by D. R. Rosier
When she was asked to dance for the first time, she even found herself having fun. It wasn’t all wonderful of course, politics could be cruel. But she ignored the few members of her peers that snickered down their sleeves at her. They obviously judged her for her relationship with Mina, but she didn’t even let that bother her. She had Mina’s love, her father’s respect, and was trusted with critical responsibilities for the security of Nysten. The foolish gossips were nothing, and she found herself more pitying and amused at their antics, and what they felt was important.
At the end of the night when she retired to her suite with Mina, well that was the best part…
Chapter Eighteen
Carlton felt nervous. He’d thought for a long time after Liren had left. He knew the woman well, he’d helped train her after all, and helped her get over her fears of starting a new life filled with magic. She wasn’t a promiscuous woman at all, and as he thought back he noticed clues about her feelings that he’d missed. She was perfect for him, and though he hadn’t kissed her yet, he knew she’d be a very compatible partner with him.
For all that she wanted him to chase her and claim her, he also knew any relationship they had outside the bedroom and their private lives would be one of equals. If he chose to go through with this. He was more than tempted, he was both intrigued and hopeful. She was formidable, strong, but also kind.
No, he wasn’t worried at all she wouldn’t fit with him and his life, he was nervous about the reverse. He’d never shown her anything but the strong persona of high cleric, did she really love him, or some semblance of him?
He felt ridiculous and looked back and forth down the hallway. He’d been staring at her door for several minutes now, undecided if he wanted to take this step, but deep down knowing he wanted it far more than he admitted to himself, even now. It wasn’t just their compatibility either, her robes were tailored to show some hints of the curvy petite body that they hid, and he very much wanted to see what lay underneath them.
He shook his head, this was ridiculous, what was he waiting for?
He opened the door, and stepped inside. He shut and locked the door, set a privacy spell, and then turned toward the bed.
Liren smiled at him, her head, shoulders, and the tops of her breasts were visible and were rounded and quite pert, the rest of her was covered by the blanket. Still, he was positive from what he could see, that she was naked under the blanket. He twitched down below and hardened slightly.
“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it. Goddess, I love the way you’re looking at me right now,” she said in a soft voice.
“How is that,” he asked as he stepped forward.
She smiled, “Like a parched man dying of thirst would look at a fresh water spring in a desert. I feel beautiful and wanted when you look at me like that.”
He asked, “Just one question, are you sure about this, do you really know me the man, under the robes of authority?”
She grinned in disbelief, as if his question had been stupid, “I know everything I need to know. Other teachers lacked your patience, compassion, and understanding, they were far brusquer and more easily frustrated at any lack of progress. It’s not possible to fake that kind of thing for long, and in seven years I’ve never seen you frustrated once, or snap at a student in anger. Your strength is your belief and serenity in the goddess Boduna. It isn’t just the rank and title, it’s who you are. You know, the best way to judge a man, is how he treats his subordinates and not his equals. I know exactly who you are Carlton, I’ve known the core of you for seven years. If you treat the initiates with care, how could I doubt you’d treat a partner, and a woman you cared for equally as well, if not better?”
He sounded pretty damned good from her perspective, and tried not to let it go to his head as he ripped his robes off. A man could only take so much, and he was more than ready to claim her. But he would do so lovingly and gently. At least, for their first time he would. There would be time for wild passion as well, maybe even later that very night. He supposed his current thoughts, entirely proved her point. Even now under the spell of her beauty and while drowning in lust, he would show that patience and make sure she enjoyed it.
He was breathing faster, his cock was at full mast, and he couldn’t wait to explore every inch of her tight curvy supple body as he walked toward the bed.
Liren’s eyes echoed his own need, as she took in his body, her eyes lingered briefly on his manhood, and he felt a surge of satisfaction at her slightly widened eyes. He wondered for a moment if this was moving too fast, but they did know each other well enough. It was like intimacy was just the last part introduced to their relationship, they’d already been dancing around each other for quite a while, even if he hadn’t known she reciprocated his feelings until earlier.
Liren released her hold on the blanket, which slowly slid down her smooth skin to her stomach, and his eyes feasted on her pert full breasts. They were slightly more than a handful, and were perfectly proportioned to her petite sexy form. Unabashedly, he pulled down the blanket the rest of the way, taking in her flat stomach, the curves of her waist, and the sexy flare of her hips.
She looked vulnerable in that moment, but when she saw the growing lust in his eyes her confidence rushed back. He sat slowly on the bed, and caressed her leg, and up onto her stomach with his fingertips. Her hand found his leg as well, and caressed him. He shivered at the pleasure of just her simple touch on his leg, and he let the tension build up between them as they stared into each other’s eyes for just a few more seconds.
Then he leaned down and claimed a kiss, their first kiss. It was soft and tentative at first, but he felt her nipples pebble against his chest as their kiss deepened. She was young, beautiful, and somehow his, and her scent raised his libido and need of her even further. Her fair skin was silky smooth to the touch, and her light pink nipples and areolas were mouthwatering. Her body was supple and in very good shape as he slowly explored her body, savoring every moment of this new and mind blowing intimacy. They took their time, and explored each other’s bodies, both for now, ignoring their primary erogenous zones.
She sighed and arched her back as he finally found her center with questing fingertips, and traced the folds of her silken and moist labia.
She said softly with need in her voice, “Please,” as she wrapped her small hand gently around his girth, and stroked him once.
He wanted to explore her with his lips, taste the essence of her, and tease and please her breasts with his lips. Kiss her everywhere, but that exploration would have to wait. He felt her need and urgency, and more than shared it as he gently separated her legs with a touch, and kneeled between them.
He was shocked at the emotions on her face, and the tear in her eye. The intensity of her emotions was almost tangible, and he wondered how he was worthy of such a gift. He could only hope to live up to her expectations, for she was surely exceeding all of his. It was all happening too fast, but he couldn’t deny how he felt as his sensitive tip touched the heaven of her velvety softness, and he slid almost easily into her incredibly tight body, as he claimed the liquid silken lubrication her body provided.
It had been too long, and this moment too intense from the feel of her body, and her tightness, the intense look of lust, adoration, and surrender in her eyes. He almost exploded right there as the delicious warm tight friction enveloped and welcomed him into her body. He stilled for a long moment, and nipped at her lips before claiming a long passionate kiss.
Her back arched, and her core convulsed and squeezed him, which didn’t help him keep his control, but he managed to hold himself back as she caressed his chest and wrapped her legs around him. Her lips were soft, and the breathy little moans and gasps into his mouth as she got used to his invasion caused him to twitch inside of her.
He’d never had a more intensely intimate experience in his life, and their night was just getting started. He ground up into her as she pushed her pelvis up against him.
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“Carlton,” she whispered his name like a prayer.
He started to stroke in and out slowly, afraid if he went faster the delicious bliss of liquid friction would cause him to lose it in seconds. Hindsight was a bitch, maybe he should have stroked one out earlier first. He smiled at the ridiculous thought, and looked down into her eyes.
It was all too intense for him to kiss her anymore, as the pleasure of their joined bodies overwhelmed his senses and he simply lacked the coordination. All that existed for him was their joined bodies, her gorgeously expressive eyes which locked with his, and the scent of her arousal as his pleasure rose higher and higher.
He couldn’t hold on much longer, and it was almost with relief when he felt her tremble beneath him, and she gasped out a silent scream of ecstasy as her core convulsed wildly around him, milking him for his essence. He managed a few more thrusts into her rapturous body, and then as he was overcome he released his controls and gave into it fully.
“Liren, I’m…” his warning was only half delivered as his mind and body were overcome, and he heard her gasp as he stretched her out even further, expanded, as he started to pulse and fill her. The moment seemed to be an eternity in bliss, that lasted far too short.
He gasped and started breathing again as he started to come down. Liren looked up at him with amazement and an intimate vulnerability that tugged at his heart. He slowly pulled out, and rolled off of her to the side before gathering her petite, warm, and silky smooth body against his.
He said, “You know your mine now right.”
She kissed his arm which wrapped around her from behind, and her voice was sultry and satisfied, “Oh yes, and you are mine Carlton.”
He smiled and kissed the back of her head, “I can live with that.”
She wiggled her body, and pushed her ass against his middle. He was a little surprised that he actually responded, he figured round two was still a few minutes off at the least. Apparently not. Their first night together would be long, and filled with the pleasures, excitement, and discoveries of new lovers…
The next few weeks for Carlton were both the best in his life, and the most frustrating. He and Liren were very rarely found apart, going so far as to simply move her stuff into his room the next night, and Selwyn, Diana, and Cory quickly welcomed her to their strategy and leadership sessions. Liren didn’t speak very often, but she was always there supporting him. In fact, outside of the upcoming betrayal in battle by his church, he’d never been happier in his life.
It was frustrating, because of that upcoming betrayal and his guilt at failing to prevent it. He knew it wasn’t his fault the king wouldn’t listen to him, and that the duke was constrained from listening due to the king’s orders for his immediate execution if found. If it wasn’t for the fact it would be the peasants that would suffer the most when converted forcefully, he might have just washed his hands of it. But he was having trouble standing by and waiting for the fall out.
Both his gods, and the worshippers in Nysten were in danger. The former from losing the power the latter granted them. Still, it was hard not to be happy every time he looked at Liren. It was all so fast, but if it was up to him he’d never let her go. Her support, love, and the way she treated him was everything he’d ever wanted, and hadn’t known he’d wanted, from a woman.
Still, he was also at a breaking point. The five of them were discussing plans, Cory was still talking about how the defenses were done, and the enemy was expected at any time. Even the duke and king were camped out on the other end of the valley with a detachment of mages, warriors, and several high-level clerics and paladins from Verin.
He just blurted it out, “I don’t think I can just hide here when it all goes down.”
Diana raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you the one constantly saying we can’t do anything?”
He nodded, “And I’m right, but there has to be something. Maybe I just need to witness it, and see for myself our numbers are too small to do anything. What if were the feather that can push it back?”
Selwyn grunted, “What did you have in mind?”
He said, “How about the eastern ridge, we can spy on the battle from there, and see how it goes. The fortifications are strong, and I don’t believe that Jennesar can win without the betrayal. Even with the betrayal, if the mages and warriors act fast enough…”
Cory shook his head, “There will be at least a hundred clerics and paladins, and that doesn’t include whatever comes with the king. I don’t think there will even be half as many mages and warriors, and the regular soldiers will die by the dozens, even if they could overwhelm with numbers once they realize their betrayed, it will all but decimate them.”
He nodded, “I know the arguments Cory, I made them. Regardless, I’d like to be there, at the very least the eight of us that are clerics can heal the wounded after the battle if by some miracle Jennesar loses. So can the more advanced paladins.”
Paladins couldn’t actually cast a healing spell, but they were experts at manipulating and using their larger life force gained through their light affinity, and could channel some of that to another, which would stabilize and even speed up the healing of those who were otherwise mortally wounded.
Diana said, “Worse case, we know the outcome right away, and can make plans based on how many of the Jennesar invasion continues into Nysten.”
He said, “Exactly, and I doubt Verin will send very many with the king, most likely no more are coming than the few already there in supposed support of the king. Only enough to betray him and kill him quickly with surprise on the battlefield. He’ll need the rest of his people so the simultaneous insurrection back at the crown city is successful, to take out and replace all the city and royal guards, and any mages left at the mage school who try and interfere. I have no doubt that during the battle here, Verin will put himself on the throne up there in crown city.”
He looked around at all four of them, and all of them were with him. It was probably a futile gesture to do what he’d requested, and possibly dangerous and more than a little foolishly reckless for them if they’re seen on the ridge, but his conscience wouldn’t allow him to do anything less…
Chapter Nineteen
I supposed it was time. Events had conspired against me, and unless I wanted Jennesar to win this round of things, and put my dungeon and crystal in danger, I’d need to assist in the battle.
I wouldn’t expose myself if I didn’t have to though, but that was going to be difficult. If the betrayal we feared were to actual happen, then they needed to be taken out very quickly and selectively. I couldn’t do that if I was posing as a powerful but still simple master mage.
As I created my avatar, I considered having access to all six elemental spheres would be a rather large giveaway as well. I settled on three which was far rarer than two affinities, but not entirely unheard of. Especially for those that won a boon from a higher power, and were raised up past the human limitation of master level five, which was my chosen disguise. My body would be able to channel light, fire, and earth. I decided against dark for the obvious reason, it would further solidify my backstory. How could I be a dark dungeon if I couldn’t wield dark magic?
My life force in the body would be a small amount of my dark essence, but I could simply channel any dark magic it generated back to the dungeon.
My avatar’s body would be only slightly more powerful than Lila’s angelic body, but the difference was it would be connected to my crystal, and essentially be a simple extension of myself. Which meant besides the larger than normal pool of life force and magic I could wield with it, I’d also be able to draw light, earth, or fire magic from the elemental stone.
I chose earth magic because it would explain the plan I intended to use in the battle if necessary, and I chose fire because it was the most destructive. So, I’d have the most protective element in light, most constructive element in earth, and damaging element in fire. The only downside was I had to create a new teleport spe
ll based on light magic. Dark magic teleporting was based on twisting reality, specifically folding space. Light magic I had to work within the laws of nature, so it was more of a magical tunnel through space, which meant it used a glowing portal instead of just popping out, I’d have to actually step through it like moving from one room to another through a doorway.
As for my body, I couldn’t help but go with Lila’s ultimate fantasy design, my memory was perfect and I had no trouble building the body from our first shared dream when I’d fucked up that first time. I knew it was cheating, but I wanted the first time we coupled together in the real world to be everything she ever wanted, and the body felt like mine since she’d continued to use that one inside of the sex spell dreams we shared. I knew her body was a dream for me, but then I’d designed that one.
I knew the body would stand out a bit, if I wasn’t wearing red mage robes that blurred my ripped muscle appearance. I created the robes in a similar fashion to Lila’s armor, highly enchanted with protective magic of all six spheres of magic, giving it protection against all the elements. I also created an enchanted staff, which would help account for my strategy when or if the betrayal occurred.
If my plan to hide the truth didn’t work, I’d have no choice but to hope I made as many allies as enemies when word got out. It was a risk, but not as big a risk as allowing Jennesar to triumph in battle and annex Nysten.
While creating the avatar body, and the new items and spell, I also moved a portion of my will and essence through the small imperfection, it took some time to get even a small percentage out of the prison, one that would be able to act as a level five master mage of three affinities. I also made sure it was enough to cast at least two spells at once, and have a strong awareness around me.
Once my avatar left my dungeon, all the area around it within the reach of my aura would become a sub-dungeon of a sort. Although I didn’t plan to ever use it unless things got desperate, outside of the three affinities my avatar would have my ability of creation. That capability was intrinsic to my existence, and I couldn’t limit it. It wasn’t dependent on the body I was in like the affinities, it was spiritual in nature.