Amor and More

by Radclyffe

  “If we can have a baby. There’s still so much to go through first.” Trent knew she was grinning like a fool but she didn’t care. This was what she wanted with Juliet more than anything. The knowledge that Elton was as excited merely confirmed what Trent already knew: he was going to make an awesome uncle.

  “Well, if I ever needed the incentive to win this competition, you’ve just handed it to me. We’re going to play even harder to succeed now.” Elton slapped her on her shoulder as he broke off the hug. “We’ve got a baby Reaper to make!”

  *

  The end of the first day’s competitions had weeded out many of the weaker teams, and the last game played had been a furiously fought battle. Trent and the rest of the Reapers had taken up their guns to play Call of Duty until their team had beaten everyone else. It had been a satisfying conclusion to an enjoyable day for Juliet. She had seen Trent playing her best and bring her team to victory. She looked over her shoulder to where Monica sat with her headphones on, blissfully tuned out to all around her as she listened to music and tapped away on her iPad. Juliet had already told Monica where she was going, now she just had to get past the throng of gamers congratulating the winning team so she could put her plan into action.

  Trent was still in her gaming chair, and Juliet waited until the crush had eased a little before moving in behind her, laying a hand on Trent’s shoulder, and whispering in her ear. “That was a fantastic way to finish the day off.” She made sure her lips brushed the curve of Trent’s ear and felt the shiver that ran through Trent’s body in reaction. Trent turned to face her, her smile triumphant.

  “You saw us win?” Her eyes shone with pride.

  “I’ve been watching you all day, following your every move.” Juliet ran her fingertips over the back of Trent’s right hand. “You have marvelous hands.” Juliet smiled. It’s time to play a different kind of game, gamer girl. “I’ve been watching all the other women gaming here today, but none of them can compare to your…admirable skills.”

  Juliet leaned forward, deliberately drawing Trent’s gaze to her cleavage. She had popped an extra button open for just that purpose. She was so close, she effectively pinned Trent in her chair. “I’m sure you get told this a lot, but watching you play really turned me on.”

  Trent’s eyes darkened to a deep rich chocolate. They never once strayed from Juliet’s face.

  “Would you like to play…with me?” Juliet asked softly, running her tongue over her bottom lip. She noticed how quickly Trent’s breathing accelerated. She could see how tight Trent’s hands were clenched on the chair’s armrests, physically stopping herself from reaching out and taking what was already hers.

  “I play to win,” Trent warned, her voice low, just the way Juliet liked it.

  “Oh, you won me over right away.” Juliet eased back and let Trent get to her feet. The way she towered over Juliet always made her feel safe. She immediately linked her arm through Trent’s and led her away from the masses.

  “Do I need to tell anyone where I’ll be?” They passed Elton holding court with a crowd of eager listeners.

  “I’ll deliver you back in time for dinner. You won’t be missed in all the postgame celebrations.” Juliet looked up. “Unless you’d rather stay?”

  “I’d rather see what games you have in mind for me.”

  “Good.” Juliet led them back toward their hotel.

  “Juliet…” Trent’s desire-roughened voice nearly made Juliet stop in her tracks and kiss her there and then. She placed a finger over Trent’s lips to stop herself from giving into the temptation.

  “Not now, sweetheart. I need to get us back to the hotel in one piece. This game’s only just beginning.”

  “And if I don’t want it to end?”

  Juliet held on to Trent’s arm a little tighter as they hurried across the road. “Then it’s lucky for you I’m the kind of girl who plays for keeps.”

  *

  Trent felt like she would explode if the elevator didn’t hurry and reach their floor. Juliet’s hand was rubbing up and down Trent’s thigh, not close enough to her buttoned fly but near enough to make her clit tighten with every pass. She was grateful there were no cameras inside the elevator and no one else had stepped inside with them for the ride. She watched the floors count off and muttered “Thank God,” when the doors finally opened. Juliet led the way, taking her time opening their door, which only served to drive Trent more insane. Once inside Trent made a grab for Juliet but instead found herself pushed back against the wall right by the door. Juliet very deliberately locked it and tossed the key card on the table behind her. She pressed into Trent, kissing down her neck. Trent was too wound up for soft and light, and began pulling at Juliet’s top.

  Juliet stopped her. “I know that before me, when some girl picked you up after a game—”

  “It didn’t happen that much,” she argued weakly.

  Juliet put her fingers against Trent’s lips to hush her. “Before me, you wouldn’t let anyone touch you. You’d go to their room, give them what you thought they wanted, and leave.” She slid her hand up under Trent’s T-shirt, to rest over her heart. “This time is for you, babe.”

  Trent sighed. “Where were you when I was so lost, Jule?”

  “Just waiting until it was truly our time to be together.” Juliet cupped Trent’s breast and kissed her.

  Trent’s knees nearly buckled, and she was grateful for Juliet’s body keeping her upright. She lost herself in the kiss as Juliet’s fingers slipped under her bra and brushed across her nipple. Trent began fumbling for her T-shirt to remove it so Juliet could do whatever she wanted with her. She might not have let many touch her before, but she craved Juliet’s hands on her with a hunger she could never satisfy. Juliet helped her remove her clothes and sucked a hard nipple into her mouth, biting gently. Trent gasped and speared her fingers through Juliet’s long blond hair, pushing into Juliet’s eager mouth. Juliet switched to Trent’s other breast and licked at it roughly, knowing exactly what gave her the most pleasure.

  Trent fitfully plucked at Juliet’s shirt.

  “This is for you, sweetheart, remember?” Juliet said.

  “I want you naked against me,” Trent begged, desperate to feel Juliet’s skin against hers. To touch her, kiss her, taste her.

  “Soon, lover, I promise.” Juliet traced her tongue down Trent’s chest, nibbling at the muscles there, licking over her abs.

  Trent’s whole body jumped as Juliet unsnapped the first button of her jeans, jolts of electricity streaking through her with each subsequent button. Juliet slid the jeans down as far as she could and Trent kicked off her Nikes and socks. Her jeans followed and Juliet, on her knees, pressed her lips to Trent’s black boxer shorts, her tongue flicking against Trent’s clit. Legs shaking, Trent braced herself as Juliet’s licks became more insistent; each suck through the material made Trent writhe.

  “Let’s take these off, shall we?” Juliet pulled down the soaked shorts and Trent hurried to step out of them.

  Then Juliet was back between her legs, her tongue sweeping over her. Trent’s head banged off the wall behind her, but the pleasure between her legs was all she felt. Juliet hooked Trent’s leg over her shoulder and opened her up even wider. Trent grasped for Juliet’s hair, anything to keep her grounded as Juliet’s mouth captured her and drew her in. Her hips bucking to the rhythm of Juliet’s tongue, Trent gritted her teeth and held back a moan. Juliet tweaked Trent’s tight nipples, her nails trailing down Trent’s chest. Her tongue delved deep inside Trent, fucking her, before slipping out to swipe through Trent’s soaked folds. She nuzzled at the swollen labia, then circled her tongue around Trent’s rock-hard clit before sucking it in. At the steady, rhythmic pull of Juliet’s lips around her clit, Trent began to come undone. Juliet’s name left her throat on a whisper, repeated over and over in litany, as the pleasure and intensity grew.

  Juliet didn’t let up—her tongue seemed to be everywhere all at once, and her fingers pinched
Trent’s nipples in sync to the pulsing rhythm in Trent’s sex. When Juliet pushed two fingers deep inside, Trent exploded. Hoarsely crying out Juliet’s name, she came, quivering and shaking.

  Juliet continued lapping gently at her clit, easing her through the orgasm. Trent moaned when Juliet finally eased her fingers free. She led Trent to the bed and guided her down.

  Trent watched as Juliet undressed for her, her desire reigniting at the sight of Juliet’s pale skin. She sighed with unashamed bliss when Juliet got in bed and lay on top of her. Trent kissed the curve of Juliet’s breasts, pleasure building again when Juliet pressed between her thighs, thrusting gently.

  “It has to be said, you make the best groupie ever,” Trent declared, kneading Juliet’s breasts gently, rolling her thumbs over the taut, hard tips.

  “I’d better be the only groupie in your camp, Trent Williams.” Juliet kissed her swiftly, staking her claim.

  “You’re my one and only,” Trent promised, loving how her wetness was mingling with Juliet’s as they rubbed against each other in a lazy rhythm. “You’ll always be my Player Number Two.”

  Juliet grinned down at her. “And to think some people don’t think that gamers are sexy when they are talking geek speak.”

  “They don’t know what they’re missing.” Trent licked her way around the pebbled skin of Juliet’s areola before taking the nipple between her lips and sucking it in deep. Juliet’s hips began to move faster. Trent let the nipple slip from her lips. “You know you’re going to make me come again.”

  “I know your body better than my own, sweetheart. You’re always good for another round right after the first.”

  Trent flicked the edge of her tongue off Juliet’s nipple as it plumped for her, begging to be played with. “Are you going to come with me this time?”

  Juliet nodded, her hips pumping faster as her need grew more desperate. She smiled down at Trent, love and need brimming in her eyes. “You really are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

  “Just as long as I’m the only player in your game,” Trent teased her softly.

  “You’re the only one I’ll co-op with.” Juliet’s voice broke as she began to come in Trent’s arms.

  Trent held her close as she came, lost in the sounds of her pleasure, how her body shook with each spasm that rocked through her. When Juliet opened her eyes, Trent smiled smugly.

  “Do not give me that look that says we’re going to make love all night,” Juliet said. “You have a big game tomorrow to prepare for.”

  “I don’t play by Elton’s rules. I follow my own.”

  “Which are?”

  “To love you every second I breathe.” Trent kissed her. “And I want to make the most of our time together before someone calls and demands we go eat pizza.”

  Juliet shot a look at the clock and slid her hand between Trent’s thighs. “We have plenty of time before they start ordering food.”

  Trent knew by the wicked glint in Juliet’s eye she had well and truly met her match. Come victory or defeat at the tournament, with Juliet by her side, she was always on the winning team.

  Barbara Ann Wright runs a home for lost and abandoned books between writing fantasy novels and ranting on her blog. Her work has made recommended reading lists on Tangent Online and Tor.com. She’d love to hear from you at barbaraannwright.com.

  This story features characters from The Pyramid Waltz.

  The Light in Her Eyes

  Barbara Ann Wright

  Starbride sipped her wine, relaxing on the balcony of Countess Nadia’s suite. Unlike most of the high-ranking nobles, Countess Nadia didn’t move to the interior of the palace when the weather began to turn cold. Her ancestral lands were far north, near Farraday’s mountainous border, and she preferred a chill in the air.

  A handful of bejeweled boxes sat on a small table between them, and Nadia showed off her pretties one by one. Starbride lifted a silk-covered box and gazed again at the strand of flawless pearls inside. It seemed a simple thing, no diamonds or other jewels, just a golden clasp. Each pearl was perfectly spherical, not a divot or imperfection. They nearly glowed white.

  “Lanaster pearls,” Starbride said in wonder.

  Nadia nodded and sighed. “I seldom wear them because they’re so rare. I’m terrified of losing them.”

  Starbride glanced at Nadia over the top of the box, a puckish feeling rising in her. “I was once promised the naughty story to go with these pearls.”

  Nadia winked and reached for the box. “Perhaps another time. What about you, child? How goes your life of late?”

  Starbride couldn’t hold in a sigh. Katya had been moody and depressive, but who could blame her? Cousin kidnapped, Fiend stolen, uncle set to murder her—anyone would be depressed.

  “Ah,” Nadia said, “problems?”

  “Nothing we can’t weather, though a lot has…gone wrong recently.”

  “It shall pass, never fear.”

  “Thank you, Countess.” But now the mood had changed. Starbride had started thinking again. “I suppose I’d better go.”

  Nadia stood but gripped Starbride’s hand before she could leave. “Have faith in yourself, and in the princess.”

  “I will. Thank you again.” She left before Nadia could offer more words of encouragement. They only made Starbride dwell more. She wouldn’t give up Katya for all the world, but the problems that haunted the princess gathered around Starbride too, hunching her shoulders as they had Katya’s. And they weren’t over yet. Roland was still out there, still alive.

  And Katya had no Fiend with which to defend herself. A knot of worry tied Starbride’s stomach. That had been her doing. She knew she’d done the right thing when she drained Katya of her Fiend, but without the strength to match Roland, how could Katya hope to defeat him?

  The answer came to her in a flash. Rather than trying to give Katya another Fiend, someone else in the Order could carry one for her. Starbride nearly stopped in the hallway, astounded by the thought. Someone Katya loved and trusted could undergo the sexual ritual required to pass a Fiend from one person to another.

  Starbride tapped her chin as she walked. But who? Brutal or Pennynail? Averie? Even if one of them consented, who would give them the Fiend? The king and queen couldn’t do it, there were too many problems there. Katya’s grandmother might have a heart attack at the idea. Brom would never consent. Reinholt would probably laugh at the idea.

  A little voice in Starbride’s head reminded her that she could take on a Fiend herself. But sex with King Einrich or Queen Catirin or Reinholt…all three made her shudder.

  That left Hugo.

  Starbride nearly burst out laughing. She’d have to get him drunk first, and that would put her square in the driving seat…where she had little experience. Besides, Queen Catirin was probably already searching for a new bride for Reinholt, someone who’d follow orders. Starbride smirked. Lady Hilda was available.

  She had to put away such thoughts as she continued to Crowe’s office. Since he’d been wounded, he’d insisted she train with him every day, and no amount of objection would sway him. He cared about her and the royal Umbriels, about their state of mind, but he wouldn’t let anyone stop learning what they had to learn in order to survive. She could almost hear him saying, “Depression won’t stop Roland.”

  He barked a gruff “Come in” when she knocked. But he’d been gruff before he’d been wounded. She wondered if he was grateful to finally have an excuse to bark at everyone.

  “Reporting for duty,” Starbride said as she entered.

  “Have a seat.” He continued to write.

  “An important missive?” He had demanded she come. The least he could do was look at her. She sighed, ashamed of the thought as soon as she had it. Now who was using current circumstances as an excuse to be grouchy?

  “Just a little something I’ve been working on.” He finished writing, folded the paper, and added it to a small stack beside him. If he noticed the archness in h
er tone, he didn’t mention it. He took the stack of notes and put them in a bottom drawer. “Now.” When he looked up at her, his smile was sad.

  “What is it?” she asked. “What’s happened?”

  “Nothing, my dear, nothing at all. Just thinking about the future.”

  “And it makes you sad?”

  “Bittersweet, I suppose.” He waved a hand. “Target practice today.”

  Starbride groaned. She wanted to learn something else, maybe start on pyramid construction, but day after day it was learning how to throw. She’d never been very athletic, and she didn’t see how she could suddenly become so. Still, after all the times she’d seen pyradistés lobbing pyramids around, she supposed she should get used to the idea that she’d have to learn to do the same, especially as a member of the Order of Vestra.

  He led the way, hobbling on a cane, to one of the sparring rooms that had been cleared for their use. Starbride offered to carry his satchel for him, but he only gave her a withering look. She shrugged the look away and dropped her hand. She should have brought Dawnmother, who would not only have insisted, she would have taken the satchel from him.

  Windows high on the walls of the sparring room flooded it with light. She had first expected racks of steel weapons, but those were tucked carefully away somewhere. Even the wooden mock weapons weren’t lying around for anyone to pick up and use. Like all sections of the palace, the sparring rooms had servants and section-housekeepers, and visitors found nothing without seeking assistance. Sometimes it seemed like the servants, rather than the masters, were the people with the power.

  Today, by Crowe’s request, a practice dummy stood at one end of the room. Its base fitted into a narrow track that ran the length of that end. Starbride crossed to a small table set up on the opposite end of the room. Wooden pyramids clustered at one end. Actual pyramids were too valuable to waste on target practice. Starbride lifted a few and held them in the crook of her arm. “Ready.”