“Full disclosure,” I told her while Nathan and I worked to get her elaborate evening gown off. “Anyone who stops fucking long enough to watch will see our silhouette against the drapery.”
“We can turn the lights up or down,” said Nathan, “but I think up is the wise choice. Turning them down shows timidity and bashfulness. Turning them up shows you aren’t ashamed of what you do with your men.”
The noises around us went away, and I realized she’d put us in a bubble.
“Ya’ll can’t flog me or spank me. If we’re doing this as a performance, it needs to be all three of us upright, so it’s clear I’m between the two of you, and ya’ll go to town on me.” She sighed. “Like it or not, I’m going to need to give instructions and have ya’ll follow them. Nothing major. Faster, harder. Can the two of you deal with that?”
“Not a problem,” said Nathan. “So long as you realize you’ll get ten strikes from my belt in private for every command you give me.”
Kirsten hadn’t been horribly into this — I’d actually been worried about being able to get her off. She needs to be dominated, and she needs to be able to lose herself in the act. Nathan’s terms set her libido on fire, though. The idea of having to boss us around for show, but being punished for it later, worked.
“I’ll let Nathan’s terms work for any commands to the two of us in general, or to him specifically. If you have to tell me to do something individually, you’ll get seven minutes of torture to a particular part of your body for each instance.” I ran my knuckles over her nipple. “I think I’ll start with nipple torture, then perhaps your clit, though I do enjoy hurting your asshole, so I’ll have to consider what gets it second, should you give me more than one command.” She must’ve saturated our little draped enclosure with lust, because Nathan’s need rose when Kirsten’s did, and their arousal only served to enflame my own.
Kirsten dropped the bubble, and I checked on Lauren again. The Royal Poet had written a poem about how the realm had changed since the Queen returned, and the first reading of it had been near the beginning of the ball. He was now heavily seducing Lauren in a nearby sitting room. It was going to be a short fling, and while I didn’t completely approve, I also didn’t see any harm in it. Kirsten had assigned her most trusted guards to Lauren, and they’d make sure she was safe. More important in that moment though — Lauren wasn’t present to see her mom having sex with two men.
I returned my attention to Kirsten, who was helping Nathan disrobe. I flashed my clothes off, moved in behind her, and whispered into her ear. “Tell us where you want us. Who do you want in your ass?”
“No orders needed yet.” Her voice was breathy already, but I wanted to push this. We’d have oh-so-much fun following through on consequences later.
“Oh, but I beg to differ.” You aren’t going to get this cock in you unless you order it into a hole.
“Fuck, you’re an asshole.”
“Never claimed to be a good guy. Where do you want me, Your Majesty?”
She raised her voice. “Stay where you are, and Nathan, why aren’t you naked yet? Mordecai, I don’t suppose you can magic some lube on that beautiful dick of yours?”
I was having way too much fun with this. Asking it as a question doesn’t change the fact it was an order, Your Majesty.
I was just waiting for her to order me to stop calling her by her title. I was looking forward to seeing how many times I could get her to order me around.
By the time I finally sank into her tight little asshole, she’d be getting four different body parts tortured. I decided it would go right nipple, left nipple, asshole, and then clit. If she kept going, her pussy would be next, and then I’d start over with the right nipple.
I’d planned to take my time going in, to force her to order me faster, but I changed my mind and pushed harder than I normally would. As I thought she would, she ordered me to slow down and let her adjust.
“That’s five from me, Your Royal Highness.”
Nathan rammed into her while I was giving her a moment, and her scream was mostly pleasure with a side of delicious agony. I’d made it about halfway in before she stopped me, and I held still but reveled in Nathan’s movements. He’d already racked up seven or eight orders, and now he was intent on fucking her hard and fast. His activity pushed her farther onto me, and within five minutes, I was buried inside her, but I still didn’t move.
Before I’d fucked her the first time, I’d already known she was going to change the next century of my life, at least. I’d tried to deny my feelings and keep her at arm’s length, but it hadn’t worked. And then, when I’d tried to prove she wasn’t worthy of my trust, she’d gone and trusted me not to kill her when I nearly did. No one had ever given me so much trust, and I didn’t care what I had to do to keep this woman in my life — I’d do it.
Her demon bite had terrified me, and I’d been making plans for how to make her comfortable in my pool indefinitely. And then she’d insisted on coming to Alfheim, and I’d trusted her instincts, though it’d terrified me. I’d convinced myself I was never going to see her again when she went into the labyrinth, but I couldn’t drink myself into a stupor in case she got word to me she needed help.
And now, having the Amakhosi as a partner to help keep her happy was the best of both worlds. I could leave her alone long enough to handle my responsibilities without worrying about her too much. Nathan felt the same — he could travel to deal with pride issues, knowing I’d take care of her in his absence. So far, we’d both had to leave at the same time only a handful of times, and in those cases, Cora had assured us she’d stay close.
Nathan pressed in and held, and I realized he’d pushed our girl close to an orgasm and wasn’t ready for her to blow just yet. I pulsed power through my cock and she jerked and moaned. I met Nathan’s gaze and started moving — slow pulling out and then I slammed in. Hard. My balls drew up tighter at her yelp and then long, drawn out moan. She liked that, so I did it again, slower on the out part, and harder and faster going back in. Another yelp. Another moan.
Nathan pulled out with me this time. Oh-so-slow. I silently counted down to him, and we both slammed back in together.
Ten rounds of this later and I’m pretty sure Kirsten forgot she was supposed to be giving us orders.
I absentmindedly scanned the energy of the people in the room to make sure none wanted to bring harm to anyone Kirsten considered hers. All seemed well.
I telepathed so Nathan could hear what I told Kirsten. If you want an orgasm you’re going to have to order it. Don’t forget, the word of the day isn’t control. The Queen needs to share with the realm on this night.
Her response was telepathic. Faster! More!
Out loud or it doesn’t count. Nathan told her.
“Faster, dammit. Stop teasing me!”
I grinned and increased my speed. Your wish is our command, and I can’t wait to make you pay for that later. I’m going to have so much fun torturing your clit. At first, I couldn’t decide between needles or the TENS, but since I’m going to get two sessions with most of your fun body parts, I can do both. If we make it to a third, it’ll probably be the strap. I’m considering chemical play for your sensitive little asshole. Hot pepper oil on a fat, textured dildo should do the trick.
She squeezed around my cock, and both Nathan and I stilled. We weren’t ready to let her find a release just yet.
“Who told ya’ll you could stop?”
I chuckled and told Nathan, We should probably give her that one free.
Maybe, but what’s the fun in that?
He aimed his thoughts at Kirsten and told her, That’s your fourteenth general command. One hundred and forty strikes of the belt in one session is going to be intense.
Kirsten
By the time they let me come, I was frantic with need and thought I’d go crazy if I couldn’t find my release.
I was also going to negotiate with them for all of the consequences they said I racked up
. But we’d talk about that later.
Because when I finally came, the top didn’t just come off my head, or my soul, it seemed to come off the entire universe. I’ve felt infinity before during orgasm, but not like this. Perhaps it was the magic of the longest night, or maybe I was getting better at balancing the energy of Alfheim, but time slowed and it seemed as if I had an interaction with every citizen over a matter of seconds. Did I see everyone, or only those having sex, or only those the energy deemed worthy? I had no idea, but I let it happen — my body a livewire while Mordecai and Nathan kept fucking me, hard and fast and ruthless.
I rode the crest of the wave until I thought I’d pass out, and perhaps I did, because I awakened between Mordecai and Nathan, in the bed, with the lights dimmed so the attendees of the ball wouldn’t see our silhouettes.
The band still played, and I still sensed people, but it felt as if everyone was down for the count.
“Did I bring the partying to an end?”
“No one’s complaining,” Nathan said with a chuckle. “I think it’s safe to say everyone’s happy at this point.”
Do I have to go back out there?
The asexual staff will be bringing food and beverages up shortly, Mordecai answered. We should don robes and join the others to snack. I believe your Shīfù wishes to speak with you.
I nodded. It made sense.
“Oh, I forgot to give it to you. Phobos wrote you a note. Hang on.”
Mordecai held his hand out and a piece of paper materialized. He handed it to me and waved at the lights.
Kirsten,
Fearless is growing faster than I imagined. Thank you so much for insisting I get my own puppy. I’ve never had a close friend like this before. He’s giving me reasons to live when I wasn’t sure any could be found.
I’m sorry I can’t be there for your big day. Please know I’m there in spirit, and I hope it’s everything you wish it to be.
I’m glad you’re in my father’s life.
Your friend,
Phobos
I looked at Mordecai, and he shrugged. “He likes you. He doesn’t feel safe with many people. When I come home without you, he always asks about you.”
“Do you think he’d feel safe visiting Homewood?”
“He might, but I’ll let you bring that up to him.” He waved his hand again, and three burgundy terrycloth robes were suddenly draped over the bed’s footboard.
“Reds usually clash with my hair, but this shade seems to work with it,” I noted.
“I believe they’re experimenting around to find your signature color. If you have a preference, you might want to talk to them about it.”
I shrugged. “I’ll see what Zeta says. Thanks for the heads up.”
Chapter 22
Kirsten
Shīfù did, indeed, wish to speak with me, and he wanted to do it without an audience. I walked him into my soundproof office, which thankfully isn’t too far from the ballroom, and sat in an armchair. He took the one across from me and got right to the point.
“You obviously know who Odin was married to for a while.”
“You’re Thor’s father. When I discovered the laser, why did you not show me how to use the light to form a weapon I could hold and wield?”
“It would have put you in danger.”
I crossed my arms, unhappy with his answer but unwilling to challenge it.
“It was years later before you figured it out, and by then, you were in a position to stay alive. You’d made powerful friends. If you’d left China and returned to America with the ability, Surtr and others would’ve come for you while you were vulnerable.”
I sighed. “Okay. I get it. I don’t like it, but...”
“You know who has the other part of the necklace.”
“I do.” Xaephan had it.
“The necklace wishes to be whole again. I believe this is why it stays with you. However, it will not do so forever. If it doesn’t believe you’ll help it reunify, it will find someone else.”
“Can it be bargained with? What’s in it for me if I use some of the favors the other person owes me to get the stone? And that’s not saying I can or will, but if it’s possible, why should I? I have no idea what might happen when it’s reunited. If it’s sentient, what guarantee do I have that it’s on our side?”
“What would you want from the necklace?”
“I’d want it to stay with my daughter and do everything in its power to keep her safe.”
He lifted a brow. “You wouldn’t want it to make you more powerful?”
I crossed my arms. “You know me better than that, Shīfù.”
“I knew the human. I need to spend time with The Harlequin to be sure power hasn’t changed you.”
I shrugged. “It has and it hasn’t. My morals are the same, but the responsibility is heavy. So many people, plants, and animals depending on me. Lauren is still the most important person in my life. I mean, Cora, Nathan, and Mordecai are important too, but they can take care of themselves.”
His eyes lost focus a few seconds, and then fixed on me once again. “The portion of the necklace you now have agrees to your stipulation, but it can’t know what the stone will agree to. Retrieve the stone and wear it around your neck while your daughter wears the part you now carry. When it’s time to reunite them, you’ll know.”
“Can you promise this is the best advice for me, and not for you, or for Freya, or for someone else?”
“I cannot. I can promise this won’t be in any way detrimental to you, and will benefit you.”
“I’m not making any promises, but I’ll consider your counsel.”
He shook a little, like a wet dog getting rid of rainwater. “With that out of the way, I’m proud of you, Kuàiyàn. Never has a pupil of mine grown so much in such a short time. Please do not make me regret teaching you.”
I bowed at the waist to show my respect for him. “You are an excellent teacher, Shīfù, and I value my time with you. I thank you for teaching me and my daughter.”
Chapter 23
Kirsten
I’m always happy to return to Midgard and be Kirsten again instead of Your Majesty. However, I wasn’t at all prepared to be blindsided with more sad news.
A lot of people died during the power outages surrounding the battle. Some of the big cities lost more than sixty percent of their people. Estimates had the Chattanooga metro area losing around forty percent, and much of that was the young, the elderly, and the already sick. Master James hadn’t survived, though not because he was old. He’d stocked up on firewood and food, and he had a generator. However, someone else had stocked up on guns and ammo, but not food and a generator, so they showed up with guns, killed him, and took his stuff.
Once upon a time, he’d owned guns and known how to use them. However, his daughter wouldn’t let him babysit while he had guns in the house, and he loved his grandkids. He’d figured there wasn’t a need to keep them around, so he’d sold them. He was a sitting duck for the looters.
I hadn’t found out until about a week after Randall’s funeral. Once the cellular networks were back and stable, I’d tried to call him. When I couldn’t reach him, I went to his house and found him.
With so many deaths, the probate courts were backed up, so it’d taken this long to get through the reading of his will. His daughter contacted me to let me know her father had left me a locked armoire and two locked suitcases, with specific instructions that she wasn’t to unlock them and look inside.
But, of course, she’d done exactly that, and this meant I had to deal with a grown woman who’d just discovered things about her father she’d have rather not known.
Without even thinking about it, I put her in our jail cell and contacted Kendra. When night fell, Kendra arrived and replaced the memories of kinky shit being in the armoire and suitcases with it being arts and crafts supplies, and his leatherworking tools. She also replaced the woman’s three hours in a basement jail cell with vague memories
of hearing heartwarming stories about her father.
Kendra made sure the woman hadn’t told anyone else what she’d found, discovered she’d told her therapist, and promised me she’d fix that as well.
It was when Kendra promised to fix the therapist’s memories that I realized how much I’d changed. Five years earlier, I’d have been pissed to discover someone’s memories had been altered like this, and now, I saw it as a kindness.
I cried with Master James’ daughter, promised the tools and supplies would be put to good use, and watched her drive away.
“Can you stay for a little while?” I asked Kendra. I’d already paid her the cash for the memory job — Abbott has rules against his vampires doing it for free — but I needed to talk to her about the ethics of what we’d done.
And so, Kendra, Cora, and I sat out on the patio, with me close to the firepit and the two of them farther away, and talked about what I’d asked Kendra to do, and why I felt like shit for doing it.
I don’t think we got anything resolved. Living with the supernaturals had changed me even before the demon had bitten me and inadvertently transformed me into The Harlequin. Ethically, what I’d done was a kindness — a daughter had good memories of her father instead of the visual of him using the whips, nipple clamps, butt plugs, gags, harnesses, straight jacket, electrical torture devices, and other equipment designed to sexually torment, humiliate, and subjugate submissive women. He’d been a Dom with a sadistic streak, but he’d been caring, loving, and responsible. I still hadn’t fully dealt with his death — the lack of a funeral meant I hadn’t been able to get the kind of closure I wanted, but I’d spent an evening talking to Nathan about him, sharing my memories, and talking about the way he’d helped guide me through so many tough times.
I felt activity at our portal to Faerie and went on alert. It wasn’t near the house, but it was on our land and I’m keyed into whatever happens on it. Cora felt it too, and sat up. I could practically see her wolf’s hackles raised on her neck.
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