by Amy Sumida
Then we reached the center of the village; a convergence of several trees resulting in a circular mat of interwoven branches. Alisande led us around enormous leaves, and out across a branch that started to narrow. Midway down its length, the number of leaves grew thicker until it was like walking through a jungle. We finally came out onto another crystal platform that circled a collection of hundreds of teardrops. They hung from crisscrossing branches above us, over more entwined branches below. The crystal platform swirled up from the bordering circle, to weave through the hanging homes, forming stairs and landings in several places.
Alisande led us along a swirl, stopping every few feet to show members of our party to their rooms. My men and I were the last. We were given the largest teardrop, at the very top of the spiral stairs. It was so large that I was worried that the branch could hold it, but it didn't move an inch when I stepped into it.
The frosted crystal walls allowed the light within the construction to shine outside while it kept the home private. We walked into a curving space of multiple crystal floors, all connected by a golden staircase. There were no windows, but I assumed that sunlight would find its way into the home through the walls as easily as light found its way out. The inside illumination came from a single, glowing teardrop that mimicked the shape of the home. It hung from the top of the crystal drop, right over the central stairs.
“Sleeping areas are off the main stairs.” Alisande waved toward the golden staircase. “A dining area is below”—she floated to the edge of the foyer landing and pointed down—“and a meal is laid out for you there.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” I said sincerely. “This is far better than sleeping on a mat.”
“You're welcome, Your Majesty,” Alisande bowed her head respectfully. “Thank you for agreeing to help us.”
She started toward the door, her feet fading as she moved.
“Oh.” Alisande stopped and turned around. “Rub the wall gently when you wish for darkness.”
She pressed her hand to the wall and rubbed it. The light winked out. Then another rub brought the light back.
“Goodnight, Your Majesties.” Alisande floated out and shut a crystal door behind her.
Chapter Six
So, here's the awkward thing about having a relationship with four men; the sleeping arrangements. Normally, it isn't a problem for us because I don't usually stay with more than one of them at a time. For romantic interludes, we make time for one-on-one activities. I don't just mean sex, either; so stop making that face.
After we finished eating, I was tired enough to suggest that we simply split up for the night. There were enough beds to accommodate us individually. This was met with both horror and general disappointment. So, I announced that I was going to bed, and they could decide among themselves who was going to join me. This began an animated discussion/negotiation that I ignored.
I took the spiral stairs to the top floor. The bed was spacious and inviting, but what interested me more was the steaming tub of water sitting beside it. I hadn't realized how much I wanted a bath until I saw it. I went to the edge of the platform and peered down at the arguing men.
“Hey,” I called down to them. “They've put out baths for us. Why don't you guys bathe before the water cools and then resume your conversation afterward?”
They didn't need me to tell them twice, nor did they bother saying anything to me at all. They simply broke their huddle and hurried off to the bedrooms/platforms. I completely understood. An entire day of walking on uneven ground—climbing over logs and pushing through thick undergrowth—can make your body ache in ways you never realized were possible. My sore feet were only the beginning of my complaints.
So, I didn't say anything either. I turned on my heels and hurried back to my bath. Within seconds, I was chin-deep in hot water, too happy to even start soaping up. After I had soaked a bit, I finally found enough energy to grab the bar of soap and the washcloth that had been laid beside the bath for me. I soaped up and then rinsed; taking a nice long while to do so. That's when I realized that the stone tub was heated.
I laughed as I laid back to enjoy the steaming water. I should have realized something magical was afoot since we'd eaten before I'd gone upstairs, and that had taken at least a half an hour. If the water had been sitting there that entire time, it wouldn't have been hot when I reached it. So, I didn't have to rush the men. Oh well, their arguing would have annoyed me while I tried to relax. I'm glad they...
I drifted off to sleep in the bath.
I don't know how long I laid there, but it was long enough for my fingertips to get wrinkly. I blinked awake when a gentle hand shook my shoulder.
“Elaria,” Gage's voice rumbled softly over me.
I opened my eyes to see his gorgeous face; tawny skin, wild hair like a lion's mane, strong features, and eyes that shifted from green to gold. Currently, his eyes were deep gold—a sign of arousal. In the rising mist of my bath, Gage seemed to be a God; a golden Adonis with a wicked smile. His sensual lips lowered to mine as his hand dipped into the water.
I moaned into Gage's kiss as his fingers found that sublime spot between my legs and started to work me into a state that matched his. I sat up and slipped my hands over his wide shoulders; the curves of his muscles gliding under my slick fingers. Within a few strokes, I realized that he was nude. My hand drifted down the rounded curve of his ass and then eased forward, seeking that enticing length of flesh that was already rising for me.
Gage was growling within a few glides of my hand, and then I was being lifted from the tub; water sluicing off my body and making the polished floor into a hazard. Gage didn't care, nor did he have the patience to walk the five feet to the bed. He immediately deposited me on the frosted crystal floor and dove between my legs.
I tried not to make too much noise since the others were beneath us. But Gage was a very talented lover; he licked at me like a starving man, his finger sliding into me while he feasted. I moaned, tossing in the water puddling beneath me. It felt even more delicious to be laying there so wet, with Gage's hot body drying me—soaking up the water from my skin.
“Gage,” I whispered. “No more.”
Gage laughed against my flesh; the vibration of it nearly sending me over that blissful edge. Then he lifted himself and eased up my body, positioning his manhood against my opening. I lifted my hips, rubbing against him, but he held back.
“Elaria, open your eyes,” Gage murmured.
I opened my eyes and saw him above me; golden hair dripping, eyes flashing like liquid metal, and lips parted with desire. I ran my hands up his chest, slipping them around his shoulders to urge him closer. His large hand circled my neck; his thumb holding my chin steady as he lowered his face to mine.
“They let me have tonight because I needed it the most,” Gage slid into me as he spoke. “The griffin inside me is raging to claim his mate. It's the forest and all your other lovers around us; it's putting him into a volatile state.”
“What do you need from me?” I asked immediately.
“For you to bend a little, El,” he whispered. “Remember our first time together?”
“Of course.” My face flushed as I remembered it vividly.
“I need that.” His hand lowered to my shoulder, and he used it to pull himself in even deeper than he already was. Gage moaned and buried his face into my neck. “I need you to convince the griffin that you're ours.”
“Just show me what you want, Gage,” I purred.
Gage moaned as he rolled off me; his member easing out of me with a quick slide that had me turning toward him. But he surged to his feet and then helped me up. There was a towel near the tub; Gage grabbed it and rubbed me dry with efficient movements before tossing the cloth aside. Then he picked me up and laid me on the bed horizontally. The bed was large enough that it didn't matter; there was still plenty of room for me to stretch out. But Gage eased me down so that my head hung over the edge. Then he knelt before me, took
my throat in his hands, and shoved his cock at my mouth.
I blinked in surprise but opened for him instantly; sucking him in and tightening my lips around him. Gage gave a triumphant cry and began to thrust himself forward. His hands went to my breasts, kneading them while he used them to pull himself in further. I groaned around him, my hands going to his ass to urge him even deeper. Gage cried out and fell over me, pushing me back onto the bed. His face went between my legs, and he rolled, pulling me on top of him.
My legs spread around him, and Gage grabbed my ass to pull my sex against his face; his hot tongue working me wildly. I screamed around his member, then started sucking at him faster. Gage growled against my flesh and rubbed his face into me before pushing me down his body. I angled up but couldn't keep my mouth on him.
“Work me with your hands,” he snarled. “And rub that wet pussy over my chest. I want your scent all over me.”
Gage pulled my hips down and rolled his chest against me as I set to rubbing his shaft.
“Forget my cock for now,” he said. “Rub yourself down my leg. Yeah, that's it. Now turn around and get on my knee. Rub your clit over me.”
Gage lifted his leg so that his knee angled into the perfect position. I ground myself against him as he watched avidly. He lifted his hands and started rubbing my breasts; flicking my nipples.
“Now, my foot,” he said.
I widened my eyes at him.
“Rub that pussy over my foot, Elaria!” Gage growled. “Fucking do it!”
I eased down onto his ankle and ground myself against him. It was a surprisingly blissful feeling. The top of his foot was shaped perfectly; angling up to split my ass and rub me everywhere.
“That's it,” he moaned. “Come for me now. Show me that every part of my body can please you.”
But I needed more. I bent over his legs as I continued to grind myself against him, and took his cock into my mouth. Gage groaned as I angled my face down and started to lick his silky sacks. I orgasmed with my face pressed into him there, and his hand went to the back of my head to hold me even tighter to him.
“Oh, Gods, yes,” he groaned the words.
I shivered through the aftershocks and then laid across his belly.
“Come here,” Gage said.
I climbed up his chest languorously, and Gage turned me around until I was facing his feet. My hands went to his manhood, and I started stroking it again.
“Lay down, Elaria,” he commanded. “Let me see you.”
Gage pushed my legs even further apart as I laid face-down, giving him the perfect view of my sex. He moved his chest while he pulled me into position over his hard nipple. Then he rubbed it against me while he drew his fingers over my wet center. I cried out as he nudged a finger inside me and then drew it out slowly.
“Don't stop working that cock,” he growled when I paused to enjoy the sensations.
I went back to stroking him immediately, laying my face against his thigh to watch the moisture bead on the head of his shaft. I rubbed it down, working it into him as he continued to work me. Then Gage gave a sudden growl and pulled me up to his face. He began sucking at me ferociously as I took the opportunity to do the same to him. Before either of us could come, Gage shoved me off him and got to his knees on the bed.
“Put that beautiful ass in the air,” he said. “And press your face into the blankets.”
I did as he instructed. Gage spread my ass and took a moment to just look at me. I shivered under his stare, and then he finally rubbed my sex with a finger lightly. He teased me with more gentle pressure and light flicks, luring me into a relaxed state. And then Gage suddenly shoved himself inside me; so deep that his pelvis flattened my ass.
I cried out, and Gage began to thrust violently. The sound of us coming together filled the air, and my face heated as I realized that the others had to be hearing it too. But the pleasure rose over me, and I couldn't hold onto any other emotion. I fell into it with Gage, and we cried out together.
The griffin was appeased.
Chapter Seven
“I'm impressed,” Declan said as Gage and I came down to breakfast. “I would never have expected Elaria to allow that kind of dominance in the bedroom.”
My face went red, but Gage only lifted an eyebrow.
“You listened to us?” Gage asked.
“Seriously?” Banning asked. “It was impossible to not listen to you.”
“Point taken,” Gage conceded.
“Can we not talk about it?” I asked.
“Yes,” Torin immediately said.
“No,” Declan said simultaneously. “I had to take matters into my owns hands last night. The image of Elaria riding your foot was too much to bear. I don't suppose you'd be open to me watching next time?”
“You want to watch her have sex with another man?” Banning asked in horror.
“Have you already forgotten our interlude with her?” Declan lifted a brow at Banning.
Banning cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. “That was... yes, well; that was an unusual circumstance. It was the start of our collective.”
“Our combined relationship with Elaria is an unusual circumstance,” Gage said dryly.
“Well said.” Banning nodded.
“I have sacrificed a lot by limiting myself to Elaria,” Declan huffed. “I think that I deserve to experience some perks.”
“And you consider being able to watch them together as a perk?” Torin asked, just as horrified as Banning had been.
“She is ours, gentlemen,” Declan said gently. “We all have sex with her; I think we can agree to admit that to ourselves. So, why not enjoy things that we would not normally indulge in. Well, things that the rest of you wouldn't normally indulge in. I find the act of voyeurism to be deeply arousing. When Banning and I were with her, I thought that I might feel jealous, but I didn't. Elaria has an amazing ability to make me feel as if I'm deeply loved, even while I watch her sharing her love with another man.”
The men looked at each other and gave grudging nods.
“But then we remain unsatisfied,” Banning pointed out.
“Not necessarily.” Declan grinned. “You could take care of your own needs, or perhaps you could join in.”
The men gaped at Declan.
“Or”—Declan held up a hand—“we could take turns if none of you are ready for that.”
“You want to use her like a water fountain?” Banning asked. “Everyone lines up for a drink?”
“If she enjoys it, why not?” Declan asked.
That shut them up. They all turned to look at me.
“Um.” I swallowed past the dryness in my throat. “Four men in one night... I don't know. The mere strain on my body may be too much.”
“Why don't we start with two?” Declan suggested. “There are four of us—an even number—and we've already tried a trinity. You were all right after you were with Banning and I, right?”
“Yes,” I said nervously.
“Which two?” Torin asked as he looked at the other men.
Banning and Torin shared a look and then nodded.
“Fine with me, I wanted to see the foot thing anyway,” Declan huffed.
“Hold on,” Gage growled. “Elaria and I have yet to agree to this.”
“I'm up for trying it,” I whispered.
“Really?” Gage asked.
“Sure.” I shrugged. “We had an audience last night.”
“That's a rather good point,” Torin muttered.
“I don't know if my griffin can deal with that,” Gage said.
“Well, I've got the last spot in this rotation anyway.” Declan shrugged. “That will give you time to come to terms with it. If you decide you don't want to do it, that's fine. If you do, you can watch us.”
“Rotation?” I asked.
“Absolutely, my love,” Declan purred. “I will rotate you just as thoroughly as Gage did.”
“No, Declan,” I growled. “What did you mean when
you said you had the last spot in the rotation?”
“Oh!” Declan laughed as the other men rolled their eyes. “We have worked out a schedule. Torin will be with you tonight, then Banning the next, and I will be final.”
“And you're willing to share your spot with Gage?” I asked.
“Of course,” Declan said. “Being watched is even more exciting than watching.”
“I'm sorry, Elaria, but I have to say it.” Banning grimaced.
“Go ahead.” I sighed. “I understand.”
“You're a fucking pervert, Declan,” Banning announced.
“Thank you!” Declan beamed at Banning.
Chapter Eight
After a light breakfast, we headed out; getting vine-lowered to the forest floor before we resumed our journey. We began to get a routine of walking for a few hours and then stopping for some refreshments. We ate dry rations from the supplies we brought with us, but Reyne and his dryads supplemented our meals with ripe fruit and water from the freshwater streams that ran through Primeval.
It started to feel like an enjoyable excursion; just a nice hike in the woods. But then we stopped for the evening in another village, and everything changed.
This village was more like a series of caves, but they were outfitted with creature comforts; heavy on the 'creature.' Reyne led us through a massive, main entrance, where we were greeted by the village alphas. Thankfully, they weren't in their canine forms. It was a barghest village, and several residents were roaming about as enormous black dogs. The villagers closed in around us, watching us warily with their glowing amber eyes, but the alphas—all men—were in human forms. They welcomed us and were showing us to some rooms, where we could rest a little before dinner when a commotion caught our attention.
We all turned toward the cave entrance, where a barghest was howling. Other barghests were gathering around and they were starting to whine.
