The Devourer: A Reverse Harem Fantasy (Airshan Chronicles Book 3)

by Nhys Glover

  One by one, gold medallions were placed over our heads and came to rest against our fast-beating hearts. Mine seemed to burn with divine power, and I felt the urge to stroke it in wonder.

  “Flame, Zem, Landor, Prior and Laric, for your services to Airshan I make you Champions of the Realm for your lifetime. You will receive a generous stipend and residence to go with your esteemed position. I hope we will be able to call on your services again in the future, although I am sure you will never have to face the kind of monster the past ruler, in his greed and stupidity, released into the world. We thank you for all you have done!”

  The trumpets blared again and the hall erupted in cheers and clapping. I tried not to grimace at the noise. I leaned in and kissed Airsha’s cheek. I knew it was Airsha again.

  “Well done, sister,” she said over the din.

  “Thank you. If you hadn’t sent us your energy we would have lost Laric and Shardra. And your speech did its job. Once the challenge was issued, the Jayger couldn’t get to us fast enough.”

  Airsha grinned, her pale cheeks pink with pleasure. “You know I would do anything for you.”

  After that Calun and the rest of Airsha’s harem came forward with kisses, hugs and back slapping while the cheers continued. Once the congratulations were over, my men and I turned and strode proudly out of the hall. The applause followed us.

  I, for one, was glad it was over. Glad to be away from the noise. But it wasn’t quite over yet. There was still a feast in our honour to get through.

  We sat with Airsha and her harem at the high table. Our ship’s crew and Redin joined us, as the heroes they were. I was pleased to see our captain had regained most of his youthfulness since returning safely to his family. And Redin? Well, he was the centre of a bevy of females, all vying for his attention. His part in our adventures had turned him into one of the most powerful and sought after mages in the realm. It was going to be Airsha’s task to make sure his magic didn’t get misused.

  “He seems to have recovered from his broken heart,” Prior observed, as Redin began regaling his female audience with tales of foul green droplets that were the essence of the Devourer priests.

  “I think he always knew he didn’t have a chance with Shardra. Not once he knew about Sky. They would have made a nice couple, but she and Sky make a better one.”

  Prior nodded. “I can’t imagine Sky ever wanting to share her.”

  I agreed. Some people were meant to only have one partner. That thought filled me with pain.

  I noticed that Rama had seated himself next to Zem and was chatting with him amiably. I wondered if I could listen in on that conversation. I knew Zem wouldn’t let me in, but maybe Rama would.

  I made much of eating the rich meat pastry on my plate while focusing in on Rama. Sure enough, he didn’t have his shields up.

  “You seem to have made your peace with your situation,” Rama was saying.

  Zem stared at him with a calculating look in his eye. “I may have. Is this going to be another one of your lectures?”

  “Does it need to be?”

  “No. I no longer chaff at the situation in which I find myself. We’re heroes, after all. Isn’t that what anyone would want?” He held up his medallion to show what he meant.

  “Not chaffing isn’t the same as being happy or even content with a situation. And you know, now you’re all back and the danger is passed, you can go your own ways. If that’s what you want. Is it?”

  “What I want, what any of us wants, is our business and ours alone. I am no longer the inexperienced lad I was a moon ago, who needed your wise counsel. It might feel like no time at all has passed since then. But for us it has been a lifetime. You were right about everything, but you need not bother yourself to provide more advice.”

  “You can’t intellectualize your issues away. You can’t ignore them and convince yourself everything is right in your world. I have seen the way you look Flame. You’re troubled, and you need to address it.”

  I could feel Zem’s fury. “Again I say, I am no longer in need of your advice. If I am troubled, then that’s my business. Just as the state of my marriage is my business.”

  Rama suddenly realised that he was dealing with an equal, not the callow youth Zem had been when he left these shores. We were all so much older than our years might indicate.

  Acknowledging the rebuke, Rama backed off. “Good enough. All I want for you and Flame is your happiness.”

  Zem calmed a little. “All I want is Flame’s happiness. I almost took that from her, and I will never risk doing it again.”

  I could tell Rama’s curiosity was piqued by this statement, but he wisely refrained from questioning him further. But I was left wondering what he meant. Did he want to leave me, but had chosen not to because my happiness was too important to him? Would he willingly sacrifice himself, by remaining in a marriage he couldn’t accept, because of me?

  After our encounter with the Goddess in her library I’d thought Zem was fine with things. He’d even gone so far as to direct our bedplay, and seemed to really enjoy it. But had nearly losing me, and hurting me as he’d done, made him accept what for him was unacceptable? After all, a harem was not for everyone. He might be happier finding a woman all of his own. Or maybe, if the others decided to go their own ways, he could be happy to have me all to himself. Would he want that now? Or was there too much water under our particular bridge?

  I needed to know where we all stood on this issue. Now we no longer needed to be together, we needed to decide if we wanted to stay together.

  Later, after the feast, we made our way back to the large apartment that had been assigned to us as the new Champions of the Realm. It almost equalled Airsha’s in grandeur and luxury. But the monstrous four-poster bed covered in silk sheets made me anxious. It was built for five people to sleep comfortably together. I didn’t know if we would have a need for it much longer.

  Over the quarter moon it had taken to bring us home, and the days since, as we celebrated our victory, there had been no time to discuss our future. The residence and stipend had been a complete surprise, as had the opportunity of continuing in the role of champions. I had thought that, once our job was done, we could choose to go our separate ways. It was only fair that we should have that right.

  We did have that right, if that was what my men wanted. I no longer knew where Zem stood with me... with us. And though Laric had declared his desire to remain at my side, that had been before he had experienced what it was to be fussed over by those who had previously hunted him as a criminal. It had to have been a heady and life-altering shift for him. Maybe he’d change his mind now.

  And the others? Landor and Prior? Landor was still so new to the world. Maybe he would want to explore it. And now Prior had discovered a way to overcome his fire issues, he might want to indulge his sexual interests elsewhere.

  Gods, just thinking of any of them with other women filled me with soul-deep despair. But what I wanted didn’t matter. It was what they wanted or needed.

  So, as we changed out of our regal finery and cast off our gold medallions, I took the opportunity to raise the subject I’d been dreading since we defeated The Jayger.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dressed only in a soft bed shift, I sat in the middle of our bed and waited for them all to settle down around me.

  “I have something I think we need to discuss. Now all the fanfare is over, I think we need to talk about our future. Our individual futures,” I said nervously.

  Instantly, they were on alert, anxiety and caution rolling off them in waves. Surely they had to know this moment was coming? We had bonded for only one purpose. That purpose was done with now. We were all free to live our lives as we wanted.

  “Do you not want a harem anymore?” Landor asked cautiously.

  I shook my head. “It’s not what I want, it’s what you all want. Now we’re back, we don’t have to be one entity anymore. We can be individuals again, if we want.”
>
  “Do you want that?” Zem demanded angrily.

  I could feel his hurt.

  I gave a light laugh that was more a sob. “Look, Prior was keen to get home. He probably wants to go back to his family in Highairshan. Landor has a lifetime to make up for, so many things to do and see that he has missed out on. Laric,” I looked at the man I almost lost. “You’re a hero now. You can go home to your family too, run for government if it interests you.”

  “And me, what have you planned for my future?” Zem growled.

  I was starting to lose it. Tears were pressing in on me, threatening my good intentions.

  “I thought you might want to stay. But I would understand if you didn’t,” I stammered out.

  “What would you understand?” His voice was all warrior now, dangerous... lethal.

  “I... I don’t know. So much happened while we were away. We... We aren’t the same people we were back before all this. I thought you might wish to... move on.” I shrugged helplessly.

  “You seem determined that we do so. Are you really trying to say that you want to move on? That you don’t want a harem anymore. It is a lot for one woman to handle, meeting the needs of four men. After all, you never wanted even one man a little over a moon ago.”

  I laughed humourlessly.

  “Oh, aye, that is such a hardship. Four incredible men all bent on pleasuring me. Aye, I can well do without that!” I scoffed.

  I brushed my hair out of my eyes. Sometime during my undressing it had come free of its fancy styling and fallen around my shoulders.

  “We have demanded a lot from you,” Landor said slowly. “It would be perfectly normal for you to want just one man. Mayhap we could... take turns. Each have a night of the week and... a few nights where you could be alone if you wanted...”

  I stared at him in exasperation. They made it sound like it was an onerous task to bed them. I know some women found bedplay that way, and maybe I had before I discovered that I had a penchant for it. But surely they could tell I didn’t see it as a duty any longer?

  “I’m trying to be fair here, all right! We were forced into this bond by the Goddess. I don’t want anyone to feel as if they have to remain in it. That’s all I’m saying.”

  Zem growled again, and rubbed his hands through his long brown hair that was still braided on either side of his head. It was odd to see it silky again after being salt-encrusted for so long.

  “That’s not all you’re saying,” he said impatiently. “Spit it out. If you don’t want us anymore, just say so. None of us wants to force ourselves on you. As you say, you did this because you had to. Now you no longer have to.”

  I punched him hard in the shoulder. It hurt my knuckles, as his muscles were as hard as rocks. “You’re the most infuriating person I’ve ever known!”

  “And you’re tired of my infuriating presence? Just say it, Flame! First Rama and now you? Did he know this was coming? Is that why he singled me out for his counsel yet again?”

  “Zem, for the Goddess’ sake, I love you! I have always loved you. I will always love you. I do not want to lose you from my life, but I won’t hold you here if you aren’t happy. Rama seems to think you aren’t happy.”

  “Listening in on our conversation again? Gods, you’re impossible. Am I happy? I was! Up until you started acting all distant and antsy. Until you started acting as if you didn’t want me... us... anymore. Now, this? Now you’re trying to make this about what we want, when none of us has ever given you any indication we wanted to leave this marriage. But maybe you do!”

  I looked at each of my men. Four pairs of eyes stared back at me, troubled.

  “I can’t stand the thought of losing any of you. I love you all. But because I love you I wanted... I wanted what was best for you. What would make you happy. Having to share one woman is not ideal. It might suit some people, but...”

  “I do not want to explore the world, Flame,” Landor said solemnly. “I have seen enough of it. And I can see more at your side. That is what I want. I told you that when you forced me to take other women to my bed. Nothing has changed. I want to remain with you. I love you.”

  I blinked back tears and let out a breath I hadn’t been aware I’d been holding.

  Prior spoke into the silence. “I was content enough with my life in Highairshan after I was acknowledged as a magical son, but I have been truly happy since becoming part of The Five. Since becoming your husband.” He took my hands in his and kissed each palm in turn, looking at me with burning black eyes. “I didn’t commit to you because the Goddess willed it. I committed to you because you are the most incredible woman I have ever met. And loving you... being loved by you... being part of what the five of us have made... that has made me happier than I ever expected to be. Than I ever thought was possible.”

  Laric claimed my hands then. “I told you that it wouldn’t matter how many women chased me when we got back home and I was a hero, I‘d only have eyes for you.” He kissed the backs of each of my hands. “A quarter of you is worth more than any one woman could ever be to me. I’d likely have to have a harem of my own to come close.”

  “You could... You’re a magical son, after all,” I said softly, still not sure I could believe any of them.

  “I could, but why would I want to when I have all I could ever want already? You need to get it into your thick skull, woman, that we love you. It isn’t something the Goddess imbued in us. We all loved you before we went inside Her Being. It just intensified what already was. Love like we have... for each other... that doesn’t come along every day. And I, for one, will fight to keep us together. All of us. I’ll even let Zem play leader if he must.”

  He sent Zem an amused glare. Zem blinked a few times and then grinned.

  I turned to Zem too, and Laric released my hands. Zem didn’t take them up.

  “And you? What about you? Would you be happier if you had me all to yourself again?” I asked gingerly.

  He let out an exasperated sigh. “I don’t know how many times I am going to have to say this, but I will say it yet again. I am yours. I have been since we met. I will always be yours, whether I share you with others or have you to myself, or don’t have you at all. There will never be anyone else for me. Ever. And I am happy with our marriage. I have come to care for everyone in it. I no longer feel the need to stake my claim or find my place in the pecking order. I am happy to be one of five. No, I am overjoyed to be part of what we have. And if you ever doubt me again, I will turn you over my knee and spank you hard.” Zem’s lips turned up at the end, though his face remained fierce.

  I laughed. “Now I’ll have to doubt you, just so you have to spank me. It seems to please some people to do it. I’ve seen it in their minds.”

  Zem launched himself at me and wrestled me to the bed, planting a passionate kiss on my lips. When he pulled away he looked at the others.

  “I think we need to state this again, so this stupid girl finally gets it. And the stupid girl can also say what she wants in one sentence or less.”

  I grunted at being called stupid, but I got the point. “All right, this stupid girl wants to keep her harem. Every single member of it. Life would never be worth living without you all.”

  Zem nodded. “Good enough. Even though that was three sentences. I want to remain and am happy with sharing you. I am happy with my place in The Five.”

  Landor spoke up quickly. “I want to remain and have never been happier. Nor can I imagine being happier than I am now.”

  “I am staying. You’d have to force me out by sword-point.” Prior grinned.

  And Laric, smart-mouthed, insolent Laric, had to have the last word. “All right, if you all insist, I’ll stay. But I want to direct our bedplay next. Zem has no imagination.”

  I groaned and grabbed him around the head, pulling him down onto the bed. “Actually, I think it should be my turn.”

  That got their attention. Curious eyes met mine. What had I in mind?

  I didn’
t have a clue, but I liked the idea of finding out.

  “Your will is mine, mistress,” Laric said with a smirk, relaxing back onto the bed, his cock hardening as he considered my desire to take charge.

  “You don’t think any us will be turning down that offer, do you?” Prior said with a grin.

  Gods’ balls, now what? Laric had thought Zem had no imagination. And I had no experience to call on, other than what we’d shared together. I was happier being told what to do.

  But from my men’s expressions, they seemed to want me to direct the action.

  All right, I’d taken on bigger challenges. I wriggled my way up the bed and sat so my back was against the ornately carved headboard. I nibbled my bottom lip as I contemplated what I wanted first.

  “All right. If I’m the mistress, then you lads better all line up and show me what you have to offer me. Strip naked and stand in a neat line. I want to see those impressive cocks of yours. I’ve been told most men are not so well endowed... but I should just check again, to be sure.”

  They climbed dutifully off the bed and shed their sleeping clouts.

  Zem took first position, his cock pointing up and in my direction proudly. His muscular shoulders were back as if he was a soldier on duty, outlining his well-defined body covered in golden skin. His face was stern, though I could tell he was enjoying our game. And maybe enjoying the resolution to the tension that had dogged our path since The Jayger was defeated. Tension I’d created because I couldn’t accept they all wanted to be with me.

  Landor came next, his milky skin and white hair so different to the men on either side of him. As was his slim, elegant frame and broad shoulders. He studied me with bright, silvery blue eyes and his cock seemed well-pleased with the game.

  I bit my lip hungrily but turned to my next man. Prior. Gods, shorter, broader and blacker than the men on either side of him, his heavily muscled frame was like an ebony statue. Perfect. And his cock... oh aye, that was perfect too. Probably a little shorter and thicker than Landor’s, but more than enough. His handsome face was wreathed in a bright white smile, while his dark eyes danced.