Forged Bonds (Binding Words Book 4)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Ryann did not question it and rolled over for him. Sean slipped off the bed and undressed before sitting back down again. Applying a little more oil to his hands, Sean exhaled slowly. He reached out and began at her hips, slowly working his way up her torso.

  Eyelids heavy, she watched him work. She had no intention of stopping him, especially when she saw his worried expression when he worked toward her ample chest. She tensed a little when he almost reached her breasts, but it faded again when his hands went around them and up toward her collar bone instead.

  “Sean, it’s okay,” Ryann whispered. “Just be gentle with me.”

  He nodded, his worry fading as he finished working her neck and shoulders. Exhaling slowly, he began massaging around the base of her breasts. She’s definitely got more than Fiona or Myna... maybe more than both combined, Sean thought. Deciding to be daring, he lowered his mouth to one pert nipple.

  Ryann let out a small moan and her hands came off the bed, one on his shoulder while the other reached out to stroke his hair. Sean paused, but feeling her encouraging him, he gently kneaded her breasts and began to alternate attention between both her nipples.

  “Ry, I want to give you more,” Sean said after having spent minutes lavishing her bountiful chest with attention.

  “Okay,” Ryann panted lightly, “go slow, though?”

  Sean smiled as he began to kiss his way down her stomach. Ryann’s brow furrowed, not understanding what he was going to do. When he shifted her hips, she inhaled, waiting for him to climb between her legs. Eyes opening when she failed to feel him on top of her, she looked down to see him lowering his head toward her glistening sex.

  “Sean?”

  Looking up, he smiled before his tongue traced over her mound.

  A sharp inhalation was all she managed, her whole body suddenly feeling like it was vibrating. Sean’s smile grew as he slowly began to explore her sex. Each lick made Ryann shiver, making her feel pleasure unlike any she had before grow inside of her.

  “What… how…?” Ryann murmured as her head fell back to the bed. “Oh... Sean!” she gasped.

  Sean did as she asked, taking his time and going slow as he licked at her. Her gasps and murmurs grew as her orgasm approached. Not wanting to rush anything, he continued his slow assault on her flesh. When her hips started to come off the bed to meet his tongue, Sean’s lips touched her clit. Gently but firmly catching it between his lips, he kissed and nibbled at it.

  “Sean!” Ryann gasped out, her hips pressing into his face as she orgasmed. Hands gripping his head, she rode out the long moment of bliss.

  When she released his head, Sean shifted so he was between her open legs, his hard cock poised at the entrance of her tunnel. “Ry, did you want more?” Sean asked, fervently hoping she would say yes.

  “More…? Yes, more,” Ryann murmured as she reached out, her arms going around his back. “I’m ready.”

  Sean pushed slowly and carefully, working the first few inches into her. Breathing deeply, he took his time, letting her accept a little at a time before he pushed deeper into her. When he was finally seated to the base, Sean moaned when he felt her contract around him. Looking down, he found her staring back at him. That moment stretched out, as each of them saw the amount of love, care, and affection in the other.

  After pulling back slightly, Sean pushed forward again, both of them gasping in pleasure. Words between them were softly whispered as they moved together. In time, Sean began to pump faster, his own pleasure building as Ryann was well on her way to her third orgasm.

  Ryann’s legs wrapped around his waist. “Please, Sean... Please,” Ryann gasped as she started into her orgasm.

  Those few words, coupled with her using her legs to pull him into her faster, was too much for him. Moaning deeply, he lost the rhythm as his body took over, his hips moving spastically as he finally came.

  Arms shaking a minute later, Sean eased himself over to lay beside her. Ryann curled against his side as if it was the most natural thing in the world, even though she had never cuddled after sex before.

  “Damn, Ry, that was amazing,” Sean murmured as he caressed her back.

  “I never—” Ryann began before stopping. “I know now why they were always so happy the morning after. Never thought it could feel like that.”

  “Ry... thank you,” Sean said as he continued to caress her.

  “Thank you, Sean. So many thanks,” Ryann murmured, a yawn creeping into her voice. “I don’t deserve this.”

  “But you really do, Ry,” Sean replied. “Go to sleep. We can try for another round in the morning.”

  “Mm, okay,” Ryann murmured before she fell asleep.

  Sean lay there awake for a few more minutes, listening to her breathing even out. “I hope you’re still happy in the morning,” he whispered before he finally succumbed to sleep himself.

  Chapter Eight

  A soft hand smoothing his hair woke Sean from his slumber, “Hmm?”

  “Fiona says we need to get up,” Ryann told him, her soft breath tickling his neck.

  Sean rolled to the side, draping his arm over her. “Tired,” he murmured.

  “Fiona was a little upset when she woke me,” Ryann continued. “You fixed my back, didn’t you? Last night, when you were turning me into a puddle?”

  Lips twitching, he kissed her neck, “Yes. You okay?”

  “You shouldn’t have done it,” Ryann whispered. “She told you to not use energy.”

  “Want you to be as happy as you can be. The scars made you self-conscious,” Sean replied, his hand rubbing across her smooth and bare back.

  “You could have hurt yourself,” Ryann shivered. “Please think of that next time. If you hurt yourself, we’ll all feel bad, and the one you did it for will feel worse. I know I did yesterday.”

  Opening his eyes, he pulled back enough to meet her eyes. “Okay. I’m sorry, but I’d honestly do it again. The scars and bringing you back.”

  Ryann’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward and kissed him. The kiss started to turn passionate and she rolled him onto his back, climbing on top of him. Breaking the kiss, he could see her desire plainly. “I’d go again, but I promised her we wouldn’t. Though she seemed open to me having you again tonight.”

  Sean was at a loss for words when she got out of bed, his brain trying to reboot. “Err… right.”

  “You’re adorable, Sean,” Ryann said softly. “I can’t imagine anyone like you, and now, I thank Morrigan every day for having met you.”

  Sitting up, Sean watched her dress, “I should thank her and the others, too. This isn’t exactly what I thought this life would be, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

  Buckling her belt, Ryann looked at him. “Nothing at all?”

  “Can’t think of a better life than this.”

  “I was afraid you’d regret bringing me back,” Ryann said as she picked up her armor.

  “And I was afraid you’d regret the same, or what we did last night,” Sean admitted, getting out of bed.

  “About last night…” Ryann started, turning away from him as she started to buckle her armor on. “Did you mind spending all that time just massaging me?”

  “Not at all,” Sean replied, moving up behind her and helping her get her armor on. “As I said, I love making my partners happy.”

  “That’s not normal for a Holder,” Ryann said, her smile hidden from Sean.

  “That’s me all over, isn’t it?” Sean chuckled.

  “Yes, yes it is,” Ryann replied as she spun and pushed him onto the bed, kissing him hungrily again.

  Sean was breathing hard when Ryann got up and left him alone on the bed. “Wait, what?”

  “I promised,” Ryann sighed as she touched the door, “or I would be in bed with you still. I’m sorry I did that... but I’m also not. I still feel like I need to be in control when it comes to us, at least for now.”

  Exhaling deeply, Sean rubbed at his face. “Yeah, I understand. Go
on, I’ll be out in a minute or two. And, Ry… it’s fine.”

  “Thank you,” Ryann replied before she left him alone.

  Going to the basin in the corner, Sean splashed water on his face. “She isn’t being mean, she is dealing with her demons,” he muttered as he stepped back and stretched. “Support her like you would Fiona or Myna. She is equal to them.”

  When he reached the dining room, Sean gave everyone a tired smile. “Sorry for the delay.”

  “You didn’t listen to me,” Fiona said simply as he took his seat.

  Sean winced, “I didn’t, and I’m sorry, but I felt it was the right thing to do.”

  Placing her hand on his, she gave him a strained smile. “I know, husband. If you don’t replenish your energy, though, it can have repercussions. I’m not faulting you for wanting to make our newest wife happier, but please, try to go easy on your energy use today. I know you have Callon’s son to teach, but try to do only that, please.”

  “We all worry when you push yourself too hard,” Myna added.

  Bowing his head, Sean sighed, “I’m sorry. I’ll try to do better.”

  “Breakfast,” Andrea said, carrying a loaded tray into the room, saving him from saying more.

  “When are we going to the magistrate?” Chastity asked as she waited for the serving spoon to reach her.

  “After midday,” Fiona replied. “We’ll have Andrea mind the shop. We’ll be selling the first kettles today and that is likely to make us very busy.”

  “Not before?” Chastity asked, deflating some.

  “This morning, we have to tour the bathhouse and show them Sean’s newest iteration of the kettles,” Fiona explained. “We can see about going right after that’s done. Okay?”

  “Of course. I didn’t mean to sound pushy,” Chastity winced.

  “It’s fine, we understand,” Sean told her. “None of us faults you for wanting to get her free as soon as you can.”

  “I don’t mind handling the front for a bit, either,” Andrea said, taking her own seat. “I’ll just need to know what the prices are for everything.”

  “I will help,” Myna said, “and make sure no one tries to take advantage of you.”

  “Thank you, Myna.”

  “Omin, are you two settling in okay?”

  “Yes, sir. Fiona made our house yesterday, along with the common room for all of us.”

  “She also made us furniture,” Onim added. “It’s different having things sized to us. I can see now why Ven and Venn were so certain about this being good for us.”

  Sean paused, a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth. “Are we feeding the others?”

  “Of course, dear,” Fiona fondly smiled. “They just aren’t going to take meals with us.”

  “I took them some food earlier, and will after dinner, too,” Andrea chimed in. “It isn’t as good as what we have, but I’ve been assured by Ven that the Fairies are quite happy with it.”

  “It’s true,” Ven agreed. “They’re all thrilled to have so much. If anything, their chatter will bring more of our kind to this Agreement. Shelter and food are things we have to find and fight for. To be given them for a little bit of scouting is usually unheard of.”

  “Okay,” Sean exhaled before putting his fork in his mouth. “I was concerned we weren’t,” he said around the food.

  “Everything is as you would want it to be,” Fiona replied.

  “Will we be training after Chastity’s mom is free?” Andrea asked. “I feel I could use more instruction with weapons and in Shaping clothing in the middle of combat.”

  “Oh, yeah, need to get that taken—” Sean started to say.

  “Good, you didn’t even notice,” Fiona grinned as she interrupted him. “Your clothing was already taken care of. If you rub your shirt, you’ll feel the leather. We did half of it yesterday, and Andrea will be doing more of that today.”

  “I’m not as fast as the others, but it is my task,” Andrea said. “I need to do everything I can since everyone else has so many other duties. I’ll do better, sir.”

  “You haven’t been doing badly,” Sean said, looking to Fiona for help.

  “She wants to do more, husband. Andrea feels like she is the one holding the rest of us back.”

  “Oh no, that isn’t right at all. That’s me,” Chastity said.

  “No, you have a better grasp of Shaping. You passed the first phase of Myna’s training,” Andrea began to rebut Chastity.

  “Stop,” Myna said softly. “No one is currently holding anyone back, but we can all do better, even me. Use that to push yourself, but do not fall into the trap of thinking you are failing. Anyone who does isn’t worthy of being with us.”

  Sean started to speak, but Fiona squeezed his hand and gave a minute shake of her head, stopping him. Frowning, he focused on his plate, wondering if maybe he was the one holding them all back. They all seemed to reach for the stars, and he just wanted to do little things.

  “Callon said his son will be with him for the walkthrough of the bathhouse,” Fiona said a few minutes later. “Chastity, if anyone gives you trouble, ask them to leave. We are selling one kettle per person right now. If they complain more, then tell them they are banned from the shop. Omin, if you’ll stay with her? Come tell us if anyone gets abusive with her.”

  “Of course,” Omin nodded.

  “I will,” Chastity said, getting to her feet. Stepping back, she bowed deeply, “I do want to thank you both again for doing this.”

  “We will always help those we care for,” Sean said.

  “Go on,” Fiona told her kindly, “I’ll be back as soon as we’re done.”

  Chastity left the room quickly. Andrea started to clean the table, while the others got to their feet.

  “Sean,” Ida said, having been silent during the meal, “we’re still having my parents over tonight, right?”

  “Yes,” Fiona answered in his place. “Andrea already knows.”

  “We’ll need to use the bath early or late tonight,” Myna added. “I’m thinking late, since we do still need to train today. We can do that while the Bronzeshields bathe.”

  “Okay,” Sean agreed, “sounds good. Let’s head out. We have a lot to do today.”

  ~*~*~

  As they approached the new bathhouse, Sean looked over the exterior, impressed by how much it had changed. No one would have guessed that the two buildings had been nearly identical to their neighbors just a tenday ago.

  “Sorry about the wait,” Sean apologized as they were the last ones to get there.

  “We were wondering if something had happened again,” Fredrick said.

  “I just had a difficult time getting out of bed this morning,” Sean replied.

  “Energy exhaustion can do that,” Eva nodded. “You are taking it easy today?”

  “I’m only training Hob today,” Sean said, motioning to the younger Callon.

  “Sir, I can wait—” Hob Callon began.

  “No, it’s fine,” Sean cut him off. “We all have responsibilities, and if you can fulfill them, you should.”

  “Of course, sir,” Hob bowed to Sean.

  “Sean. Just Sean, not sir,” Sean said.

  “Of course, si— Sean.”

  “Now that we’re all here, let’s get the tour under way,” Knox smiled and led them past the front room.

  The tour was about what Sean was expecting: a main bathing room, plus three smaller private ones. The main room held a dozen shower heads and tubs. The three smaller chambers had six showers and tubs between them. None of the piping was in yet, but the smithed pipes were in each room, ready to be placed. Upstairs was the living area, but it was split into two smaller apartments instead of the standard Sean had been getting used to.

  “Why the two separate living spaces?”

  “One is for Chastity’s mother, who is going to run the front. The other is for my son— and his soon to be bride— who will be taking care of upkeep,” Knox smiled.

  �
�We’ve been wondering about that kettle,” Avery said. “You going to show us all now?”

  Sean chuckled as he handed the kettle he had been carrying to the other man. “You have no energy, Avery. Lock the lid in place, then press the amber.”

  Everyone watched as Avery did so, and the sound of water filling the kettle was clearly audible. Avery let go of the gem and unlocked the lid, looking inside. Steam wafted out and he stared in wide eyed shock.