Perilous Love

by J A Essen

  “Maidin, Father.”

  “Maidin to you my daughter. It’s not often I greet you here in the throne. What is on your mind?”

  He knows I only wear this dress when I need my mother’s strength to accomplish something trying.

  “It’s about Faudron.”

  “Who?”

  “The human.”

  “You mean the Uj-nart,” he emphasizes the two syllables as he spits them out of his mouth. “How could you bring such a creature into our land; into my kingdom? Why would you want to save such a savage and unworthy THING? The only reason he’s still alive is because I want answers. Once I get those answers, he will not be long for this world.”

  “Father, NO! You can’t.” I’m somewhere between distraught and furious. “Faudron mustn’t be harmed. He saved my life, twice.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was in the Forsaken Woods,” I pause and decide whether I should tell him the truth or not, “lying in wait for one of the hunters that killed Mother, to exact my revenge.” His eyes widen at this admission, and I know I have just opened myself up to a whole other set of problems.

  “I was stalking what I thought was one of them, and when I made my initial attack, I knew I had made a mistake. He was unlike the others,” dammit, just outed myself again, “I had taken down. This one was cunning. He was not one of the oafs that killed Mother and then celebrated over her corpse. Charging at him, he launched another arrow that narrowly missed me, and then I backed him up behind a waterfall. As I hurdled through the sheet of water, he moved at the last second and struck me with an arrow in my rear haunch, dazing me as I crashed into the mountain side. I was knocked unconscious and lost my bear-shift as a result.”

  I take a deep breath and continue, despite his look of rage, “Rather than making the killing blow, he healed me with some spell,” Father’s eyes go wide at this admission, “and cared for me until I was well enough to travel again on my own.”

  Not to mention, Joined with me in an unbelievable bonding experience at the waterfall.

  “The day I brought him here, he was bow-fishing for our last meal together when we were ambushed by men from the human kingdom to our south. There were four of them. Faudron took out the two on foot before one of the horse-mounted men struck him with two poisoned arrows. The fourth got away. He was barely able to climb onto my back in elk-shift and hold on. I owe him my life twice over and couldn’t leave him to die.”

  “You most certainly could have!” Father’s voice booms so loudly that the painting on the wall behind me rattles. “If you were anyone but my daughter, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. You would’ve been locked up just like that, that, filth.”

  He says it with such disdain that is makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.

  “Edana, you have no idea what they are like.” He has taken a breath and brought his tone down. “Long ago, our two peoples lived together in their world, peacefully. We were actually quite symbiotic. In exchange for goods such as hard to find spices, cloth, and glass, we taught them a great deal about herbalism and healing. This trust and happiness lived for several hundred years. Then, about three hundred years ago, an elf Prince named Veteris fell in love with a human princess and all of that changed.”

  He motions for me to sit, and he does as well.

  “The human king didn’t take well to the news of his daughter falling in love with a boy outside of their species, but neither did he show his distaste in front of her either. Instead, to show his false support for his daughter’s decision, he set up a bonding, hunting expedition in the mountains to get to know the Elven prince better. However, this was a trap. A few hours into their trip, the human king had a group of six hunters waiting to ambush the prince from the trees high above. When struck, the prince fell from his horse and tumbled down the mountainside; the body supposedly unrecoverable.”

  I hold my face flat, but inside I’m shocked. How could anyone be so cold?

  “Returning to the kingdom, the king told his daughter of an unfortunate accident and how both her prince and horse had taken a tumble on loose rocks and slipped over the side of the mountain. What the king didn’t know, however, was that two of our own had been suspicious and followed the party, witnessing exactly what occurred. When word returned to our people, our greatest casters were brought together and raised the Mountains of Dubh, cutting them off from us. The Balla was added as an additional layer of protection.”

  “So you see, Edana, they are not worthy of our care and protection.”

  “Father, please. Just let him go. Return him to their side and put a memory-block spell in his mind.”

  “No! My decision stands. He will be questioned, and once I’m sure that no one else knows anything further of our continued existence, he will be put to death.”

  Tears fill my eyes. This isn’t fair! My head begins to spin, and scenarios and sequences of events flash rapidly. Wiping the tears away, I know what I have to do. It’s not a full plan, but I have to put something into motion right here; right now.

  “Father, wait.” My voice is still trembling, but I push through, “If I agree to the betrothal of your choice, will you spare his life then?” My heart is racing, and I swallow the lump in my throat down hard. Please, Great Elder.

  He begins to pace the floor, stroking and pulling on his beard. Halting, his face is hard and staring at me, looking for any signs of betrayal. He opens his mouth to speak and then closes it once more, only to resume his back-and-forth course. Stepping up the throne, he takes a seat and then glances in my direction, but not directly at me.

  “If I do this, you will marry the boy of my choosing without contest?”

  Letting my head sink to my chest, I wipe away another nonexistent tear, and solemnly, barely audibly, answer. “Yes Father. I will marry the boy you choose to be the next king.”

  My deception is perfect, and I know I have won.

  “Very well then, Edana. I will have him released.”

  Turning to one of his attending guards, “Have the prisoner released. I want his mind blocked and sent away immediately. No contact with anyone.” He says this last bit in my direction.

  “Wait. I have only one request Father. Even though you think he’s unworthy of us, please, for me, show him gratitude for saving my life. Allow him to dine and stay in the castle tonight as thanks. You may have your spell-weaver cast a memory block on him in the morning and then have the guards deposit him in the Forsaken Woods.”

  “You’re impossible, just like your mother was.” My father shakes his head in frustration. “Alright; it shall be done.”

  With my shoulders sagging and my head down, I leave the throne room in an air of misery, making my father very happy I’m sure. As soon as I’m around the corner and clear, I bolt to my room and wait there for Breacca to return for the gossip on how the conversation went.

  *****

  It’s midafternoon when Breacca finally comes around.

  “Where have you been? I have been waiting since…” I stop mid-sentence and look at her quizzically. She’s out of breath and white as a ghost. “What is it, Breacca?”

  She holds up a finger to motion just a moment as she recovers her breathing.

  In a near whisper from lack of air, she finally manages, “I came as fast as I could, Edana.”

  Walking across the room, she sits on the edge of my bed and continues, “Edana, I don’t know what you are going to do, but you have to leave tonight with Faudron.”

  “What are you talking about? Father agreed to release him, let him dine with us this evening, stay in quarters, and then leave tomorrow.” She looks at me sideways. “Well, it’s not quite that simple. I had to agree to a betrothal of Father’s choice, and Faudron will have his memory erased when the guards leave him in the Forsaken Woods.”

  Shaking her head, “Edana, if only that were the truth. I was arranging place settings in the dining hall when I overheard your father talking to an
assemblage of his private guard. He’s planning on taking Faudron on some sort of hunting expedition tomorrow into the Forsaken Woods himself and having his guard ambush him.”

  I gasp at this admission and cover my mouth with both hands. My father plans to exact his revenge on humankind in a manner almost identical to how they betrayed us, hundreds of years ago.

  “No!” I scream into my hands.

  “I’m so sorry, Edana.”

  Quickly, my shock and horror turn to fury.

  “Breacca, I absolutely will NOT permit this to happen.” I bite at the words. “Will you help me?”

  “As much as I’m going to miss you, of course I will, Princess. You are my best friend and have entrusted me with so much. Whatever you need, Edana; I’m here for you.”

  I gather her in a tight embrace, and we both begin to cry. This will be the last night I spend with my best friend; my closest confidant.

  In between sobs I manage, “Breacca, you are the closest thing I have to a sister. I wish things could’ve been different. Now here’s what I need you to do for me…”

  Chapter 14

  Faudron

  I squint and blink rapidly, the brilliant light invading my senses violently. I have been pushed, prodded, and shoved to a point that if I weren't so disoriented, I would pummel the guard who has brought me to, wherever this is.

  “The king has graciously allowed you to stay in these quarters and dine with his court this evening. You will stay here until a guard arrives to escort you this evening. Make sure you are clean, Ujnart.”

  And with that, he slams the door. “The name is Faudron!” I yell back out of spite.

  Not exactly privileged quarters.

  The room is very basic: a basin for cleaning, stool, mirror, and a bedding pallet. There is a small window looking out toward a village below.

  Raising my arm and smelling myself, I realize I actually do need cleaning. I also need new clothing since my things were all left at the river.

  “Guard,” I yell through the door, “I need clothing to change into for dinner.”

  “Fine, Ujnart.” Through the door, I can hear two of them bickering and finally one walks off.

  It doesn’t take long before the door opens and basic tunic and trousers are tossed onto the floor.

  “Thanks.” I yell back sarcastically.

  Grabbing them up, I hold them and realize they will both have to be rolled. Well, at least they are clean and warm. It seems to be cooler here in this realm than where we were previously.

  I start peeling off my soiled garb and lay each piece out beside the basin. When I’m done cleaning myself, I will do the same to them and then let them dry. It’s some of the crafted leather gear I was awarded from King Nathair, and I definitely don’t want to lose it.

  The water has already begun to cool as I step in, but not too much. I grab the sponge and lye soap and begin to remove the layers of dirt and dried, salty sweat from the poisoned fever. It actually feels very refreshing, and I didn’t realize just how much I needed it.

  I keep my senses on high alert as I can’t say that I trust these elves all that much. In the hallway, I can hear a discussion about something, but cannot make out any details. For whatever reason, though, I hear two sets of footfalls leaving, and this has me very curious; and cautious. I have not finished washing yet, but I grab a towel and wrap my waist so that I can head towards the door to try and figure out what is going on.

  I barely have one foot onto the cold, stone floor before the heavy oak door is pressed open. “What do you want?” I hardly get the sentence finished before the guard holds a hand up to silence me and closes the door behind him. “Excuse me, I asked you a …”

  The guard’s silhouette begins to waver and fluctuate and then in a blink, Edana is standing in front of me. Rushing forward, she jumps and throws herself onto me. I drop the towel and grab her by the ass as she wraps her limber legs around me and presses her sultry lips to mine. Her mouth is full of want as her tongue invades my mouth, feeling and wrestling, begging for reciprocation. I don’t waste any time with denying her.

  Edana’s fingers are entangled in my hair and pulling to the near point of pain. Her lips are sliding across mine savagely as she owns her desires. I need to take control of the situation or she will undoubtedly hurt me; her size is a complete falsehood to her ability and strength.

  Grabbing her by the base of her tightly braided hair, I pull her mouth off of mine and let my mouth wander down the side of her neck and then back up to her ears; long, tantalizing ears. I nip at her lobe and pull gently with my sheathed teeth causing two, nearly simultaneous reactions. First, I feel the shiver that runs through her entire body as it is against mine and then secondly, I feel her nails pierce the skin on my back. The pain drives me forward, and I graze my teeth back down her neck to her shoulder and bite the top of it; not enough to break the skin, but enough to let her know that I can give as good as I take.

  Walking the entwined pair of us over to the bedding pile, I deposit her onto it and glare down at her. She’s immediately on all fours, her inner beast taking control and I’m wholly entranced. “No. You can wait until I have finished cleaning.”

  I walk away back to the basin and step back in, resuming my bathing. Leaving my backside to her, I place a leg up on the edge and begin scrubbing away again. Suddenly and without warning, a pair of hands has encircled my rigid length that has not abated since I left her wanting on the bedding. I feel her nakedness press against my backside, managing only to make the situation more erotic.

  “Fine,” I turn around to face her, “you want to participate, then here.” I place the sponge and soap in her diminutive hands and stand there waiting.

  Dipping the sponge into the water, she circles the soap on it and works up a slight lather. Standing up to her full height, which still leaves her a full head shorter, she presses the soapy sponge to my chest and begins to work it around; rivulets of water spilling down my stomach and dripping back into the tub. She efficiently scrubs both arms before settling herself onto the edge to begin working on my legs… without the sponge.

  Edana grips my thigh as best she can and runs her hands down, dragging her nails against my skin, leaving me grinding my teeth together and clenching my fists. She repeats the process on the other leg leaving me charged; I close my eyes as I lean my head back, letting the sensation snake up through my body. Trailing both sets of nails up the backside of my legs, across my ass, and then skimming around the front, over my groin, this little Vixen thinks she has me right where she wants me.

  WRONG.

  Dropping my head to my chest and glaring into her eyes, I grab her hands as she attempts to get them around my cock. “I think it is time you learned a new skill set. Open your mouth.”

  I place each of her hands on my hips, and then taking hold of my throbbing member, glide it past her lips and into her warm, awaiting mouth. Pulling back, her teeth graze my skin, and I take in a sharp breath.

  “Wrap your lips over your teeth,” I instruct her. Looking up through her eyelashes, her tongue slithers out of her mouth and across her upper lip before disappearing again, and her mouth sinks back down onto me.

  Edana lets out a low growl as I touch the back of her throat and begin to withdraw again, meeting the resistance of her suction as I do. I could go on forever like this; suspended in time and sheer bliss.

  “Fast learner, aren’t we?” I can feel the edges of her mouth curl into a smile as she continues to weave her magic on me, rolling her head up and down my length; her nails skating over the underside of my balls.

  “That’s enough for now.” I pop myself out of the full suction she’s giving and my cock bobs in midair, hanging in contempt of my betrayal. “You have done so well; I think it’s only fair that I reciprocate.” A sly smile expands from the corner of my mouth. “Let’s get out and get you flat on your back.”

  We move out of the tub and onto the bed area. Grabbing her shins, I press her legs up
toward her body and work my hands up over her knees and into the soft flesh of her inner thighs, spreading them gloriously wide. The flesh at the apex of her thighs is smooth and now bare, and I can clearly see the glistening of her arousal.

  Gently I begin nipping at her tender, pale skin leaving a trail of markings in my wake. “I love the scent of your skin, Edana. It’s completely intoxicating.” She quivers as my mouth breaths the words across her entrance. I run my nose up her length, breathing it in deeply and letting out a deep, visceral moan. Letting my mouth finally descend upon her, I open wide and let my tongue lash out as far as it will; dragging not just the tip, but the entire width up between her velvet lips, spreading them wide and letting her juices pool on it.

  “You taste as wonderful as you smell Edana.” My eyes are just barely breaking the horizon of her stomach, and she’s too lost in her own world to even know or care that I’m staring at the most mesmerizingly, beautiful creature I have ever met.

  I suck and nip at her swollen bud, causing her head to roll back and forth across the bed, her hands tightly gripping her breasts, pulling them upward as she begins arching her back. “Slow down Edana; we have plenty of time.” I allow her only a momentary reprieve before I slide two fingers into her sheathed canal and begin massaging it with long, curved strokes.

  “Oh fuck!” She calls out and quickly cups her mouth.

  I can’t help but laugh a little as I slow my motions, teasing her body, bringing her to the edge of oblivion and then backing off again. Feeling her tight little pussy clamping down on my fingers and then relaxing each time again as I slow is pure, erotic torture. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out before my need to be inside of her will win out; fortunately, I don’t have to wait to get an answer.

  Finally having enough of it, Edana presses up on her hands, and when her eyes open, those same primal-yellow eyes that I glimpsed on the edge of the river are staring at me. “Fuck. Me. Now. Faudron.”