Aether's Apprentices

by Daniel Schinhofen

  Ling and Clover smiled back, both of them happy their gift was well received.

  “Which leaves our gift for last,” Jenn said. “It’s hard to get you things, Yuki. You do so much for us, and have given us all so much.”

  The others at the table nodded along with Jenn’s words.

  “Baylyss?”

  Baylyss set a wrapped package on the table.

  Yukiko knew it was a book as she unwrapped it. She wondered if it was another Empire’s Gambit book or something different, but when she pulled it free of the wrapping, she blinked at it slowly and giggled.

  The others all strained to see what the title of the book was.

  Yukiko picked it up so they could see the embossed cover easily. “‘Vera’s Myths, Legends, and Lovers.’”

  “Because you are our Vera,” Jenn said, leaning over to kiss her cheek.

  “You are,” Gregory added, kissing her other cheek.

  Yukiko’s face was red, but her smile was bright as she sat there. “I’ll treasure this gift.”

  “We had the scrivener add a message from us,” Gregory said.

  Opening the front page, Yukiko read the addition. Her eyes glittered and she closed the book. Lips trembling, she swallowed hard and pushed the book into her obi’s storage space. “Thank you...” The words were frayed as she held her emotions tightly.

  “What did it say?” Daciana asked.

  “As we said,” Jenn replied. “That she is our Vera.”

  “That is all of the gifts,” Baylyss spoke up to give Yukiko a moment. “I was asked to set the room for games so you can play with the children. If you are ready?”

  The children cheered and got to their feet. The magi also stood, all of them grinning at the children. Yukiko swallowed again as she thought of the message they’d written for her.

  The words echoed in her mind as she stood. You will always be our Vera, Yuki. Your love and guidance of love will show us the way forward. Always your hearts, Greg and Jenn. She brushed at her eyes as she followed them out of the room. I will do my best, dear ones... I just hope he understands when I ask for more...

  Chapter Sixteen

  Shuddering as her toes uncurled, Yukiko let out a soft whimper. “Happy birthday to me, indeed...”

  Gregory and Jenn kissed their way back up her body, then each gave her a passionate kiss. Jenn snuggled in next to her, happy to have brought her wife to orgasm.

  “You’ve done the same for me many times,” Gregory said, kissing her neck. “Besides, we were told to stay in the room until Dia came for us.”

  Jenn giggled, hiding her face against Yukiko’s side. Yukiko looked at her, then also started to giggle.

  “What?”

  “Thinking back to one of the other times Dia came to get us and we were in bed,” Jenn mumbled.

  Gregory blinked as that memory came back to him. Coughing, he had an awkward smile on his lips. “Oh, right.”

  “Did it bother you, dearest?” Yukiko asked him.

  “No,” Gregory admitted, blushing.

  “I liked it,” Jenn’s admission was soft. “It… explains my desires.”

  Talk of desires had Gregory’s face flushing more, as he was still acutely aware of what his had been. Living with most of the women in that vision kept refreshing the idea in his mind.

  “Did you want to tell us?” Yukiko asked gently, stroking Jenn’s hair. “Neither of us will rebuke you in any way.”

  Jenn swallowed hard, and her head moved fractionally. “Okay. Umm, it was because of that moment, where you were guiding my head up and down Gregory’s length. I felt all tingly and happy... You controlling me like that was exciting. I’ve thought about you doing the same to me again, or Gregory controlling me to pleasure you, and…” Jenn trailed off. She shivered, as the idea sent a pulse of pleasure coursing through her.

  Gregory blinked slowly, his mind all too happy to supply those images for him. The thought of Jenn being subservient and doing what they made her do had parts of him in full agreement to try it.

  “Hmm... we make a good pair,” Yukiko murmured as she continued to stroke Jenn’s hair. “Mine can also be tied back to that moment. I want to give Gregory as much love and pleasure as he can take. He had his strongest orgasm then. Didn’t you, dearest?”

  Face flushed, Gregory nodded, not looking at her. “Yeah, it was intense.”

  “If you want to try that and see if it really is your desire, my dear fighter,” Yukiko murmured as she bent her head and kissed Jenn’s, “I’m very willing. You or others who wish to be with our heart... I want to bend them to what will please him most. Our heart deserves the very best.”

  Gregory swallowed. The idea of telling them his desire stuck in his throat. What kind of asshole tells the women he loves— the ones who confessed that they just want him as happy as possible— that he wants more?

  Yukiko looked at Gregory with a smirk on her lips. “Dearest, will you lie back? Our heart wishes to be used to bring you pleasure, and I want to use her in that way.”

  Gregory rolled to his back, swallowing as he watched his wives converge on him. You should tell them... they told you theirs. He made up his mind to tell them, but he hadn’t formed the words before Jenn’s mouth found his straining flesh.

  ~*~*~

  Gregory was just tying his obi in place when a knock came on the outer door. “Apprentices, you have a few minutes. Meet in the dining room,” Dia called to them.

  “We’ll be right down,” Gregory called back. He glanced at his wives who were just getting their obis on and exhaled slowly. “Yuki, Jenn, you told me your desires… I should tell you mine.”

  “We’re listening, dearest,” Yukiko said.

  “I’m very curious,” Jenn said. “You looked like you were about to say something earlier, but I think I stopped you.”

  “You did,” Gregory coughed, his face heating as he thought it again. “Okay... ummm... this is awkward. My desires revealed themselves during resonance, and had me in the dream bedroom. Darkness was making sounds of pleasure from her corner while you two were on the bed, enjoying yourselves.”

  The two women smiled at them being part of his desires.

  Swallowing hard, he pushed forward. “We weren’t alone. There were others in the room, wearing not much of anything. They were waiting to be invited to join us. As I looked at them, the two of you told me that if I admitted that I wanted them, then you’d be willing to let them join us.”

  Jenn and Yukiko exchanged a glance before giving him their full attention. “Who, dearest?” Yukiko asked softly.

  Gregory lowered his eyes, feeling like trash, but determined to finish. “Our friends.”

  “Hmm...” Yukiko finished getting dressed and crossed the room over to him. “Thank you, my heart.”

  “Huh?” Gregory looked up as she approached, confused as to why she’d thank him for wanting more women.

  “Greg,” Jenn said, trailing Yukiko, “we aren’t upset. Remember, it’s okay to look and maybe entertain ideas.”

  Closing his eyes as he tried to accept how graciously they were taking his confession, he nodded. “I know, but—”

  Yukiko cut him off with a soft kiss. Gregory kissed her back, his arms going around her out of reflex, trying to reassure her with the kiss that he loved her. After a minute, she stepped back and Jenn took her place.

  “Dearest, in time, others might join our family. I will not accept anyone who isn’t dedicated to you. They’ll need the approval of Jenn and myself, as well as yours. It won’t be soon, but there is that chance. Knowing that you’re okay with a few who might ask in the future makes it easier for us.”

  When Jenn stepped back, Gregory just blinked dully as he tried to get his brain to work. “But, I—”

  Jenn put a finger to his lips. “Greg, look at us.”

  Gregory had been avoiding doing that, but now, he raised his head and met their eyes.

  “We aren’t upset, dearest,” Yukiko said softly. “Yo
u’re not a bad man. You’re far from it. You told us, admitted it to us, and then act like we should beat you for it. As I told you before, my heart is what matters the most to me. That’s still true today. If it takes more people to safeguard my heart, I will welcome them, call them family, and love them for you. I accepted Darkness first, then Jenn, and in the future, there may be more, and there also might not be. I’m serious when I say they have to be devoted to you... To you, Greg. Not to Aether.”

  “As Yukiko accepted me, I’ll accept others. I agree with her— we must protect our heart. As long as we have your heart and you have ours, I don’t worry about others who may join us. Our hearts will grow with them, as will yours,” Jenn said. “Tell us who you thought of, please? It’ll make it easier for us in the future.”

  Gregory’s throat felt tight. His wives were flatly telling him they would accept others, if they were devoted. No man deserved even a single woman like these two in his life, and he had them both. Swallowing, his throat felt dry as he answered her. “Nessa, Daciana, Victoria… Clover, Ling… Mindie. Those are the ones I knew, but there were others behind them.”

  Yukiko giggled softly and touched his cheek. “Okay, dearest. Calm yourself, please? Some of those you named are very interested in joining our family.”

  “Nearly frantic with hope, in fact,” Jenn added with a soft smile, taking his hand in hers. “A few of them are still unsure at the moment.”

  Darkness’ words came back to Gregory, “I will only help those who might be… special to you, walk all three paths.”

  “Oh?” Gregory whispered. Seeing his wives’ questioning looks, he exhaled. “Darkness told me that the only ones who she would help walk all three paths were the ones who might be special to me. I never thought about it like this before now.”

  Yukiko nodded slowly. “Yes... three of them have been walking three paths, and two more are working on it, but we don’t know if they’re devoted to you. This would be confirmation that Darkness approves of them. Do you agree with that?”

  Gregory nodded slowly. “If my wives agree, I do, too. I include you in that count, Darkness.”

  Jenn smiled and kissed his cheek. “Good. I’d hate for others to have to walk the wire I did.”

  Gregory flushed and his wives giggled at him.

  “We should go,” Yukiko said suddenly. “Greg, don’t think we’ll rush things. I was serious when I said they have to prove themselves. Darkness has approved of them, but I want to see their dedication for myself.”

  “As my heart wishes,” Gregory said before he pulled her to him and kissed her with all the love he had in his heart. When he finished kissing Yukiko, he pulled Jenn to him and did it again.

  Chapter Seventeen

  They were the last three to the dining room, and they bowed to the assembled group. “Sorry for the delay,” Gregory said.

  “We just finished cooking,” Steva said.

  The main table was filled with food and all the seats were taken once the three of them sat down. The next table had food and the staff, minus Steva, who was setting out one last tray on the second table.

  Gregory smiled. Every dish was kabocha squash and adzuki beans, cooked in different ways. The memories of his first solstice with Jenn and Yukiko came back to him, and his smile softened as he took his seat.

  Discussion at the table was lively as everyone chatted about which of the offerings they liked most. Yukiko and Jenn made sure their friends tried the ones they preferred. Victoria, like Gregory the previous year, looked a little lost.

  “Vicky?” Gregory asked, getting her attention. “I know. You look like I did last year. A wise woman told me then that it’s okay. This might be the end of a year and the release of what was to embrace the new, but it’s okay. It’s okay because we’re here, your friends and family in the form of the clan. We’ll help you find your footing again so you can embrace this year and all the ones to come after it.”

  Victoria’s eyes glittered and she bowed her head. “I didn’t know I’d feel the loss of my old life so poignantly before now, but, yes, I want this new one. I’ve wanted it all my life, and some of it more intensely over these last few months.” She looked up, her purple-blue eyes locking on his green ones. “I don’t feel lost. I feel hope and excitement. In Aether’s Guard, I found my purpose, and with my friends, I know that I will realize all my dreams.”

  “Yes,” Daciana grinned. She nudged Victoria, breaking the eye contact Victoria had with Gregory. “Me, too.”

  Nessa chimed in her agreement, and the moment passed for the table. A few of the older magi smiled, recalling their own time in the academy and the friends they had made. A few felt some sadness as they thought of friends who had passed or left the clan, but seeing the newer generation, they also felt hope.

  Gregory had looked down when Victoria’s gaze had broken from his. Blinking slowly, he took another bite of the kabocha waffle. Yukiko’s hand on his thigh got him to look at her. Her soft smile warmed his heart and he exhaled slowly through his nose as he ate. Yuki and Jenn are beside me and will help me know the path we should walk.

  Breakfast lasted far longer than normal, and they were all full and near bursting with energy. Once they had all finished, Dia led the apprentices and novices out of the clan hall to the porch.

  With a smile, Dia said, “When the bell sounds the hour, the first part of today’s events will begin. You have until midday to complete this task. There are items of power hidden throughout the yard for you to find. If you find them, you may do with them as you wish. Do not stop looking unless you are absolutely certain you have found them all. I will come to collect you when it is time to stop. Let Aether guide you on your search.”

  She stepped back into the hall and closed the door just as the ninth bell began to chime. All three novices, Ling, and Clover started to rush off. They’d only made it a few feet when Yukiko and Jenn called them to stop.

  “Why? Aren’t we supposed to find them first?” Clover asked.

  “The first hunter is the best hunter,” Daciana nodded.

  Victoria blinked slowly, looking at Gregory. “Dia said we should let Aether guide us.” She looked at Clover and Daciana. “And she never said we were competing.”

  Ling nodded slowly. “You’re right… she didn’t.”

  “Last year, we cooperated,” Yukiko said. “While we can’t follow Aether, obviously, we did let Gregory lead us last year, and we found them all.”

  Gregory had his eyes closed the entire time they spoke, letting his resonance drift out from him. He felt Yuki and Jenn beside him, then the others as they came back. Each of them felt true, solid, and firm to his mind. As he soaked in the feeling, small twinges of something echoed farther away from him. Focusing on one and thanking Darkness for her help, he started walking, his eyes still closed. “This way.”

  He led them to the rock garden. He was amazed at how certain he felt walking with his eyes closed— he never misstepped, even as he went around some of the rocks. Pausing beside the central rock, Gregory exhaled. “Daciana, two feet down and three feet that way.” He pointed, knowing he was aimed right at the rock.

  Daciana nodded slowly as she gathered her magic to dig as Gregory directed. As she worked her magic, Gregory felt her aether weaving and shifting to her will as it left her body. His resonance harmonized with it, and his breath caught for a moment as his understanding of earth magic changed.

  “A small chest,” Daciana said excitedly, making the earth push the item out of the newly-excavated hole.

  “I got it!” Clover said as she moved it away from the rock.

  “Fill it in, please,” Gregory said. “We should try to restore things if we can.”

  When Daciana did as he asked, a small frown touched her features for a moment— her magic felt different. It was like something was caressing her magic as she moved it to fill the hole in. A small shiver traveled down her spine when she glanced at Gregory, who was exuding an air of comfort.

 
“What’s in the chest?” Victoria asked.

  “Wait,” Gregory said as Clover reached to open it. “Ling, check it.”

  Ling frowned, but she knelt next to the chest and extended her senses to it. Her breath caught as she felt the magic coiled at the lid. “You felt that?”

  “It felt wrong to me,” Gregory said. “You can manage it.”

  Ling looked back at the chest, extending her aether to the lid. She chewed her lips for a bit before she nodded. “Hemet just showed me this. Step back please, just in case.”

  “No,” Gregory said softly. “You can do this. There’s no need to step back. Just take your time. We have hours.”