She gave it a playful tweak. “Don’t be too long.”
His dark eyes blazed. “Most certainly, I will not.”
Elise’s heart felt light as she navigated the long castle hallways, relying on the kind gestures and pointing of the servants to find the East tower. As she walked, she knew she should feel guilty about her plot to snatch the speeder and sneak off to Earth, but she didn’t. A little worried, maybe, because she didn’t want to make Ki angry, or hurt Krysta’s feelings.
Georgia was a non-negotiable issue to Ki, though. And it was non-negotiable to Elise, too. This one time, things would have to go her way. She felt sure Ki would understand, once she returned. And if he didn’t, Elise felt sure she could persuade him to forgive her.
The East tower library proved to be yet another stunning experience.
The minute Elise entered, she knew the books were much older than the ones in the West, South, and North towers. Even the large, stately leather-like couch and chairs had a look of antiquity, and the walls were covered with murals. Scenes from Arda’s magnificent landscape. Striking figures Elise figured for Ki’s ancestors. And on the back right wall, shaded from the sun but lit by candles on an altar and two torches in wall brackets, she found the three wild women she had seen in virtually every room on the ship and in the castle.
In this mural, the weird sisters looked more like cats than true females. They were tall and beautiful, like Krysta, yet lighter in color. One was still blondish, while one had long auburn curls, and the third—her hair seemed to change in the flickering light.
Their eyes glimmered silver, like the startling pa designs around their eyes. Flames. Yes. Like the ones on Ki’s chest, but thinner and more feminine. More…truly feral. And those fangs and claws.
Elise backed up a step.
She gazed at them for a long time, unable to look away. In the odd lighting, the women seemed to dance in their carefully sketched and colored field.
What did this painting mean?
Elise had studied Arda’s basic religions, and none had deities like the ones on the library wall. She had looked for the three women in several reference books, but found nothing.
“So, you like that rendering?” Krysta’s resonant voice cut through the silence, startling Elise.
“W-What rendering?” Elise glanced at her sister in law, who walked slowly to her side in front of the odd mural.
“The Lorelei.” Krysta slipped her arm around Elise’s shoulder. “The wild women. Half Ardani, half primitive. They are said to live in the Camford Forest, guarding Tul’Mar lands, the castle, and those of Tul’Mar blood. No one has ever seen them, but many a drunken traveler has told tales of howlings in the night, or waking with clawed clothing—and intimate scratches.”
“I’ve seen pictures of them before, on the ship and in our room—but I couldn’t find them in the books.”
Krysta tightened her grip. “They are a Tul’Mar emblem. Like family ghosts.”
Elise laughed and snuggled closer to Krysta. She liked being near her sister-in-law. She also liked their almost sexual touching, which still surprised her. Caresses and kisses. Smelling Krysta’s minty scent, and feeling her silky skin and satin hair. More and more, Elise thought of asking Ki to invite Krysta to join them one night, but she held back.
That was almost too much. And still, it was fun—and exciting—to consider.
“Our family legend says the Lorelei will show themselves one day.” Krysta kissed Elise’s hair. “To save the Tul’Mar bloodline from certain doom. We are still waiting. For the doom, as well as the saving.”
The dancing Lorelei caught Elise’s attention once more. They were touching each other. Holding hands. The two on the left, the blond and the redhead, had arms linked, even.
I wish I were a wild woman, she thought, forgetting to shield her mind. Maybe then I would have the courage to really kiss Krysta, and see what it feels like.
Krysta’s light embrace tensed, and Elise realized her mistake. “I—I’m sorry. I know that was—that I—”
“That you what?” Krysta’s tone was low as she turned Elise to face her. “That you have interest in me? In touching another woman?”
Elise flushed and nodded.
Krysta eased forward and kissed Elise’s forehead with her full, soft lips. “What is wrong with that, sister? Attraction to your husband’s same-generation kin is as normal as breathing.”
“Not where I come from.” Elise knew she had to be glowing in the darkened corner of the library. “I mean, women do have sex with women, but society is very…um, uptight about that.”
Krysta’s lips brushed Elise again, this time on her left ear. A pleasant chill traveled across Elise’s shoulders.
“I do not think I would like Earth much,” Krysta said. “Denying the natural, it is bad for health and happiness.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Elise couldn’t form a whole word, because Krysta was kissing her neck. Nibbling the tender flesh between her ear and collarbone, like Ki did, only more gently. First one side, and then the other.
And then Krysta pulled back and locked her midnight gaze on Elise. Their thoughts joined, and Elise felt Krysta’s arousal—both emotional, and physical. Different from her husband’s, but no less warm. No less passionate.
Elise’s heart drummed at the feel of another woman’s desire. Another woman’s desire for her.
Almost instantly, Elise’s nipples began to ache. She gave in to her curiosity, imaging Krysta’s soft kisses, her tender biting. Elise’s whole body vibrated with the images flowing between them. Thoughts of Krysta’s tongue exploring her mouth, flicking against her tight nipples, tasting the already wet heat between her legs. Thoughts of learning Krysta’s curves and cries. Her sensitive spots. The rich smell of Krysta’s sex and excitement.
Slowly, stroking Elise’s hair, Krysta leaned down and kissed Elise full on the mouth. Not a fast kiss of greeting, or a tentative kiss of exploration. A deep, slow, and sensual delving.
Elise let out a quiet moan, and pressed herself against Krysta’s firm breasts.
Krysta embraced her and kissed her again, longer and sweeter, but then pulled back. “Are you certain you want this? I do not wish for you to be uncomfortable with me.”
“I want this,” Elise said before her upbringing could get in the way.
“Ki will be along soon.” Krysta nodded to the big leather couch across the library, back in the brighter light of day. “Until he arrives, let us talk. And get more comfortable.”
Speechless again, Elise followed Krysta to the couch and started to sit down, but Krysta caught her arm. “Undress me first, before we sit. And I will undress you. That much is permissible without Ki. He will be pleased to find us ready, I think.”
No doubt. Elise smiled. In many ways, Earth men and Ardani men were alike, after all. She eyed Krysta’s form-fitting black body suit, and this time openly stared at her cleavage. Her cheeks were burning, but she reached out and took hold of the zipper between her sister-in-law’s full, tempting breasts.
Slowly, Elise eased the zipper down, to Krysta’s belly, and lower, until the track ended. Elise felt the soft down of Krysta’s lower hair brushing her fingertips, and her hand shook as she turned loose of the zipper. But she didn’t move her fingers. The feeling was too exciting.
Bringing her other hand to the divide in Krysta’s body suit, Elise slowly lifted her arms, letting her hands feel the way as she pushed upward, opening the suit until Krysta’s breasts fell free. With another push upward, Elise removed the suit from Krysta’s shoulders, and Krysta slipped her arms out.
The suit fell to Krysta’s waist, and once more, Elise allowed herself to stare. Krysta had large breasts, like Georgia’s, but her nipples were dark. A rich, brownish red, and the swollen tips were invitingly round and full.
“Do you like what you see?” Krysta whispered.
Elise nodded. She wanted to touch Krysta’s breasts. Fasten her mouth on them and suck as Ki had so often done
to give Elise exquisite pleasure. But that would have to wait until Ki could share the feelings and sensations.
Damn him. He needs to get here soon!
Krysta grinned. With a slight twist and a graceful step, she shed the rest of the body suit and stood naked before Elise. The hair between her legs was as dark as the hair on her head, and it looked long and achingly soft.
Elise’s fingers twitched.
Ki-iii, she groaned in her mind. Hurry up, would you?
And then Krysta was undressing Elise, sliding her tunic over her head, and taking her own inventory of what she saw. Her hungry smile conveyed her pleasure, and for a moment, her hand lingered on Elise’s belly.
Elise felt a jolt of connection, like she did when Ki touched the child growing inside her. It was comforting, that sensation. A sense of total safety and acceptance, and a deep joining with the Tul’Mars.
Family love.
Krysta moved her hands down, and carefully unlaced Elise’s loose breeches. They fell away, and Krysta’s eyes roved over the light hair of Elise’s triangle.
Elise felt as if Krysta’s hands were already teasing and discovering—but they weren’t.
Not yet.
With a skillful kick, Krysta sent their clothes away from the couch, and beckoned for Elise to sit down.
When she did, the couch’s soft leathery feel doubled Elise’s excitement. Her skin slid easily back and forth across the cushion, and it cradled her so comfortably as she gazed at Krysta’s sculpted face.
Krysta’s eyes never moved from Elise’s face, either. Even when she said, “After Ki arrives, while he watches, I want to taste you everywhere.”
The words felt like thrusts from Krysta’s long, slender fingers, deep in her pussy. Elise’s insides quivered, as if Krysta’s mouth and hands were already at work. “I bet you taste sweet,” she managed to say between furious blushes. “Like the juices at breakfast.”
Krysta’s breath caught at those words, and Elise smiled. If Ki didn’t get here in the next five minutes, she might have to kill him.
“Murder will not be necessary,” Ki murmured from the library door as he entered.
Elise felt her heart leap at the sound of her husband’s voice, and she smiled at his surprised, interested look. His eyes blazed with joy and arousal as he turned to close them inside the library, and by the time he turned back around, he had already removed his shirt. His cock strained at his breeches, but he removed them quickly as well.
Krysta stood and pointed to a chair a few strides from them. “Sit there, brother. And watch us.”
“And no touching,” Elise added, standing up beside Krysta. “Us, or yourself.”
Ki chuckled, but the throaty sound told Elise the idea pleased him very much. His thoughts reached out and twined with hers, and then she knew just how pleased he was.
So did Krysta, who laughed before turning to Elise and sliding her arm around Elise’s shoulder again. “Men are predictable, yes?”
“Definitely.” Elise leaned into Krysta’s embrace, and then they were body to body, and kissing.
Ki’s sharp intake of breath made them both smile, and urged them on. Elise’s hands found Krysta’s nipples and let them rub her palms during the next kiss. She kneaded them gently, finding a sudden comfort in knowing what pleased women. After all, she was a woman, and she knew what pleased her.
Krysta’s warm thoughts and deep moans bolstered her confidence. Slowly, but deliberately, Krysta began her own explorations. First she stroked Elise’s cheeks and hair as they kissed. Then her shoulders, her breasts, and her nipples.
Just the right pressure, and perfect timing.
Elise gasped, and Ki groaned. The sound of his desire doubled her wetness as Krysta lowered her head and suckled one breast, and then the other. Her woman’s lips were softer than Ki’s, but her mouth felt just as eager
“So good,” Elise whispered.
Krysta sighed and raised her head, and Elise took her turn, welcoming Krysta’s large, dark nipple into her mouth. Her own breasts twinged as Krysta let out soft moans. Elise could feel Krysta’s pleasure, and Ki’s doubling want, and she knew so intimately what it felt like to have her own nipples kneaded and touched—it was intoxicating. Almost overwhelming.
Ki’s thoughts eased back a step, as did Krysta’s. They were being careful not to override Elise’s brain and knock her out again.
Good thing, because as Elise knelt to taste Krysta’s pussy for the first time, she thought she might faint.
You do not have to—Krysta began, but Elise pulled Krysta’s hips forward and buried her face and mouth in the wispy, silken hair. At the same time, she eased her hand between Krysta’s legs and played in the damp, swollen slit.
Yes. She tasted like nectar. Not too sweet, and not salty. Just rich and wet, like hidden juice. Letting her fingers ease inside Krysta, she ached at the warmth, the feeling of dipping into a velvet well.
Why should men have all this fun?
Krysta’s back arched, and she thrust herself against Elise’s tongue. “Sweet suns in the sky….”
Elise’s tongue found the swollen clit she had been seeking, and she knew exactly what to do. Keeping hold of one hip with her free hand, she pulled Krysta even closer. The other hand she kept busy in the depths of Krysta’s slit. At first she pumped with slow ease, but as Krysta’s muscles tensed, Elise moved her hand harder and faster.
Ki’s groaning grew louder, matching his sister’s guttural purrs. Krysta’s hips bucked, and she buried her hands in Elise’s hair, pulling hard.
In the next second, Krysta came violently, jamming herself into Elise’s mouth with wracking tremors. Elise felt Krysta’s hot walls squeeze against her fingers again and again, keeping time with her deep, satisfied shivers.
When the last contractions subsided, Elise eased her hand from Krysta’s depths and stood. Her knees were shaking.
Krysta, however, seemed more energized than ever. She grabbed Elise and pulled her into a fierce kiss. The smell of Krysta’s sweet juice lingered between their lips, and Krysta turned Elise and sat her down on the couch, facing Ki.
Elise took in his hooded eyes. His straining cock.
As instructed, he had his hands firmly on the chair arms, holding on for dear life.
Krysta kissed Elise again and again, cupping her breasts and squeezing, then moving her mouth down Elise’s neck to her breasts. Her tongue worked against Elise’s hard, aching nipples, and her hands stroked Elise’s sides.
Elise glanced down, watching Krysta suck her breasts.
Oh, God, but that was almost unbearable.
She was so close to coming she could barely stand it. So was Ki. Elise could feel his near-orgasm throbbing through her thoughts.
Krysta eased her mouth down again, brushing her lips over Elise’s slightly swollen belly. Elise ran her fingers through Krysta’s hair, resisting an urge to cram the woman’s face between her legs.
And then she didn’t have to fight the urge any longer.
Krysta took Elise’s swollen clit in her mouth and sucked it, just as she had nursed Elise’s breasts. Drinking her. Milking and flicking her warm tongue over Elise’s most sensitive spot even as she slipped her fingers into Elise’s pussy, seemingly to her very core.
The sensation swallowed Elise whole, and she bowed forward, screaming with the force of her orgasm. As she closed her eyes, she saw Ki grip the chair arms so tightly they seemed to melt in his powerful grasp.
Ki leaped to his feet before Elise settled from her explosion.
Sensing his presence behind her, Krysta slid gracefully aside. She then climbed nimbly behind Elise on the couch and cradled his shanna. A chair of flesh, kneading Elise’s breasts and raising Elise’s hips to meet Ki’s pulsing cock.
Elise’s eyes never opened, so lost she was in the fullness of her pleasure. Her legs splayed wide as Ki grabbed them, and she cried out again and again as he entered her quim.
“Yes. God, yes!” She writhed as
Ki pumped and Krysta pinched her nipples without mercy.
The tight, liquid heat of Elise’s slit, the sound of his frenzied pounding into her wet quim, and the rustle of Elise’s backside rubbing Krysta’s wet sex drove Ki over the top in a matter of seconds. He tightened like cordwood.
Curling backward, he lifted Elise nearly off the couch. Krysta held her firmly, suspended between them. Elise’s face was a study in rapture as her body stretched to its full length. She was fully at his mercy, and fully trusting. Her legs squeezed against his hips.
Ki paused for a moment and gazed at her closed eyes, her swollen peaks, the tinge of red in her cheeks and around her mound—she was beyond beautiful.
Elise moaned and came with him as he slammed into her slit one final time, emptying himself like a boiling flask. Krysta’s orgasm, wrought from a few well-placed strokes from her own fingers, blended with theirs as they dropped from the pinnacle to the soft, sweet plains of exhaustion.
Afterwards, the three of them lay in a heap on the floor.
Elise alternately kissed Ki, then Krysta as she drifted in and out of sleep, and as they drifted in and out of long afternoon of lovemaking. Ki never touched his sister in a sexual way, of course, as such was not custom. Krysta was there for Elise’s pleasure, and pleasure Elise they did.
Several times, Ki worried that the psi connections might harm his shanna again, but Krysta always seemed to know when to ease back. And she had a talent for reaching Ki’s thoughts and pulling him back with her. Just a step. Like a shadowdance. As subtle and graceful as the cavorting Lorelei on the back wall.
The wild women of legend could scarcely hold a candle to Elise. Of that, Ki felt certain.
He also felt guilt, for not being able to grant the one wish she had laid before him: the retrieval of her kin from Earth.
How he wished he could grant her pleadings, but he could not. He simply could not.
Quickly, Ki moved from guilt to worry over Lord Gith, the next actions of the Council, and the OrTans in general. His instincts bothered him. He sensed something amiss, but he could not define it. And that maddened him.
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