Chapter 954: Psychological Tactics

"Are we nearly done? I feel like this is taking ages." Janine suddenly called out, swiftly prompting the person kissing me to cease with a surprised gasp.

They then swiftly walked backwards before I heard Serena speak, roughly from the same direction. "Ok everyone, Blindfolds off."

Everyone did just that and as I removed mine, I found everyone staring at me. With a very happy smile, I said, "Well, that was just swell for me."

"Yeah, I bet." Hecate said with a soft chuckle.

Serena then interrupted before anyone else could speak.

"Now comes the second part of the game. Apollo. It’s time for you to guess who is who. Good luck as I have a punishment waiting for you if you fail."

"What? That wasn’t part of the rules."

"Tough titties. Now guess." Serena doubled down.

Rolling my eyes I got right into it.

"Ok, well I know who went first is Janine. I know those beautiful blue lips all too well."

"Hehehe~" Janine giggled very cutely before coughing and composing herself.

"The second one was tough. Clenched jaw. The kiss was more formal than passionate. No tongue at all... I am stuck between Millie, Hecate and Valerica, but I am going to go with Millie as I heard Serena talking about tongue before I walked in and Millie responded with fine. So my guess is that she asked not to use tongue or something because we are blood related and no matter our open views on sexuality, it is weird to kiss your G word with tongue."

"Openly admitting to cheating, Apollo? I don’t know if I should be impressed or not by your brazenness." Serena said with a cheeky grin.

"Hey, It wasn’t cheating. It’s not my fault my hearing is above human norms... Well it is, but- I digress, you didn’t say it was against the rules so I am moving on. The next kiss was Sithrik. As I know no one else has a serpent tongue with all that dexterity..."

As to emphasise that point, Sithrik stuck out her tongue and fluttered it playfully towards me.

’Sexy snek.’

"After Sithrik, It was Nerissa. It was obvious."

"Was it now? Do you have a habit of kissing the Praetorians, Apollo?" Serena asked.

"After Nerissa..." I decided to ignore the question. "That is where it gets tricky. There were three kisses I don’t know the order of. I can tell you number seven easily, that was Rhapso. But five, six and eight I am at a stump. So I am just going to have to guess solely on what happened during each kiss. I think Valerica was number five. Hecate was number six and Serena was last, number eight."

Serena nodded her head. "I see... And is that your final answer?"

I narrowed my eyes. ’Nice try, woman, but your psychological tactics won’t work on me!’ I then gave her a nod that my answers were final.

"Ok then... Apollo. You got five out of eight correct. How unfortunate for you."

’Shit. I should have fallen for the psychological tactics! She knew I wouldn’t fall for them! you cunning woman!’ I cursed her before replying.

"Ah, was it the last three I said that I got wrong? What was the correct order?

Serena folded her arms smugly as she said, "The urge to not tell you is very strong right now, but the others are also eager from the looks of things, so I shall. You got the first four correct. Janine, Millie, Sithrik and Nerissa. You also got Praetorian Rhapso correct. But the order was actually Hecate, then me and finally it was Valerica."

’Oh she was the one getting handsy with me? Ok, she definitely was flirting with me then- What what?’ I suddenly went wide-eyed realising who the last person was.

Turning to Valerica, she and I made eye contact for a moment before she turned away, her face going red as she did so.

"So Apollo lost! What is his punishment!?!" Janine asked, a bit too enthusiastic for someone who was going to be at my mercy in the bedroom very soon...

Serena chuckled evilly. "That is to be seen. His punishment will come tomorrow during the event at the royal palace. For now though, it is getting rather late. I think I am going to call it a night."

"Yes, I agree. I want to go home now, it’s been a long time since I have been away from my bakery for so long, I am getting anxious." Millie said, prompting me to stand up from the chair.

"Are you alright? You should have said something if you were getting anxious." I said, walking up to her.

Mille then proceeded to give me a hug. "I appreciate your concern Apollo, but I was enjoying your company. Perhaps not the last part of the night with the kissing, but everything else? I enjoyed it greatly. The tower collapse game, the fun conversations, meeting Sithrik. Tonight was a very, very fun night and it will keep little old me company for a good while to come, until I see you again."

I hugged her tightly. "I will make it a high priority to come check on you after I return from the coalition. I promise."

Millie broke the hug, smiling. "Good. You can tell me all about the aliens when you get back. Hecate, dear, you don’t mind taking me back now, do you?"

"Of course not, Millie. I want to sleep in my own bed as well. Val, I will be back about midday tomorrow in time for the event at the palace, is that fine with you?"

"What?" Valerica suddenly snapped back to reality, her mind previously elsewhere. "Oh, yeah, sure. Whatever."

Hecate furrowed her brow for a moment before turning to me. "Apollo, my devout pupil. We shall have a good discussion about Psionics tomorrow. I might bring Circe with me if she decides to end her research early, but other than that, I bid you a good night.

"Night, Hecate. Looking forward to talking shop with you." I replied honestly.

...

After a few minutes of goodbyes between everyone Millie finished hugging Sithrik before giving Hecate a nod, at which point a wormhole appeared behind her and the two passed through swiftly.

Once they were gone, I pulled Janine close to me with enough force to make her yelp in surprise. Before she could say anything, I put my mouth next to her ear and whispered.

"Bed. Now. I want you ready."

I heard her take in breath shakily, her eyes locked with mine for a moment after I let her go before sprinting out of the room.

I let out a knowing chuckle before then addressing the Praetorian’s. "Are you two staying here tonight as well?"

"We can if you want us to, Apollo. But our time searching for something earlier got cut short. I would like to go back to the palace and resume my search." Rhapso said.

"That’s fine. So will I see you in the morning? Or are you going to wait for me in the palace." I asked.

"The palace most likely. Saves trips back and forth" Nerissa declared.

"Very well, come on. I’ll walk you out."

...

After getting the two Nymphs on the shuttle, Rhapso and Nerissa got to continue the game we were just playing for a couple of minutes before I let them go.

After coming back inside, I made my way back to the living room where only Sithrik was now present. Upon my entering, she simply looked at me with a smile. No thoughts at all except joy at seeing me.

"Sithrik, I am glad you and Millie got along tonight. It really warmed my heart to see." I said as I planted myself onto the couch. Sithrik proceeded to slither up next to me, prompting me to wrap my arm around her.

"I liked Millie. Not just because of her relation to you. She had kind eyes. Though she was a little too handsy for my liking."

I chuckled. "Yeah, I noticed her glancing at you a few times with a naughty look. Looks like attraction to beautiful snake women runs in the family. I don’t mind her looking though, because I know you are all mine~"

"Yes, my king." She began to draw circles on my chest with her sharp nail. "Yours and only yours. Now until the end of time."

After kissing her, as she needed to be kissed after that, I pulled away at which point she asked.

"Do you wish to partake of my flesh with the others tonight, my king?"

I shook my head.

"No, gorgeous. Not tonight. Our first time together needs to be one on one. It needs the passion that you deserve, my saviour. Tonight I am going to break those women, especially Janine. She isn’t going to be able to walk tomorrow if I can help it."

"Mmmh~ That sounds delicious, Apollo. But your concubine understands. In that case, might I ask for a small favour?"

"Anything." I replied.

Could you ask Sol if she wants to be sleeping partners again? I enjoyed basking in her flames. The sleep was so relaxing. And I could do with a nice relaxing sleep after getting woken up every five minutes I tried to sleep."

Before I could even ask, I felt Sol leave my Mindspace and the fireplace billowed for a moment, getting our attention.

"Oh, good. I feared I was overstepping with Sol. She being what she is"

Sithrik then proceeded to yawn so heavily it affected me too.

"So, are you going right now to have sex with those two?" She asked as she transformed into her smaller version and began to make her way towards the fire.

I watched her for a few moments, getting nice and comfy amidst the flames. The sight made me smile. It made me happy when my non-hive partners got on. After a couple of moments, I remembered to reply before she drifted off.

"I have one more stop before sexy times. I need to have a chat with a certain Hyllus."