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It took the party several more days to reach Archades, and then nearly a full day after that, running around, gathering something called "chops" -- enough to take the taxi to Tsenoble, where Balthier waited.

Yes, Balthier had left them upon their arrival in the Imperial City, citing "business". Ashe wondered if it had something to do with that man, Jules -- or perhaps it was his father?

The trip to the city had been trying. First, there were the Tchita Uplands and the ungodly amount of snakes to fight through. Then, there were the caves -- the Sochen Cave Palace, rather. Followed by Old Archades, which much reminded Ashe of Rabanastre's Lowtown -- dismal, depressing, and dark.

But now, there were finally in the city. It was nearing dusk when they reached Tsenoble. Balthier stood on the taxi platform, arms folded over his chest in irritation. "Decide to take in the sights, did you?" he asked Vaan.

"Balthier, be nice," Ashe chided. "We had to gather enough chops to ride the taxi."

"What?" Balthier snapped. "I gave Jules chops enough for all of you -- why, that ..." Ashe put her hand on his arm to calm him.

"Not now," she told him. "We're all tired. Is there a place we can stay tonight?"

His features softened as he glanced at her. She looked terribly exhausted, and he had to admit, he was dying for a bath, himself. No sense in storming Draklor when they were dead on their feet. Besides, this would afford them a rare opportunity to be alone.

"The Lady has a point," he said. "We'll stay at The Archadian tonight." The Archadian was one of the city's finer hotels, perhaps a bit extravagant for their budget, but the luxury might do them all good.

The party gratefully followed Balthier to the hotel. Penelo sighed happily when she saw the lobby. "It's so nice," she commented. "Can we afford this?"

"For one night, we can afford it," Balthier told her with a reassuring wink. He walked to the reception desk and checked them in. He returned to the party and distributed key cards. "Vaan, Penelo, here you are. Fran, Basch -- I trust this won't be a problem? Get plenty of rest. We shall need it for the day ahead." No one argued with him. Even Basch said nothing, though he knew where the Princess would be sleeping that night.

Ashe sank gratefully onto a chaise lounge once inside the room. She kicked off her boots and wiggled her toes. Then she pulled off her shin guards and wrist guards and tossed them aside. "This room is beautiful," she sighed. "This hotel is beautiful."

"Don't get accustomed to it. This may be the last bit of luxury we're like to see for a very long while," Balthier said while he pulled off his own boots.

"It's appreciated," Ashe said simply. She then laughed nervously. "I'm sorry. I seem to be rather nervous, but I -- don't know why."

Balthier stood before her, and pulled her to her feet. "I rather like that I make you nervous," he told her, still holding her hand.

"I'm sure you do," she said dryly. Sighing, she pulled her hands away from Balthier's and worked at removing the ornate chestpiece she wore as part of her armor. Setting it aside, she rolled her neck back and forth, trying to work out the kinks.

Balthier turned her around so that her back was to him, and began rubbing her neck and shoulders. She sighed blissfully. His fingers were magic on her aching muscles. Suddenly, she felt him untying her blouse and slipping it off her shoulders. His lips followed his fingertips, and her heart began to pound. She turned around and wasted no time in removing his vest and shirt. She ran her hands up the bare flesh of his finely sculpted torso. He removed his trousers, and Ashe's breath caught when she saw him in all of his glory -- and there was a lot of glory to see, for he was hard as a railroad spike already.

He finished removing her shirt and the rest of her garments in record time. She stood before him, pale and naked in the candlelight, chest heaving, eyes the color of a stormy sky. "Ashelia," he murmured before he captured her lips with his own.

She gasped when she felt his erection against her thigh. "Balthier," she moaned as he kissed a line down her neck. Slowly, he lowered her onto the bed, and positioned himself above her. He took both her wrists in one of his hands and held them above her head.

She squirmed a bit, as though she meant to get away, but he held her firm. "Oh, no you don't," he whispered hotly in her ear. "Princess you may be, but I'm in charge here." He lowered his mouth to her breasts, flicked his tongue over her taut pink nipples. He relished her taste, the sounds she made, the silk of her skin ... He looked up at her face, saw that her eyes were closed; her expression one of pure rapture.

He kissed her lips while his fingers found her core. She was hot and wet, and when he slid his fingers inside, her hips bucked against his hand, urging him on. "Oh, gods, yes, please," she said breathily. He flicked his thumb over her clit and she whimpered. "Balthier, please. Now."

He wasn't ready to give into her yet. He still had more he wanted to do to the Princess in his bed. He released her wrists and lowered his head. Ashe's eyes flew open in shock when she felt his tongue flick over where his thumb had just been. He licked and sucked rhythmically, half mad with the taste and scent of her surrounding him, until he felt her entire body spasm violently. She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled him up to look him in the eyes. "You -- have to -- be inside me. Now!" she cried out. "Please, oh, gods."

It was all he needed. He slid himself into her. She cried out as he filled her, her eyes overflowing with the tears of ecstasy.

"Harder!" she urged him. He did as she asked, and she moved underneath him, forcing him deeper inside. He felt her come again, and it was enough to push him over the edge. He cried out as he felt the sweetest release he'd ever known.

He collapsed on top of her, and she stroked his back absently, smiling in the afterglow. It was the first time in gods-knew-how-long that she was truly happy. "Balthier," she whispered, without even realizing that she'd done so.

Balthier rolled off of the Princess carefully, but kept her in his arms, spooning her from behind. "I hope that makes up for what happened on the Rift," he said softly into her sweetly-scented hair.

She shivered at the touch. "Hmmm," she murmured devilishly. "I don't know. Perhaps we should do it again, just to make sure?"

Balthier laughed. "The pleasure will be all mine," he told her, playfully nipping her earlobe with his teeth. "But I'm afraid you'll have to give me just a minute."

"Oh, I don't know about that," she said. Slyly, she rolled him onto his back. She slid the entire length of her body down his. She slid her tongue over his shaft, took the very tip of him into her mouth. It didn't take long before he was more than ready for another go. He started to sit up, but she pushed him back down. "Oh, no you don't," she said, shaking her head firmly. "I'm in charge now."

As she straddled him, filled herself with him yet again, she knew that this was all there was. There might be war on the horizon, but here and now -- this was all that truly mattered. And this was where she belonged.