by Tamryn Tamer
Lyra took it as a challenge and since then the elf had been doing everything that she could to test the man’s resolve, which was admittedly impressive.
“It’s very difficult,” he laughed nervously while returning to his stand to clean up the crumbs. “I must admit that I may have underestimated her but pretty soon I’ll have earned enough reputation points to purchase my own home.”
“Lyra and Callie said that we didn’t need a new home,” his daughter said while swinging from her father’s arm. “They said we could stay as long as we wanted!”
“Yeah, they did,” Elion chuckled while patting his daughter’s head. “Anyway, thank you very much for your purchase.”
“Thank you,” the harpies said, their faces dyed with fruit as they rushed to the wagons like excited tourists. The ones that couldn’t fit inside latched onto the edges or hovered above them but they clearly decided to remain closer to the ground.
“It was very good, yes,” the priestess said while bowing her head politely at Elion.
They continued on through the market while looking at other stands filled with things ranging from baubles to colorful lingerie. The harpies talked and pointed excitedly at the luxurious items in the windows of the shops, their heads moving in unison whenever one of them pointed something out.
As they reached the central part of the village, they grew even more excited as both the temple and the academy came into view, along with the large residential districts. They had seen everything from a distance but up close it was an entirely different experience.
The northern residential district was where demihumans with special requirements lived. Slimes, for instance, preferred more moisture and large basements to keep themselves hydrated but also needed to be kept away from water sources like rivers. Centaurs needed homes that were similar to barns and stables with large amounts of land to run around. Harpies also required specially built houses that allowed them to enter and leave without using doors while still providing adequate shelter from the elements. Then there was Yama, an Oni that was part giant that required a massive dwelling with exceptional soundproofing. The unique designs of the homes made them difficult to organize which was why they had their own section.
The southern district was more organized with homes and yards of more uniform designs, although colors were a completely different matter. The demihumans’ love of bright colors and beautiful patterns was showcased on every exterior wall and rooftop. It was a homeowner association’s nightmare. Those vibrant homes were primarily inhabited by Elves, Myrran, Florenne, Gorgons, and other demihumans that preferred living in standard dwellings.
The east side of the village consisted of several large stables in the southeast section and the recently completed academy in the northeast section.
“It’s amazing,” several harpies said as they pointed at the academy.
“That is the academy, yes?” Ka asked while staring at the massive structure.
“Yes,” Frost smiled. “That’s the academy.”
The academy was easily the nicest building in his village. At the center of the academy was a garden square and within that square was a large stone keep. The keep had five floors above ground and another three below ground that connected to the Arachne tunnel system beneath the village.
The rest of the academy was built around that central garden area. The academy itself was a large three-story building surrounding the keep and central garden square and several large halls were built off of the massive building. From there, several other halls were built perpendicular to the those and Frost imagined if the academy grew much more the entirety of the structure would eventually resemble a spider’s web from above. As for the architecture itself, it was extremely sophisticated and reminded Frost of the old cathedrals in his own world except without the gargoyles, although he wasn’t opposed to them.
It was easily the safest building in the village and in the event of an emergency the villagers knew to head to the academy. Its large stone walls would offer ample protection and in a worst-case scenario they could evacuate to the central tower and escape through the Arachne tunnel system.
“Where do you live?” Ka asked while looking around for a similar building.
“Right there,” Frost said while gesturing at the temple. It was an impressive building but compared to the academy it wasn’t very striking.
The temple was located on the northern side of the central village square where all the village roads merged. The square itself was surrounded by gardens. There were several small houses on the southern end that were original to the village.
The temple itself had recently finished renovations to accommodate all of Lysandra’s new converts. Initially, it was mostly cursed followers of Shalia that sought refuge in the village. But, after rumors spread about how the Herald of Shalia treated demihumans with kindness, demihumans that were mistreated by followers Ziralia or Riliandra decided that Shalia was a superior goddess to follow, even if she was considered cursed.
When Lysandra did her weekly sermons, the temple was completely packed. Although Frost struggled to call them sermons. They were basically big motivational speeches telling the villagers that they were special and loved. Occasionally she would pepper in things about being kind to others and the importance of loving themselves and in one particularly strange sermon she spent a good twenty minutes on sex education as her congregation eagerly took notes. But it was always overflowing with followers.
The building was similarly packed pretty much every morning, afternoon, and evening since it also served as a general gathering place for villagers, complete with a kitchen, bar, and dining area. It was also where new arrivals came to get interviewed, documented, and licensed.
If that wasn’t enough, the temple was also home to Frost, Lysandra, Brynn, Desdemona, Ena, Fayeth, and Renna. It was ultimately too crowded and they were forced to renovate.
The recent upgrades massively increased the size of the first floor. The dining area was expanded along with the bar. An enormous basement was also dug out and cemented to allow for better food and wine storage beneath the dining area. The offices were then moved off to the side of the building so people no longer had to go through the temple itself to arrive and the second floor was completely rebuilt.
The room sizes were all increased and multiple additional rooms were added for guests. Basically, it was starting to look less like a tavern and more like a cross between a temple, city hall, and a high-end hotel.
“What about that house?” La asked while pointing at a cluster of trees just off of the village square with a large house built on the top. “Who lives there?”
“That’s where Lishri lives,” Frost said while pointing at the webbed ropes that connected the house’s platform to various other treetop platforms. There was also one that connected to the temple balcony so Lishri could easily visit Lysandra’s room if she wanted. “She’s one of my partners but she’s more comfortable in her web. Actually, I’m more comfortable in her web too. It’s really relaxing…”
“You sleep in her web?” Fi gasped.
“So scandalous,” La said while covering her mouth with her wings.
“Isn’t that dangerous?” Sha asked timidly. “To go into a predator’s web.”
“Arachne,” Ka corrected smugly. “And I’m sure it’s fine since she’s Herald Frost’s partner, yes.”
“Yes,” Frost agreed while patting the harpy’s head approvingly. “You’ll all want to become very good friends with Lishri. She’s the best tailor in the village and makes all of my clothing as well as clothing for my wives. Every tailor in the village wants to apprentice under either her or Mira since Mira was her first apprentice.”
“Ahhh,” several women said simultaneously while staring at the house with great interest.
“It really is a beautiful village my love, yes,” Ka nodded as she glanced at the villagers wandering by them. “And everybody seems really happy. I think we will be very happy her
e, yes.”
“I certainly hope so,” Frost said. “But first we’re going to have to check you all in.”
CHAPTER 10
Frost wondered if they should set up some nice tents for harpies while they figured out proper living situations.
“Frost!” Lysandra shouted excitedly as she came rushing out of the temple. The beautiful ivory-haired elf ran toward him with Desdemona quickly following behind.
Frost jumped off Witch just in time to catch Lysandra as she wrapped her arms around him. The stunning elf buried her face in his neck as he reflexively ran his hands down her silky white robe until he reached her perfect ass, playfully squeezing it as he lifted her. The violet-eyed elf immediately wrapped her legs around him and pressed her soft lips against his neck. Her lips quickly moved up to his cheeks, and finally found his lips. The taste of fruit was still fresh on her tongue as she slid it inside of his mouth as she ran her fingers through his hair.
“So lewd!” Vee said.
“V-very lewd,” Sha whispered.
“Do you think that’s one of his partners?” La asked as several other harpies looked on curiously.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Lysandra said, grinding her hips against him as if nobody else was there. “You’ve been gone for so long.”
“I’ve missed you too,” Frost said between kisses as the ravenous elf squeezed him with her legs. “Even though I was gone for less than a week.”
“A week seems like forever,” Lysandra moaned in his ear. “I’m aching to feel you inside of me. I want you to take me right now…”
“I’ve missed you as well,” Desdemona said, waiting patiently as she stared at the display. She smiled bashfully, showing him her fanged smile. The ruby-eyed demoness was clearly waiting for them to finish so she could embrace him herself. “My love.”
“Predator…” Ka whispered timidly while staring at Desdemona.
Desdemona’s outfit looked like something out of a demonic hospital. The crimson-haired demoness was wearing a low-cut red dress with a mid-length skirt which successfully showed off both her large pale breasts and her long elegant legs. A black doctor’s coat with pencils and small notebooks stuffed in the pockets completed the look.
“Lysandra,” Frost chuckled as the elf rolled her hips against him. “It’s unfair to Desdemona for you to hog me like this. Also, we have some new arrivals that need to be checked in if you haven’t noticed. Is Brynn napping?”
“Oh,” Lysandra sighed as if she just remembered something. She paused briefly as if contemplating whether to tell him. “I suppose I should tell you. Lady Brynn rode to Filan to greet your new wife.”
“New wife?” Ka asked. The white-feathered priestess flapped her wings, lifting herself off of Witch. She landed a few feet from Frost and her four colorful handmaidens immediately landed behind her. The golden-eyed harpy glared judgmentally at him. “You told me that I was to be your next partner, yes.”
“Excuse me? Partner?” Lysandra said while staring at the harpy. “Herald Frost, who is this and what exactly happened on your trip?”
“Based on your affectionate greeting I imagine you are one of Herald Frost’s current partners, yes,” Ka said smugly. The harpy grinned victoriously as she looked at Lysandra and curtseyed. “I am Ka, The Sun Chaser, The Moon Hunter, The Storm Racer, and High Priestess of the Goddess Twi. I am the fiancée and future partner of Herald Frost. It is a pleasure to meet you, yes.”
“Dammit,” Frost groaned.
“A pleasure,” Lysandra said while forcing a smile. “I’m Lysandra, High Priestess of Shalia, Herald Frost’s wife, and you likely noticed I’m carrying his child.”
“I did not notice that! Congratulations, yes!” Ka said as she raised one of her wings to her mouth and stared at the barely visible bump of Lysandra’s stomach. “I must say that is amazing…especially for your age, yes!”
“Ah,” Frost winced and looked away from the scene.
“I think I love her,” Renna said from the wagons as she watched everything unfold.
“For my age?” Lysandra said while clenching her teeth. “How old do you think I am?
“I wouldn’t dare to guess,” Ka said as she glanced at her grinning handmaidens. “It would be very rude. I apologize profusely if I have offended you. I should be much more respectful of my elders, especially one as elder as you, yes.”
“It keeps getting better,” Renna chuckled from a safe distance.
“You little…” Lysandra growled.
“Ka,” Frost walked up next to Lysandra and wrapped his arm around the aggravated elf. He leaned down and kissed Lysandra’s forehead as he stroked her hair. “I love Lysandra very much and her age isn’t the least bit important to me. She doesn’t look a day over twenty-five to me.”
“That is younger than me!” Ka objected. “I am thirty-two and she is easily over a hundred years old!”
“I am not over a hundred years old!” Lysandra snapped back.
“You have lots of wrinkles and your skin and hair lacks its glow, yes!” Ka argued. “I am much younger, yes!”
“The priestess is very young!” Vee said.
“She’s not that young,” Sha said. “She’s ten years older than I am.”
“And she’s older than me,” La said.
“But you’ve had far more partners than her,” Fi said while smirking at La. “Easy woman.”
“You are a very old woman, yes,” Ka said while glaring at Lysandra.
“We’re going to be the best of friends,” Renna whispered excitedly, barely able to contain her glee.
“Quit it,” Frost said sternly as he tightened his grip on Lysandra, just in case the elf decided to take a swing. “Lysandra is absolutely beautiful. She is absolutely radiant and nobody makes me smile as much as her.”
“My love,” Lysandra looked up at him and smiled. He suddenly felt one of her hands down the back of his pants squeezing his ass.
“Herald Frost’s is not making any judgments about anybody’s age,” Desdemona said as she approached the group of harpies. “To humans, and most demihumans for that matter, the signs of an elf’s age aren’t noticeable. The same could be said for harpies if I recall.”
“Predator,” Sha whispered while snuggling up next to Fi for protection.
“I’m Desdemona, another of Herald Frost’s wives,” The red-eyed demoness bowed politely and smiled at the harpies, showcasing her fangs. “Nice to meet you.”
“N-nice to m-meet you too,” Ka trembled as she forced a curtsey. Her handmaidens quickly did the same while simultaneously quivering.
“There’s no reason to be so nervous,” Frost said while placing his hand beneath Desdemona’s chin. He gently turned her toward him and leaned down to kiss her. The beautiful demoness slid her tongue into his mouth while he did the same to hers, careful to avoid her sharp teeth. He pulled away and turned toward the harpies. “See, completely safe.”
“With a predator,” Sha whispered while peeking out from behind Fi’s wing.
“Your partner is truly bold to lay with so many predators,” Vee said while nudging the priestess.
“And truly a deviant,” La added playfully. “Although we know plenty about that.”
“He is certainly a deviant,” Lysandra agreed while squeezing his arm possessively. “Are you sure you wish to partner with such a man? You know he also has other wives. He has an Arachne wife and a human…”
“I am aware, yes,” Ka interrupted proudly. “I am also aware that my partner does not abandon his partners. Even if they are very wicked, yes.”
“Speaking of Brynn,” Frost turned to Lysandra. “You said that she was meeting with Olivia in Filan?”
“Right,” Lysandra moaned. “Lord Moray arrived at the border with your new wife and there was a bit of a disagreement about how to proceed. In the end they decided to make camp on Zira’s side of the border and await your arrival.”
“Sounds like a trap,” Frost said while thinking over the
situation.
“Lady Brynn seemed to think it was fine,” Desdemona said. “She was very confident that Lord Moray himself was taking every precaution to ensure that Olivia was handed off safely. The way Brynn explained it, House Moray frowns on killing family members for personal gain and said that he’s likely paranoid that one of the other branch families of House Moray would assassinate Olivia since doing so would harm his position. Even if he were found to be innocent of killing his sister, he’d still be the man that couldn’t protect his household.”
“I really dislike the nobility,” Frost sighed while thinking about their scheming. He understood why assassinating Olivia would benefit the branch families. Lord Moray’s deal with Herald Law earned him a position on the grand council and Frost’s marriage to Olivia could be seen as giving Lord Moray an inside track on an alliance with Frost. It made sense that other members of House Moray might look for ways to allay his sudden increase in power. “I suppose I should meet up with Brynn.”
“Absolutely not,” Lysandra whined while latching onto his arm. “You’ve been gone far too long and I’ve hardly had a chance to see you. You aren’t making enough time for me.”
“Ahem,” Desdemona gripped his arm tightly and used her free hand to reach into her satchel. The demoness pulled out an Ayoyou and smiled as she placed it in Frost’s hand. “I want to use a date night Ayoyou.”
“Des,” Frost sighed.
“That’s no fair,” Lysandra moaned. “You have so many Ayoyous and I don’t have any left!”
“The Ayoyou is for both of us,” Desdemona said cheerfully. “I want us both to have a fun date night.”
“Really?” Lysandra said, beaming at the pale-skinned demoness. She squeezed Frost’s arm and looked up at him, her violet eyes shimmering. “Could making Brynn wait just one more day really hurt? Nobody actually knew you’d be back today…’