James, The Crown Prince

by Daniel B. Harris

  After she left, I informed the girls that I needed to lie down for a while. They nodded and encouraged that decision, especially after what the pixie had said. I sauntered over to the smaller tent and crawled inside. It had been a stressful day, but I’d accomplished what I’d set out to do. It was odd to think that the place we’d chosen for Calla’s prison was only a couple hundred miles or less to the west of us. I laid there thinking about the day, and dozed off.

  A couple hours later Star woke me. Knowing where we were, I came fully awake and ready to fight. She calmed me and told me that everyone had been talking and really loved meeting the pixie. None of them had known that they really existed, and thought they were just figments of imagination from kid’s stories. She also informed me that the pixie had been right about another thing. Matri and Ulia had asked to know everything that consorts were expected to do, and after the vows were explained, they requested to be taken as our consorts.

  “Do you think we should take on three consorts now, or do you want to wait until we’re home?” Star asked me.

  “You know I only have eyes for you, my love,” I teased. “Okay, I might glance at the other girls now and then, but that’s a guy thing that can’t be helped. If you want them as consorts for yourself, I’ll agree to it. As far as my sleeping with them goes, I’m content with my Star.”

  “I had a feeling you’d say that. So, we’ll take them as consorts and then, if you ever want one of them in your bed, you have my blessing. Now, we have one more thing we need to discuss. Salma has asked to share our bed. Should I tell her not right now, or no, or come in?”

  I sighed. “You want me to sleep with her, don’t you? I don’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her no, and since it’s something you want from me, I can’t refuse. Put this idea to her and if she is okay with it, then it will be our plan. She can sleep in our tent, with no gown, so she can get over being shy around me naked. You’ll sleep in the tent, too, and I would prefer you naked, as well, if you don’t mind. That’s in case I decide to make love to her, but roll the wrong way. I’m still a bit fuzzy-headed from dragging that load over a thousand miles, but we’ll see what happens.”

  She grinned and appeared the happiest I’d seen her. I’ll never understand why the women here are so cheerful about sharing their husbands with their consorts. My mother is the same way. Star advised, “I’ll go ask Salma what she thinks about your idea, and I’ll be back. I’m going to feed and bank the fire to hopefully burn all night. See you soon.” When she backed out of the tent, I laid out the blankets to cover three, if required, undressed and bundled my clothes under my head for an added pillow.

  A half hour later, Star crawled into the tent, removed her gown and tossed it in the corner. She crawled up and snuggled on my right side, covering up to escape the night chill. I rolled to my side and kissed her. I asked if we were alone tonight, just as the tent flap opened. Salma came in, eyes locked on the tent floor. She never raised her eyes as she pulled her gown over her head and placed it in the opposite corner from Star’s. That suggested to me that this was planned in detail. She quickly crawled up to my left and slid under the covers.

  “From what I saw in this dim light, Salma, “you don’t have any reason to hide under the blanket,” I charged. “You are quite an attractive young lady.”

  She turned red, and since it was dark but noticeable still, she must have been very red. “I’ve never been seen naked by any man before tonight. I’m sorry I’m so shy.”

  “I think you’re beautiful, shy or not. If you can get comfortable being undressed and lying beside me, we might proceed to touching. If you can’t, then I promise not to approach you.”

  Star interjected, “And I know for a fact he’ll keep his word. I made him sleep all night right against me, with me pressing against his raging erection, and he still kept his word.”

  I laughed at her confession. “You knew what you were doing and tortured me anyway? For being so lovely, you can be evil!”

  She shrugged. “I’m a woman.”

  Deciding I would never repeat her sentiment, I rolled to my left side so I could see Salma. She fought making eye contact, but finally I caught her eyes and held her gaze. “You still seem to be frightened,” I whispered. “Are you frightened of me? If you are¸ I don’t mind dressing and moving to the wagon. I wouldn’t want you to have to dress and go to the other tent.”

  “If you want the truth, and I know you do, I fear your power. Just knowing some of what you can do and then lying beside you without clothes is what frightens me.”

  “I understand, but what you need to understand is that my power would only be used to protect my family. As our consort, you are my family. I would never hurt you.”

  She managed a cute smile, rose up and kissed me. I put my arms around her and kissed her back with a passion I didn’t know I felt for her. The security blanket was forgotten and her breasts gleamed in the moonlight that filtered through the tent. I kissed her neck and her breathing became heavy. I knew that lust was taking her, and I made sure that it wasn’t being affected magically. I slid down to her breasts, taking one nipple into my mouth and working it with my tongue while massaging the other. Her breath was sharp and punctuated by quiet gasps. I felt Star roll to her side and slide against me. Reaching behind me, I grasped her backside, pulling her tight against me. I peered into Salma’s eyes and she nodded her head, tightening her arms around me. As I pulled myself on top of her, she parted her legs willingly. When I kissed her again, I felt Star grab my member. My eyes rolled, because even in my fantasies I’d never dreamed of this happening. I gazed at Star and saw her eyes shining with lust. She slid my erection up and down Salma’s opening, causing both of us to moan. Suddenly she positioned me for entry and guided me into Salma’s moist passage. I lay forward on her breasts, holding her tightly, and slid inside her. She made an almost purring noise as I broke through her maidenhead, then rose up toward me, drawing me deep inside her. I reached to my side and found Star panting beside us. Sliding my hand between her legs and finding her sopping wet, I slid two fingers inside her and made circles on her hard button with my thumb. I began thrusting feverishly into Salma and working my fingers in and out of Star. I protected against children and listened to Salma, to time our climax. Finally, her voice took the pitch that I knew meant she was there. I let go and fired deep inside her. The three of us lay in the tent, spasming together. I rolled off her; Star kissed me and mumbled, “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you both. That was unforgettable.”

  Salma, who was just catching her breath, just nodded. I lay between them and they put their heads on my shoulders. I held them tightly and fell asleep, contented.

  The next morning, I woke feeling much better. I guess the pixie was right about sex helping to recharge spirit magic. I sure got charged last night. I was actually starting to change my mind about a lot of things. One important one being, I always thought that my father couldn’t have loved my mother as much as he would have if he hadn’t had consorts. After last night, I believed that I loved Star more than before. Even though I’d been with another woman, it hadn’t lessened my feelings for her in the slightest. I was also thinking that if Star wanted all three of our traveling companions as consorts, then it was fine with me. They could be consorts all the way, and if Star was there during the consummation, all the better.

  Matri and Ulia were already awake and preparing breakfast. I was happy to see that the fire had burned all night. I wasn’t worried about attack, because I knew we were guarded by unseen sentinels all night. Pixies are very kind creatures when it came to good people and children. In their minds, I was still a little boy just learning telekinesis. But I was also a good-hearted man they cared about. Translucia showed up, took one look at me and grinned. She declared that she was delighted I’d tried her spirit-building suggestion, noted that I’d improved greatly, and was happy that I wasn’t helpless any longer. I informed her that I was going to suggest to my wife that
we go back to my home, but I would like to talk to my father first, and might be able to persuade him to come here. Translucia was excited and hopeful that she’d get to see him again. It had been nine years, after all.

  Star and Salma came out of the tent for breakfast, and Translucia winked at me. She noted that I had another of my father’s traits, seeing that I was doubling up my spirit healing. She got a bit misty-eyed and directed that when her little boy James had children, I’d better bring them to see her. I gave her my word that I’d do just that.

  We had breakfast and relaxed around the fire. Pixies would come and go, as pixies do. We all shared our experiences, just getting to know our new family better. Most of the questions directed at me concerned what it was like to be a noble and part of the royal family. They were curious what it was like to experience magic on a daily basis, to have servants around to do most everything and to never want for money. I laughed and assured them they’d all see, soon. I instructed that they must always speak to the maids and other house staff with respect. I knew that a lot of families talked down to their staff, but we had been raised knowing that people are people, regardless of position. They nodded, and I knew that since they’d never had so much as a gardener, we’d have no problems with them being demanding.

  I asked Star if she would be ready to go back to the kingdom tomorrow. It was time for me to face my parents and let them know I’d married and taken consorts. She was quite fearful of the prospect, and sensing my nervousness didn’t help calm her. I reminded her that Alba, Gwen and Della would be there for support, and there were another ten consorts who would also offer comfort, if she or the other girls became too afraid. That comforted all four girls, and the decision was made to return. Everyone was calm until I mentioned that I was going to send a message to my father to come here to help with the return spell. I didn’t want to risk draining myself again and hoped the King would be a buffer between the Queen and me. Meeting a King made the consorts nervous, but it terrified Star, who had grown up in the kingdom. The pixies and I tried our best to comfort her by assuring her that he was a very kind and soft-hearted man. She had heard differently from her father, who held a grudge against him because of the dismissal of his offer to buy her. I believed that his offer to sell his daughter had been turned away by an officer of the guard, because if it had actually been brought to my father, the merchant would have had to face my father’s wrath. I was thankful that things hadn’t gone that way, because I might never have met my Star. Star finally relaxed and accepted that she would have to meet him someday, anyway.

  During the afternoon, I learned that since our tents had been so close together last night, Matri and Ulia wanted to take on all their duties as consorts immediately. When Star told me that, I responded that I didn’t want to have a consort in my bed every night while we were in the wild. I promised her that we would decide what to do after we returned to our kingdom. I jokingly blabbed that we might be able to fit us all in my bed at home. When I’d turned thirteen, I’d asked for a double king like my parents had, just because I’d wanted one. I received it, of course, because as the oldest, I’d been quite spoiled. Then we had supper, called goodnight to the pixies and the girls, and escaped to our tent. Star and I made love as quietly as we could, considering the passion and lust we felt for each other, and fell asleep.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next morning I woke early, stoked the fire and prepared to cook. The girls came rushing out of their tent, still dressed in their nightgowns, and shooed me away. They advised me that I was doing their job and was supposed to be resting still. I chuckled and collected my backpack, removed my writing tools and parchment, took a deep breath and began to write.

  Father,

  I’m in a bit of a situation I would like you to help me with. It is nothing dangerous, but your expertise in this type of situation would be helpful. I am in the southern part of No Man’s Land visiting with the pixies. I have a horse, wagon and young ladies that need to be transported to the kingdom. I almost drained myself getting us here, and am a bit skittish about making the jump home alone. If you are too busy to help today, I’ll understand. I could ask Della to come, but there are people here that I’d like you to meet before we return to the kingdom. Thank you for your time.

  Your son,

  James

  I dried the ink and set the letter aside until we were ready to go, not wanting the King of Eredwynn to have to wait for bags to be packed. I brought Moonbeam to the wagon and tied her to the side, straightened the bags that weren’t being used and secured them. When I stuck my head in our tent, I was instantly distracted by Star, dressing. She looked very nice in the dress she had chosen, and I inquired whether she had clothes that might fit the girls. She guessed that they were all fairly close to her size or slightly larger, and supposed that she had clothes for all of them. I advised her that I was going to be sending a letter to my father after we ate, and would like for everyone to look nice when he got here. Since all three of the girls had been prisoners when we found them, the clothing they had wasn’t exactly formal wear. Star followed me out, we ate breakfast and I started taking down the small tent while she grabbed her large clothes case and called the girls into the larger tent. While I was packing up bedding and the little tent into the wagon, I heard the giggling and laughter that often goes along with a group of girls dressing.

  It wasn’t long before all the girls exited the tent. They looked lovely and I commended Star on her wardrobe. The dress Matri was wearing was a bit strained across the chest, but I didn’t complain. Moving on to their tent, I pulled out the bedding and Star’s case and started taking it down. The girls folded the bedding and loaded it into the wagon while I rolled the tent and loaded it, also.

  Inspecting our campsite, I extinguished the fire with magic, drawing looks from all the girls, and remarked that I thought we were ready. The tension level in the clearing suddenly cranked up and the girls all went pale. I cautioned them to relax because he was my father and not a monster; they chuckled and I tossed the letter to a clear area. I focused on my father’s location and found him where you’d never look for a king. He was eating breakfast in the kitchen and appeared to be chatting with the staff. That is the man the girls are so afraid of. He was sitting with the kitchen staff and scullery maids, chatting and having a good time. My father isn’t your average king, that’s for sure. I sent the letter and aimed it for the table beside his plate.

  As the letter disappeared, the girls stared at the spot it had been. I started to tell them to relax because there was no telling when my father would be able to pull himself away, when he popped into the spot the letter had occupied. All four girls instantly went more pale and curtsied low. My father nodded and smiled at them, and I walked to him and hugged him. We weren’t at court and we showed affection outside of the formal settings.

  “Hello, Father! It’s been a long time since you’ve been here. I was informed that you are supposed to say hello to someone named Translucia.”

  The corners of his mouth turned up in a huge grin. “I haven’t seen that little pixie in years! Is she as blunt and ornery as ever?”

  “Oh yes! She had all four of my girls blushing quite soon after she found us.”

  “Now, my son, are you going to introduce me to the lovely creatures you are traveling with?

  I led him over to where the girls were lined up. I had run this though my head because I knew I’d mess up something. “Father, I’d like to introduce you to my consorts. Please meet Salma, Matri and Ulia.” He bowed and kissed each girl’s hand in turn, then stood by Star and looked to me for her name. “And now I would like to introduce you to Star, my wife.”

  He froze with her hand halfway to his lips. Without standing, he turned and regarded me, turned back to Star and kissed her hand. He rose, turned to me and stated, “Your wife, you say. Your mother is going to kill you, and now me, for knowing before she does. Now I know why you really brought me here,” he laughed. “It
’s to prepare your mother for the news, so you’ll survive!”

  “You are truly a wise King, Your Majesty,” I declared. “I do need the extra magic for our gear, horse, wagon and the ladies, but I need your support and help more. And if you don’t feel like getting involved, the girls and I can talk to the pixies about building a cabin here.”

  He hugged me and promised, “You know I’m always here for you, Son. I even let my breakfast get cold to come assist you. What I suggest is that we port you close to the stables so you can hand over the horse and wagon to the groom. From there, you can port the girls to the roof of the dorm and go to your room. Since you’re the only one who will be using the top floor, there’s only a slim chance you’ll be seen. I’ll port all your gear to the space beside your radiator, so keep your girls clear of there. You can use as many of the rooms on the floor as you need. Soon, and I mean tomorrow or sooner, I’ll inform you that I’ve prepared your mother. After that, good luck to you.”

  Translucia fluttered from a tree overhead, flew to my father and kissed him on the cheek. “Are you going to say hello to an old friend, Your Majesty?”

  “Don’t get all formal with me, you lovely pixie. I’ll always be David to you.”

  “I’ve missed you, but I understand that running a kingdom could keep a man busy. You can’t imagine my surprise when my James showed up in a man’s body, and with a wife!”

  “That surprised me, as well. Are you going to let the two of us live here if his mother evicts us? You know that Isabel loves weddings and not letting her throw one for James might have us sleeping on the streets!”

  “You know you’d be welcome with us, but I also know you have a silver tongue and will talk your way clear of any problem,” Translucia expressed.

  “I hope you’re right about this one. I’m afraid I have to get back before I’m missed and they send out search parties, but I promise to do my best to schedule a visit soon. You were the best friend we had during our banishment and I’ll never forget you.”