by B N Miles
“Well, I’m glad you came,” Cam said and put his empty bowl down on the grass. Miuri lifted the jug again and offered it to him, which he accepted. He filled the wooden cup he’d taken earlier with the Elven wine then took a long sip and let out a satisfied sigh.
“Still good?” Miuri asked.
“Still good,” he said. He reached out and took Key’s cup and filled it to the brim before handing it back.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Key asked.
Cam grinned and raised his eyebrows. “Do you think I need to?” he asked.
She glared at him but he saw her blushing. “Give me that.” She took the cup and sipped the wine then glared at the fire.
“Oh, don’t be shy, Key,” Miuri said. “Cam just wants you to have fun, that’s all. He’s not trying to get you drunk in order to take advantage of your inebriated state.”
“Thank you, Miuri,” Cam said. “I appreciate you explaining my motives.”
“Of course.” Miuri beamed at them. “If you’re not prepared to take care of Cam tonight, I’d be happy to.”
Key nearly choked on her wine then stared at Miuri. “Wait, what?” she asked. “Take care of… Cam tonight?”
Cam leaned back and laughed. “That’s the first I’m hearing of it,” Cam said, shaking his head.
“I just thought we had a long day,” Miuri said, her tone light, a smile on her lips. “And Cam could probably use a little care this evening.”
“I think I’m okay,” Cam said.
Key glared at him. “You’re not using this poor girl, are you, Cam?”
“What? No!” Cam shook his head and laughed again.
“Using me?” Miuri frowned at them. “What does that mean?”
“You’re pledged to him,” Key said. “I need to make sure he’s not using that pledge to… coerce you into doing things.”
“Key is under the impression that I’m some kind of sex crazed demon,” Cam said. “Or just a normal monster, I can’t tell.”
“I’m not being coerced,” Miuri said. “Although that does sound fun. Would it involve tying my hands behind my back? You’d be surprised what I’m capable of even all tied up, Cam.”
He gaped at her, his laughter fading away. He glanced at Key and even she was staring at Miuri with red cheeks, her breath coming a little faster. Miuri took a sip of wine straight from the jug then leaned back and laughed at them both.
“Oh my goddess,” Miuri said. “You Humans. You’re both too easy.”
Cam let out a breath and shook his head and Key leaned forward over her cup, mumbling something about attractive Elves, and took a long drink.
Cam sipped his wine as Miuri changed the subject and asked Key about the kind of training the Humans went through. Cam let Key do most of the talking as she described the military tactics Cam’s father had brought back to the village and taught everyone. He watched the other groups, looking for any sign of unrest, but people seemed happy.
Drunk and loud, but happy.
He was on edge. He hated that he had to be on guard all the time, worried that someone like Luccus or Rador would make a move and ruin everything. But it was better to be prepared than caught unaware.
“That explains a lot,” Miuri said, nodding as Key finished her explanation of the shield wall. “You fought very well together. I’d never seen Humans fight like that before.”
“You’ve fought Humans?” Cam asked.
“Oh, no,” Miuri said. “But this isn’t the first time the wolves have raided this far south. Never this large of a force, mind you, but they’ve still come. A village several miles to the north was hit by stray raiders last summer, and the men there fought well, but they were disorganized. They charged and fought as individuals. Your village fights as a single unit, and it’s quite effective.”
“That’s the goal,” Key said. “It’s why we use our shields to protect both our bodies and the person next to us. That way, it’s not just about our own lives. We have to depend on each other to fight and hold the line, or else everyone falls.”
Miuri nodded slowly. “We have a lot to learn from you,” she said.
Cam smiled. “I’m sure Key would be glad to teach you some tactics and formations.”
“And you’re still teaching me some of your Eleven fighting style, right?” Key asked.
“Absolutely,” Miuri said then perked up. “What about tomorrow morning? We could all meet together. Cam, I’m sure you could use some sword instruction.”
Cam winced. “I don’t love that assumption, even if you’re right,” he said.
“We’ll start early.” Miuri said. “Before we march for the day. At the first hint of sunlight, come meet me outside of my camp, and we’ll find a place to get some training in. Come on, what do you say?”
Cam sighed at her and shook his head then looked at Key. She was grinning at him, her big blue eyes almost pleading. He could tell she was eager, and he had a hard time turning her down.
“You want to go?” he asked.
“I really do,” Key said.
“All right then.” Cam took a deep breath and held up his cup. “To training tomorrow morning.”
“To training!” Key said.
Miuri laughed, leaned forward, and toasted their cups with her jug. They all drank and leaned back on their hands, laughing together, the warmth from the fire spilling over their bodies.
Cam looked at Miuri, letting his eyes roam down her petite frame, the swell of her breasts swelling and falling with each breath, her sharp but delicate features turned to the flames. He looked at Key next, at her muscular legs and toned arms, at the smaller but still firm swell of her chest, and the familiar lines of her face, her full lips, her blue eyes. She grinned at him and he felt his heart beat faster.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. She tilted her head and left her lips close to his own, seemingly unaware that Miuri was watching them. He smiled, tilted his head, and kissed her back, pressing his lips against hers.
Then he felt Miuri press against his other side. His heart did flips as the Elf girl’s breasts pushed against his arm. His kiss with Key broke off and she looked past Cam, over at Miuri, biting her lip a little bit.
“Cam,” Key said. “If you want to… you know. I’m not going to stop you.”
He looked at Key for a long moment, his eyes narrowed in uncertainty. He knew what she meant, but he wasn’t sure if he should take her up on it. Of course he wanted to, he wanted both of these women, and he knew Miuri was interested. But despite what Key said, he wasn’t sure how she would feel actually seeing him kiss another woman.
He touched her lower lip with his thumb. “Are you sure?” he asked.
“I want… I want to see you kiss her,” she said. “I want to see if it bothers me.”
“You don’t have to.”
“But I want to.” She tilted her head down and bit his thumb softly. “Please.”
He turned to Miuri, who tilted her chin toward him. “I’d be happy to play along,” she said.
He leaned closer to Miuri. He touched her cheek as he kissed her, her soft lips against his, soft tongue in his mouth. Their kisses were different, but both of them were good, both tasted good and sent a chill of excitement along his spine.
The kiss broke off and he turned to Key. She stared at him, her eyes wide, and her mouth hung open. She was breathing hard, but Cam couldn’t tell if it was a good reaction or a bad one.
“Well?” he asked.
“Don’t think I’m strange,” she said, her voice a whisper. “But… will you kiss her again?”
He smiled, turned to Miuri, and pressed his lips against the Elf Princess harder. Their kiss was deep and he felt his cock stir in passion, but he had to control himself. This was only a test, and if he pushed things too far, too fast, he might scare Key away.
When the second kiss broke off, he turned to Key, and she pressed herself hard against him. She kissed him then, and her taste mingled with Miuri’s. He h
eld her there, and once it broke off, she blinked and looked into his eyes.
“Well,” Miuri said, very close to them, pressed against Cam’s other side. “I think she liked it.”
“I think… I think I did,” Key said. “I don’t know why.”
“It’s okay,” Miuri said. “I liked watching you kiss Cam too. You’re a beautiful girl, Key. To be totally honest, I’d love to see Cam strip off your tunic, lick your pink nipples, and thrust his—”
“Okay,” Key said, her eyes going wider. “I understand. I get the idea.”
Miuri laughed and Cam shook his head. “Don’t tease her right now,” he said. “We don’t want to scare her away.”
Key glared at him. “You’re not going to scare me, Cam.”
He touched her cheek. “I just want to make sure we’re not doing anything you’re not comfortable with. But believe me, as soon as you’re ready, I’m ready to do exactly what Miuri just described. And much more.”
She stared at him, her cheeks pink. She practically sparkled and glowed in the firelight. He pulled her to him and kissed her one more time before he pulled away, turned his head, and kissed Miuri next.
When he was finished, Key shifted away from him, sat with her legs crossed, and drank the rest of her cup of wine. She let out a sharp breath and stood abruptly.
“I should go,” she said.
Miuri pulled away from Cam and sat up, leaning toward Key. “Is something wrong?”
Key shook her head and looked down at the fire. “I just know if I stay, this is going to go a lot further. And I… I want it to go further. But I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
Cam nodded. “That’s okay, Key. When you’re ready.” He stood up and took her hand, holding it for a moment.
“I’ll see you both in the morning,” she said and gave him a long look before pulling her hand away, picking up her spear, and hurrying off.
Cam watched her go then sank back down. Miuri leaned against him and kissed his neck. He smiled at her, put an arm around her shoulder, and sipped his wine, savoring the bitter aftertaste that mingled with the taste of his girls still on his lips.
“She’ll open up,” Miuri said. “I’m sure of it.”
“I am too,” Cam said. “I have to admit though, I’m not totally sure why you’re trying to help me so much.”
“I told you, Elves don’t see relationships the same way as Humans. It’s obvious you and Key are in love with each other, and I want you to have her if you want her.”
“But what about you?” Cam asked. “What do you want?”
“Oh, I already have it,” she said, still leaning against him.
He smiled. “You’re an interesting woman, Miuri.”
“I know that,” she said. “Just be kind to me, Cam. I’ll give you everything you want, so long as you keep me.”
“I don’t plan on letting you go anywhere,” he said, and realized he meant it.
He’d known Miuri for barely two days, and he was already starting to feel attached to her. It was the way she smiled, the way she laughed, the way she made the heaviest situations feel much lighter. She had that Elven grace and poise and beauty of course, but while most of the other Elves seemed very stiff and formal, there was something loose and confident about Miuri.
It attracted Cam to her, and although he didn’t know how to navigate Elven relationships or culture just yet, he knew he was going to learn.
They stayed by the fire together for a while longer. Cam had one more cup of wine and Miuri passed her jug off to some Human warriors once he was finished with it. She leaned against him, clearly unconcerned that she was showing her affection for him in front of the whole village and a few of her own people. Cam should have considered that, but it just didn’t matter to him.
He was too tired, too worn out to care about anything beyond feeling good with Miuri by his side.
They talked about small things. Miuri told him about some of her travels, about some of the other villages in the region. Cam told Miuri about his father, about what life was like before the wolves had come. He felt calm and relaxed in a way he thought he’d never feel again.
The night got late and the wine ran out. Voices were loud and happy, and a few of the Elves were trying to lead some Humans in an Elven song. Cam and Miuri watched and laughed at the Humans stumbling over the Elven words, and the whole crowd broke down in laughter together.
But the reveling had to end. Dagan began to break the groups up, sending those that were too drunk away to sleep it off, and forcing those that were capable to go stand guard. The Elves stood and gathered at the edge of the carts, and Miuri stood to join them.
“Tomorrow morning, then,” Miuri said.
Cam nodded then hesitated. “Aren’t you worried that your father will hear about this?” he asked. “I mean, I’m sure some of your people saw what happened between us and Key.”
She shrugged. “My father knows I’m pledged to you.”
He stared at her, his eyes wide, his heart beating fast. “He… what?”
“He knows,” she said. “I told him what happened during the battle and after in the forest, and he approves.”
“Wait... you told him about the forest?” He stepped toward her. He could picture the Elf Lord with his sword drawn, trying to flay Cam alive. “About us sleeping together?”
She stared at him then burst out laughing. Cam felt his face flush with embarrassment as she shook her head and kissed his cheek.
“No, Cam,” she said. “He’s still my father. No, I told him about the pledge. I didn’t tell him about you fucking me senseless.” She gave him a coy little tilt of her head and turned with a wave. She walked off to join the rest of the Elves, her hips swaying with each step.
He watched her go, sure he was in way over his head, but he could still taste her on his lips, and still taste Key mingled in with her.
He turned away and went to get a few hours of rest before he took over for the late watch.
33
After the Elves returned to their camp, Dagan got the place cleaned up and in some semblance of order. Cam overheard a few of the men talking about how good the Elven wine was and how much they liked sharing stories. That got his spirits up, and he managed a few short hours of sleep before Theus woke him up with the toe of his boot. Cam stumbled out into the dark with his spear and took his post, his mind still on Key and Miuri, and the late watch passed in a blur of bored shadows and chirping crickets.
Just before dawn, as Cam mentally prepared himself for another long march, Key appeared at the edge of the circled carts. Cam watched as she held her spear against her shoulder and scanned the perimeter until she spotted where he stood twenty yards down the path, away from the main camp.
She came to him and smiled, looking well rested.
“Morning,” she said.
“Morning.” He turned to her and she came right up to him and kissed him on the lips. He was a little surprised, but he grabbed her lower back and pulled her tight against his body, kissing her deeper and slower.
“You’re still thinking about last night,” she said as the kiss broke off.
“Aren’t you?”
She nodded a little and stared in his eyes. “She’s… interesting,” Key said. “Beautiful. And I can tell you like her.”
“You like her too.” Cam kissed her cheek. “Don’t deny it.”
“I won’t. I do like her. It’s just… I’m still adjusting.”
“I am too. And I meant what I said last night, we won’t rush you into anything you’re not ready for.”
“I know you won’t.” She pushed him away and grinned. “Now, let’s go get sweaty with our new hot Elf girlfriend. What do you say?”
He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. “Girlfriend, huh?”
“That’s what she is.” Key gave him a look. “And I’m your girlfriend, too. Don’t forget it.”
Cam laughed as she turned and stormed off toward the Elven camp. He sh
ook his head, too stunned to argue. They hadn’t spoken of any formal relationship yet, but now that it was out in the air, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. It was what he had always wanted from Key, and now it was finally in his grasp.
He called out to the other nearby sentry as he followed Key then caught up with her. They walked toward the Elven tents together, and Cam marveled at the strange domes and smooth fabric. He had no clue how they set the tents up, how they stood, or what they were even made out of. But they seemed to shimmer and blend in with their surroundings, and they made Cam remember the way Miuri had done something similar back in the forest. Magic must be involved, he decided, and he decided he’d ask Miuri later in the day.
They saw a lone figure standing toward the far right side of the camp and they angled toward it. Sure enough, Miuri stood in her full leather armor, her hair in a tight braid, a smile on her lips. Key and Cam approached and she turned to them, hand on the pommel of her sword.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Morning.” Key walked right up to her and kissed her on the cheek. Miuri seemed delighted by the gesture and held Key for a moment longer than necessary.
“Morning,” Cam said, and Key nudged him toward the Elf. He leaned down and kissed Miuri on the lips.
“Well,” Miuri said. “I suppose you two have been talking.”
“Seems that way,” Cam said.
Miuri laughed. “Come on. Let’s forget about this intense sexual tension for a little while and get very sweaty together.”
Cam snorted and Key grinned at her. Miuri gestured and led them away from the Elven camp, through a thicket of pine trees, and into a small clearing just a few yards away from the cart path. The grass was about shin high but it wasn’t thick enough to hamper their movements.
Miuri turned to them as Cam and Key stood before her. Key held her spear against her shoulder and Cam had his parallel to the ground in a loose grip. Miuri seemed to consider them for a long moment then nodded to herself.
“Okay,” Miuri said. “First thing’s first. Cam, take off your clothes.”
