by L M Gregory
Almost. I could see it. I think.
I shifted. Saw everything. But nothing really showed through the fabric.
Was the gown magic? I didn't sense anything magical. For the first time in my life, I realized not everything magical required magic. Maybe I should have noticed that with the sex. Nothing approached sex in the fantastical sense. But sex was always something I'd expected to do. This... was not.
"When you're done admiring yourself, I'll help you with your makeup."
Makeup? I almost asked, but the servant seemed to think it was something I should know about. I mean, I knew about makeup in theory. I'd read about women applying it, but my master had always said true magical items were a more valuable use of our time. I nodded my assent, anyway, it seemed like something I should do. I guess. When I saw Anna next, I would deliver a stern lecture. This should be her!
But my pussy throbbed and ached. I didn’t want it to be her anymore.
The servant led me to a stand of drawers with a mirror on top. A chair waited for me.
What happened next disturbed me. The servant took brushes and oddly scented... powders and proceeded to apply them to my face. I'd seen similar powders, of course. Those were magical though. You didn't apply them to a face, unless medically necessary. I had no idea what these were for. Again, no hint of magical energy touched the strange powders.
And yet...
They went on my face and enhanced what was there.
"Hmm," the servant said. "Your face seems different."
I flushed but didn't respond. The servant could be suspicious, but what would she think? That I was a doppelganger of Anna? Hardly.
No. She'd be confused, but I doubted Anna's father wanted me sharing the family secrets with a servant. I'd ask later.
When the servant finished, a different person stared back from the mirror. Well, that wasn't quite true. I was still the person I had been since becoming a woman. A woman who looked a lot like Anna, but with my own features mixed in.
"If there's nothing else, miss, I'll leave you to your... pleasures." I noted a hint of disapproval in the servant's voice. But what could I do?
"We're engaged," I said. Hoping that would limit the servant's disapproval.
"Hmph," was all she said before bowing and leaving the room.
I sighed. I'd be leaving Anna with a reputation. Given that she'd abandoned me, maybe that was fair. Plus, how much worse could I make her reputation?
The door opened. It was time.
Baron Sidemore entered the room, he'd taken the time to change his clothes, shifting into a robe. He stopped just inside the bedroom. Stared.
A flush rose from my breasts, up my neck, and across my cheeks. Would the makeup hide it?
"Exquisite," he said in a breathless tone, still staring. "Absolutely exquisite."
I blushed more. What should I say? Thank you? It's not like I had anything to do with the way I looked beyond accidentally mixing the wrong hairs. Maybe that meant I did get credit. I looked away.
But my mind kept working. And coming back to one question. Why? The Baron knew my secret. Why did he still want to be with me? It didn't make sense. And I had to know.
I looked back at him, summoned the skills my master had taught me, the ability to deal with anyone from the poorest serf to the most powerful noble. "Why?" I asked in a soft but firm voice.
"Why?" he asked back.
"I think you know what I'm asking. Why are you here? Why am I here? You know who I am."
He smiled. "Exactly."
I frowned. What? What did that even mean?
Before I could ask, he continued. "Did you know there are no wizards in the nobility?" he asked.
"Yes. Isn't there a law forbidding the nobility from marrying a wizard? Which is something we should consider. Even if I look different, my power remains."
A grin grew across his face. "Yes, the law. It's very specific. No woman from the ranks of the nobility may marry a wizard." He paused, waiting for me to respond.
No woman... "Only men are wizards," I said. Coming to the obvious conclusion. When the law had been made, they hadn't considered that a woman might be a wizard. I still wasn't sure that I was a woman, but I felt like one. Did that extend to the ability to bear children? I wasn't sure. I took the necessary precautions just in case, but I hadn't taken the time to examine myself. The mysteries of the reproductive system were among the most difficult to use magic on. It would take time I just hadn't had yet to find out if I was fertile. Much easier to just assume I was until I knew one way or another.
"Okay. The doesn't specifically forbid us marrying, but I think you know as well as I do that the intent was to prevent a noble gaining magical power."
He nodded. "That was the intent, but there's a tradition that we follow the letter of the law. And the letter says only that we can't marry our daughters to wizards."
I frowned. "That still doesn't explain why you'd want to marry me. I assume you don't have a wizard in your employ," I said. Which was likely true. The village my master and I lived in was unique both for having a wizard in such a backwater community and for being within a Baron's lands. Most of the wizards were either in cities or on the lands of Dukes and Counts.
So, if Baron Sidemore didn't have a wizard, I could understand him wanting one. "You don't have to marry me. I'd agree to come work for you after my journey. I'd always intended to follow my master's lead in living small," I said.
"That's good of you. And I'd take you up on that offer if there wasn't a better one in the making. Tell me, isn't magic inherited?"
"To an extent. A wizard is likely to have a child who is a wizard—," I trailed off. Of course. "You want a son who is a wizard.
"Or daughter, I'm not one of the nobles who think power should be limited to men."
I swallowed. Could I do that? He wasn't just asking for my hand in marriage, he wanted my womb! Which I didn't even know if it worked. I sighed. "I should tell you; I have no idea if I can have children."
He shrugged. "If you'll agree to limit your attempts to conceive to me, I have no objections to trying. A lot," he added with a grin.
I flushed.
"And," he continued. "I am not so selfish as to limit your sexual encounters to just myself. I just need to be certain that any issue are mine. I assume you can do that?"
I nodded. "If I can have children at all, I can make certain who the father is." My mind spun. A wife and mother. That was going much further than I'd considered. Was I still John the Apprentice Wizard? Or was I Joan the Apprentice Wizard and soon to be Baroness?
That choice would make a woman. Is that what I wanted? Is that what I was? The body-swap had left me confused.
Very confused.
The Baron stepped closer to me. "Of course, for now, I'd just like practice."
Now that I could get behind.
Literally, as it would turn out.
I stood from my seat, which brought me to about the height of The Baron's neck. He stepped close to me, touched my cheek with the back of his hand. Then he leaned down to kiss me.
Soft.
Gentle.
It reminded me of my elven lover. How many lovers would I end up with?
Shivers ran through my body at his kiss. Pleasant, small, shudders. I leaned into his touch. Who knew just being touched on the cheek could be so reassuring? Could feel as if I was safe? And that safety somehow increased my arousal. My new body had so many enjoyable surprises to learn.
His kisses were soft across my lips. Around my lips. He rained little kisses onto my lips. I leaned my head back, eyes closed. A soft moan coming from me with each touch. Louder when his tongue flicked out to caress my lips.
The flame of embarrassment from earlier died away, to be replaced by the flames of desire. A much better feeling. So much better. I wanted this man. Was that my new lot in life? To want men. And women, if I was to be fair. Anna had been an enjoyable experience even before she gained her magical penis.
&
nbsp; The Baron's kisses intensified while his hand slid around to grasp my hair. A light tug pulled my head back further for his lips to descend upon my neck and throat.
"Baron," I whispered. I didn't even know his full name. Just his title. And I had agreed to make love to him. I wanted to make love to him. His name didn't matter. I'd learn it when I married him.
Married. Would I go that far? Could I? Wizards were embroiled in politics by our very power, but we were supposed to limit that contact. What would happen to me if I was a noble? How would that change things?
The thoughts whirled in my head but couldn't force down my growing arousal.
"Joan," the Baron moaned into my ear. Had I told him that name? I didn't recall. Did it matter?
Down my neck, he burned a trail of kisses as we slow-walked to the bed. When the back of my lets bumped into the frame, we stopped moving. Went back to kissing. More this time. Our tongues meeting in a dance of pleasure and joy. My hands started exploring his body. Even through the thick robe, I could feel the strength of his body. He may have a soft life, but somehow, he still had the hard body of a worker.
Some nobles maintained a warrior's life. Was Baron Sidemore one? Was that how he kept his body trim and firm?
The Baron nipped my lip, and I forgot about my questions. I pushed myself against him, the silk gown slid along my body and I shivered. Silk had to be the most wonderful substance to put on a body. The way it teased my skin. Awoke my desires. I didn't want to take it off. Ever.
Some long minutes later, the Baron tumbled me into the bed. His body crashing down on top of me. The soft feather bed took our weight, so it didn't hurt to have him on me. It felt wonderful.
His robe parted, showing a large expense of tanned skin from the top of his smooth chest down to his... cock. I swallowed. His cock pressed against me, big, firm. Exactly how I'd come to like them. Or maybe I just liked all cocks. No matter the size.
Was that it? Was I just a cock slut?
The Baron's hands explored my body, even as I slipped mine beneath his robes to wrap my arms him. My fingers stroked his powerful back, tracing the muscles while his hands found my breasts. Hard, powerful hands, pressing on silk to caress the skin of my breasts.
My back arched in response, and I cried out, "Gods!"
The deep neckline of the gown allowed The Baron free access to my skin. To my flesh. To my breasts. He took advantage of it. Teasing and caressing. My nipples grew with each touch, even as he deftly avoided them directly. I shifted, trying to catch him, dug my fingers into his back to hold him in place. He ignored me. Teasing. That seemed to be his game.
It was one I was ready to play.
His lips traced the path of the edge of my nightgown. Following the swelling of my bosom, into my cleavage. "Yes," I whispered while tightening my grip on him. He left little trails of wetness behind with kisses, slowly building my pleasure into a burning furnace that needed to be extinguished.
"I love this gown," he whispered, moving back to my ear.
"Baron," I groaned. I wanted him on my breasts, but the flow of his breath into my ear felt divine. He could stay there. Maybe I needed more than one Baron. I flushed; I'd had that too. With the orcs. With Anna and Tom. Was there nothing I wouldn't do?
"But it has to come off," he whispered. His hand tightened on the front of the gown, while his other hand dipped underneath my back to lift me upward. Sitting, I lifted my arms as The Baron pulled the gown off me. Someone else had dressed me and now another person undressed me.
"Exquisite," he said while looking at my naked body.
I think I would have flushed, but my body already felt covered with the blushes of pleasure. There was no heat left to rise. Without thought, I took the tie of his robe and undid it, helping him out of the garment until we were both naked. I drank in the sight of his body. Older, but still in amazing shape. Not Tom's overly muscled body, but a lean, muscled man. How did he do it?
His strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me to him and downward. Our lips met, but this time our naked bodies touched, enhancing the experience even more. I could feel his cock pressed between my legs, ready to enter the warmth and wetness of my pussy.
But the Baron had other ideas.
Kisses.
He repeated his earlier steps. On naked flesh. Across my neck, while his hands danced across my soft skin. Mine followed, across his back, my nails lightly raking his skin until he moaned.
He buried his face in my cleavage. My hands moved to his head, holding him to me. This time he didn't avoid my nipples. He took them.
Licked.
Teased.
Kissed.
Sucked.
Until my back arched, pressing into him.
I wanted him in me.
"Take me!" I demanded.
He ignored me. That seemed rude, but I couldn't complain much as he continued kissing my breasts.
I'm not sure what finally drove him onward, but he finally started kissing downward. My breath caught. What was he doing? Lips traced patterns down my soft stomach. Down. Ever down.
Into the curls between my legs. Anna had touched there. As had others.
But the Baron went further.
His tongue dove into the slickness that waited. I squealed. Nothing prepared me for that feeling. Nothing. His tongue lightly moved over the center of my pleasure. Delight which built like a fire having wood added to it. I burned in need of the flare.
But his slow exploration of my groin kept me burning. Kept me growing in lust.
Until I couldn't take another moment. I cried out. My body froze. Tightened. Hovered on that last sweet moment before release. A flick of his tongue sent me over the edge. I screamed this time. I couldn't take it. My body wracked with shudders. Wonderful, powerful shudders of sweet release. So perfect.
When he finally let me down, I could barely breathe.
And still, I wanted more. Which he offered.
"Roll over," he said in a voice used to command.
I didn't argue.
His hands took my hips, guided me upward until I was on my hands and knees. The Baron positioned himself behind me. His cock pressed between my legs, into the waiting opening. Slowly, he took me. Filled me. Stretched me.
When he started fucking me, his hands guided our speed. My movements met his thrusts. It built me back up.
Quickly.
No waiting. Just pleasure exploding this time.
And we exploded together.
My back arched as I thrust against him. Powerful forward plunges into the depths of my pussy. His cock swelled in me. Grew. Then exploded in a throbbing that had him groaning loudly. I flung my head back and cried out.
"Baron!" I screamed. Wracked by another orgasm. One that left me weak.
I collapsed, and he fell onto my back. Our slick skins sliding along each other.
His lips sought out my ear. "Don't think we are done, my wizardess."
All I could do was moan my agreement.
Chapter 12: Oh, You've Got to be Kidding
Hours later, I laid with my head on his shoulder.
"I regret our delay," he said while stroking my hair.
"Delay?"
"We should have been here yesterday but had to backtrack and take another route."
"The road was out?" I asked, cuddling into him. Neither of us was ready for another round. At least I suspected he wasn't. My pussy ached with fulfilled need. Rest would be nice. Then back at it. Yes. That was best.
"Not exactly," he said. "A troll has taken up residence along the forest road. Just under a day's travel from here."
I stiffened. Some of the wizards whose works I'd read believed that magic had a roll in our lives. That while we used magic, the ambient magic directed us as well. The mundane called it fate. The truly great wizards could learn to manipulate this magic. Or at least ride with it to the result they wanted.
I needed a troll. Well, his semen. But I had had no idea where to find one. Then along comes a
Baron who desires me. Me. Even knowing who and what I was, he desired me. It might be that he wanted my womb, or at least that my womb is what attracted him to begin with. But after the night we spent together, I knew he lusted after me. My mind. We'd talked about various things. My training. My abilities. Philosophy. So many things. My body. He obviously wanted that.
Was he what I wanted?
Maybe.
Needed?
Maybe.
I couldn't decide. I'd only been a woman for a few days. I wasn't even sure I was a woman. Could I bear a child for a man? If I thought deep down inside, was I a man?
It was a question I couldn't answer.
Yet.
But back to my thoughts. To make the decision, I needed to have the ability to make the decision. If I stayed a woman, trapped, then I would never know the answer. Only by having the required ingredients to make the potion, to return to a man, could I decide if I would. Could I decide if I was a man? Or a woman. Maybe decide wasn't even the question. Somehow, I knew the answer already existed. No. It wasn't a decision. It was a discovery. I could choose the form I wore. But who I was, that had already been decided? I just needed to discover it.
Or maybe the philosophical question was too deep.
I shook my head and snuggled tighter against the Baron. My lover. My possible future husband. Who had just casually dropped the clue for the almost last thing I needed to cast the spell, to return to my original body.
Just down the road.
In the forest.
"Don't trolls usually take up residence at rivers and streams?"
The Baron sighed. "Usually. This one, I suspect, is in his first few years as an adult. I don't think he knew he was supposed to be building his own bridge. So, he built a wall instead."