Madeline’s dreams take her to a mysterious gala where revelers from many worlds indulge in unmatched pleasures and sensual delights. With the beautiful and wise queen Ashtophet, she begins to discover her own desires for the first time. Around them, lovers of various kinds spin in a kaleidoscope of color, secrets, and tantalizing touches.
At each meeting, Madeline explores a little further, and Ashtophet finds relief from her responsibilities. But how much time do they have in their refuge? Is the magic of this place perhaps a curse? Is Madeline at risk of waking—or sleeping forever?
This is a revised and expanded re-release of “The Passion of Her Sleep,” published in the Uchronia anthology from award-winning editor Zelda Knight.
A 13,000-word novelette with lush prose and numerous references to the works of Edgar Allen Poe, this story includes adult themes and explicit content and is intended for mature readers only. It centers around a slow FF seduction, with background scenes of FF, MM, FM, and multiple-partner activities.
Excerpt
“Shall we step in anyway? They’re wading on this side.” Even as she speaks, Madeline kicks off her slippers. The earth around the flowers is soft and surprisingly warm against her feet.
Ashtophet sets one foot on the rim of the pool and pulls up her full golden skirt. She wears sandals with thick soles, the straps climbing high up her calf and fastened with buckles jeweled in topaz and emerald.
“May I?” Madeline bends, a hand held out to help her unlatch them.
“Oh. Yes.”
With the permission, Madeline kneels. It feels right. Ashtophet’s obvious nobility does not make her seem helpless, but Madeline remembers what she said about finding this world restful, and the chance to be of service to her is a pleasure.
And it is something Madeline is herself capable of. She is not too fragile or too fine a lady for this.
Her fingers brush against warm skin. She cups her other hand around the back of Ashtophet’s leg to steady it and feels a muscle jump at the touch. The silk skirt rustles at her ear; Ashtophet grips the fabric in one hand so firmly that the delicate bones in her hand show.
Madeline’s lips prickle at the thought of kissing those knuckles.
She finds her way around each of the fastenings, and Ashtophet cocks her ankle slightly so Madeline can slide the sandal off. Then she brings up her other leg. As Madeline works on this one too, Ashtophet’s bare toes dig into the soil.
“There.” She sets the sandals carefully aside along with her slippers, using her shoes as padding to protect the jeweled clasps from being scratched.
Ashtophet offers a hand to help her up. Madeline takes it and nearly lets go at once, not because she wants to, but because the thrill of deliberate, mutual touch is so great.
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