by Stella Price
Corbin shook his head. “But why bring Ben back? Toloose would have inherited the lands and titles, and he could have given Minerva to their son. Milton would have controlled him easily, and if he wasn’t one to be led, once they had children he and his father could have been taken care of. Then there’s only Rummer to contend with. If I were Milton, that’s how I would have done it. Bringing Ben back puts Tempest back into play, and there’s no way he’d have thought Nicolai’s half-demon son would be an easy mark. On the other hand, if he had no interest in the disappearance and had no clue who did, he’d suspect Toloose and bringing Ben back would make perfect sense. Especially if he could keep him docile with Mina… Of course, he couldn’t have known Ben isn’t the docile type.”
“Oh,” Harley mused as they walked. “Rigel wouldn’t have made Minerva a Beloved. You know Toloose still clings to the old ways. Mina would have been one of a minimum of five women. Milton would have gained nothing from that. With Ben, he had more of a fighting chance, I think. I mean, he had no clue, and Milton kept him sequestered with Arcane or with me a good amount of the summit. No, this doesn’t feel like Milton’s work. I mean, why else would he be freaking out about knowing the child? I don’t think I have ever known a Satyr to care about another Satyr’s progeny.”
“That is a point. Though it is his only grandchild. Maybe he’s picked up some human sentiments from his wife…or not. I mean you’re my brother’s grandkid. I shouldn’t give a damn about you and Ben. I’d hate to think I was the only sentimental Satyr. Either way, whoever it was on the inside, this isn’t just the work of Satyrs.”
“I think you’re an anomaly,” Harley said. “I mean you have lived among the humans and embraced them. Milton has kept himself out of the human world, dealing with it only when he needed to. His family values are all Satyr. Why do you think he just gave Minerva away and kept her pure? He needed something to entice Ben, though Minerva would have done that either way. She was truly meant for him.”
They made it to the cottage and walked inside. Soft moans were coming from the living room and Harley grinned. “It seems they are in fact keeping Bella occupied.”
“Indeed.” Corbin smiled, shaking his head. “Though I didn’t doubt they would.”
Harley shrugged. “I trust Ben, and she’s mine already so there’s no danger in allowing her pleasure,” he said as they followed the breathy moans and sighs and witnessed quite a show indeed.
Ben had Mina face down between Bella’s legs, her ass in the air, and his cock buried to the hilt in her. The way they were breathing, it seemed Ben had given the hold out order. He could even be gifting the girls with one of his demonic orgasms—which was what Harley called Ben’s use of time powers during sex.
Bella’s face was rapt, concentrating on keeping her body calm enough so she didn’t go over. Harley grinned and walked over, intent on giving her his own form of punishment.
“Well, look at you, baby… So relaxed, so at home with Mina’s face between those perfect thighs. Did you let Ben have a sample of your charms, my love? Did you enjoy it?” He leant down and pinched her nipple hard.
“No,” she gasped out, arching her body up into his hand. “Only you…promised.” She whimpered, her whole body shaking.
He looked up at Ben and grinned. “I’m sure he tried though, didn’t he?”
“Fucking right, I did.” Ben grinned, looking down at the two girls.
“How did I guess? My good girl keeps her promises.” Harley smirked. “Bella isn’t used to this yet Ben…be gentle.” He winked. “Now Bella…tell me. How badly do you want to come?”
“Bad…desperately,” she panted, her eyes screwed tightly in concentration. “Can’t hold…please Harley,” she pleaded with him, instead of Ben.
“Well, I’m not the one to start this seduction, love. Beg Ben.”
“Ben!” she cried out, her body arching of the floor. “Please.” She licked her dry lips. “Please I need…” She panted heavily. “Gods please, Ben.”
Smirking, Ben watched the girls a few torturous moments more. Mina was working Bella tirelessly, her own breath labouring. Bella writhed on the floor in sensuous snake-like movements.
“Very well then, girls.” He slapped Mina’s ass, pistoning deeper into her. “You may come.” Time slowed around them as Ben used his powers.
Mina shook and shivered, and Harley watched Bella arch. She screamed out her pleasure, her eyes on him the entire time. He had to give it to her, she was perfection personified when she came.
Ben took his time wringing every last drop of pleasure from them before resuming time back to its normal pace, leaving both girls panting desperately.
“Quite a show, love, you too, Mina. We should get them on film.” Harley smiled at Ben. Mina giggled and winked at Harley. Harley chuckled. “Let’s let the girls cuddle, we have to talk.”
“Of course. I’m interested to hear how Boris took the news.” Ben grinned, standing and fixing his jeans back in place. “In the study.”
Harley nodded and bent to his pet. “Have some fun with Mina, love. You two will have a lot of time together from now on. Just don’t get too wild, my love.”
He turned and walked through the alcove into the study. The way the rooms were situated, the girls could hear and be seen, but weren’t in the room. Harley sat in a wingback chair and faced Ben who had settled in his chair behind his desk, his feet up.
“So?” Ben said. “You’re still alive.”
“Yeah, but only just. He was about to snap and haul off and deck Corbin here, but I struck a blow to him first, both physically and to his ego. He’s un-thrilled about losing me, though I don’t think he cares past the fact that’s he’s not got someone to push women off on. I don’t think he cares that he has lost his son. So I’m a free agent now, cousin.”
“Excellent.” Ben grinned. “Here is the best place for you. You agree with his accounts?” he asked Corbin.
“I do. Boris tried to hit me, but Harley was right to intervene. If not, it wouldn’t have ended well. Boris now has two choices, to accept Harley’s decision with grace or disown and publicly disgrace him before he gets to declare his allegiances.”
“I don’t think he will do the second, but you never know with him,” Harley said. “I didn’t think he would fuck me over, but lo and behold. I like to think he wouldn’t with respect for my mother but…” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s going to be a fucked up situation. And the least of my worries is the Grecian contingent getting pissed with me for taking Bella to Tempest, but I don’t think they would mind much. Tempest is far more respected. Now the question is, how do we make this official, and where do we go from here?”
“Sebastian’s working something out,” Ben said. “We’ll do something official for everyone who wants to join Tempest. I’ll talk to the Grecian contingent, and I’m sure I can smooth any ruffled feathers over.”
Harley nodded. “Now, where do you need me in this organisation? I have promises I must keep to Arabella. She’s far too brilliant to not let her achieve her goals, but that’s workable.”
“I need a second and an advisor.”
“Ben, I’m not the kind of Satyr that wants to be in charge, but I’m also not one that will blindly follow orders. Bella is a princess. I’m a prince, albeit a displaced one. That doesn’t change. You okay with that?”
“If I planned on surrounding myself with yes men, I’d choose different friends, cousin.”
“Fair enough.”
Harley turned and called out to the girls, telling them to come into the study. They walked in, their arms around each other, still naked, touching and kissing.
“You girls look relaxed,” Harley said and patted his lap. “Come here, love. We need to talk.”
Mina tweaked Bella’s nipple one last time, then walked over to Ben and sat on the edge of his desk with her legs crossed. She leaned into him and smiled.
Bella slipped onto Harley’s lap, wrapping her arms around him. “Did
everything go well?”
“As well as can be expected. Pet, we are now considered part of Tempest.” He smiled. “How does that sit with you?”
“Really?” She grinned, hugging him tightly. “That sits very well with me. Thank you.”
He smiled and kissed her. “You will be happy to know that Bastian is being accepted into Tempest as well. You won’t have to leave him either.” He smirked. “Now for all my benevolence, I think I deserve something, don’t I?”
Bella looked over to Ben and Mina who were smiling at them both. “What do you have in mind?” she smiled slyly.
“You have been my Beloved for at least four days now. What do you think?”
“Me? I think it all depends on whether you have a private or joint adventure in mind.”
He laughed. “What do you want?” Giving her a choice in this was his first gift to her.
“Private?” she asked. “I’m feeling selfish. If you don’t mind…”
“Anything for you, my love,” he said and stood with her as she wrapped herself around his body. “Ben? You have an extra bedroom here, don’t you? I’m not taking her back to the hotel yet.”
“Choose any one you like,” Ben said as he pulled Mina onto his lap, kissing her.
Harley grinned and turned past Corbin who was walking in from the side room and swept past him quickly, taking her to a back room that ended up being a bedroom. He closed the door and looked into her eyes. “Well, Bella?”
“Well, Master?” She smiled, her fingers deftly undoing his pants.
Harley growled and kissed her. “I have need of your clever attentions, pet, and that sweet blood.”
She whimpered at the mention of him taking blood. “What do you want me to do?” She palmed him gently.
“I want you to enjoy me as I enjoy you. No rules, no conditions. Just you and me celebrating our new good fortune.”
“I always enjoy you.” She smiled, nuzzling his neck as she stroked him gently.
“And you will for the rest of your days. I didn’t make this decision lightly, Bella, but I won’t share myself with anyone but you. You are far too precious to be anything but a Beloved. I believe there will be better opportunities for both of us with Tempest.” He kissed her. “And how do you feel about Tempest?”
“Mina has done everything to make me feel welcome. I like it with Tempest, and that Bastian is here makes it even better. I don’t think Ben’s the type to abuse his power, I trust him.”
It was what he wanted to hear. He kissed her again and lifted her up to wrap her legs around his waist once more. They walked over towards the bed, and he laid her back so she was prone, his cock nestled between her thighs.
“Mmm, so we’re going to enjoy ourselves?”
“Always, Arabella.” He leant down and kissed her, simultaneously slipping into her wet heat.
“Oh, yes,” she moaned into his mouth.
He took her slowly, making love to her. He looked down at her and smiled, touched her stomach and hips.
“I love you,” she whispered, kissing him.
“I love you, Bella,” he said and held onto her hips. Taking her deeper, he leant down and triggered the collar to bleed her. The crimson liquid ran and he lapped it up, making the sweeps of his tongue a languid erotic dance.
She came hard, wrapping her legs around him. “I love it when you feed off me.”
He grinned. “And you always will, love. You taste so good.”
“All yours,” she moaned, throwing her head back.
He took more from her, the blood pooling in the hollow of her throat.
“That’s it, Harley.” She ran her hands though his hair.
“So fucking good,” he said and sped up his movements, focused on bringing her over.
She screamed again as her orgasm shook her. He followed her, groaning.
Holding her, he laid his head on her chest and kissed her soft skin. “Fantastic.”
“We are,” she purred, cradling him to her.
“Big changes,” he said and nibbled her skin. “You ready for them?”
“Yes,” she moaned. “I’ve been ready for big changes all my life.”
“I couldn’t have chosen a better pet myself, Bella. You are strong and sexy and smart.” He mused and rolled them so she was on top of him, and he cuddled her closer. “Though I am sorry you will not be part of the clan you expected.”
“I’m part of a clan that wants me and with a man who respects me. I could never have expected that.”
“And loves you. Don’t forget that.” He grinned. “And Mina definitely wants you.”
“Mina’s really great.”
He laughed. “Yes, she is. And she will be a perfect clan sister for you.”
“She will be.”
He nodded and sighed. It would be good to be where they were accepted and needed. Now they had the arduous task of proclaiming it to the congregation.
Chapter Ten
The ballroom was positively buzzing with energy, and it had nothing to do with the normal sexual output. Word travelled fast at these things, and everyone was waiting to see if what they’d heard was true.
Tonight everyone was on edge. What Harley was doing was unheard of, mostly because he was a prince. If he could do it and get away with it, stealing yet another sought after beauty to Tempest… The idea was akin to blasphemy.
Rummer was in an uproar, both the youths and the heads of each family standing by Boris in a united front. Harley noticed that the Grecian contingent stood apart from Rummer, probably staying neutral until the outcome had presented itself. Harley liked to think the clan was being supportive of both Bastian and Arabella, but he knew the truth. Tempest was just as good a place for their members to be, and they weren’t burning any bridges by taking sides before it was all decided.
Tempest was congregated towards the front right of the ballroom, Arcane to the left. Harley noticed that Milton sat with his people, stoic and poised, but quiet and watching.
After their little afternoon delight, Harley and Bella had come back to Ben’s study and a small mob. Mina had sat on Ben’s lap, naked and petting him, while several young Satyrs clamoured for his attention. Corbin had done a lot to keep them contained, but in the end, it seemed that Tempest was auditioning several new Satyrs, three from Bourchest and two from Linoge.
They were here now, along with the already accepted seven that had courted Tempest since the first day. They were a clan of young upstarts, Harley mused, and they could and would change Satyr society. This was the first step.
Ben stood in front of the entire ballroom with Corbin next to him on one side, Minerva at his left hand. Harley knew Ben was going to be a flashy bastard about this, both to piss off Boris and to piss off Arcane.
Arabella held on to Harley’s hand. She was dressed in a tight blue taffeta dress, matching heels and her collar. She was beautiful, stunning even, and her being so poised and composed helped him to keep his focus.
Proceedings could go one of two ways. One, his father could demand Harley stand with his birth clan and demand a ruling from the reigning house at the event, which was Arcane, or two, he could wait to see what Tempest had to say and challenge it after Ben had declared his house’s intentions, absolving him of petty squabbling. That was the one way he could save face and probably the way he would go.
Ben had nothing to lose as Harley had come to him, while Boris, if he went with the first option, would flat out lose. Milton wouldn’t go against Tempest, especially now that Ben had agreed to allow Milton and Ellen to see their grandson.
Ben, never one to disappoint, raised a hand and the room was silenced in a heartbeat. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ben to start the mayhem.
He flashed the room a smile, turning to take in the crowd. “Satyrs,” he called out keeping his smile. “I’d like to borrow your attention for just a few moments before we start the night’s festivities.” He paused, the silence in the room deafening. “As you all know, my c
lan has suffered unheard of losses to the point where we are all but extinct. I plan to put an end to that extinction. After all, it’s a little lonely in the estate with just my Beloved and our son.” He chuckled. “So I’ve been auditioning for some new members, Satyrs of quality and worth to fill my numbers and hopefully regenerate Tempest back to its former glory.” He kept his smile tight, his eyes wandering through the clans gauging their reactions. “So with that I’d like to introduce and welcome the first of many fine Satyrs to call themselves Tempest.”
He then proceeded to call forward and name the Satyrs that were gathered with them. There were a few grumbles of displeasure when he called out Corbin, but they quickly calmed as Ben named the terms of his acceptance into Tempest. Lastly he called forward Sebastian followed by Alexander, then he turned to Harley.
“And finally.” Ben grinned, a wicked gleefulness shining in his eyes. “I’d like to offer my most heart-filled welcome to my cousin, Harlequin, and his Beloved, Arabella. May your time with us bring you great pleasure.”
Harley nodded and walked forward just as each of the others presented as new Tempest did, but instead of bowing to Ben, as someone would do when showing fealty to a lord, Harley stood next to him and smiled. It was both a show to everyone that while he was a member of a new house, he was also still a prince and owed allegiance to no one. That he chose to be there. The second thing it proved was that Ben was willing to share his standing, and power, and not force Harley to be just another member of the clan.
“I accept your welcome to both myself and my Beloved, dear cousin, and embrace all it is to be Tempest.”
After the words were said, the entire place fell into chaos. Toloose was murmuring amongst themselves, Arcane’s elders were speaking to each other in hushed tones, and Rummer, Linoge, Bourchest and Estales were arguing loudly about the new proclamation. Apparently, the smaller houses weren’t happy with losing members to Tempest either. Harley noticed that the Grecian contingent was staying neutral, probably waiting for the fallout.
Boris walked forward to be acknowledged by Milton, and Milton raised a hand. The room went silent.
