The Coming Dawn Trilogy

by Austen Knowles

  Ky watched him slide it on. The thin roots wrapped around her finger. The flower opened slightly, and the opal glittered brilliantly. “This is really romantic.” Ky threw her arms around him to kiss him, completely smitten. Then she remained in his arms as she asked, “So...what is that?” She pointed to the fur ball with the finger adorned with her new ring.

  “It’s a flurry. I wanted you to have a pet again and I thought you would like it. I got a white one like Huntra. They’re not totally useless, either. They can fend for themselves; you won’t have to feed it. Best of all, flurries are devoted. Once it finds a master that is good to it, the flurry will never leave. The saying goes, follow you around like a flurry. This will be as loyal as I am.”

  “Is that why you’re holding it by the ears?” Ky grinned. She held back a chuckle as he once again claimed to dislike pets, when she knew he was fond of Huntra. Ky bit her smile, knowing his threats were empty. “You don’t want it to like you?” Ky teased.

  “Yes, I don’t want it. The rodent is for you. I’ll be annoyed within an hour, so I’ll ignore it and treat it like food.”

  Ky snickered as he held it at arm’s length. “Cobaaron this is tremendously romantic and your gifts were insightful and thoughtful. Thank you!”

  Before reaching for it, she quizzed him to make certain it wouldn’t bite or do anything unpleasant. When Cobaaron said flurries were fat and lazy, she happily cuddled the fluff ball.

  The moment she petted it, two big green eyes popped opened. She continued to ruffle its fur and long ears, as Cobaaron suggested. The animal cooed like a dove and its chest puffed out. Cobaaron leaned toward her and kissed her to say, “Happy birthday.” He grinned, and then added, “I’ll be right back. I left our dinner up top.”

  He returned with a long platter-like piece of bark, holding an array of fruit and vegetables. She recognized the sandraberries, but nothing else. He carried a cleaned fish with spices stuffed in its mouth. She was grateful he cooked; she would have burned dinner. She picked at the fruits and vegetables and watched her flurry swipe sandraberries and stuff them in its cheeks like a hamster.

  “You’re not joking. He’s a scavenger and a pig,” Ky said when the flurry made a glutton of itself with berries. Its stomach was bulging when it decided to sleep off the extra calories while resting on Ky’s lap. With a miserable attempt, the flurry scratched her dress with stubby paws, trying to heave its rotund body up, until Ky took pity and gave him a boost. “He’s no Huntra, who truly could take care of himself, but he’s absolutely adorable.” She rested her head on Cobaaron’s shoulder, and sighed with contentment. “I can’t tell you enough how much I love your gifts, and you. In case you doubt, I love this world and being here with you. I’ve never been happier.”

  “I’m glad you like your pet.” Cobaaron kissed her, and then ate ceedlings, a coffee-flavored nut with a hint of kumquat. After he handed her a few he said, “That young one followed me, hoping to kill me when I least expected it. Right when you think they’re smart for avoiding being killed they do something stupid.” Cobaaron shook his head. “I think we saw the last of them. In the morning we can clear the grass, and find a mongrule for traveling.”

  The thought of jouncing to their destination for hours made her stomach churn. “Will that animal jostle me a lot? I’m becoming sensitive to vigorous movement, unless its sex with you.” She grinned; the simple mention of making love stirred Cobaaron. After two hundred years of abstinence, and taking care of his own needs, he was always in the mood. She would have let him rub more than her back, but they glanced at her lap when a loud snore erupted. Her flurry was snoring as loudly as an adult male. Ky was surprised something so small could make that much noise.

  Cobaaron griped, “Great! I captured the only flurry that snores. At least creatures will think that a large animal growls to protect its lair and shouldn’t be disturbed. But if I can’t hear anything approach, it must sleep outside.”

  Ky rolled the pudgy thing onto its side, and the snoring stopped. “It’s something we did to my dad when he fell asleep in the recliner—I mean chair.”

  Ky absentmindedly caressed its ear. Eventually Cobaaron lay down, and coaxed Ky to lay over him. She placed her flurry on Cobaaron’s shoulder and then gazed into his eyes as she lazily petted her flurry. She was still wearing a grin and a soft expression.

  “So how are you?”

  “Never better,” he replied.

  With Cobaaron under her, Ky shifted her sleeping flurry to the floor. The little thing didn’t budge when placed on warm rock close to the burning ceramic.

  Ky sat up, and unbuckled Cobaaron’s belt. “What are you doing?” Cobaaron gripped her hand.

  “It’s my birthday. I think you have another gift for me.” Ky tugged.

  “I want to, but the slightest high-pitched noise will bring giants. I can’t touch you in this territory. You’re very vocal, and you underestimate the appeal of your scent.”

  “I can be silent if needed.” Ky released the scale skirt’s belt, and let the coverings fall away.

  Ky hoisted up her dress, sure he wanted her naked, but he stopped her. “Don’t undress. This is already a risk, but if a giant saw you nude, it would be wild and unpredictable. Stay clothed. You’re enough to look at as it is.”

  “Can I do it?”

  “What?”

  “Everything. I want to touch you this time.”

  “That would be backward. It’s your birthday. I should be pleasing you.” He ran his hands along her ribs, but then recanted, “Yes.”

  “Put your hands above your head. I don’t want you tempted.”

  “Are you dominating me, Ky?” He smiled, and then locked his fingers together. She certainly hadn’t meant it as demand. This was Cobaaron. There was no mastering him, and she was certain of it, at least until he said, “I will enjoy this. I can lay my burdens at your feet, and, for a moment, take great pleasure in feeling the pull of your instruction with absolute freedom. I have no troubles, and no thoughts beyond how wonderful you feel. Right now I’m not a chief or future king who declares war; I’m only a man under the heel of a divinely beautiful goddess, and with humility, I’m yours to command.”

  She was speechless, and swept her eyes over him as she marveled at his eloquence and willingness to give himself to her. She was hopelessly in love and though unsure how to dominate, she would try. “Well, then, stay where you are.”

  With the first kiss along his jaw, she felt the thrilling experience of exploring his body with her tongue. She could touch him as she willed. She pressed the wet tip along his neck, licking south. She crossed to the sensitive skin along his inner arm, and nibbled a muscle. She was delighted with the pleasure of taking him. Being in command of her actions and his was empowering, and he never felt more like hers. He belonged to her; she owned him; his body was hers.

  She traveled to his core with slow caresses. Ky kissed the curve of his pecs, amazed how much larger they felt between her lips. For a moment she drew her tongue over his nipple to test his response. She smiled against his skin when he heavily exhaled. She kissed his abs, and softly bit each defined mound. Her tongue traced his oblique, and she took her time kissing and sucking his muscle while following the direction to his sex.

  She gently bit the crease of his leg, and with her mouth, she made her way to his shaft. She took him in hand and nibbled her way up his length. With parted lips, she kissed his end, tasting him. She sheathed him with her mouth as she gently sucked with a slow, downward stroke. His girth felt fuller with her eyes closed. She savored every moment, not knowing when he would let her sample him again. With great fulfillment, she expressed her cherished devotion. His throbbing erection was irresistibly arousing, and she couldn’t linger any longer as her burning desire went unsatisfied. If it weren’t for his groans and the ache between her thighs, she would have greedily sucked until he peaked. But her longing to feel him inside compelled her to crawl to his arms.

  “I’m addicted
to your sweet lips,” Cobaaron breathed huskily.

  “I would be bitterly disappointed if you didn’t allow me to do this again.” On second thought she added, “You will let me do this again.” He didn’t contradict her. Thus empowered, she bravely whispered sensually of the many things she wished to do. While engrossed in her words, she shifted to sit on his stiffness. The passion of her erotic utterances only heightened the feeling of his rigid shaft against her core. Slick strokes rubbed her clitoris as she rocked his length. He breathed loudly, as if his focused rhythm kept him from giving into his need to release. Ky trembled, wishing she could cry out. Instead, she shared her fantasies.

  When he confessed that he couldn’t take much more of her seduction she slipped him inside with ease. His depth provoked them, and she paused as they caught their breath.

  “Love, you’re too good at this,” he pleaded, begging for some rest, but she wasn’t willing. After numerous nights of his tantalizing lovemaking, Ky wanted him overwhelmed with pleasure from her efforts, and immediately stroked him as she undulated. She made way for him, pressing him deep. He immediately tightened his body, keeping his hips high, for deep penetration until he was snugly against her cervix. With each amorous roll she pressed him firmly against her, causing her to quake.

  He watched as she eased into a rhythm. “I love this,” he murmured, noticeably and utterly shackled as he succumbed. While experimenting, she circled her hips as she thrust them back and forth until she found a pleasing cadence. She threw her hips, tapping deeply. Again and again she crashed into him in exhilaration.

  Ky panted, knowing she was creating their bliss without his strong hands guiding her. She leaned down, kissing him greedily, and told him to wrap his arms around her. He enfolded her with loving arms and she melted. She didn’t want to break their embrace, and she could see Cobaaron didn’t either.

  She bit her lip, trying not to whimper or make a sound. She was concentrating on his thick shaft, and the intense caressing of her cervix. With increasing confidence, she began to move vigorously. She pushed her hips, and this time he met her motion with opposite thrusts. She let out the smallest of moans that mingled with an airy breath. Cobaaron crashed into her again, and he absorbed her sounds with a deep kiss.

  “Quiet, love,” he whispered.

  “You’re not allowed to do anything,” she mildly scolded. “No rocking.”

  “Sorry.” He smirked, and once again laced his hands behind his head.

  “Take my hands,” she instructed. He helped her lean backward until she lay on the floor. Ky put her feet flat, getting comfortable. She was still on top, and connected to him. Using her legs, she raised her pelvis, and slid up his penis that curved from the angle, but at the last second she returned to his lap. He gruffly groaned when their bodies collided. In response, she whispered sexual promises that if spoken aloud at any other time would make her blush. She rocked him, uncaring about anything but the satisfaction of compelling him to climax.

  She set a rapid rhythm, wanting him to peak from her endeavor. He rubbed her calves, unable to be still while he panted. “Yes, touch me!” She squeezed her walls tight, and squirmed when he brushed his thumb across her clitoris. She kept trying to catch her breath as he massaged her, while his breath was harsh, husky and heavy.

  “Let me calm down so I can last.”

  “I want you captivated by pleasure, with no choice but to let your body give way to how I make you feel. Release in me, Cobaaron.”

  She rocked over him, delivering wonderfully tantalizing taps. Without warning she felt his hot, sticky semen pulsate inside her as he trembled beneath her. He was louder than ever as he released inside her. She felt incredibly sexy and erotically feminine, because his desire for her was compelling and inescapable; she pleasured him to ejaculation without his coaching. She peaked from the thrill and confidence, knowing she gave him outstanding sex.

  She trembled, and became still as they reveled in the tremors of their orgasms. They relaxed, after she shifted to lay over his warm body, and they took deep breaths in unison. He embraced her while they enjoyed a quiet moment.

  “That was unbelievable,” he murmured. “I’ve never felt so connected to you. I may have resigned my body for your pleasure, but now I’m certain you have cleaved me to you, and I’m aware how desperate I am for you.”

  She kissed him. “I love you, too.”

  “I feel so much more than that. I do.”

  “So do I. Make no mistake; we’re desperate for each other. I’m simply not as well-spoken as you.”

  Cobaaron rubbed her cheek with his thumb before drawing it across her mouth. He smugly smirked as he studied her kiss-swollen lips, and asked if she was tired.

  “Not really.”

  “Then we should move. We needn’t rush, but we should leave within the hour. Making love has a certain fragrance.”

  “I can walk about three hours, but no more.”

  “I’ll carry you when you’re tired, and we’ll be out of the highlands in that time. The mountains will be upon us soon. You’ll be sleeping more soundly than your flurry before you know it.”

  They lay on the hard ground a few minutes longer, enjoying the intimacy of a couple that recently made love, but didn’t want to part. Eventually they abandoned the warmth of the cave, leaving before a giant followed their scent.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Ky gulped nervously as she stared at a mongrule. To say she was apprehensive would be an understatement. There was a herd of bony, donkey-like creatures with matted foliage stuck to their bodies for warmth and ivy thrived within the crusted leaves of their manes.

  “What?” Ky asked, certain she misunderstood. Cobaaron wasn’t going to throw her in the midst of hungry birds, but this was odd.

  “Sing. Surely, you’re better than I am. The soft voice of a woman is more attractive. You can soothe them until they gather around us. It is that or we walk the next nineteen miles to the lake.” He gloated, knowing those were magical words. Ky couldn’t walk another step.

  “I’ll warn you I’m not very good, but this is the only song I can remember.” She cleared her throat, and sang “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. Trying to sound more appealing to beckon the mongrules, she made each note last much longer than the original version to the point the song was unrecognizable, but soothing. Ky paused when the herd eyed her curiously, and wandered toward her.

  “That is good, Ky. Keep singing.” She started over, reciting the short jingle from the beginning, and ignored Cobaaron’s amused grin. His shoulders shook as he silently chuckled when she fell off key. Nevertheless, the mongrules slowly sauntered over.

  “Maybe you’d like to sing.” She playfully him pushed when he guffawed.

  “Yes, I take back my previous statement. You’re not better than I am.” He smirked. “But your voice is still higher in pitch and they like that. Keep going.”

  Ky rolled her eyes and poked him for finding too much pleasure in the situation, and continued. The mongrules pranced happily to them. They weren’t shy.

  The fleshy, wet noses of the mongrules nudged Cobaaron’s hand, and one of them prodded Ky as it sniffed her warm, sugary skin. Ky’s flurry shivered with fear, and curled into a ball. Ky cupped her hands over her tiny pet, soothing its fright. Ky disliked the animals bumping and shoving her with their noses.

  Cobaaron rubbed the long bridge of a mongrule’s nose. In response, the beautiful beast bumped into Cobaaron with an audible smack. Once the animal showed rough affection, Cobaaron mounted. He then extended his hand. “That was easy; they like you,” he grinned, still teasing her about her singing. “Come here. I like you, too.”

  Cobaaron clutched Ky’s hand, and then swung her up in front. Ky landed on hard bone, and instantly knew it wouldn’t be a comfortable ride. Cobaaron kept one hand on her, and gathered its ivy mane in his other fist. With a gentle nudge of his heels, the mongrule cantered and the curious herd followed. Shortly, the animal slowed to a lazy stroll, cho
osing not to hurry.

  Ky thought of retrieving a pillow to sit on, instead of its bony back. Once comfortable, Ky was quite pleased they were walking at a slow pace. Traveling lazily decreased the jostling she had to endure, and her nausea didn’t automatically kick in. Satisfied with the mode of transportation, she leaned back against Cobaaron. “This is perfect,” she said, and squeezed his hand.

  Cobaaron nuzzled the nape of her neck and said, “I’ll hold you if you want to sleep.” Ky told him she wasn’t ready, but may doze off later.

  Because they were alone, without warriors around, Cobaaron held her tightly, enjoying her presence as they traveled with unhindered affection. His touching was romantic. He rubbed her belly with protective, tender circles. He truly did defend her with devotion, as Ky thought a warrior ought to be. She felt so safe and contented that she eventually drifted to sleep.

  Their journey took hours, as they moseyed down a large moss-covered hill, crossed a wide, shallow stream, and then up another hill swarming with tiny, blind albino ants. When they reached the top, Ky was shocked to learn the massive mound was a huge anthill.

  The mongrules didn’t hurry; their ankles gathered a cluster of biting ants, but they simply shook their hooves, ignoring the stinging, and slowly headed for the valley.

  Because Cobaaron and Ky rode on an animal well known in the region, the herds of strange-horned bovids let them pass.

  They almost crossed the wide valley when the animals spooked, and even the mongrules ran. Ky glanced around, wondering why every creature sprung into a frenzied run, but Cobaaron snapped at her to be still. He was looking straight up. Flying above them was an enormous dragon and her young.

  Cobaaron steered the mongrule to the left, toward the fleeing herds. He aggressively tugged the green leafy mane, anytime the masses veered in a different direction. The mongrule sensed the danger when animals crashed into each other. It didn’t want to get trampled. Their mongrule even leaped to dodge animals that fell in its way to avoid stumbles. Cobaaron struggled to keep their stubborn mongrule heading toward the middle, but it fought, yanking its mane free of his grasp. With great reluctance, the mongrule headed for the outskirts of the frantic beasts. Cobaaron pulled the mane hard, and the mongrule howled, but didn’t change course back to the heart of the stampede.