wept.
Penelo shook her head, arms still wrapped around herself.
"Penelo, I would never take advantage of you in such a way. Allow me to take you back to your room," he said, easing her away from him.
"No," she whispered. "Do not. I want to be with you. I just... I just wanted you to know that I am not untouched...."
"Penelo, what those men did to you is not what... it is not how I would have you see joining."
"It's not just them. What they did to me, when they forced me, it was not the first time I have lain with a man," she whispered, not meeting his eyes. "Vaan and I... we were lovers, briefly."
"Understandable," Larsa said, resuming his gentle touches. "You and Vaan grew up together, it is only natural that you two would become intimate."
"Larsa, I..."
"You do not need to speak. Just allow me to love you. Do not think on things past," he said, kissing her cheek. "I do not."
Penelo nodded, turning to face Larsa, eyes half closed. When his lips met hers again, they were light, tentative. When he laid her back for a second time, Penelo forced herself to relax. When his hands pulled her undergarments down slowly, she sighed, turning her head to the side. Larsa kissed the pale flesh of her stomach inch by inch. His fingers slid to her thighs, coaxing them open with gentle strokes and touches. She parted for him, feeling her breath catch in her throat when he kissed her inner thigh, so close to her womanhood. As Larsa lowered his face down her body, Penelo glanced up.
"Larsa?" she asked, unsure of what he was doing.
"It is alright," he soothed, kissing the mound of her womanhood just below the coarse blond curls, making her shudder beneath him.
Never before had she felt anything like it. When he kissed her opening, it was as if he kissed her mouth. As he parted her lips with his tongue, his hand slipped up her body, running his fingers over her hardening nipple. She cried out as a unfamiliar pressure began to build in her abdomen, causing her to writhe and buck beneath him shamelessly like a common whore.
When his tongue slipped into her opening, she hissed in pleasure. He withdrew his hand from her breast, moving to slip a finger inside her. As he stroked her with his digit, his tongue ran over a sweet spot she hadn't known existed before. When his hand found another warm presence in her, Penelo cried out, shaking in the pleasure that rode her in waves until she couldn't even move.
When she was done shaking, Larsa rose up the length of her body, kissing her throat and mouth hungrily. She returned the kiss even as he massaged her breasts, playing with her nipples until she twisted against him in wordless need.
"I have wanted this for so long," Larsa panted, burying his face in Penelo's light curls before moving his mouth to her breast, drawing in as much as he could, running his tongue over the dark bud.
Penelo closed her eyes, wrapping her fingers in Larsa's own dark locks, holding him pressed against her firmly. When he pressed his cotton clad member against her, she bowed her back to him, breathing heavily.
"Yes," she whispered, bucking against him.
Larsa shuddered, managing to pull himself off the bed to slip off his slacks. When he climbed back on, Penelo spread her legs willingly.
When his smooth hardness brushed against her entrance, Penelo tensed in the remembrance of harsher touches. When she stared up into his eyes, she was able to relax against the touch. When he eased into her swollen wetness, she moaned, tightening her hold in his hair. He moved slowly, as if afraid to hurt her with his first thrust. Once he had himself completely sheathed inside of her, he stopped, taking a shaky breath. His body trembled with need and yet he waited for Penelo to adjust to the feeling before pulling back out.
"You will not hurt me," she whispered, hands resting on his shoulders.
Larsa nodded, sliding back into her until he was a deep as he could be. He filled her so much that she sobbed with the feel of it, not from pain but from pleasure. As he stayed still, poised within her, a hand trailed to her thigh, urging it up around his waist. Slowly he withdrew, moving with such control that Penelo could hardly belive he was able sustain this slow and gentle pace. As he moved within her, Penelo felt him stroking that place inside of her again, building the pressure for a second time.
Penelo did not know that this is what lovemaking could be. With Vaan it had only been a few times and they were always clumsy. He would receive what he desired and she would take what she could get but never had she known what real pleasure could be. She never even knew a man could bring her such feelings.
When she thought she would weep from want of him, Larsa withdrew. Slowly, he laid back, pulling Penelo on top of him. He eased her down onto his member, letting her adjust to the new angle before thrusting into her, causing her to moan above him. His hands rested on her hips, using them to raise her up and down on his unyielding flesh. When he brought her again, Penelo threw her head back, crying her pleasure to the ceiling. Her nails racked down his chest, leaving light pink marks where they had been. Shaking, toes numb, Penelo looked down into Larsa's face.
"I love you," she gasped, unaware that the words had left her lips until her replied.
"I love you, Penelo. I have loved you since I was a child, during the war. I have long desired this, desired you," he groaned, thrusting against her, making her gasp.
After her release Penelo was sensitive, more so than she'd ever been before. The feeling of Larsa moving inside of her was intensified to the point of near pain. She clutched at his shoulders, breathing heavily. She opened her eyes look look at him, telling him that it was alright.
His back bowed as he finally let loose his passion upon her. Each thrust was less controlled, more passionate than the last. His eyes were ablaze when he pulled her down for a possessive kiss, leaving her lips bruised from the heat of it. Larsa shuddered as his release bore through him, leaving him limp with exhaustion, Penelo curled around him. His seed filled the blond, his member still throbbing inside her.
Larsa's arms wrapped around her shoulders, fingers tracing her skin lightly. When she finally pulled away from him to lay on her side facing him, Larsa kissed her again. Her eyes slid shut as Larsa pulled his covers over their bodies. When his hands traced the curve of her hip, Penelo smiled, nuzzling close to his neck, smelling his hair. When he turned so that his back was facing her so that he could turn out the light, Penelo touched a dark mark on his back.
"What is this?" she asked, tracing it.
"The crest of the house of Solidor," he replied, turning back to her. "My brother, father, and all the leading males of our line bore it. Being the youngest of many, I never thought that I would have to have it someday. It is a silly tradition, I was thinking of doing away with it," he said, resting an arm over her waist.
"It's beautiful," she said, closing her eyes.
"You are beautiful, Penelo," he whispered, drawing her close to him.
It was not the first time she'd been called beautiful, but from his lips, it was the sweetest sound she'd ever heard. The tears that formed in her eyes were unexpected and she buried her face into his chest.