Ariel looked up into the sky. There were so many stars out here. The moon was still almost completely full and made the landscape shadows of gray. Lucien lay beside her and removed her shirt. She didn't even protest anymore.
It felt as if they had been together for years instead of less than a week. At least that's what she thought. She was still confused about how long it had been since they left the vehicles and the campsite. She laid her head on his chest and he wrapped his arm around her. "Lucien, what is my life going to be like now?" she asked quietly.
"It will be more than you could hope to imagine, my love. I promise you will be happy." He smiled with contentment.
Ariel slowly brushed her fingers through the dusting of hair on his chest. Lucien reached down and lifted her chin. She opened her mouth, ready for his kiss. Her tongue began to explore, noting his fangs had receded. How does he do that? Now that she wasn't so frightened of the Vampire or the fact there was even such a thing in real life, she was intrigued.
Her hand was still caressing his chest absentmindedly as her tongue tried to unravel the mystery. It would move along his gums then start investigating his fangs again. She knew he would stop her if she wasn't careful. She guessed they were sensitive. She licked along the gum wondering how they could disappear, trying to feel their hidden length. She kept this up for several minutes when Lucien leaned back, separating the kiss.
"What are you doing?" he asked in surprise.
"Um, ah, the fang thing. I was just wondering how they worked. I mean, how they can get longer then disappear. I'm sorry, sir." Ariel was embarrassed by her answer.
He chuckled softly. "I can show you how they work," he replied as a mocked threat.
"No, No. Um, that's okay." She trembled a little not sure how sincere his threat was.
"We can want them to extend or retract at will. When we are emotionally charged, it's involuntary. They extend on their own and retract when we're calm again," he explained.
"Does it hurt?" Ariel was perplexed. Teeth slicing through a gum and back again sounded painful.
Lucien was enjoying her interest. "No. We have natural healing agents directly connected through our saliva and there are small pores in our teeth. As soon as they extend, the area is healed. The same thing happens when they retract."
Ariel was fascinated. She leaned over his face and pulled back his upper lip. She ran a finger tip over the gum above his canine then, BAM! The teeth exploded downward, out of their the pockets. She let go immediately and pulled back with a small shriek.
Lucien laughed. Ariel gave him a warning glare and went back to finishing her discovery. He patiently let her examine him. She stroked down the length and he muffled, "Not a good idea…" She stopped rubbing and stared at them then, BAM! They disappeared again.
"If it wasn't so creepy, I'd think it was pretty cool," she admitted. Lucien was ecstatic. "So, they're high and tight now. You're not feeling emotional, right?"
"Good try, Ariel. They aren't the only thing on my body that extends when I'm aroused." He laughed and hugged her tightly. "It is my sincerest wish your explorations do not end with my fangs." He kissed her gently and urged her hand on its mission.
Her fingertips were light as they trailed down his stomach, then lower. She tentatively ran them down the length of his hardened manhood, over his tight sack, gently squeezing. Curling her hand, she ran up the length of his cock again, letting the tip of a finger learn the texture under the ridge of the cap. Then she stroked across the soft engorged head, spreading the small drop of pre-cum that had been expelled.
Lucien was so aroused, he finally had to stop her. Two days, he assured himself. Two more days and I can claim her. He curled her up next to him and stroked her until she fell asleep. He was thinking how close he had come to losing her that afternoon. If he hadn't been watching … he couldn't bear to think of it.
CHAPTER 13
THE SETTLEMENT
The next day, shortly after they left the clearing, the tree line ended. Before them was an endless sea of grass parted by sporadic trees growing on an overgrown path. Lucien told Ariel they had planted the trees over the years to shelter them from the sun. Even so, she noticed the Vampires put on their gloves and raised their kerchiefs over their faces.
This was the hardest part of the trip for the Clansmen. The Slave-master recruited Dave to his former status and Paul and Zippo also kept a watchful eye on the captive men. They were kept leashed to the horses for this part of the journey. Lucien had already explained to Ariel how the sun sapped their strength. It made her nervous.
"Rider, Lucien," the Slave-master called out.
The Vampires lifted their weary heads. A horse was approaching them through the golden grass. As he got closer, Ariel squinted and said to Lucien, "Is that an Indian?"
"Their tribe settled in the valley with us centuries ago. They're an off-shoot of Cherokee. Actually, they're probably more Cherokee than what's left on the flatlands. You'll like them." His voice was muffled by the kerchief.
"Do they live in the settlement?" she asked curiously.
"No. The valley's divided three ways. Our settlement's to the East, Patrick's Clan is to the West and the Cherokees take the middle. The two Clan settlements have more trees for protection from the sun. The Indians like the grasslands for hunting and cross the borders to the Clans' woods whenever they need to hunt for food," he replied.
"Patrick's Clan. What are they?" He'd never said anything about other groups of people in the valley before.
He laughed. "He and his mate are Vampires. The rest of his settlement is mortal."
"Do we have any lady Vampires?" She really wanted to know the answer to this question.
Lucien became subdued. "No." Somehow Ariel knew she better not ask him anymore on this topic.
The Indian rode up to the group. Ariel thought he looked like he'd just ridden off a western movie set. There was no saddle on his horse, he was bare chested and the fringe from his leather breeches fluttered in the breeze. He had magnificent, long, shiny black hair but no feathers in it. For some reason, that disappointed her.
Nicholas formed a weary grin, raised his hand and said, "How."
Everyone, including the Indian, groaned at his bad joke. "How yourself, Nicholas. How bright is the sun today? How many miles until the trees and the shade? How nice of me to ride out and escort your lazy butt back in? Which how do you want me to answer?" the Indian chuckled.
"Nice of you to ride out, Black Horse," Lucien said.
Ariel noticed the Indian's horse was actually brown. She'd pursue this later.
The Indian rode down the line of captives and back to Lucien. "Five of each, good haul." Black Horse sounded, impressed. "I see you've already chosen."
Startled, Ariel thought the Indian was referring to her. She learned she was mistaken when Lucien replied seriously, "He's confident and strong. A worthy challenge for the tribe."
The Indian read quickly between the lines. "Just how big a pain in the ass is he, Lucien?"
"He's tried to escape twice and attempted to drown my woman yesterday." Lucien laughed.
Black Horse looked back at Mike, then said to Lucien, "Wind Seeker's gonna' love you for this one!"
Holy shit, Mike thought as the Indian came riding up. When he rode down the line, Mike noticed he seemed to look at him a little longer, then he rode back to speak with Lucien. Mike glanced down at his leather cuffs. The cuffs that didn't match the rest of the captives'. The cuffs that had strange painted symbols on them resembling Indian markings. Holy shit!
They didn't reach the trees until almost sunset. Damon and Justin were almost lying on top of Paula and Shawna by then. Shawna had even convinced Justin to give her the reigns and rest. Her brown face had creases of worry. Lucien felt himself sagging against Ariel's back. "Lucien? Sir? Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine, Ariel. Don't worry," he murmured.
Finally, under the protection of the trees they dismounted. Dave took care
of the horses while Paul and Zippo made camp. They laid out the exhausted Vampires' blankets in the clearing. No one would be carrying anyone off on private trysts tonight.
After the Indian made a fire he started putting a thick stew together from supplies he brought from the settlement. Dave went down to the stream and filled canteens with water. He had to refill them three times before everyone's thirst was quenched.
Mealtime was a quiet affair. The women went down to the stream to wash the dishes and rinse the dust off themselves as best they could. The sun was down and it was too chilly to venture into the water.
Ariel sat next to Lucien. His dark blue eyes gazed into hers for a moment. Then he stated quietly, "Ariel, I need to feed."
She froze. In her mind she knew he had done it three times before. It had always been during an act of passion. It hadn't hurt her, just left her tired. She was scared. "I don't know what to do," she whispered.
"Come closer." he whispered. He lifted her into his lap. He kissed her and started brushing her nipples. As always, a familiar desire started building inside her. His mouth left hers as his hand drifted between her thighs. She shivered a little but didn't try to pull away. He gently stroked her sex as he nuzzled her neck. She could feel his weariness. She felt herself responding as he seductively stroked her sex. His tongue softly licked the pulse in her throat. There was a piercing twinge of pain as his fangs dug deep.
She concentrated on his hands stroking her. When his teeth entered her she felt it deep in her channel and her muscles tightened. They seemed to be contracting with each pull from his mouth. She felt herself drifting pleasurably. Ariel had thought it would hurt, especially because she'd been expecting it, but it was just a soft tugging and his warm breath.
Ariel didn't know when she passed out. The next thing she knew it was morning. She was lying across his chest with his arms protectively surrounding her. Lucien was smiling down at her completely revitalized. She was beat. "Good morning, Ariel."
"I feel like I have a hangover. My head hurts." She tried to sit up and was met with a spinning sensation. Groaning, she leaned back against his shoulder.
Paul saw Ariel stir and headed her way with some stew and a canteen. "Eat it all and no coffee," he instructed. He went back to the fire and prepared meals for the other women.
"We usually need a small amount before and after the grassland trail. The episode with Mike had us too wound up and we agreed it may be dangerous with our emotions that high strung. We could have used the men but we're trying to let them get used to their other adjustments. The Slave-master and Black Horse were watching to stop us if we took too much," Lucien explained the precaution.
"The stew will help. Black Horse made sure there was plenty of meat and vegetables. You should be feeling better in a couple of hours. We'll be pulling into the settlement by then and you'll be able to rest," he told her.
After the morning meal, the women went wearily down to the water. They washed the rest of the dirt out of their hair and finished the haphazard bath from the night before. Ariel hadn't noticed when they'd stopped talking about the Vampires or how scared they were, or how strange it all was. Mostly, they talked about the long ride, hoping it would end soon. There was no more mention of escape.
When the women got back to camp the horses were saddled and the group headed out again. Ariel found herself getting nervous. She was about to see her new home. For the rest of her life, she would live in this valley with the people she was soon going to meet. Then, all of a sudden it hit her like a fist in the stomach. "Lucien, you have a woman at the settlement," she stated.
Lucien had hoped this conversation would wait. "I did have a companion, yes. Her name is Heather. When I took her, she was with Ethan."
"You took the Slave-master's woman?" she said incredulously.
"Ethan was the strongest man of his group. I felt his woman would be the most suitable for me," he reasoned.
"Is that what I am? Suitable for you, until it's time to trade me in? That poor woman! My God, Lucien, she's going to hate me." Ariel was mortified.
"Ariel, you are more than suitable for me. I know you feel this too. Heather was never able to understand me. She never accepted what I needed from her. You are so much more than she, or any woman, could be for me. Heather has moved in with Carl, another friend she came to the settlement with. She is happy. She's looking forward to meeting you and wants to help you get settled. Ask her, Ariel. You'll know I'm telling you the truth." Lucien knew he could have given her a push to just accept it. He wanted her feelings for him to be genuine. He trusted Heather to help her understand. In the back of his mind he also knew, he would push if she rejected him. She was his.
They came out of the woods into the settlement. It was a large cleared area with huge oak trees liberally shading it. There was one street with old wooden structures lined up on either side and a few large outbuildings. Fences corralled horses, pigs and cattle. Chickens were running wild.
A pretty blonde was smiling, leaning on the fence by the entrance to the street. She was dressed in a tight leather dress with moccasin type boots. Her long hair was tied back in a pony tail. She turned around and shouted, "They're back! The Clansmen are back!" She turned her attention back to the riders. "Paul, did you find me anything special?"
"Yes, Sarah. Enough to keep you comfortably clothed and busy," Paul laughed and winked at Nathan.
Sarah walked up to Lucien. "Oh, Lucien. She's beautiful!" Sarah said smiling, looking up at Ariel.
Lucien gave Ariel a hug and replied, "That she is Sarah. She's perfect."
Sarah suddenly frowned. "What on earth is she wearing? I made you that shirt." Sarah looked at all of the new women. "Good grief! Nathan, was this your idea? I brought you dresses for them."
Ariel was almost amused at the woman's distress. "Sarah is our seamstress. Apparently, she is not happy with our choice of your attire." Lucien squeezed a bare globe of Ariel's bottom. "I don't know why not."
As the group made its way up the street people approached from the outbuildings and different houses. There was a large building halfway up the block. When they got in front of it everybody dismounted. A few settlement men walked forward to take care of the horses.
Sarah threw her arms around Ethan and kissed him passionately. The door to the large building opened and an old man dressed a lot like the Slave-master stepped out. He walked up to Ethan and gave him a tight, affectionate hug. "How'd it go, Lucien?"
"Ethan did a fine job. You can be proud of him, Charles. He's even picked an apprentice, with my approval." Lucien's words made the Slave-master beam and the older man stand straighter. Sarah stood between the two men with her arms around them.
Next, three more Indians came out and greeted them. "Everything went well?"
"Fine, Wind Seeker. I see the settlement is still standing." Lucien smiled warmly.
"We did have one little problem. The fence to the pig sty collapsed and we were chasing the damn things for hours. The piglets kept getting under the porches. You really should butcher that old sow. Mason told me all she's got to do is lean against the fence anymore and it breaks. She's got to be close to four hundred pounds," Wind Seeker said.
"Well, we had to chase after your new friend a couple of times, too." Lucien chuckled, indicating Mike.
"Tried to drown Lucien's woman a couple of days ago," Black Horse added with a laugh.
Mike flinched as Wind Seeker's piercing black eyes glared at him. "You will find his manners much improved when we meet at the Harvest Celebration."
Already accepting responsibility for Mike's unruly behavior, even though they'd just met, Wind Seeker walked up to his new captive. Towering at least four inches over the nervous man, the imposing Indian looked down and grabbed Mike's sack ring, lifting and twisting it painfully. Mike shrieked. "I'm not as nice as the Clansmen," he said coldly. Mike was petrified as the Indians laughed at him.
Wind Seeker pulled what appeared to be a dog's chain choker collar
out of a leather bag tied to a belt loop. Mike drew back. Wind Seeker fisted the top of Mike's hair and slipped the collar over his head then he took out a wider, leather collar with the strange symbols painted on it. He fastened this over the chain and fed the lead ring of the choker through a hole in the front. He tied the long laces at the back of the collar and trailed them down his back. One of the other Indians knelt down and pulled the laces harshly between Mike's ass cheeks and lashed them to the ring at the base of Mike's testicles. The cuffs on his wrists were lashed together and tied to the lead running down his back. Mike groaned in discomfort.
"Paul and Zippo were successful as well. When we get things unpacked, there are things I'd like to send back to the tribe," Lucien told Wind Seeker.
"You are always generous, Lucien." Wind Seeker had a touch of sarcasm in his voice as he nodded toward Mike. The Indians were used to getting the least desirable captive to work with.
People started filing past them into the big building. They were glancing with anticipation at the new citizens of the community. Several smiled shyly at Ariel and she nervously smiled back. Everyone seemed happy to have the Vampires return. As the settlers passed by, they acknowledged them with comments echoing, "Welcome back, sirs." "It's good to have you home," and "Thank goodness you're back." Ariel noticed how comfortable everyone seemed with each other and the obvious affection they held for the Clansmen.
Lucien put an arm around her and guided her proudly into the hall. They walked to a short table at the front of two long tables where women were busy setting dishes. He sat in the middle chair and placed her in his lap facing the people starting to sit at the longer tables.
Nathan and Teri sat to his right, flanked by Justin and Shawna. Damon and Paula to his left with Nicholas and Christal on their other side. Ariel looked at the people as they sat on the long benches. The Indians sat at the end of one of the longer tables closest to the Vampires. Ethan and the elder Slave-master sat in the same position of status at the other.
Ariel's Desire: A Novel of Vampirism and Submission Page 17
