Mirror Bound

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  Healing seems rather a dangerous thing to do for you, unless we can find a way to recharge you quickly and easily.' He nodded, and said triumphantly:

  'But it works, I was shocked to see Paul tonight, so much grief, but when my gift got to him it did work.

  He felt left out, had felt left out all his life. Of course he was finally starting to bond to us, but two weeks of being together cannot make up for a lifetime of loneliness.' Then he clearly got a cheeky thought, and fortunately he let me in on it: 'I'm looking forward to exploring the potential of making love to recharge magical energy. Starting with the two of you!'

  We both laughed, then dressed again, I didn't wear the house-dress, but a really nice one, supposing Ilsa would still be there, wanting to look my best in front of her.

  Chapter 28

  When we entered Paul's house, all was still well. Ilsa and Paul were sitting on the sofa truly comfortably, no hidden tensions, just two old friends catching up on their mutual lives after a long separation.

  Ilsa greeted us enthusiastically, asking: 'Are you feeling better, Lukas? It seems unfair that you should be paying the whole price of healing people.' At this, Lukas had a little thought, then said: 'I feel much better, I've always recovered quickly.

  But it is not as if you have al the gain and I paid the entire price and have gotten nothing in return. You have an absence of pain, of negative feelings, but I have a positive feeling of accomplishment, and I don't mind telling you it can be very heady. It's like Paul making a beautiful work of art, and giving it to someone he really loves: the joy of giving can exceed the joy of receiving. Did he show you his workshop already?'

  Ilsa immediately said: 'He did, it is all so beautiful, and so ingenious. Of course we have the boiler, but I still thought he mainly spent his time doing magic and crafting in his spare time, when it really is the other way around.'

  She was rather pretty and sweet, but it was very clear that she was no rival to me. Paul was still a bit quiet, but he winked at me to show he was fine.

  I decided it was the right time of the day to drink a glass of wine, so I got a bottle from the cellar and opened it, took it to the living-room with a few glasses, then made another trip to the kitchen for something to nibble on and two more glasses. I poured the wine for all of us, and soon we were chatting away about faeries, brothers and sisters, ambitions and of course, love.

  Ilsa was amazed that I had a job in a man's profession, but I said: 'My parents are working class, so I had the choice between marrying or taking a man's job. In a woman's job I would be fired as soon as I got married. Then I'd be totally dependent on my husband.

  I've a reputation now, I think I could easily get a job with any building firm in the city.'

  Of course, she had not given much thought to working for her living, her

  parents were loaded, and before her slide into melancholia she'd counted on marrying a man from the same social class. That he didn't live off his parents or an estate was again a big surprise to her. I'm sure it set her to thinking about learning a trade or craft herself, both her parents had a job after all.

  Asked about my siblings, I told them of my two older sisters, who were already married and had provided my dad with the long wished-for grandchildren.

  'They both live in the city, but I don't see them very often, they are quite scandalised by my way of living,' I told them, 'and they don't even know yet that I live with a man without being married to him. Suppose we take the bicycles and visit, Paul? I'll tell them you're high-born and I'm your mistress.'

  Finally, Paul laughed out loud, observing: 'They'd die of shame twice, I hope you realize how indecent most people find women riding bicycles, Melissa?' I said: 'I do know, and I don't care. I think it is the perfect mode of transport, no need to keep horses and staff to feed them and muck out stables. And good exercise as well. If some old bats find it indecent, so be it.'

  Now, Paul looked at me fondly and said: 'And that is why I love you, you live your own life. Well, that and your gorgeous copper hair, you know I love copper more than any other kind of metal.' He was different already, paying little funny compliments, I hoped Paul would still be Paul after tonight!

  He got a big smile from me as thank you, and that was enough.

  Now, Ilsa wanted to know more about Lukas' view on love. He had told her and her siblings about it, but she still wondered if it gave him any trouble at all to find partners with the same needs. Lukas said: 'Have you ever heard of polka-dances here in the city?

  They're usually held in smaller establishments in garden houses, and in dry weather outside as well. The musicians play really fast music, and the couples dance faster and faster until they feel giddy and very gay. Then they take a rest and things happen sometimes.'

  Ilsa laughed and said: 'Sounds like a place my parents would like, lots of young people wanting sex without strings attached.' I realised she was right, her parents both seemed to prefer free love as well.

  Paul observed, dryly: 'I don't see them dancing until they nearly drop, though.' This image caused a lot of hilarity, and Lukas said: 'They have plenty of cash, so they could easily have a place like that built, hire good musicians, give away a few drinks, and it fills up almost automatically.' But

  Ilsa was serious: 'Maybe I'll suggest it to them, it would be a nice job for me, organising parties.

  After my first experience with you, I don't think I want to stop making love, but I'm not ready to give my heart away again, not for some time I think. I'll amuse myself by making a little plan. Can I come with you some time, when you go?'

  Lukas said: 'Sure, but I guess Julia and Marcus go there too, it might be easier to go in a group at first. We could gather here.'

  It was getting dark, and when we heard horses and a carriage stop out front, Ilsa kissed all of us, and Paul walked her to the door. When he came back downstairs I poured the remaining wine in our three glasses, and he excused himself for a second, went off in the direction of the bathroom for a few minutes, then came back to help us finish the wine.

  We sat on the sofa together, silent for a moment. Lukas looked smug, I couldn't think of another word. I think Paul saw it too, for he said reproachfully: 'What are you congratulating yourself on, you great billy?

  Don't you realize you may just have released that whole family on this poor city? They were bad enough on that estate of theirs, tempting beautiful young men of both affiliations to sink themselves in debauchery of the worst kind.

  And now you've given them a way to lead every young man, and maybe some young women, into sinful temptation!'

  It might have been the wine, or the fact that Paul was making jokes, but Lukas and I just couldn't stand it anymore, we nearly rolled over the floor laughing.

  'I love it when you talk dirty to me, Paul,' Lukas said lewdly, 'it makes me feel....bad.'

  Paul now kneeled in front of Lukas, scratching him on his curly head, right between the stumps of his horns: 'So you like me to call you a billy goat, and randy, do you?'

  Lukas looked more like a stunned ox than a goat, to be honest. Paul's action had caught him completely by surprise, and he yielded to the caresses, glassy eyed with ardour

  But Paul wasn't done yet, he moved his one hand to the side, straight to the base of the horn, his other one joining to caress the other horn base, and he said: 'And now I want to see your hocks, and your tail, and I want to run my hand over them, to feel if you've put on enough weight, not to sell you, but to

  hire you out for stud-service.'

  I thought that was going pretty far, but Lukas didn't look insulted at all, he leaned into Paul's scratching with his eyes now fixed on Paul, passion taking over quickly.

  Lukas wanted to touch Paul, was still holding back, but Paul goaded him on:

  'Come on, touch me where you want, I promised, remember?' Encouraged, he stroked Paul's stubbly cheek and jaw, and I did believe I saw Paul shiver under this tentative, tender touch.

  For despite being egge
d on, Lukas stayed well aware of the occasion, treating Paul as if he were made of glass, breakable and well able to hurt him. The stroking moved down slowly, exploring Paul's neck now, and the opening of his shirt.

  Paul was still scratching Lukas' horn bases, but more softly now, adjusting to Lukas' apparent mood. He had moved to sit beside him, and Lukas' head was resting against his chest, still enjoying the scratching ecstatically.

  Lukas had now manoeuvred his hand under Paul's shirt, clearly enjoying the feel of the solid muscle there, Paul also able to submit to his feelings for another man. When Lukas had gotten used to touching Paul freely, the latter spoke again: 'I've a surprise for you, Lukas, will you follow me?'

  'I will follow you anywhere, just don't stop,' was the husky answer, and Paul didn't, he continued his caresses of Lukas' horns as he led him towards the bathroom. Looking back, he asked me: 'Will you come too?'

  He could count on it, I wouldn't miss this for the world! I nodded, and followed the two. Halfway there, Paul stopped and kissed Lukas ardently, his hands under Lukas' shirt now, exploring that one's chest, finding it nearly as muscled as his own, though rather narrower.

  He walked in front of Lukas, still kissing, still touching, and led him into the bathroom, where Lukas had never been before.

  I closed the door behind me, eyes still on the boys. Lukas' eyes became very large at the sight of the gorgeous bathroom with the mosaic on the walls. It was almost funny, to see him torn between making love and taking in all the beauty around him.

  The bath was almost full, so I turned off the taps, and leaving the guys to do their thing, I carefully got in. When I was used to the hot water and looked at them from the vantage point of the bath, I saw that Lukas had chosen love

  over beauty, and good for him, for he could explore the whole room at his leisure whenever he wanted to.

  Whereas Paul was in an extraordinary mood, which might never happen again, though I doubted that.

  Paul was now unbuttoning Lukas' shirt, as Lukas unbuttoned Paul's. They both had nimble fingers, and they managed to do it really quickly, kissing nearly the whole time. Of course, pants were next, and I hoped Paul wouldn't be too shocked at seeing Lukas' penis at its largest and most excited, though I guess Lukas would have understood if it scared him.

  But either Paul's blood was up, or he had expected as much, for he didn't bat an eyelid at the sight of it. And now he did indeed stand back a little, as visibly excited as Lukas, as if to inspect Lukas' condition as he had announced.

  Paul looked at his cute little tail, reached out for it lovingly, fondling it, then his work-calloused hand stroked Lukas' tiny but firm buttocks, his other hand resting on Lukas' stomach, tantalisingly close to his throbbing penis.

  He clasped his hand around Lukas' bottom, nearly covering it with his hand, squeezing it lightly, stroking between the cheeks until he reached the sensitive testicles underneath, cupping them very carefully and lightly.

  Looking more like a statue of a satyr than a live person, Lukas submitted to Paul's seemingly demeaning actions with an expression of total exaltation.

  Now, Paul went to his knees, letting go of the testicles and letting his hand stroke the inner leg, feeling the muscles there, nuzzling and kissing the nearest cheek of his buttocks. A shudder ran through Lukas, breaking his total lack of motion, his penis tried to stand a little stiffer, but it couldn't, so it just moved up and down a tiny bit.

  Paul's hand had reached the hock of Lukas' leg, and he took the front of it in his full hand, asked for a hoof, and got it!

  I would've kicked him, but it seemed Paul knew exactly what Lukas liked, for it really did turn him on immensely, I could see his face still in total elation at Paul's dominant touch. The hoof got an inspection as well, and apparently the spot where it touched his leg was very sensitive as well, for Paul scratched it tenderly and got another shiver as result.

  My doubt at Paul's treatment vanished as Paul now invited Lukas to come with him into the pool, but was refused and shown Lukas' other side. That needed inspection as well!

  Of course Paul had no problem repeating the whole process on the reverse side, only now he didn't hold Lukas' flat stomach, but the area a bit lower, penis sticking out, craving attention but having to await the inspection.

  Butt cheek, testicles, inner leg, hock and hoof all got their share of the attention, and when the inspection was done Paul, kneeling beside Lukas but still rather dominantly, turned Lukas around a little bit and took his penis in his mouth in one flowing motion.

  This didn't cause a shiver, but a shudder, and Lukas buckled and nearly fell.

  Paul caught him expertly and led him to the bath, now less hot but still very comfortable. He floated Lukas as he had once floated me and again mouthed his penis, slowly moving up and down its length, putting Lukas in total ecstasy.

  I was amazed at how quiet Paul managed to keep Lukas, one would expect him to be moving along already, he never had this much patience with tenderness, preferring more active acts of love. But I saw some signs that his passiveness was about to end, he was moving along now, ready for some action.

  I didn't think Paul would be able to have real intercourse with a man, and by now I was so worked up, I hoped they'd think of me to solve that little problem.

  Lukas was now clearly aching to do some furious thrusting, and he looked straight at Paul, submissive posture all gone, fire in his eyes. But Paul had clearly thought this through, he scratched Lukas' horns again until he was near madness with lust.

  Then Paul looked at me questioningly, and I nodded, I was up for some action. Still scratching, Paul kissed Lukas deeply, then told Lukas, looking at me: 'You've passed the inspection with flying colours, handsome, and now I'm going to put you to work.'

  And did I feel insulted or embarrassed to be suddenly included in the action?

  I certainly did not, watching this had me totally ready for some action of my own, and frankly I didn't care from whom it came.

  Feeling my heat, knowing he was welcome, Lukas grabbed hold of Paul and kissed him with the energy he had worked up, at the same time thrusting himself in me with the same energy, but under water. I was so ready for it, I had never been so excited in my life, not even when having sex myself.

  When Lukas released the kiss, I wanted a part of Paul too, so I claimed a kiss

  from him, but I really wanted something else. I didn't know if it was possible, but I felt under water for his penis, and tried to get it towards my mouth.

  Actually, it worked quite well, and soon Paul was floating on the water in exaltation, Lukas was thrusting happily, not letting the water stop his energy one bit, and I was in contact with both my men, feeling my heat rise quickly to a blissful climax, and passing it straight on with my mouth and tongue.

  Of course it didn't last long after that, both men had been worked up to the limit before they even started, but it was heaven as long as it lasted. We shared each other's feelings freely through the intense physical contact, and soon I felt Paul's ecstasy just before he came to a shuddering climax, outside my mouth I may add, he'd remembered that.

  And seconds later I felt and saw Lukas' high coming on to him, he speeded up even more and arched over me, collapsing on me with a splash. I saw his laugh, and realized he'd done that on purpose for he was not winded, despite having had the resistance of the water to contend with.

  Very satisfied, we all floated for some time, relishing the feeling of calm satisfaction spread through our threesome, though Lukas may have been a little distracted by the workmanship all around him, the beautiful bath we were floating in, the mosaic on the walls.

  We enjoyed the water until we got a little cold, and then we dried off, gathered our clothes and ran for the bedroom, diving between the sheets to warm up. For some time, no one said anything, but then Paul spoke: 'I hope you can forgive me for treating you like that, Lukas, I have no idea what came over me.'

  Lukas turned towards him, stroked his cheek, and said:
'No need for an apology Paul, I have never felt such elation before. Maybe it was just you touching me, I've yearned for that for so long.

  But I don't think so, the things you did were so tender they needed a dominant package. You celebrated my differences, you didn't actually treat me like an animal, who would kneel for an animal to kiss its butt cheeks, or fondle its testicles?'

  'Hmm, your butt cheeks were lovely,' Paul said lazily, 'I wanted to bite them.'

  'As well you didn't,' Lukas laughed, 'my hoofs are very hard.' 'I know. I checked, remember,' was the answer, and he got a pillow in his face for his trouble.

  I loved to see their easy playfulness, who would have thought it would come

  to this, just a week ago? I had expected Lukas to get into trouble as soon as he got outside the house, but instead he had found an outlet for his excess energy, new friends and a unique talent.

  Instead of turning away from us towards casual love, he had come closer to us, had won Paul's love.

  Noting the silence around me, I came out of my reverie to see two cheeky masculine faces stare at me. 'What do you suppose she's thinking of, Paul?'

  Lukas asked. 'I haven't even a clue, Lukas,' Paul replied, 'maybe she wants a bit of attention for herself?'

  'We have kind of neglected her, haven't we?' Lukas said. Paul replied: 'Indeed we have, and now we must make up for it.'

  They snuggled up to me, each on one side of me, as I said: 'I'm just glad we're all happy. You seem different Paul, looser somehow.' I could feel hands all over my curves, stroking me softly, making me feel incredibly loved and wanted, and I heard Paul's voice: 'I do feel different, I find I can trust you now, both of you, I thought I did before but there was always some doubt.

  There isn't anymore. I trust I'm a good guardian, I'll save those faeries with your help, and we'll find a way to help those deserted children and clear up that mess. And I trust my inventions will be as useful as the stuff I usually make, and as popular as my jewellery will be according to your colleagues.