by D. R. Rosier
Ultimately we decided to travel to the capitol, directly to the training room for affinity magic the next day. It would be the perfect place to hide right under the king’s nose. She sent out messages to the other mayors on our side, indicating if they wanted to be at the capitol and help that it could be arranged. Otherwise it would be the five of us, Carl, and whoever else Carl had managed to wrangle on our side.
It was close to dawn when we retired. I hugged Alethea again, probably enjoying it more than I should. Okay, more than probably. Then I kissed my mates goodnight, and with their blessing made my way up to Serina’s room. I knocked lightly on the door, opened it, and slipped inside.
She was in a teal nightgown that seemed to hug her curves just enough to tantalize. Her red curly tresses were no longer put up and seemed to caress her torso. Her beautiful green eyes narrowed slightly as she turned and looked at me.
She asked, “What are you doing here?”
I walked toward her slowly and said calmly, “You know why I’m here Serina.”
The look on her face was half longing, half fearful, and there was also small dose of anger probably brought on by the other two feelings.
She opened her mouth but no sound came out as she stared into my eyes while I stalked forward. She whimpered softly when I grabbed her and claimed her mouth, this time there would be no interruptions. I picked her up with one arm around her, the other holding the back of her head as I kissed her possessively and not with a little passion.
I carried her over to the bed, broke our kiss and bent her over the side. I pulled her nightgown up and smiled, no panties, and her labia already glistened.
I caressed her ass softly and brushed her core and said softly, “Tell me what you want.”
She arched her back and pushed against my hand, her head turned and she looked at me with desire and need in her eyes. The fear was still there as well, and I wished I could erase it, but I knew it would take time. If she ever told me who did this to her I’d hunt his ass down and kill him, I didn’t know what it was, but it must have been bad.
I growled softly, “Tell me.”
I already knew she wouldn’t stop me, but I wanted her to feel some amount of control here despite my aggressive pursuit. I also wanted to make her open up just a little bit, a crack in the armor. I wouldn’t take her if she couldn’t do that. I wanted the Serina from last time, something had changed since I was here last, and it had her a bit scared. I had a feeling that absence had made her heart fonder, I couldn’t imagine it would be the other way around.
Her voice was halting, but full of desire, “Please, I need you in me.”
I caressed her small waist and the curve of her hips, her cute ass, and down the side of her legs as I let out a deep moan and slowly pushed into her tight wet bliss. I continued caressing her through the nightgown on her back and waist, and on the smooth silky skin of her ass and outer thighs as her body grew used to my invader.
She mewled in pleasure and arched her back further as I pushed hard and ground myself against her before pulling out and slowly sinking back in.
She whispered breathlessly, “Faster,” as she pushed back into me.
I gradually picked up speed while holding her firmly to the mattress, teasing her slowly toward her completion. She squirmed as she tried to push back against me, I was moving in and out of her grasping center quickly now and I could feel her body was close to bliss. Her breath was ragged, and she was making noises that were both sexy and endearing.
I ordered, “Cum for me Serina, now.”
Her gasp was cut off in the middle as her hot wet core started rippling tightly along my length, and her body trembled beneath my hands as I continued to hold her down. I didn’t stop but I did slow as I continued to pleasure her through her ecstatic bliss. I held on… barely, and when she came down I slowly pulled out. When I popped out she whimpered in loss.
I pulled her up and stripped her night gown off while holding her up, she was a bit unsteady on her feet which made me smile. I picked her up and placed her on the bed. She watched me with a hungry look as I stripped down my own clothes before joining her. She parted her legs wordlessly, still not breaking eye contact and I slid into her tight center, the wet, warm and blissful friction pulling a moan from my mouth.
She wrapped her legs around my waist and squeezed hard while grinding her body up and into me, pulling me as deep inside of her as she could as I leaned down. Our lips met in a fiery kiss as I started to push into her hard and fast, her body keeping pace with mine as we joined together in harmony.
She caressed my chest and her nails dug into my skin as she broke our kiss and cried out in pleasure against my shoulder. Her body started to tremble beneath mine. This time the blissful feeling of her soft yielding flesh beneath mine, and her grasping pleasure utterly and completely broke my control. I moaned deeply as I pushed into her a few more times hard and fast, burying myself in her exploding bliss as I uncontrollably emptied my essence deep inside of her.
When I could move again, I rolled off onto my back and started to catch my breath. The scent of our sex pervaded the room. I turned my head toward her as she rolled toward me and put her head on her hand, lying on her side. She had a both sated and worried look on her face; how she pulled that off I didn’t know. Maybe it was just my enhanced ability of smell that ferreted out the emotions, I supposed.
I reached over and pulled her to me, and started to play with her hair as she rested her head on my chest. I wanted to ask what she was worried about, perhaps she thought I’d leave, believing I had taken what I wanted. Perhaps she feared her own feelings, or maybe it was something else entirely, like what we were going to be doing tomorrow.
Either way I held my tongue and suppressed my curiosity. I didn’t get the feeling it would be a good idea to ask.
She tried for matter of fact, but her question came out in a vulnerable tone, “Are you staying?”
I kissed the top of her head, her red curls felt soft against my lips.
I replied softly, “That was my intention, unless you ask me to leave.”
I pulled her harder against me when her arms wrapped around me, as if she was alarmed by that suggestion. I smiled into her hair and started tracing circles on her lower back.
She kissed my chest and said playfully, “In that case, I don’t think I’m done with you yet.”
My reply never made it out as she started to caress my balls while she kissed her way down my chest. The morning sun came through the window, making her bright red hair almost glow as she locked her green eyes on mine and took my growing member into her mouth.
It didn’t take long before I was fully stiff and covered in her warm saliva as she worked me to hardness. She smiled mysteriously as she crawled up my body and then holding my pleasure in her hand slowly lowered herself down, engulfing me in her pleasure.
She rode me for a long time in decadent pleasure, her perfect c cups swaying with her body. I reached up and thumbed her nipples and kneaded the soft and firm flesh of her breasts. Her soft body riding mine was pure bliss and I couldn’t take my eyes off her sunlit hair and skin, the beads of sweat that trickled between her swaying breasts, or the bright warmth and lust in her bright green eyes.
She whispered breathlessly so low I could barely hear her, “I missed you.”
When we reached our completion she cuddled into me. After the long day followed by a harrowed night, and the incredible lovemaking, we fell into a deep sated sleep…
Chapter 16
We woke up close to noon, and I was happy to see after the initial surprise I was still there, that she wasn’t quite so nervous anymore. I hoped I’d see less and less of it as time went on. We tried for a quick bath, knowing the daylight was burning and we had a lot to do, but we wound up joined again before we could finish.
It was to knowing smiles we joined the others for lunch. It made me wonder if they’d been scrying, and the idea wasn’t an unwelcome one as I kissed them both good
morning. Alethea raised her eyebrow at me teasingly, so I chuckled and kissed the top of her head.
Serina said to everyone, “If you haven’t yet, give a list of any supplies you need to Tina, if we can I’d like to get going in an hour or two. So far except for Forest River, the other mayors have declined to leave, although I still hadn’t heard from all of them.”
I pondered that for a moment, “That should be more than enough, there are five mages there plus whatever Carl has. Unless the king has been pulling in most of the roving mages and we aren’t aware of it. We should be cautious of surprises, he has to know it’s coming if not the full details.”
Serina bowed her head in agreement. She was all business now.
I understood the concept; out here she was mayor, not only mine. I just hoped she didn’t use it as an excuse to go back to hiding. My biggest worry was what would happen when this was all over? Sure, if Serina eventually became another wife, I could base my life out of here, but having to leave occasionally to visit my Elven family or take care of the businesses I had planned may add a strain. The former more than the latter, with the businesses I could fast travel and be back before nighttime… We’d figure it out.
Alethea asked me as we finished eating, “Can you teach me the fast travel thing?”
I nodded, I didn’t see why not, she had a bond with her elemental so should be able to learn it. She was fire, but I didn’t think that would matter all that much.
Alethea took my arm as we left the room; I saw Ari and Sienna motion for Serina to stay. I almost laughed; I should have known they’d want to talk with Serina. Maybe I wouldn’t have to worry about it at all; the women would work it out.
I asked when we were away from the room, “So do you really need to know, or was that just a ruse to get them alone together?”
She smiled, “That was part of it but no… I really want to learn.”
I walked her through the concept. That she needed to be shielded and bring enough air with her along with whatever or whoever else. That she had to have been there before and have a good picture in her mind of the destination.
She grinned mischievously and took my arm, “Do you trust me?” she asked with a challenging lilt in her voice.
I quirked a smile, “Yes.”
I had to admit I was a little nervous as I was surrounded by elemental fire and the room faded away. The realm of elemental fire, much like air, wasn’t quite the same as a flame in the real world. It was warm even shielded, but not too bad. There was no gravity, no land, no water, or air. There were elemental flames all around us and I could make out different colors.
It didn’t last long as we landed in the room assigned to my mates in just a few seconds.
She looked excited to have done it and I smiled when she hugged me tight. It felt a little too good and I reminded myself firmly to treat her as family. She was just a lot more flirty than most people.
She said, “Thanks, that’s going to come in handy.”
I nodded and said faux sternly, “Now you have no excuse not to visit us often.”
She winked and released the hug and we both started packing up.
We left a couple of hours later, and I didn’t use more than the minimum magic so it took a little over two hours. It wasn’t worth a quarter of my magic to get there faster, then another quarter to get to the capitol. Ari was actually going to take the second trip, but still, the more magic I had when we confronted the king the better, just in case it turned into a fight.
Somehow I didn’t see him bowing out per the law, not after all he’d already done.
When we got to Forest River however there were only four mages. Erin’s brother, Dan, wasn’t around anymore. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. On one hand that was one less of us fighting on our side. On the other I wasn’t sure I wanted someone who thought I was responsible for his sister’s death guarding my back.
Mayor Nialla greeted us, “Come join us for dinner before we move on. I understand this will take a few hours and is rather cramped, I’m sure you all want to stretch your legs.”
Serina replied graciously, “That would be welcome, thank you Nialla.”
The five of us joined Nialla, her husband Thad, Sister Nell and Nell’s son Steven. I noticed Steven kept casting furtive looks at Ari and Alethea. They both weren’t showing emotion in front of the four strangers, but of course Ari wasn’t covered up either, these were the mage nobility and she wouldn’t hide from them to simply avoid a few gawking looks.
It seemed to me this Elven custom is probably what caused most of the difficulty between the races. Humans didn’t really get it, and it could feel uncomfortable at times. They Elves were pretty much the same way from the other point of view, finding the way humans were so unguarded with strangers startling. Otherwise there was not much difference in temperament, opinions, and other matters. Even the aging difference was not as much of a stumbling block.
Nialla asked as dinner wound down, “Serina, have you considered at all who should replace the king?”
Serina shook her head and asked lightly, “Who would want the job?”
Nialla chuckled, “I would have once upon a time.”
They started talking about a few of the other mayors I didn’t know for a short while, but they didn’t have any ideas about what names to put across when the time came. It was almost twilight when we all got together and were ready to leave. Nialla gave the word and Ari took us into the realm of air and we were on the way to Ciren.
The trip was a bit awkward when Thad started to lose his lunch at the feeling of weightlessness. I was a bit surprised he was the only one to be honest. Luckily Nialla was healer and set him to rights shortly. Things were a bit stiff as well, on the way to Forest River we were all chatting comfortably and we were all bunched together.
Now Serina was slightly apart from us, as if to hide our connection from Nialla, though I wasn’t sure why. I could speculate but I preferred not to. She didn’t seem the type to take on airs at all, not with the way she treated my wife with respect, or her maid Tina for that matter. I felt it probably had more to do with her insecurities when it came to relationships, but I wasn’t really sure. Women were a mystery after all, and I daren’t make assumptions.
Also, neither my mate Ari or cousin Alethea felt comfortable enough to let go of their emotionless visage, much less flirt and chat to pass the time. Sienna of course was cuddled into me, but she still felt like a commoner among the gentry, especially not knowing the other four so well, and wasn’t her normal outgoing self. I tended to forget she was the only one without magic there and hated that she wasn’t her usual bubbly, confident, and saucy self.
So yes, the trip was a bit uncomfortable. I was tempted to push a little magic out to my element to speed things up, but held back. I almost laughed, if anyone said I’d be stuck in an awkward trip in the realm of air with eight mages including a girlfriend, bonded mate, and Elven cousin, along with my normal human wife on the way to depose a king two months back in that crypt I’d have had them committed.
I suppressed a chuckle and Sienna looked at me questioningly. I kissed her forehead and pulled her closer to me, simply answering her with my mirthful eyes. All things must come to an end, even the awkward ones, so we appeared inside the beginner training room for affinities.
I looked up and Carl was there already waiting. Along with him was Maggie, the head instructor, along with the students Thomas and Penny. They looked nervous now, rather than the arrogant faces they had shown me over a month ago and I held a small hope they had grown up. The only one I didn’t see was Sally the man eater, but I supposed that might be a good thing.
Maggie had a forbidding presence about her, and she didn’t look happy. Luckily the ire was not directed our way.
“We need to move as soon as possible. Some of the roving mages have been returning during the day today. I think the king must have recalled them all, we need to move before they all show up, so far only the closest have
arrived but… there are more than fifty of them altogether so we shouldn’t wait. Right now there are only nine. With the king, Seneschal, Reed, and Avery the numbers are pretty even for the moment.”
Maggie turned to me, “Boy we need to talk. I know your elemental does most of the work, but I’d love to figure out how to move through the realms like you do. I have an idea to take care of the destination issue, if we can link objects through magic and spread them out, then we could find that beacon in the other world. Anyway, I’m also interested in how you…”
Carl cut off Maggie with a cough and a piercing look.
Maggie blushed, “Sorry, I get a bit excited about new knowledge sometimes; it’s why I took this assignment. We’ll talk later. Anyone have any questions?”
I asked, “Is this all of us?”
Maggie grunted a yes, “Why?”
I smiled and closed my eyes and gathered all the flavors of the mages around me, along with my wife, and added it to my ward.
I said diffidently, “I kind of leave my protection up to my elemental so I can focus on offense. Sometimes it doesn’t react to a threat in a way I’d consider, so I wanted to add you all as safe people to my ward, just to be sure. That way if I accidentally get in the line of your magic, it will stop the magic only and not decide frying you is the best way to go about protecting me.”
Maggie frowned, “That’s kind of dangerous, if someone managed to pierce your ward and ignite your magic…”
I frowned, “I didn’t explain it very well. I don’t focus on defense but I don’t just throw out a bunch of magic at once either and ignore it, I feed the ward slowly, there is never very much magic in my ward, just enough for my elemental to use as it needs…”
Carl coughed again cutting me off, this time both Maggie and I blushed.
Nialla chuckled, “Let’s get this over with.”
