Solutions and Discoveries +18

Trinee was just as much of a geek as Lily in terms of plants. Lily had found out that several plants were having issues similar to the Dragon Moss plant. Trinee had several volumes of plant research she had conducted trying to find the link. However, with each plant Trinee tested, they all came back the same. Each one has a hard time absorbing nutrients correctly, eventually dying out in the end.

Lily saw this with some of the plants she checked that grew along the Dragon River that went through most of the territory. The problem could have come from just about anything. Trinee sat down with her to discuss possible environmental elements, something that could have come from one of the other territories. Lily had grown all sorts of plants from the Wolf Clan territory that exhibited the same issue. 

"You're right this could have come from one of the Clans. The Royal City is in the southeastern part of the territory which is also the start of the Dragon Clan's Mountain ranges." Lily was seeing where Trinee was going with this because the territory on the western side of the Wolf Clan was the Bear Clan territory. No one ever went there because they would sooner kill you than strike an agreement.

Their royal family was wiped out long ago, with their last prince murdered 30 years ago. With no regulation in the territory, anything could be contaminating that river. Lily had noticed a coloring in the water when she took samples, but when she brought it to her lab, it was gone. Explaining this to Trinee, Lily felt just as frustrated as her with this problem.

"Well, we will have to go upriver to investigate the issue more. I have a few experiments to wrap up here. If you're up to it, why don't you go ahead with the materials needed to conduct the experiments on-site?" Lily was shocked she would ask this as they had only just started working together.

"I will run it by Prince Dimitri, but I'm all in. My bag is still packed. I'll just need passes to travel." Trinee smiled, knowing she was the person to handle this. Just then, Prince Dimitri pushed the door open, seeing the two women talking. "Am I interrupting?" "Not at all. We were just making a plan of action. Lily can tell you about it. I'll clean up here. You go. I'm sure rooms have been assigned to you by now."

Trinee had a smirk on her face as Lily tried not to read too much into it, turning to Prince Dimitri. "If you're, sure. Do I have a room or am I pitching a tent in the yard?" Trinee tried to hide a laugh as Dimitri tried to fight a grin. "We are not so poor that we can't accommodate you. Come, I have something to show you. Trinee." He nodded to the other woman as they left the room.

Lily found their relationship enduring like they were almost family in a way. She would have to ask him about it. He led her to another part of the castle that looked to be close to the royal suites. "Uhh, I would have settled for a servant's quarters. I don't need a lot." Lily tried to dissuade him from giving her anything too flashy. Dimitri ignored the comment leading her to a room right next to his.

Opening the doors the room was furnished with hand-crafted furniture in the sitting area, a four-post bed with fresh linens, and a fire roaring with food on the table. The season was changing to autumn when Lily came to see the flower, and she had planned to take up apartments in the city but nothing like this. "And you don't get to tell me what I give you. If I wish for you to have lavished rooms in my wing then that's what you get. For once in your life just accept this."

Dimitri gathered her in his arms so she couldn't look away. Lily wanted to believe he had good intentions, but everyone else had trampled over her, perpetuating feelings of being worthless. Having a Prince give her such extravagant things could make her life harder, but she found that she didn't want to refuse him. "Alright. I accept. Thank you."

A panty-dropping smile spread across his face and all she wanted to do was lean up and kiss him. Lily contained herself glad that he was happy. "I have one more surprise for you, but this will require you to trust me completely. Do you think you can do that?" Lily was curious about his request wondering what else he had in store for her. "Yes, I can do that."

Pulling out a scarf he tied it around her her eyes making sure she couldn't see anything. "I have somewhere I'd like to take you. Come with me." Dimitri pulled her pack off her shoulders leaving it in her room as he directed her down the hall to his room. Taking her through the main room over to a door next to his closet Dimitri unlocks the door leading her in. Closing the door behind him, Dimitri watched Lily as she stood in the room looking vulnerable and sexy.

"Are you going to tell me where I am?" Dimitri smirked knowing she was nervous. "If I have you take the blindfold off now it might spoil my fun. Have you ever done any scenes like the one from last night?" Lily thought back to last night remembering how he told her what to do. Her body started to heat up from the memory of their bodies entwined together. "No, I haven't." This only enticed him more telling him whoever she tried anything with had no clue the jewel they had.

"Will you listen to my words again? Do exactly what I tell you without hesitation?" Her heart was pounding and her mind racing with all the things he might ask her to do. "You might want to bathe me first. I can't imagine how I smell right now." Dimitri moved up right behind her moving her hair to the side and running his nose along her neck taking in her scent.

She didn't stink at all, smelling like the earth with a faint floral essence and a citric splash at the end. "You smell like a ripe piece of fruit ready to be picked." Her breathing became labored as he spun her around, pulling her in close, their lips a breath apart. "And I very much want to eat feast on you." Dimitri leaned in taking her lips, feasting on them like the starving man he was.