Life Bonds

by Daniel Schinhofen

  A minute later, Myna’s hands grabbed his head and pressed him into her, grinding her hips into his tongue and face as she came. Sean lapped at her as best he could to extend her orgasm, and was rewarded with a sweet taste of her juices. Shuddering, she released his head and fell limp onto the bed. Sean didn’t stop, though. He began to lick at her more frantically, seeing if he could drive her over the edge a second time.

  Myna’s hips bucked hard as Sean continued to pleasure her. “Master…why…” Words failed her as a second, larger orgasm crashed over her in rapid succession, followed by a third as Sean continued his enjoyable task.

  Myna lay on the bed, a quivering mass, when Sean finally stopped. Sliding onto his shins between her legs, he took her moment of stupor to take her maidenhood from her. Squeaking, Myna’s eyes shot open to find him smiling down at her with love. “You…”

  “Yes,” Sean said slowly, pulling back before sliding a little more into her.

  That single motion made Myna’s eyes twitch as the pleasure she had felt before was starting to pale compared to what she was feeling now. Each time Sean sank a little more into her, Myna’s entire body would shiver, her hands clutching at the bedding.

  Taking his time, Sean fought back the temptation go fast and hard, keeping it slow and letting her tight tunnel accept him bit by bit. Focusing on Myna, Sean tried to push the thoughts of just how wonderful it felt to be inside her from his mind. This wasn’t for him, but for her, and he needed to make her first time as good as it could be. Sean wasn’t sure how long he worked at letting her get used to him, but he paused when he was finally fully buried in her.

  Letting out a shuddering breath, he watched Myna, who had her eyes screwed shut and mouth open as small moans and mewls came from her. Leaning down, he claimed her lips for a kiss. Heavy lidded eyes opened just a fraction in surprise, but as his tongue met hers, Myna let her eyes close again.

  A whimper escaped her during the kiss when Sean began to pull himself from her. A deep moan replaced it when he stopped an inch short of leaving her welcoming folds, and started sinking back into her all the way to the base again.

  Leaning back, Sean shifted Myna’s hips so he could get a better angle to repeat the process. “Is kitty enjoying herself?”

  “Yes,” Myna purred. “But you’re so big… how does Fiona manage this?” Myna mumbled, her hips rocking just as he was just about to pull back again.

  Chuckling, Sean started to slowly increase the rhythm by fractions. Time lost all meaning as he pleasured her. Eventually, Sean could feel his own impending orgasm starting to build. Letting his speed increase, Sean watched Myna’s face for any sign of discomfort or pain, but she only seemed to know pleasure as her hips started to meet his faster pace.

  “Not going to last much longer, my pretty kitty,” Sean grunted as he started to hammer into her.

  “Yes, please, give me everything,” Myna mumbled in a daze. Her legs wrapped around his waist and she reached up, dragging his head down for a kiss.

  Tongues dueling furiously, matching the frantic pace of their coupling, Sean slammed himself to the base as he began to empty himself into her. His orgasm pushed her over the edge, her tunnel clamping down on his engorged member and milking him of every drop.

  Holding himself above her as the kiss turned from frantic to sensual, his orgasm began to subside. Myna’s eyes fluttered open and they just stared at each other from an inch apart. Myna’s eyes were full of wonder and worship, and Sean’s full of love and understanding.

  He leaned back to ease himself out of her and Myna’s legs tightened around him. “Don’t go… not yet, please,” Myna begged softly.

  “I was going to lie next to you and hold you, Myna. I’m not leaving,” Sean told her.

  “Oh.” Myna released him.

  He settled down next to her on the bed, but before he could move to hold her, Myna was plastered to him. Sean smiled at her, stroking her hair gently. “After sex cuddles are something I enjoy too, Myna.”

  Sniffling, Myna nodded but said nothing. Sean kissed the top of her head. “Why is my pretty kitty crying?”

  “I’ve thought about today ever since the Bonding and was always afraid it wouldn’t come, even though I knew it would. I’m just so happy that you accepted me.”

  “I don’t even know why I was fighting it now, Myna,” Sean told her as he continued to brush at her hair. “I grew up with the idea that relationships are one man and one woman…” Sean sighed. “That was my old world, though. I’m setting that aside and I’m going to embrace this life with you and Fiona.”

  Myna kissed his chest and sniffled again. “Thank you, Master.”

  “We should get dressed and go find some food,” he told her, rubbing at the base of her ears. “I don’t know about you, but I worked up an appetite.”

  “Later… can I share this bed with you and Fiona?” Myna asked, her arm shaking a little, as if afraid of his reply. “I find I don’t want to be separated from you unless I have to be.”

  “I’m not opposed to it at all,” Sean said, “but Fiona might want some time of her own with me, too.”

  “I’ll talk to her during dinner, since you’re eating with Ryann in the common room,” Myna said, nuzzling his chest as he rubbed her ears. “I love the way you rub my ears.”

  “I’ve always had a soft spot for catgirls,” Sean said. “I kind of wish you had a tail, but I love your ears.”

  Myna sighed wistfully, “I’m suddenly sad not to have a tail, while up until now, I was happy to not have one.”

  “Silly kitty,” Sean chuckled. “Now come on, I need to use the privy and get some food in me.”

  “As you command, Master,” Myna said, releasing him slowly.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Fiona stood in the hall, a fragile smile on her lips as she looked from Sean to Myna and back. “Are you going to dinner now, Master?”

  Seeing her vulnerability, Sean reached out and pulled her to him. “Yes. You said you were fine…”

  “I’m just not sure if…” Fiona cut off, biting her lip.

  “I still love you as much as I did. I just love Myna, too,” Sean said. “I never would have believed it before I came to this world, but maybe James was right and someone can love more than one person.”

  Fiona relaxed some in his arms as he spoke. “I was afraid that maybe you would love her more than me.”

  “Idiot,” Sean said with love as he kissed the top of her head. “You two should chat while I’m gone. I’ll have your food sent…” He trailed off when he realized a teenaged girl stood at the top of the stairs with a tray in her hands.

  “I have meals for your Bonded, sir,” the girl said, giving him a shallow curtsy.

  Fiona slipped from his arms before Sean realized she was moving. “Thank you,” she smiled at the girl. Taking the offered tray, Fiona stepped back. “It was most kind of you.”

  The girl gave Fiona another curtsy, pausing to ask in a very soft voice, “Does he really love the animal?”

  Fiona gave the young girl a broad smile. “Do you not have a favorite pet that you dote on?”

  “Oh… I thought,” the girl went crimson. “I’m sorry…”

  “It’s fine. You must be careful of what you say, though. If our Master was not as kind as he is, and took offense at your words…”

  The girl swallowed, nodding as she backed away down the stairs. “I’ll be more careful.”

  When the girl had gone, Fiona walked back to Sean and Myna with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Myna.”

  Myna shook her head. “It’s fine. You were doing it to save Master’s honor, and I’ll endure much for that.”

  “Let’s talk over dinner, while Master has his downstairs,” Fiona said as she gestured at the door to their room.

  Myna opened it to reveal Ryann buckling on some throwing knives. “He’s ready, Ryann.”

  “I would hope so,” Ryann said. “I’m starving, myself.”

  Sean motio
ned her out of the room. “Then let’s fix that.” Giving the other two a warm smile, he continued, “Ladies, have a good meal.”

  “We will,” Fiona said as Myna followed her into the room, and the door shut behind them.

  “Lead on, Ryann,” Sean said, falling in line behind her.

  The common room was busy, but not packed. Ryann led him to one of the few open tables, putting them in the middle of the room. Sean took the seat facing the door, which got a frown from Ryann as she sat across from him.

  “I should be watching the door,” Ryann said.

  “I can see more than you can,” Sean said softly.

  “Ever since the Bond, I have been seeing odd things,” Ryann whispered so they wouldn’t be overheard.

  Sean didn’t follow up on the comment, but looked to the left where the barmaid was coming toward them with a tray of drinks, handing them off to patrons as she went. When she arrived at their table, she was wearing the false smile of customer service. “What can I get for you?”

  “Dinner and dark ale,” Sean said.

  “Dinner and wine,” Ryann said.

  “You have a choice tonight between Red-eye stew or Red-eye steaks,” the server said.

  “Steak,” both of them ordered.

  “Be right back,” the server said as she left the table.

  “What odd things?” Sean asked once the server was away from them.

  “Looking around the room, I can see small dots on people if I focus, and I know I could hit them at those points if I tried,” Ryann said softly. “Each one is either a killing or a crippling shot.”

  “You have the energy to really use your Talent,” Sean said with a grin. “Don’t overdo it, though. We don’t know how much energy it takes for those spots to show up, and you aren’t holding a lot right now.”

  “I’m not…” Ryann blinked as she stared at him. “I feel like I’m bursting.”

  Sean snickered, “You’re not able to hold more at the moment. According to Fiona and Myna, you’ll slowly be able to take more, but until you become accustomed to it, giving you more results in, uh, what happened the first time.”

  Ryann’s cheeks heated as she recalled what had happened to her. “Ahh, so too much can lead to…”

  “I didn’t know,” Sean said, looking away from her. “I wouldn’t have done that if I had.”

  Ryann’s brow furrowed before she nodded. “You truly are different, Sean.”

  Sean glanced to the left—the barmaid was coming back. Setting their drinks down, she gave Sean a wan smile. “The food will be out shortly. I didn’t know you were staying here.”

  “I didn’t say. My mistake,” Sean told her as he picked up the mug. “Thank you.”

  With a bob of her head, she was off to serve others. Ryann watched her go. “At least she’s just Bonded; lightly, at that.”

  “The band is thin,” Sean nodded. Taking a swig of the ale, Sean frowned at it. The flavors were okay, but didn’t mesh as well as what he had had in Oaklake. Looking up at Ryann, Sean continued, “How am I different, and is that bad?”

  Ryann blinked at him like he was dense and shook her head. She frowned as she tried to assemble the words needed. “No, it’s not a bad thing. You’re the opposite of any Holder I’ve known, though. You care want what’s best for your Bonded, not just for you… It’s flummoxing in a way. I can’t predict what you’re going to do.”

  Sean laughed, which brought all eyes to them before he managed to contain himself. “Sorry, sorry. That wasn’t at your expense,” Sean managed when he met Ryann’s scowl. “I don’t know what to say, really.” His eyes flickered to the people around them who were slowly going back to their own business. Lowering his voice, Sean grinned and said. “Look, I’m not going to lie—the fact that a woman finds me unpredictable is hilarious to me. I’ve always felt exactly that way about women.”

  “That is why you laughed?”

  “The only reason,” Sean told her seriously.

  “I see,” Ryann sipped at her wine. “I’m curious...do you think you’ll be able to expand my capacity much before the term of my service is over?”

  “Considering how much more the others can hold now, yeah.”

  Ryann looked around them briefly, chewing her lip. “If you did, I might be able to see them all the time.” Ryann’s words were barely even a mumble, but Sean still heard them.

  With a thought, he focused on Ryann and tried to do what she did. A number of small bullseyes showed up on her body, glowing the same way Mage Sight did for him. He passed the ability along to Fiona and Myna with a thought, his smile wide at the thought that Ryann had given them all access to such an overpowered ability.

  Sean spotted the barmaid coming toward them with two platters. “Here comes our food,” he said. He watched the woman make her way to them, noticing how the targets shifted and moved with her motion.

  “Here you are,” the barmaid said as she put the two plates before them. Each held a few ounces of meat, some soggy vegetables, and a chunk of bread. “Do you need a refill or anything else?”

  “We’re fine,” Sean said.

  “Enjoy,” the barmaid said, heading back to the bar.

  As she left, Sean realized that none of the patrons were accosting her in any way. He chalked it up to her not being Life Bonded. Turning back to his food, he pulled his knife free and cut up the meat on his plate. The food was decent, but nothing special. The vegetables were overcooked and mushy, and the steak had only been lightly seasoned. Sean thought it a shame; Misa had cooked a much better version of this meal, so he knew it could be tastier.

  When he’d finished with his meal, Ryann was looking wistfully at her empty plate. Raising his hand, he called the barmaid back over to them. “How much for another meal?”

  Ryann’s head snapped up from the empty plate to stare at him. The barmaid gave him a smile that widened at Ryann’s reaction. “It’s four copper for the stew, or seven for the steak.”

  Sean placed a large copper on the table. “A kettle of tea as well?”

  “Of course—we have green, black, or citrus,” the maid replied as she scooped up the coin.

  “Black will be fine,” Sean said.

  As the server walked away, Ryann leaned forward. “I didn’t ask for more food.”

  “No, you didn’t. But you want more, don’t you?” Sean asked.

  Ryann looked away from him. “It isn’t part of our deal.”

  “Remember that bit about me being odd? Chalk it up to that,” Sean chuckled.

  Ryann stared at him for a long moment before she looked away. “I can’t. The deal was that I get the same food as the others.”

  It took a minute, but Sean began to recall some of what he had been taught by Darragh. When the barmaid came back with the kettle, cup, and extra food, Sean ordered another set of meals and a kettle of green tea to be sent up to the room. Once he’d paid, he looked back at Ryann, who was staring at her plate.

  “There, now it’ll be in accordance with our deal,” Sean told her. “Dig in.”

  “Thank you,” Ryann mumbled as she cut her meat up.

  Sean let her eat in peace as he poured a cup of tea for himself. Looking around at the other patrons, he nodded to the few who met his eyes. No one seemed to be paying them extra attention, for which he was glad, considering what happened the last time he’d eaten dinner in a common room with a woman.

  He had finished his tea by the time Ryann sat back with a heartfelt sigh of happiness. “Content now?”

  Sitting upright quickly, Ryann looked around them before coughing into her fist. “Sorry.”

  Sean chuckled, “I need to hit the head, then we can go back upstairs.”

  “Very well,” Ryann said, getting to her feet.

  Sean went to the bar and paid for a small amphora of wine and four glasses to be delivered to his room, then took the hallway that led toward the stables and the common privy.

  Stepping out once he had finished, he noticed that R
yann was shifting in place and looked uncomfortable. “Did you need?”

  “I’ll deliver you upstairs first,” Ryann said stiffly.

  “Nope, get in there,” Sean said firmly, projecting a little of the dominance he was slowly finding into his tone.

  Ryann grimaced, but did as he said. When she came out, Sean started back toward the inn. “Thank you,” Ryann muttered. “I hadn’t thought I had to go that badly.”