by D. R. Rosier
Tina served the five of us a plate and took a seat with her own.
She asked, “You need anything else?”
She had her normal relaxed smile on her face but there was tension in her voice.
I shook my head, “No, how are you doing?”
She smiled, “I’ll be fine, just not used to riding all day.”
I replied, “Oh, you’ll get used to it in a few days. But let us know if you get sores or chaffed, we can take care of that.”
She blushed but agreed in a soft voice before going back to her dinner.
I’d forgotten, she may have known how to ride but she was probably sore as hell from riding all day two days in a row.
After dinner we spent a little time studying magic. I tried to scry the goblins again but it was still dark, I’d take that as a good sign.
That night we set up wards despite having guards. I wondered if they would send some kind of escort, or just send us on our way. It would probably be the former; despite us being invited I doubted they’d want twenty soldiers and six mages wandering around their empire unwatched.
Ari put up a silence ward on our tent and the three of us made love. They took turns of course, not minding being in the same place as mates, but they were cousins after all and there was only so much they were comfortable doing.
Having an Earth mage along with us was a bonus. Sally carved a large tub out of the ground for us the next morning and I filled it with water. Alethea heated it up and after letting the ladies go first all the men bathed as well. Tina had clean robes waiting for me and the men were buffing out their armor.
We figured we had until around noon so were trying to be as presentable as possible when our escort arrived, assuming there would be one. If not, it wouldn’t hurt to look the part of a prince consort with an escort anyway. Though a part of me wished I could still simply wear a breeches and a tunic. I sent Serina my daily update, and my love, while I took a moment to see how they were doing through scrying.
“Incoming,” one of the sentries noted.
I didn’t bother telling him I’d felt the man move this way with my magic as soon as he’d left their barricades. I also knew he was a water mage.
I moved to meet him on the edge of camp. Half the soldiers along with Ari, Alethea, and Steven were flanking me by the time the man arrived.
He was wearing a military uniform with a lot of accents that I didn’t understand, yet. He also wore one of those magic cancelling medallions around his neck, although it was unpowered. There wasn’t a trace of nerves on his squared jaw face and he held himself erect in his saddle. His gaze flickered from one face to the other as if judging who was a threat before turning back to me.
He said confidently in a formal voice, “Mage Marcus, I bid you welcome on behalf of the emperor to enter Rhimera. I will be accompanying you on the trip to the capitol to make sure there are no misunderstandings along the way. My name is Colonel Arno.”
Oh this should be fun. It wasn’t all bad of course, I had two mates along but this kind of formality wasn’t my favorite thing. I don’t know why, but I fell back on my emotionless visage I’d learned from the elves when I replied.
“Colonel, I thank you for your welcome on behalf of the crown of Cirenthia. We should be able to break camp quickly, say fifteen minutes?”
He nodded but didn’t appear as if he was going back to his line, so I held in a sigh and nodded toward Mike who got his troops to start breaking down the camp. We were actually done in a little less than ten minutes and headed out. The soldiers at the border all came to attention as we passed. Despite the Rhimera mage’s presence, I kept my senses out ahead of the small column as we took the road to the northeast that would eventually lead to the capitol.
Luckily, Arno wasn’t quite as bad as I thought he’d be. He was horribly formal, he had to be, but I caught glimpses of understated humor from the man. Still, outside of the times I could steal moments alone with mates; it was going to be a long month before we arrived at the capitol…
I felt anger simmering beneath the surface as we rode through our first town the following afternoon. I couldn’t help but think this is how they wanted it to be in Cirenthia. Oh, no one was getting beaten in the street. But the commoners, or citizens of Rhimera, all kept their gazes down and moved quickly out of the way as we passed.
There was silence as well, as all bartering and talking stopped as we passed by. If it had been simple respect I wouldn’t have cared, but it wasn’t respect on their faces, it was fear of being noticed or singled out. The worst part was it didn’t really change anything, if we didn’t help because the people were oppressed here, they would most likely die.
Oppression was better than death wasn’t it?
I heard some of the soldiers muttering but Julie settled them all with one sharp word. I wondered what Arno made of our reaction, but didn’t ask. I doubted I could keep the anger out of my voice right now. What is that saying? Where there is life there is hope? The idea of working out a treaty with them made me sick to my stomach.
But it was why I was here.
We stopped at an inn and rode around back to the stable. A couple of men came out.
Arno ordered, “Get these horses put up and groomed.”
The men nodded without actually looking up, “Yes lord,” they said at the same time.
We dismounted and I took my saddle bags. I exchanged looks with some of the others; they all looked grim and were trying to hide it. We followed Arno through the back door of the inn. I chose a large empty table where Ari, Alethea, Steven, Sally, Tina, and Mike sat down. Julie sat her other men down at the tables surrounding it and sat with the group closest to the door.
They were definitely taking their jobs seriously.
I would guess Ari was the only other among us who could overhear the conversation going on over at the bar.
Arno ordered, “You will have rooms readied for us.”
The man asked in a quavering voice, “How many lord?”
Arno replied sharply, “Ten.”
The bartender said, “I don’t… yes lord.”
I stopped paying attention, it was apparent he’d have to kick others out to accommodate all of us. I didn’t think he’d be getting paid either, but I wasn’t positive. A young woman came over and took all our orders. I wondered how she’d know what was for who when she didn’t look up once. I imagined she had a lot of practice at it. I looked around at the few people in the inn, they all finished their meals quickly and quietly then headed out the door.
It was… bizarre. I knew the government here led with an iron fist, but I was starting to think the lowborn citizens had no rights at all. Cirenthia wasn’t perfect, the commoners were respectful to mages but also felt free to enjoy their dinner, or to bitch about the tax man.
Arno joined us and said, “I took the liberty of getting us ten rooms, I’m not sure how many you need?”
I pondered that for a second, my first inclination was four rooms, one for me and my two mates, one for Steven and Sally, one for the captain and one for Tina.
I said, “That sounds about right, five for the troops, four for us and one for you?”
He nodded satisfied, then called out to the serving girl who ran over like she was on fire to take his order. Okay, maybe I was interpreting everything in the worst possible way, but it seemed too easy to do so right now after what we’d been seeing.
We ate our dinner in silence for the most part, only engaging in a little small talk here and there. I was daydreaming about Rhimera’s elite and a bloodbath involving my sword when we finally finished up and went to our rooms. I motioned Tina into our room despite her having her own and held a finger to my lips when I closed the door.
I used my air, water, and vampire magical senses to pinpoint magic to ensure the room was clean, and then put up a silence ward.
“Opinions?” I asked without preamble.
Tina asked, “Should we have Steven and Sally here too? And th
is place is horrible.”
I smiled at her, “I’d like to, but I don’t want to make it obvious were having a strategy session right now, for you he’ll simply think I needed something done. And yes, this place does seem… stifling. Although we haven’t seen any outright abuse yet, although I’m sure it’s there.”
Ari’s eyes were hard, “The Rhimera Empire is the enemy, but I think they are also the enemy to their own citizens. Yet I don’t really see that we have much of a choice but to continue.”
Alethea simply said, “I agree. Even if we had the power to help, which we don’t, right now isn’t the time. The best we can hope for is to prevent this from happening in Cirenthia and Arinith. Although, they’d probably just destroy Arinith and kill us all down to last child.”
I nodded, “That’s about what I’ve been thinking all day. Also, while I don’t think anything will happen, I’m not sure I like the idea of Tina being in a room alone.”
I had been thinking maybe she could stay with us. It would cut down on my love life, but some things were just more important. But my mates came up with another idea. Ari and Alethea looked at each other for a moment and seemed to have a silent conversation.
Alethea turned back, “I’ll stay with her in her room.”
I wasn’t thrilled with that idea but nodded reluctantly and said, “When you set a ward, set it to wake us too if it’s broken. We’ll do the same.”
Alethea kissed me and gave me an impudent grin, “Yes dad.”
She was being sarcastic but I nodded, “Keep the three of you safe,” was my less than subtle reminder that she was living for two right now.
Tina asked, “Do you need anything?”
I shook my head, “Not until morning, just stay safe and don’t go downstairs without a guard.”
She rolled her eyes but kissed my cheek before her and Alethea left the room. I waited until they were in their room before shutting the door, cutting off the outside world of sound before I warded the door.
Ari asked, “Do you really think something might happen?”
I sighed, “I doubt it, they’re too afraid of our good friend Arno to make trouble. Then again, there could be a resistance movement, or another of the mages or someone of importance could come in. I don’t know. Outside of them being hard on their citizens, we don’t really know all that much about their culture or what goes on. Why take chances?”
Ari walked over to the tub. There were no spigots at all.
She asked softly as she started to undress, “Water love?”
I reached for my element and filled the tub. I could feel the familiar touch of my mate’s fire magic as she warmed it up. I stripped off my robes and kicked my shoes off. Ari had a glint in her eyes I recognized as she slipped into the tub. I couldn’t look away as I went to join her.
Chapter 13
Ari looked more stunning than ever with her pregnancy. Her bright eyes twinkled as she watched me hungrily as I neared the tub. Her long silver blonde hair seemed to shine even in the low candlelight of the room. Her soft silken fair skin seemed to glow from within. I never got tired of taking in her beauty.
I slid in the tub behind her sliding my legs around her short, tight, and curvy body. The feel of her skin and hair against my chest as she leaned back into me caused me to take in a deep breath. I relished the scent of her. Her skin, her hair, and her arousal prompted me to pull her hair aside and kiss her neck before I reached for the soap.
She moaned softly at my touch and rubbed herself back into me. My manhood grew and pushed into her crack and lower back.
She said softly, “It’s good to have you to myself my mate.”
She turned and tilted her head as her back arched. I continued to gently explore and clean all of her curves as I leaned down and our lips met. I moaned softly as her tongue playfully licked along my lips before she lightly bit my bottom lip.
I spent extra time caressing and soaping up the soft supple flesh of her breasts, enjoying every squirm, gasp, and moan I drew from her with my touch.
She melted back into me, the kiss becoming deep, passionate, but also slow, as if she was surrendering her body to me, giving herself to me anew. She arched her back further and moaned into my mouth, giving into our shared passion.
She was absolutely mesmerizing.
My manhood throbbed and I gasped into her mouth as I caressed the bottom of her breasts and lightly thumbed her nipples before moving on. I cleaned her tight stomach and the valley of her thin waist as my hands roamed ever lower down her supple body. I brushed teasingly at the apex of her legs, her reaction was immediate and violent as she swiveled her hips and pushed against my hand.
Her heart raced as she said breathlessly, “I need you now.”
I cupped her heat and ran my fingertip up and down her labia before I teased her apart and slid a finger inside her. My other hand rose back up to her breasts and tweaked a nipple as I grazed her g-spot and pushed and rubbed my palm to stimulate her clit.
She gasped and moaned at my touch, I kissed a trail down to her neck and shoulders as I sped up the movement of my hand and slid a second finger inside of her heaven. I curled them rubbing her special spot again as I worked my thumb round her clit. I was lost in the scent, touch, and taste of her. Her moans were music to my ears which drove me to please her faster as I brought her toward ecstasy.
I wanted to push her over the edge of the tub and take her hard and fast, but I held back for now, pleasuring her body with my hands and my mouth. I loved to make her tremble and when she called out my name in ecstasy my length throbbed so hard against her body it hurt.
I continued to pleasure her until she started to come down. At that point I scooped her up and stepped out of the tub, with a thought my water elemental ensured we were dry, all the water left behind as I moved toward the bed. Her eyes whirled with pleasure as she kissed and caressed my chest as I walked her over and then placed her on the bed.
She turned over and got on her hands and knees as I joined her on the bed. Her voice was low, both needy and seductive, and sent chills down my spine.
“I’m yours Marcus, please take me, claim me.”
As I took my position behind her she arched her back and stuck her ass up in the air as high as she could, her legs spread in invitation. Her mound looked so beautiful from behind, her labia were puffy and slightly parted, and they glistened with moisture in the candlelight. Her ass was mouthwatering, tight and supple as I caressed and squeezed them, drawing out the moment.
The sweet, wet, moist friction of her lips slightly hugging my tip as I ran it up and down her labia was pure pleasure. I pushed into her tight wet sheath slowly, and savored every moment of pleasure as her heat surrounded and pleasured my hard length. I ran a hand up her back and took a fistful of her silky hair and pulled back as I pushed forward and buried the last couple of inches of my length in her needy core.
I caressed her ass slowly and spanked her hard, drawing a gasp from her full lips as her walls tightened, fluttered, and undulated around me. I waited a few moments, enjoying the sensation of her, drowning in her, as I waited for her body to accommodate me.
I pulled back on her hair a little harder while my other hand squeezed and held her ass as I started to move in and out of her. Gradually, I both increased speed and the length of my stroke. It didn’t take long before she was screaming my name in pleasure, then trembling in silent ecstasy as I continued to bury myself hard and fast inside her sexy body.
As she came down a little I growled, “Mine,” as I continued to ravish her supple body without mercy.
She moaned in agreement and started to buck back into me, we came together twice as hard as our bodies slapped into each other.
She said in a breathy begging voice, “Fuck, don’t stop.”
It was too much, the pleasure of her body and the wanton nature of her enjoyment was too much. As she rolled into another orgasm and her heat started to squeeze and milk me I felt my balls tighten. She gasped as
I expanded her tightness, forcing her tightened sheath to open even further as my legs went numb and I filled her with my seed.
I collapsed next to her and pulled her against me. She smiled with her eyes as she kissed my chest and drew circles with her fingertips on my chest.
Ari asked softly in a worried voice, “Do you think we’re doing the right thing?”
I nodded, “Of course, we’re going to do it again, at least twice before we go to sleep.”
She slapped my chest and gave me a mock glare.
I smiled but sobered as I started to talk, “I don’t know love. I don’t see that we have much choice. Even worse, what can we do about it? I’m not even sure we have the military might to stop Rhimera from taking over Cirenthia, much less the reverse. Waiting until the goblins attack Cirenthia would be a very bad idea. Even if we won, we’d be in an even worse position facing the Empire before we could rebuild.”
I continued, “The only other alternative I can think of is going after the demon now, before it escapes at all.”
She shook her head, “That sounds like suicide.”
I shrugged, “No more than waiting. At least there the fighting would be restricted to tunnel sizes. I guess that’s the point though, if we don’t do this it would be suicide. Though I don’t like it any better than you do. On the good side, if it works out we can look forward to some relative peace for a while to come. Concentrate on family.”
She nodded and kissed my chest. The conversation kind of sunk the mood so I just held her for a while until we both managed to drift asleep.
We woke up the next morning and gathered our things together. Ari and I were about to go collect Alethea for our morning pre-dawn workout. I was still trying to wake up and noted dimly in my mind she was downstairs already. That’s when all my senses cut off, magically speaking that is. Ari and I shared a quick look then opened the door and raced downstairs.
