Perilous Love

by J A Essen

  I climb around the gear and spread my cape out in front of Edana. As I lie down to create a protective barrier in front of her, she scoots her body in against mine and wraps an arm over me. “About time, my hero.”

  “You should be long asleep by now.” I roll over and face her, brushing her hair back out of her face. “What gives?”

  “I was asleep, but when the flames died down, it startled me a little. I wasn’t sure what was happening until I saw you poking around and moving the embers here and there.”

  “Sorry. Tomorrow we are going to have to go in search of civilization. We need better gear and traveling materials, both raw and prepared food stores, and I need to know if word has traveled as to my misdeeds yet. We have a hard choice ahead of us, and knowing the answer to that question will make a lot of difference. Close your eyes and rest now. I’m not going anywhere else tonight.”

  With that said she rolls over and shuffles her ass back into me, grinding into my crotch. “Not happening,” I respond. I can feel her body give way and know she is pouting. I put my arm over the top of her and pull her in close and we drift off to sleep. Looks like we will see the light of tomorrow after all.

  Chapter 17

  Edana

  “What do you mean Mother?”

  “There are going to be some very difficult times in your near future, Edana, but stay the course. A grim truth is going to take you to a dark place, but alas, there is always a light to see you through. Keep close to your mate and your world will one day shine like the Great After…”

  These dream-speaks are becoming more and more of a nightmare.

  Wearily, I open my eyes to the breaking dawn and a beam of light shining, curiously, directly on my heart where Faudron’s hand is resting. At least I have this good-looking man to wake to, I muse as I stroke the backs of my fingers up his arm and back down again.

  His fingers flex open wide and then his hand slides over just slightly as he grabs a hold of my breast through my top and nuzzles down into my neck. I can feel his impressive length growing against my thigh, but I cannot tell if he’s awake or not. The warm breath on my neckline and his firm grip on my breast have begun stirrings of my own. There is a slight groan, deep and reverberating, to his breathing on each exhale; this is not helping the matter either.

  Since my left arm is in between our bodies, I reach down and into his trousers, gripping his thick erection as low as I can, and start sliding my hand up and down its length. This gets a definite response but luckily doesn’t wake him. He rolls off of me, giving me more freedom to do with his gorgeous body as I please.

  Dressed only in his trousers, I’m able to marvel at the hard muscles of his chest and abdomen. The short, coarse hair covering them is so different than what I’m used to. Changing out hands carefully I can continue stroking his cock as I settle onto my knees, resting the weight of my body on my left hand as I lean into Faudron’s body and run my face across his chest and down his stomach.

  The hair tickles my cheek and nose, and it’s a glorious sensation. I pause momentarily as he stirs and positions his arms; one over the top of his head and the other splayed out to the side. Still good; time to see how far I can take this.

  I lick my lips and then run my tongue down the center of his grouping of abdominal muscles, all the way down to where I have worked the top of his erection out of his trousers. Taking the remarkable head into my mouth, I roll my tongue around and across the underside, eliciting a definite groan of pleasure. Cautiously, I undo the lacing and pull the material back exposing more of him that I then take deeper into my starving mouth, causing my own bundle of nerves between my legs to begin to hum.

  I’m losing myself in the moment when a pair of hands suddenly appears and pushes the trousers completely out of the way and then I feel one of them on the back of my head, spurring me forward. My arousal has my body tingling from head to toe, and I don’t hesitate one beat, taking his cock into the back of my throat and then some until my lips are placed on his groin. Without warning, warmth is gushing down my throat, squirt after squirt as he releases his pleasure into me.

  “Oh my god, Edana, I didn’t mean to come so quickly.”

  Releasing his still trembling manhood from my mouth, I smile up at him as I wipe a drop from the corner of my mouth. “Good morning to you too,” I purr. “Glad to know I can have such an effect on you.”

  His eyes quickly go from sated to lustful as he commands me, “Come here.”

  I move up his body, legs straddling each side of his chest, and my wet, pulsing center planted directly on him since all I have on is my sleep gown. He grabs the bottom of the hem and pulls it slowly, leaning me further in towards him as he does. My nipples are tingling, nearly to the point of pain as they come into contact with his skin sending a shiver down my spine. He frees the garment from my body and wraps his strong arms around me, pulling my body flush against his, our lips melding into one another’s.

  His tongue lightly parts my lips, but that is the end of his gentleness. Greedily, he explores my mouth and tongue with his, running his rough hands up my ears, putting me on pins and needles. I pull back to gain my breath and am caught by the dark pools of lust and desire in his eyes. Grabbing me by my hips, he lifts and slides me up to his face and places my knees on either side of his head, sliding his tongue in between my slick folds as he does so.

  I fist both hands into his hair as FUCK rolls off my lips without warning, and my hips begin to buck on his mouth, grinding to find what they need so badly. I feel him slide his thumb inside of me from behind as his tongue darts at my swollen, tender clit, his other hand rolling my right nipple in between his fingers and pulling just enough. I feel my world start to crumble beneath when suddenly; I lose all contact with him.

  “Why did you…” is all I can get out before he has me flipped off the top of him and pinned, facing down toward the ground. He positions himself over me, and I can feel him pressing my legs together with his. Grabbing my hips, he pulls me up just barely off the ground, and I can feel the cool air whispering across my dripping wet pussy; but not for long. There is a feeling of connection, of becoming one as he slowly slides his entire length into my greedy, awaiting core.

  “Edana, you feel amazing. I don’t know why, but something feels different this time. Something I can’t explain.”

  “I feel it too, Faudron,” I mumble as I roll my head backward, taking in the sensations of him both in me and on me.

  We begin to move in unison, me towards him as he thrusts and back again as he pulls away. It’s not rough at all this time, but sensual, comforting. His hands are all over me, exploring my back, shoulders, and neck. I feel his heat begin to radiate all across my backside as he pulls me up to him and wraps his arms around me, cupping both my breasts and continuing to slide in and out of me. Faudron’s right hand slithers down my stomach, and his fingers push just through the top of my lips, flicking at my clit furiously, working me into a frenzy.

  The cataclysm within me is reaching a boiling point, and I can’t hold on much longer. I reach behind me and grab his ass, burying my nails into it and growling, “Do it now, Faudron. Take me over the precipice with you.”

  Pushing me back forward onto all fours, our sensual pace turns into an animalistic lust. He takes my hair and wraps it around his fist twice, pulls back and slams into me.

  “Yes, Faudron; yes! Harder. Fuck me harder.” I turn my head and look back over my shoulder and keep eye contact with him as he grunts and grinds his teeth together, slapping my ass with his now freed hand.

  “Come with me, Edana; for me.”

  My body goes rigid at his gruff command and explosions begin firing off between my legs, my walls clamping down on Faudron, gripping him tightly.

  “Yes, Edana, I’m coming.”

  Unlike before, he doesn’t pull out but continues plunging into me, extending both our pleasure until finally he’s spent and collapses on the floor, pulling me in against him.

  “Th
at was…”

  “…magical,” I finish the sentence for him.

  *****

  Once Faudron finally convinced me to get up, we got him ready and packed up a change of clothes for myself before I shifted, and we headed in search of civilization. We went south, and it only took about an hour to leave the forest behind us. As we emerged from its shadows, we could see the glinting of glass windows on the horizon. That was around two hours ago, and we are now finally on the outskirts. I have let Faudron down, and he’s walking me towards a large structure where it should be safe to shift back without being seen.

  It appears to be a rundown barn and abandoned so this will do perfectly.

  Athraigh!

  Faudron hands me the bag, and I retrieve my fitted tunic and matching leggings, change into them, and let my hair fall over my ears, concealing my biggest giveaway.

  “Quamdiu est,” I cast as I wave my hand over my head, changing my hair to auburn. “There that should do.”

  “Not bad. It kind of suits you actually.” Faudron smiles and winks at me.

  “So, now what?”

  “Supplies. We need to stock up on bread, dried meat, spices, and clean water. I need more arrows and basics such as rope and netting, and most importantly, information. Stay close to me, if word of my betrayal of King Nathair has traveled, we will know soon enough.”

  I nod my head as we leave the safety of cover. Hand in hand, we head into town; two weary travelers looking for trade.

  Leaning into him I ask, “And how do you plan on bartering for these goods?”

  “Hmm, well,” he looks me over and notices the locket hanging around my neck.

  “Not a chance, champ. It’s the last thing I have of my mother’s.” I grasp it tightly and swallow hard. Then, I reach into the bag and remove a small, tied pouch and hand it to him. “Guess It’s a good thing I came prepared.”

  He opens it, and there are multiple diamonds and rubies along with two handfuls of gold coins. With both eyebrows raised, “Yeah, I guess it is.” We both chuckle.

  Just as I have my entire life, the first thing I smell when we walk into town is freshly baked bread. It’s my weakness, and I follow my nose to the baker’s shop. “Let’s start here,” I whisper in my handsome champion’s ear as I pull him down to me.

  “Good day, sir.” Faudron extends his hand to the baker just inside the threshold. “We are traveling through from,” he pauses only momentarily, “Vykthar and are low on supplies. My wife smelled your delicious wares as soon as we passed through the outer perimeter and drug me to your doorstep. We would like to purchase four loaves if you please.” He places two small gold coins on the counter, and the shopkeeper’s eyes light up.

  “Absolutely, sir! Your wife has a great nose. You won’t find a better baker around these parts.” He begins wrapping the loaves individually in cheesecloth and hands them to us. “Anything else I can help you two with?”

  “Well, we need…” Faudron and the baker talk back and forth as I watch the town’s people going here and there, busying themselves with daily life. This is what I want. Simplicity.

  After several minutes, I hear the pouch rattle again and see the baker walking through the door with two other gentlemen, each with sacks of goods in their hands.

  “Thank you, gentleman. I believe these are for you and you.” He hands them each several coins, and they are extremely grateful. “Darling, I think we have just about all we need from here. Franklin, the baker, has pointed us in the right direction for our rope and netting. Let’s head across town.”

  We thank him again, then leave the shop and start walking down the pathway and around the curve, heading toward our destination. Suddenly we both hear, “You there. Halt.” Faudron looks down at me and whispers, “Be ready to run.”

  As we turn, the man is nearly at us, and he says, “I thought that was you. Faudron. You’re the one King Nathair wants. Going to be a nice bounty for you.”

  He attempts to grab Faudron but is slow and slightly inebriated. Faudron catches him with a hard punch to the nose and sends him stumbling backward. The man grabs his nose and then yells, “That’s the traitor Faudron. Someone grab him. He’s worth a hundred Krillig.”

  “One hundred. That’s all?!” Faudron spits on the ground and then grabs me by the wrist. “Looks like our welcome is worn out. Time to run.”

  We sprint away from the center of town and dart this way and that, avoiding people as much as possible until we are clear of the town proper and into the fields. Hopping into several rows of corn, I remove my tunic and bottoms as quickly as possible and hand them to Faudron. He packs them and the rest of our goods into more compact form as I shift. Throwing a leg up and over, he mounts up onto my back, and we burst forth from the cover of the green stalks of corn, leaves flying as I propel us back toward the forest on the horizon.

  There doesn’t seem to be anyone following us Faudron explains, but I’m not letting up on speed. There is no sense in chancing it.

  It’s early evening as we once again enter the shadows of the forest and make our way to our makeshift dwelling for the time.

  I’m lightheaded as I shimmer back to form and collapse on the ground.

  “Are you alright, Edana?” Faudron is by my side quickly, letting all of our goods clatter to the ground.

  “I’ll be alright. I just over did it. I need water.” He scrambles over to our collection of acquired goods and brings one of the pouches of water back. “Thank you.”

  Once I have quenched my thirst and drained half the pouch, I stand again, and the dizziness has passed. “So how about a fire? There is quite a chill in the air.”

  “Sure thing. Solas.” He waves his hand and the embers spring to life. He begins adding small kindling and then two large logs. It isn’t long before the smaller twigs do their job and the fire has grown large enough to provide sufficient heat for our shelter.

  “So you think we are in the clear?”

  “I kept checking our back and never saw any signs of chase. It’s curious, but I will take it as a sign of good fortune.” Faudron is removing his tunic, clearly not as cold as I’m. “Still, I think it best if we leave at first light and head north. I would like to put several days between them and us.”

  “Yes, I think that would be a wise precaution. Do you have any idea of a goal for settling at this point? I mean I know nothing of this world, and adventures are wonderful, but I would like not always to be running.”

  “Northeast of here, about two weeks’ ride is a land I have never been to. There are stories I have heard of a kingdom ten times that of Nathair’s built into and on a mountain, overlooking the sea. That is where I would like to live out my, err, I mean OUR days together.”

  “Sounds wonderful. Now, how about some dinner?”

  We dine on bread and rabbit that Faudron acquired back in the village. It’s wonderful and very filling. The straight through run from the village in fear has worn me out.

  “I’m exhausted. Will you lay down with me?”

  “Of course, Edana. The sooner we sleep, the sooner morning will come, and we can head north to our new lives.”

  We both lay towards the fire. My back is near the inside portion of the shelter and Faudron is in front of me protectively. I curl in along his body, and it only takes moments before I’m sound asleep.

  Chapter 18

  Faudron

  Well, this is not how I wanted my morning to start. As I open my eyes, there are at least a dozen elves staring down at us. I reach back and shake Edana.

  “Wh, what is it Faudron? OH…” She pulls in a gasp of air as she sits up and sees what I see.

  She wraps her arms around me tightly, and I feel her trembling as she buries her face into my shoulder.

  “By order of King Brennus, you are both to be returned to Robor where you will be judged and punished accordingly.” One of the elves speaks.

  “That is Eoghan, the one I had a feeling was following us through the Coille,” E
dana whispers in my ear.

  Two of the guards begin to advance on our position after the order is pronounced and I stand to my feet quickly, wielding my sword as I do so.

  “We are the king’s personal guard. Do you really think you have a chance against the ten of us?” Several of the guards begin to laugh. “Why don’t we do this the easy way and you just cooperate. No one needs to get hurt. Yet.”

  They begin to advance slowly as a group.

  “You know; I never did like the easy way. SOLAS STRìOCH!” I wave my hand in a wide arc in front of me and a fire barrier leaps from the earth between us and the elves.

  I grab our things in haste and turn to Edana as I see her rotating her hands, and hear her speak, “Spionnadh,” and press both hands forward and out from her body. The rear portion of our enclosure explodes outward in a splintering of wood, and we hurry up the embankment.

  “Circle around the back, don’t let them get away.” I hear one of the guards announcing as Edana shifts to her giant elk form, and I grab hold. We start heading north, but quickly discover that the woods are becoming too dense to traverse in this form, so Edana drops her shift, and we attempt to evade on foot. I can hear the elves closing in on us, obviously in animal form and traveling fast on all fours.

  “We don’t stand a chance, Faudron.” Edana is out of breath and beginning to slow.

  I turn us to the east and wonder just how far it is to the perimeter of the forest. Could we make it in time?

  Realizing we are no match for the pace they can travel at, or more aptly I’m no match, I slow our advance and come to a stop at a fallen tree near a stream. “What do you want to do, Edana? I’m no match for their speed, but you could still outrun them if you shift small and without me to carry.”

  Her eyes go wide when she understands what I’m implying. “Absolutely not! I won’t leave without you. If they take one, they take us both,” and with that she sits down on the log, waiting for what is only a minute or two behind us.