Kamen nodded and pursed his lips. “It suits you. You are the glory of Jehiel in the flesh.”
Darien offered Kamen his arm, and his friend took it. Arm in arm in Sunjaa fashion, the pair strolled in the garden and talked. “You were right,” Darien said. “I should have retired years ago.”
“So why didn’t you?”
Darien shrugged. “I didn’t think there was anything to conquer in a civilian life.”
“What then have you discovered?”
“That things are much more complicated than I had thought. That me making a play for genteel society is quite the challenge, indeed. And you know what I’m like when I’ve got a challenge before me.”
Kamen smiled and nodded slowly with the rhythm of his steps, and he watched the ground as he spoke. “There was never a battle Darien lost, never a pirate Darien could not defeat. This will be no different. Besides, you’ve got the Lotus to help you.”
Darien’s and Kamen’s arms had been locked in such a way that Kamen had been stroking Darien’s forearm with his thumb. Kamen was a man who always demonstrated his affections, and such expressions never bothered Darien. But now, at the mention of Saerileth, Kamen ceased his caress.
“What is it?” Darien asked, stopping and turning to face his friend.
But Kamen did not look him in the eye, instead turning his attention back to the house. “Nothing. It’s just that she is re-ordering your life. I mean, look at how the west wing of your house has been turned into a harem.”
“Ordering it,” Darien said, “not re-ordering. My life was the sea, the ship, and battle. What do I know of running a house? I mean, this party tomorrow, for example. It was my idea, but I had no clue about how to go about making it happen. I’ve got couriers delivering floral wreaths for the guests; I’ve got circus managers coming around to negotiate leasing out their acrobats and entertainers for the evening. I’ve got a temporary kitchen staff of twenty I had to hire just for this occasion. And Saerileth knows just what to do.” Darien clapped Kamen on the shoulder. Here was his dearest friend, and he wanted him to understand. “I’m going to do this. I’m going to make my way in the world and not just be known as some famous ex-soldier. And I’ve got the Red Lotus to help me get there.”
The mid-morning sun blazed down, so the pair sought shelter on the porch. Aben brought low stools to sit on, and Darien and Kamen crushed a cup of wine together. As the steward bowed and departed, Kamen laughed to himself and shook his head.
“What?” Darien asked, looking around to see what was so funny.
“You! Don’t you know how much easier things would be around here if you just went and bought some slaves?”
“Aben serves me well.”
“Yes, but a body slave would serve you better. That’s what they’re trained to do.”
Darien waved the thought away. “Never saw any need for slaves.”
“And you never lived here, either. You were always at sea. You might find you need them, especially if you pull off this social maneuver.”
Darien examined his friend’s profile. Kamen, being nobly born, doubtless kept dozens of slaves, and Darien was sure that he did not mistreat them. Kamen was a good man with a generous heart, and yet he was able to reconcile himself with the idea of slavery. But Darien, being a commoner, had not grown up with that reality. If anything, slavery hit too close to home. His grandmother had been a slave.
“Concubines are legally slaves,” Kamen said.
“I offered to let them go as soon as I brought them here, but they said they’d rather stay.” But Darien had not made that offer to Saerileth because he feared she might leave, indeed, and he never wanted her to leave his side.
“Of course they stay! You’re gone more than half the time, you don’t treat them as slaves, and you give them the run of the place. You rescued them and set them up in a life of ease. Better to live here than take their chances on the streets.”
Darien shrugged. He would not make excuses for treating the women like human beings. “It sounds like their running days are through, though. Saerileth keeps a tight ship and makes them stay locked up in their apartments. She’s also teaching them how to read, write, and play music.”
“To make accomplished ladies of them?” Kamen winked.
“Saerileth says that if I’m to go up in society, and these women are my concubines, then she’ll make them the best concubines she can.”
“I’m sure they’ll turn out fine.” There was a long pause where Kamen sat forward with his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his hands together. “Your concubines aren’t very nice. Let’s face it. Whatever polish the Lotus puts on them, you can’t deny that they’re homely.” He caught Darien’s eye with his own gaze. “And you missed common quarters.” He stood and moved behind Darien and massaged his shoulders. “Surely there’s some tension you need to work out before the party tomorrow night. After all, we’d call common quarters when we knew a big battle was coming.”
Darien sat up straight and looked back over his shoulder at Kamen. “You want to fuck?” He smiled.
Kamen returned the smile, raised his eyebrows, and tilted his head in silent affirmation. “For old time’s sake.”
Darien had fucked Kamen on multiple occasions in the past, so one more time did not matter. “I’ll fetch my concubines, and we can have a tumble.”
Kamen leaned forward over Darien’s shoulder and looked his friend in the eye. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not? You’re the one who said they were the same thing as slaves.”
Kamen came around and knelt before Darien. He put his hands on Darien’s thighs as his eyes went to Darien’s cock, visible through the linen skirt. “Concubines are slaves in that they are their master’s property, but they can’t be shared. That dishonors you, me, and them. You could give me one as a gift—” His hands shot up in a pleading gesture before him. “But don’t, because they’re ugly, and I don’t want them.”
Darien was not the kind of man to blush, but he could not help but feel embarrassed by this blunder. If he could be so clumsy socially with a friend, how disastrous would be his attempt at high society? He did not know what to say or do or how to make a counter-offer that would soften the insult.
Saerileth’s sudden appearance saved him any explanation. She wore a fine, white linen gown that covered her breasts, was held on by thin, gold straps around her white shoulders, and fell in pleated folds down to her knees. On a Sunjaa woman, the garment would draw out the dark beauty of her skin, but on Saerileth’s pale body, the dress seemed like a living extension of herself, and the gold jewelry she wore on her upper arms and ankles made Darien think of the goddess Abrexa’s seductive golden chain.
She addressed Kamen. “You forget, Lord Itenu, that my Master also owns a Lotus, and I am ranked among his concubines. A Lotus is an honor to partake of, and to be granted the opportunity to share a man’s Lotus is a rare favor indeed.”
Darien’s breath caught. Was she offering herself to Kamen? Kamen was beautiful, nobly born, and moved easily in a society Saerileth was accustomed to. And on top of everything else, he was well endowed like most Sunjaa, though not painfully over-sized like Darien. What could Darien offer her that Kamen could not?
Saerileth continued before Darien could find his voice. “You wrong my Master to think that he would offer you something he could not give.” She moved to stand beside Darien, and she laid her hand on his shoulder, her white skin stark against his dark.
Shock registered in all Kamen’s looks. “You can only do with a Lotus what a Lotus agrees to do. Even Darien cannot command you.”
“Again,” Saerileth said, “you are incorrect, Lord Itenu. He is my Master, and I am his concubine, though still a Lotus.”
“A peculiar circumstance.” Darien could not think of anything else to say, but in that moment he realized that she was not necessarily offering herself to Kamen but using this as an excuse to cover Darien’s blunder, to make it look like it was Darie
n’s idea. The only question that remained was whether Darien wanted to go through with a sharing of his Lotus. Kamen was his dearest friend, however, and Darien did not want to invalidate what Saerileth had just said by backing out now. “I have a large, comfortable bed that will accommodate us three.” He rose, took Saerileth by the hand, and led her and Kamen through the wide, open halls of the stone and mud-brick house.
****
As Darien and Kamen both lounged half naked on the wide bed, Saerileth stood at its foot, undid one strap and then the next, and let her gown fall to her ankles. Desire rushed into Darien’s cock, and he unfastened his belt. His large shoulders were buried in the softness of the mattress, his hard muscles surrounded by fluffy silk pillows. His disrobing was automatic; he made himself naked without shifting his gaze away from Saerileth’s body.
The Lotus took her time, and she was exquisite in her delays. Starting at her hips, she ran her hands up her sides, slowly, let them travel over her breasts, and slid her palms up her neck until she entwined her fingers beneath her curtain of black hair. As she raised her arms, her breasts lifted as well. She turned slightly to the left and placed her weight on her left foot as she bent her right leg at the knee, assuming a tip-toe stance that revealed the long shape of her thigh, the tightness of her ass and belly, and the curves of her sleek, beautiful back. Her raised arms exposed the splendid shape of her young breasts, her nipples erect in clear anticipation. She made her lovers wait; she piled her masses of hair on her head, pinning it down in several places, and the whole time she did so, she made sure to hold her body in the sexiest poses Darien had ever seen. His cock lay engorged against his stomach, and it twitched in anticipation of entering Saerileth.
Movement caused Darien to glance across the bed. Kamen was standing among the pillows, stripping off his skirt. His cock, too, stood erect and ready, and though he was neither as large nor as thick as Darien, he was big enough. Darien had jacked Kamen off while fucking him in the ass on numerous occasions; it was a pleasant size. Kamen nearly bounced in joy, and he divided his attention between Saerileth and Darien equally. Though Darien longed to fuck Saerileth, he did not share his friend’s enthusiasm. He could not help but feel reservations about the whole thing. Kamen was much closer to Saerileth’s age, only five years her senior, unlike Darien who could be her father. Kamen’s jewelry and his tattoos – he and Darien had matching water-serpent tattoos – enhanced his natural beauty. Darien looked down at his own body. He was much taller, heavier, and broader than his friend, and though Saerileth had lauded his rugged, handsome looks multiple times in the past two days, Darien doubted her praise. But he took heart, for Saerileth kept her bright, blue eyes on him, and every move she made, he felt was for him.
Darien leaped from the bed and swept Saerileth’s small, naked form into his arms, cradling her as he might a child. She threw her arms around his neck, and then she squealed as he launched her through the air. When she hit the soft mattress, silk pillows flew in all directions. She laughed, and Darien pounced on her. He was aware how Kamen had stood stunned, but now that Darien was getting things underway, Kamen joined in by throwing himself down beside Saerileth. He did not, however, reach for the Lotus first, though her nipples stood near his face. Instead, he reached out and grabbed Darien’s cock. Darien leaned forward and devoured Saerileth with his hungry kisses. He felt Kamen’s lips around his shaft, and his cock burned with delight. Kamen excelled at oral pleasure. Darien held himself up on his hands and knees, receiving a blow job from Kamen as he continued kissing Saerileth’s mouth, then down her neck, until his nibbling teeth found her breasts. He bit her nipples, and she arched her back in pain and pleasure. She grabbed the back of Darien’s head and dug her nails into his scalp. Darien bit harder, responding to her rough play. He wanted to be so much rougher, but he feared breaking her. He cared for her deeply, more than he had any woman, so he forced himself under control. He forced himself to play gently – well, not altogether gently. He took her thumb in his mouth and sucked on it at the same pace Kamen’s sucked his cock. With one hand in her hair, he used his other hand to reach down and massage her wet clit. He sucked and rubbed, and Kamen sucked and cupped his balls. When Saerileth moaned in a deep voice tinged with lust, Darien bit down into her flesh, leaving teeth marks between her thumb and forefinger. Saerileth squealed, and it pleased Darien to see her enjoy a little pain in her lovemaking. But that was as far as he dared go.
Suddenly Saerileth squirmed away, her kicking legs forcing Kamen to switch positions. Kamen shot her an annoyed look, but Darien just assumed Saerileth’s movements had not been intentionally obstructive. Kamen spun on Saerileth and threw her legs up to her ears. He buried his mouth in her pussy, licking all the juice Darien had massaged out of her. He did not eat her pussy for long, however, for Darien ached to be inside her. He tossed Kamen aside like a toy, and Saerileth’s eyes grew wide at his display of power. She closed her legs and shook her head, and this only made Darien want her more. He forced her knees apart without effort, though he felt her muscles straining against him. He flicked her pussy with the head of his cock, from her clit to her ass, and back up again, until it was soaked. Then he leaned in, breaking through her flesh and finding his long path home. Every inch of him entering Saerileth brought a shudder from her. Her belly muscles stood taut, and she dug her nails into Darien’s sides. Darien gritted his teeth, grunted, and pushed himself farther in. Her pussy opened to accept him, but it hugged his shaft on all sides, grasping his cock with as much subtlety and dexterity as her hand might. As always when fucking Saerileth, Darien’s cum rushed up his cock, threatening to burst forth, but Darien held himself just on the edge of orgasm; he always liked to ride that line, though it was not until he met Saerileth that he found a partner who could so quickly get him there. He quite forgot about Kamen until his friend made some obvious movement to bring attention to himself. He moved forward to put his cock in Saerileth’s mouth, and as she sucked him, Darien watched and fucked.
Kamen moved easily and with confidence, his expression calm and controlled, giving no sign of going over the edge and throwing passion to the wind as Darien wanted to do. Darien wanted to howl into the night and fuck Saerileth with wild abandon. Kamen was nothing like him. He leaned over and kissed Darien sweetly, and then he parted Darien’s lips with his tongue. Darien returned the kiss, but he did not enjoy watching Saerileth suck Kamen’s cock as much as he thought he might, so he moved to flip himself backwards, taking his Lotus with him. Now she was on top, riding him, crying out in pleasure as she winced every time she slammed her body down on his cock. They were both covered in sweat, for the afternoon was hot, and their sex was rigorous. Kamen came in behind them, and the aroma of scented oil filled the room. He had greased his cock. Darien spread his legs, allowing Kamen to kneel behind Saerileth, and then he felt the pressure of the proximity of Kamen’s cock. His friend had penetrated Saerileth. His Lotus was filled with two cocks. Darien watched her expression; her eyes rolled back in pleasure, and she fucked them both slowly, as if she were starting again. She clawed at Darien’s chest, digging under his skin with her nails. Darien growled and slammed into her with renewed ferocity.
Saerileth came three times in this position, all in short order, for it was Darien’s express command that she do so, and he choked her lightly to ensure her obedience. Then Kamen nodded to Darien over Saerileth’s shoulder.
“Take me, Darien, like you used to,” Kamen said between labored breaths. His sweat gave his dark skin a glowing sheen.
Saerileth blinked as if something troubled her, but she would not look Darien in the eye. Not wanting to break the mood, Darien agreed. It was not anything he had not done before, and though he did not prefer men, he did not find Kamen distasteful. Kamen was lovely.
Darien pulled himself out of Saerileth and slipped out from between her legs. She fell flat on her belly, and Kamen, without pulling out, perched over her, his cock still buried in her back passage. She clutched a pillow u
nder her arm and rested her head on it. Her eyes were closed, and they did not reopen until the sex was done.
Darien oiled his cock and squatted behind Kamen. He had not fucked a man while a man fucked someone else, so the positioning was a bit tricky. Saerileth lay flat on her stomach, her legs together. Kamen was on his knees behind her, his body at an angle over her as he fucked her ass. So Darien was obliged to stay on his feet yet bend his knees and crouch down over Kamen’s raised ass. He slipped his thumb inside Kamen’s anus to prepare him, but he was already loose. Kamen was ready. Darien slid his cock up Kamen’s back passage and stopped when he was halfway in. He did not dare go farther; he had never fucked any man with the full length of his penis, for fear of injury. But this was enough. Darien could come in this position. He did not, however, know what to do with his hands, for he had always given his lovers reach-arounds. So instead he grasped Kamen by the hips and fucked him. He fucked him until the cum which he had held back for so long burst from him, spilling into his friend’s ass like a fountain. That sensation sent Kamen over the edge, too, and he shuddered, spraying his seed into Saerileth’s ass. Darien cried out in the pleasure of his release; Kamen groaned in ecstasy of both releasing and being released into; but Saerileth made no noise.
As quickly as Darien’s delight came upon him, it fled. Kamen was inside Saerileth, and the sight angered him.
Chapter Five
Saerileth sat on the cool stone floor of her bedchamber, stretching. She sat with her legs open completely, then swiveled around the split. She could perform both side and center splits, and she ran through them quickly. Her ass tingled slightly, for Kamen was well-endowed. Her pussy too, however, was sore, and that sensation was pleasure to her.
She shook herself and moved from the splits to the first Lotus-Form. Without pause or hesitation, she worked her way through a dozen Forms. She practiced the Katipo Form on an imaginary foe, and when she reached the final, paralyzing motion, her imaginary enemy wore Kamen’s face.
The Soldier's Lotus Page 5
