Ruffled Feathers (Once Upon a Harem Book 5)

by Stephanie West

  Her males helped her up and readjusted her gown in the dark. Someone even found her slippers and placed them on her feet, before escorting her through the dark room.

  “Soon, songbird, soon.” Meir gave her a final kiss as he opened the door.

  Cygne took a longing glance at the five shadowy figures then stepped into the hall. She shook her head in disbelief at their sheer brazenness. The toy shifted inside her with every step toward the main hall. Cygne stopped to grip the wall, when a burst of pleasure made her double over.

  How am I going to sleep in that room with all the others like this? They’re evil. That’s what they are. Cygne couldn’t help but smile, even as she scowled at the rotten predicament they inflicted on her.

  “You’re one of the candidates, correct?”

  Her head popped up in surprise, hearing the guard. He looked at her strange, and Cygne realized her hair and feathers were probably a wild mess. She quickly attempted to tame them and brush her mane from her face, only to feel how warm her cheeks were, and the fine sheen of sweat on her brow.

  Oh, I’m so getting even with them.

  “I was at the clinic and got lost trying to find my way back to our quarters. This place is so big.” She exaggerated her distress, hoping the guard would think that explained her disheveled appearance.

  “It is. Don’t stress. Right this way.” He smiled kindly and led the way.

  Cygne tried not to look like a freak as she gingerly followed the guard with slow, measured steps. Suddenly she paused, but this time it wasn’t because of the toy wedged inside her.

  I should’ve told them about the poachers, Cygne groaned in frustration as it dawned on her that she’d missed her chance. She’d been so surprised to see her males, then overwhelmed by their affection, she hadn’t had sense enough to tell them about their cheating cousin.

  “Here we are,” the guard announced when they reached the door to the candidates’ quarters.

  “Cygne, is everything all right?” Anitra greeted her.

  “I’m fine. I got a little lost.” She cast her friend a wane smile. “I’m going to get ready for bed.”

  Cygne hustled to the dressing room. She was in the middle of changing when the toy impaling her surged to life. Her knees buckled as the vibrations hit her. She clenched the bench with one hand, while biting her fist to repress the moan attempting to break free. Cygne panted through the orgasm coursing through her. She sighed in relief when the infernal toy finally stopped pulsating. Thankfully, no one entered the room to see her kneeling on the floor, gripped in the throes of ecstasy.

  That’s how they’ll know if I take this out. They’re controlling the damn thing. She growled at her wicked males. Well they also have a hole I can shove an evil toy into.

  Cygne made her way to bed on trembling legs, relieved to find half the candidates were exhausted and already asleep. As she climbed beneath the covers, the damn toy burst to life again.

  No! Cygne bit her lip hard.

  Her fingers and toes curled as the vibrations seized her. The spasms made her stomach muscles clench, pulling her back off the bed. The only consolation was that the toy was quiet, even if her panting wasn’t. She managed to roll onto her stomach and shove her face into the cushion. Even after the phallus ceased gyrating, her inner muscles continued convulsing spasmodically.

  By the time Cygne fell into an exhausted sleep, her sheets were soaked with sweat among other things, and she’d invented all manner of ways to get even with her depraved broodmates.

  16

  Hunting Songbirds

  “Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Andersen

  * * *

  Cygne awoke with a groan. She stretched to work out the kinks in her muscles and was instantly reminded of the implement of erotic torment still buried in her body. Cygne lumbered out of bed and swiftly waddled to the washroom, then locked herself in the cubicle with the commode. She couldn’t rid herself of the toy fast enough.

  “Come on,” she cursed the salacious contraption.

  The half lodged in her cunny slid free without much effort, but the part in her ass was being stubborn. With a grunt and a push, she finally got it. Cygne peeked out of the cubicle, then hustled across the room and tossed the wicked double phallus down the garbage chute. She stripped off her sweaty sleeping gown and buried it beneath the other laundry, before climbing into the large bath with a luxurious sigh.

  “I’m going to do better today,” Tristis said with an imperious wave of her hand as she entered the washroom.

  “How can you say that? You don’t even know what we’re doing today,” Addolo replied with a roll of her eyes.

  Cygne ignored their banter, relieved she’d taken care of her business before the others arrived. She swiftly finished washing, changed into the stretchy pants and top that were laid out, then found Anitra in the lounge.

  “Come eat something, Cygne. The Matrons want everyone at the coliseum early.”

  “All right. Thanks.” Cygne sat in one of the plush seats and grabbed a steaming cup of tea off the tray on the table. “Are you going to have some?” She grabbed one of the puffy pastries.

  “No. I already ate but thank you. Hey, Cygne, I was up most of the night thinking about what happened yesterday,” Anitra whispered.

  So was I, she thought with a sideways smirk, then grew serious. It was just that kind of tawdry preoccupation that made her miss her chance to tell the broodmates what was going on.

  “With Calesse being one of the Matrons, I don’t know who’s on her side. If we say something to the wrong person, we could find ourselves in serious trouble,” Anita fretted.

  Cygne was about to reply when the other candidates wandered into the lounge. Anitra became preoccupied with serving and assisting them. Then they were off to the coliseum.

  Cygne followed her fellow candidates onto the playing field. The cheer that rose up from the crowd was startling. But she was more shocked hearing her name being chanted.

  “Your win yesterday earned you fans,” Anitra whispered as they mounted the central stage.

  Cygne shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t understand how such a trivial silly contest garnered their admiration, and yet it still felt nice.

  “Candidates, this morning will be a different sort of hunt,” the announcer bellowed from the head of the stage. “The Drakes will again be the hunters, but his time you will be the gamebirds.” Raucous laughter rose up from the crowd. Cygne smiled at the novel twist they’d added to the competition. “The team to find the most candidates will be the winner, but the candidate who remains hidden the longest will be the victor among the females.”

  “I sort of like the idea of being found,” Addolo giggled under her breath.

  “You’ll each hide in the preserve but go no farther than the stream. Each of you collect a wrist monitor. You’ll be able to tell your progress compared to the other candidates based on when the symbols change color. The monitor will also flash when time has run out, alerting you to come in. Happy hiding, and good luck.”

  “I don’t want to spend the morning mucking around in nature,” Tristis whined on their way out of the coliseum.

  “Well then give up, and just hide behind the first tree we come to. I don’t mind beating you at this.” Rosso smirked at Tristis. Their tightknit friendship had become increasingly contrary since the competition began.

  “I just don’t get the point of this,” another candidate added.

  “It’s to weed out the idiots.”

  “Who are you calling an idiot?” Tristis tersely countered.

  Cygne knew she needed to concentrate on the task at hand, but she was distracted as she headed toward the woods, though not by the snarky exchange among the candidates. She was proud of herself for subverting Velifico’s plan yesterday. It occurred to her that if Velifico attempted to cheat at one event, he would probably attempt the same with the others. But at this point t
here wasn’t much she could do about it.

  How could I have forgotten to mention Velifico was cheating? She wanted to kick herself for being so caught up in the moment that she failed to tell Kaede what his cousin had been plotting.

  Then again, she always had trouble thinking straight around her males. Cygne grinned as her thoughts drifted to their encounter in the storage room.

  They were happy to see me—ME. It seemed an impossible dream.

  Cygne’s nipples hardened reminiscing about their stolen kisses, and heated touches. Her cunny grew slick as a tremor of desire coursed through her. She was surprised by her body’s fervid response after being tormented half the night by their wicked toy. Unbelievably she hungered for more. Although next time she didn’t want some automated substitute.

  Cygne was so elated, she overflowed with glee. Her feet barely touched the ground as she flit between the trees. It was hard concentrating on the task at hand. The sun was shining so bright, its rays bursting through the canopy. She danced from one patch of sunlight to the next, soaking in their warmth. Cygne closed her eyes and took a deep breath, breathing in the fragrant scent of the wild flowers. The only thing that would make her walk through the woods better would be if her broodmates were by her side.

  I guess I better find my hiding spot, she sighed and focused on the landscape.

  If she was looking to just win this contest, she’d hide so no one could find her till time ran out. But she also wanted her males to succeed, so that meant she had to be the last one they discovered. Cygne glanced down at the monitor on her wrist. All the candidate’s lights were still green, since the broodmates hadn’t started hunting them yet.

  This is kind of fun.

  Her face twisted into an evil grin as she spied a copse of old, gnarly trees. She’d debated ways of getting even with her males, and now the opportunity presented itself.

  Although this will hardly make us even for their rotten stunt last night.

  Cygne reached up and plucked several feathers from her pinions, then tucked them into the cracks of a felled hollow log.

  Akiva’s going to scold me when he discovers this. Cygne grinned as she recalled her broodmates rebuking her for tugging at her quills.

  She stood back, admiring her trap with a nod. It looked just like her feathers got caught as she crawled into the downed log. Pleased by her handiwork, Cygne took flight and came to rest in the hollow crook of a knotty trunk. From the vantage point she could see anyone who discovered her ruse, yet still remain hidden from view. Now she just had to wait.

  The forest around her soon forgot she was there. The birds began their pleasant song again, and the furry creatures resumed scurrying about the leaf-littered ground. Cygne held her breath as one of the red tufted little beasties scampered up the trunk where she hid. She repressed a giggle when the furry climber skidded to a halt, then screeched with wide eyes as it came face to face with her.

  Nope, I’m not a nut, she silently countered when the beastie furiously chattered. It then bolted off with a disgruntled flick of its tail.

  One by one the lights changed on her wrist monitor. Her fellow candidates were terrible at this game. No doubt some of them gave up, just to get out of the woods. But Cygne didn’t mind taking in the sight of her new home. It was truly beautiful, different from Braccio, but beautiful.

  She stilled when the birds fled the nearby trees, and everything grew quiet, except for the sound of people trudging through the undergrowth.

  “Spread out and look around,” she heard Velifico say.

  Cygne slumped deeper into the cavity between the branching arms of the tree trunk and watched while the males fanned out.

  “I found something,” Hissen hollered as he looked at the log where she planted her feathers. “I told you we’d find the little bird over here.”

  Maybe that wasn’t my best idea, Cygne groaned. But she assumed her males would be the ones to find her.

  “That’s because you’re our best hunter,” Velifico replied.

  Cygne smirked at Velifico’s uncharacteristically cordial reply, which was accompanied by an odd gesture. She looked where he pointed and saw the image broadcaster mounted to his chest.

  Well that explains why he’s being so complimentary. The whole stadium is watching.

  “It’s not so hard when you know what clues to look for,” Hissen replied with a knowing nod.

  When you know what clues to look for? Ha! There’s no way.

  Her frown deepened. Besides those few feathers, she’d covered her tracks. Although she’d been worried yesterday, Hissen wasn’t the great tracker he claimed to be. She’d circled the broodmates several times, and not once had they picked up on her trail.

  “Come out, little bird. You’re the last one.” Osceno bent over and peered into the hollow log. “She’s not in here.” He stood up wearing a confounded expression.

  Cygne nearly laughed out loud. These weren’t the males she planned on tricking, but Osceno’s befuddled frown made it worth it.

  “What?!” Velifico stooped and looked into the trunk. “So where is the wily bird?”

  “Let me take a closer look.” Hissen stared pointedly at Velifico.

  “Let’s all look around. I bet she’s not far.” Velifico turned around and headed in the opposite direction of his broodmates.

  Instead of searching for her, the four males huddled together. Cygne couldn’t hear what Hissen said as he pointed to the data-pad on his wrist. Her eyes narrowed when he gestured directly at the tree she was hiding in.

  Cygne ducked lower into the crevice, before they saw her. She listened as their slow, quiet footsteps steadily approached.

  “Come out,” one of the males called.

  It was possible they saw her, but she didn’t think so. Cygne bit her lip as flapping wings sounded nearby.

  “Well, greetings,” Spicarre said as he hovered nearby.

  “Spicarre found Cygne hiding up in a tree,” Brutto called to Velifico.

  Velifico spun around as she emerged and leapt to the ground.

  “Aren’t you creative.” Velifico shrewdly considered her, then pulled the image broadcaster off his chest and peered into it. “We found the last candidate. I think that makes us the winning team this round. We’re heading back in.” He smiled into the device, attempting to look charming, then stuck the broadcaster into his pocket.

  They won? Oh no! Her brow furrowed. How is that possible? She looked at Hissen’s data-pad. They had to have cheated somehow.

  “Is the broadcaster off?” Osceno demanded.

  “It is.” Velifico nodded. “They cut transmission once we located her.”

  “Good.” Brutto sounded annoyed.

  “You did very well. With the way you performed yesterday and today, I’m certain the Matrons are going to choose you, and I couldn’t be happier,” Velifico said, as he approached Cygne. “I love how you like to play.” His gaze slid up her body.

  Cygne suddenly realized she was in a very bad position. She was alone, and no one was watching. The males surrounded her before she could take off toward the stadium.

  “I’m going to love taking you. You have such a nice tight little ass, pretty bird.” Hissen cupped her rear. She jumped and attempted to find a way out of the encroaching circle, except there was nowhere for her to go.

  Tynan is right. That’s an awful nickname.

  Velifico’s lascivious expression twisted into something truly frightening. He swiftly tugged her against his chest. His bruising hold was so tight, it felt like her ribs were going to crack. She recoiled feeling his erection press into her.

  “The Matrons have their silly tests, but we have one of our own.”

  Cygne cried out when one of the males tugged down her leggings. Velifico smashed his mouth against hers, and shoved his tongue into her mouth, making her gag.

  “Don’t move. This isn’t the blade I want to stab you with,” Spicarre rumbled.

  She froze when the cold steel grazed
her hip, as Spicarre cut the straps on her briefs and tore them off.

  “Torment, look at that little cunny,” Brutto groaned.

  “Stop,” she growled, a mix of anger and panic taking hold of her.

  Cygne clenched her thighs together, desperately resisting when they attempted to spread her legs. She no longer cared that they had a knife as she started thrashing.

  “Hold it. Someone’s coming.” Osceno held up his hand.

  The males released her to see who was approaching. Cygne pulled up her leggings and scrambled away. She was about to take flight, when her broodmates emerged from a patch of dense growth. Cygne flew toward them and barreled straight into Kaede’s chest, her arms clamoring to wrap around his neck.

  “Cygne, what is going on?” he husked in concern as he cradled her against his strong body.

  “Why are you here? We already won this round, and that bird is ours,” Velifico rumbled as he approached his cousin.

  Cygne held Kaede tighter, tremors wracking her body. She didn’t know all the rules of the game and feared Velifico would be the one to take her back to the coliseum, since he found her.

  “We saw half the wildlife fleeing the area, and wondered what was going on,” Severin answered. “But the question is, why is Cygne upset?” She never heard him sound so angry.

  “You know how females are. The candidate’s just angry someone found her. She tried to play a trick to throw us off.” Velifico pointed to the feathers by the log. “But we found her anyway.”

  Akiva tilted Cygne’s chin and looked at her face. His eyes grew savage.

  “Is that why she has marks on her face and arms,” he snarled.

  “Don’t get an attitude with me just because you lost. The candidate pitched a fit and refused to come in,” Velifico countered.

  “We don’t have time for spoiled female drama. There’s one more competition, and I’m ready to kick Tynan’s ass,” Spicarre huffed and flew away.

  “I couldn’t have said it better.” Velifico and the other three took off for the coliseum.