Kiarra released the brothers and leaned over to kiss Clay. This pushed her ass into Seb’s crotch; and Seb groaned, holding her hips and thrusting against her. Reed sat beside the Merchant, retaking her breast as Clay captured her mouth. He might have started this, but he was in no hurry to finish it. He nodded at Seb over Kiarra’s head, and his brother peeled her pants down her legs and pushed his own pants down. Seb’s pleased murmur told Reed she was wet and ready for him. The Planner thrust into her in one long stroke and Reed’s cock jumped in his pants.
Kiarra rolled her eyes upwards and moaned her pleasure to the sky. Her hands scrambled for their pants simultaneously, and the men helped her with the fastenings. Clay and Reed held her while she stroked and sucked them, trading off between the two men as Seb drove himself into her. Seb was moving more tenderly than usual so he didn’t knock her off her feet. Her fat braid was wrapped around his fist, though.
Kiarra’s lips enveloped Reed’s cock at the same time as her palm stroked Clay’s length. Reed kneaded her breasts, enjoying the way they bounced beneath her. Seb reached under her to rub her clit. The golden web glittered with power and energy. Two threads veered away toward the other men, but it was most active between them when they were connected physically.
Reed panted, holding off his orgasm with difficulty. He could spill at any time, in her mouth, in her hands, all over her magnificent breasts. The thought made him harder, and he groaned, breathing faster. Kiarra’s dark eyes met his and she smirked as if she could read his mind. Her hand replaced her mouth, and she bent over Clay to lick him. Reed wouldn’t lie; the sight was arousing. He didn’t desire to do the same, but watching Kiarra suck Clay between her coral lips turned him on.
Seb slammed harder into her, and he and Kiarra came at the same time, her moans muffled around Clay’s hardness. Wracking shivers shook her body, and Reed waited patiently as they recovered. Seb slowly pulled away. His brother’s expression was one of pure bliss; he wasn’t registering reality yet.
Kiarra smiled seductively before flipping around and lowering herself slowly onto Clay’s length, her back against his chest. She kicked off her shoes and pants so she could spread her legs wider. Kiarra grabbed Reed’s muscular bicep and pulled him up. He followed her directive, facing her. Her breasts bounced as she rode Clay. The sight was the most erotic, arousing thing he’d ever seen. Her eyes trapped his; and she dug a hand into his hip, urging him closer.
“Come here, Reed,” she demanded. He nodded, placing his body between their outstretched legs. The rock was high and flat on the front, a strange form, but it perfectly suited their activities. Kiarra slowed, bouncing on Clay’s cock and provoking several groans from the man behind her.
She leaned forward and placed Reed into position, right between her breasts. He adopted the wondrous task of holding her breasts and squeezing them around his cock as he pumped between them. His sensitive balls rubbed against her upper stomach, and, somehow, they found a rhythm. The bond between them urged and led them together, even with the somewhat awkward positioning.
Reed groaned and threw back his head. Fates, he loved her breasts. They were big and firm. They felt remarkable enfolding his hardness. Kiarra seemed to enjoy it, too. Clay gently teased her nub as she bounced and writhed. Reed met Kiarra’s eyes.
“I’m going to come like this,” he warned her.
“Would you rather be inside me?”
He didn’t feel the need to be inside her, not this time. He felt just as connected to her as if he were buried deep within her. He shook his head, groaning again as another wracking shudder shook him. Clay drove into her at the same time, and Kiarra smiled. “Then, don’t hold back.”
Reed’s breaths increased. She had given him permission to fulfill his deepest desire. He pumped between her marvelous breasts, watching the expression on her face and glancing lower to see her glistening cunny as she slid up and down Clay’s cock. Reed’s leaked seed slicked his movements, allowing him to slide faster. The desire rose within her and Clay. Reed threw his head back, clenched his ass cheeks together, and squeezed her breasts harder around his cock. He spurted all over her chest, his lungs burning and his muscles tensing. His orgasm made her smile, even as Clay continued to drive into her.
They both followed him seconds later when he pulled away to allow them more movement. The evidence of his desire shone on her breasts, dripping from one nipple as Clay thrust deeper inside her. The sight made him groan, and he would have hardened again if it were possible. Desire pulsed along the bond. Ian watched from several feet away. He had his cock in his hand, and his face contorted at the same time Kiarra screamed her release, spilling his seed on the leaf-covered ground.
Reed worried they were unguarded and vulnerable, but Mason’s awareness protected them, even as the Soldier struggled with his matching desire. Ian collected himself quickly, belted his pants, and disappeared toward Mason’s location. The powerful man stomped into the clearing, and Reed moved away as Kiarra shivered her last post orgasm shudder.
Seeing Mason prowling towards her, she kissed Clay on the lips before rising and shimmying towards Mason. He growled and lifted her effortlessly, her creamy thighs wrapping around his waist. His pants were open; his massive erection was ready for her. He pounded into her fast and deep only a couple times before he came with a loud roar. Surprisingly, Kiarra broke apart in his arms again. Reed observed like he might an exciting science experiment, although his feelings were not absent. He felt no jealousy. His skin prickled with satisfaction every time one of his brothers or Kiarra had an orgasm. The pleasure shivered along the bond, accompanied by renewed power.
Reed resolutely turned from them and pulled his pants up. He had every intention of helping Ian with guard duty. Seb had already joined the Spy, but his brother was somewhat useless as a guard. However, the Planner’s newfound ability to tell when people were close counted for something. Kiarra caught Reed before he escaped, kissing him firmly on the lips; and he forgot, for a moment, where he had been headed.
“Thank you,” he murmured. “I have a bit of an obsession with your breasts.” To his horror, his cheeks reddened. She kissed him again.
“I loved it,” she replied, and the truth of her words rang between them. He retrieved her shirt off the ground and shook the leaves from it. The Scholar was a little surprised at his behavior; detouring off the road for sex in the woods was out of character for him. “Hey,” Kiarra said, tapping him on the nose with her finger. “I hope you don’t feel ashamed for wanting me.”
He shook his head fervently as he gently cleaned her chest with a spare cloth and lowered her discarded shirt over her head. “Never,” he vowed. “It’s just not how I expected my life to be.”
Kiarra shrugged as she pulled up her pants. Every man within sight was drawn to the enticing view of her rear jiggling as she shimmied into them. “Expectations are okay for books, for experiments, maybe even for the weather, but not life. Life is too complicated to ever attach expectations upon. If everything happened the way you expected, would it be as pleasurable?” She cocked her head, and he shook his in reply. He might have thought so at one time, but not anymore.
Fully dressed, she caught his hand and led him back to the horses enjoying the sweet grass they found under the trees. They didn’t seem irritated with the detour either. Mason helped Clay back on to his horse, and the men smiled at each other even if they didn’t speak.
“It still doesn’t hurt you to be with all of us, Indrasa?” Clay asked, and Reed leaned forward as he settled himself back in the saddle. He was interested in the answer, too.
Kiarra shook her head as she pulled herself onto her horse. She hadn’t mastered mounting and dismounting yet, so she hung awkwardly for a second until Mason effortlessly boosted her butt into the saddle. She kissed him before she answered Clay.
“No. Ahnika believes it is a genetic evolution. Our bodies are prepared to handle however many bondmates we are destined to have.”
Reed�
��s brows rose. It did explain how she could have so many orgasms, and so many partners, and not ache afterward. He felt better about all of them demanding her attention. He sensed she would be upset if they stayed away out of some belief that they were hurting her, or that she didn’t want them as much. She matched the passion of five men, something he had never considered possible. It was a power in and of itself.
They rode out of the small grove of sheltering trees, Kiarra stopping to kiss Ian and murmur to him. He shook his head and laughed at her. Reed knew what they discussed without overhearing. She was asking him if he minded being on the sidelines, and he said it was just as pleasurable to him. Thankfully, she didn’t take that as an insult. She understood all of them, and Reed couldn’t imagine being with her without his brothers there.
As they started down the road, he encouraged his horse to follow the others, trusted them to control the animal if it strayed, and pulled out his book. He wanted many more years with his new family.
Chapter 25
Clay
Clay’s mind was burdened when they began their trek again. The web connecting them increased its length and strength every time they came together, but he felt a little lost. Kiarra immediately picked up on his mood. She didn’t eavesdrop on their emotions, but she always knew when one of them needed encouragement, affection, or to talk.
“What’s wrong, Clay?”
Clay deliberated. He’d spent his whole life feeling somewhat inferior. He should be feeling better now that he was part of something bigger. In many ways he did, but there was still a nagging problem, and he wondered if the Fates were laughing at him. He couldn’t lie to Kiarra, although he didn’t want her pity. His eyes met hers. “I feel useless.”
She didn’t respond with pity. Instead, she considered his words seriously. “Why?”
Clay shrugged his broad shoulders, coloring. He had always hated his tendency to blush, but he didn’t mind anymore. Kiarra thought it was cute. “What good is a Merchant when we fight the dark Sorcerer? I can’t very well count his money as a ploy to distract him. I am necessary for the bond, and I am with all of you one hundred percent of the way, but I feel I have less to offer. Seb can get you into the palace. He might even be able to pinpoint the exact location of the Sorcerer, the Prince, or your family. Reed will devise the perfect plan or uncover the piece of information crucial for victory. Mason’s strength and intuition will be invaluable. Ian can sneak up on anyone and overhear any conversation, and you are extremely powerful because you can manipulate the energy to suit your purpose. What can I do?”
Kiarra mulled over his words, and Clay waited for her to agree with him. He wasn’t typically pessimistic, but he’d been considering the situation for several days. He had felt the magic in the rain, but so had Mason and Kiarra.
The land they traveled was nothing more than rolling hills. The few houses they passed were set far from the road. They knew the reason now. Most of the homesteads likely housed women with multiple partners. They lived in seclusion to hide their secrets. Clay hoped Kiarra’s rule would permit everyone to live more freely. He shuddered. He couldn’t imagine a more horrid existence, having to hide their lovers from the outside world for fear of persecution.
“What are a Merchant’s abilities?” Kiarra asked conversationally. Clay glanced at her. Her eyes were solemn, that beautiful sea-green color he adored. Her hair shone in the sunlight, and she glowed with pleasure after their romp in the woods. He had enjoyed every minute of their detour. He hoped all their lovemaking sessions would be similar, albeit with more time and a real bed. He felt the most fulfilled when they were all included. Even Ian, although he hadn’t touched Kiarra, received as much pleasure from the interlude as the rest of them.
Clay smiled. He loved this woman, and he would entertain her questions, even though he had been answering them in his own mind for the past two days. “A normal Merchant can typically compute numbers more efficiently and judge a person’s character. I don’t need to judge the Sorcerer; we already know he is evil.”
Kiarra nodded. The others were listening in, but Clay didn’t mind. That was how it should be. There were no secrets between them, not even when he was experiencing moments of pity and worthlessness. He was not ashamed to air his insecurities in front of them. “And what have you been able to do since your abilities became more enhanced?” Kiarra prodded.
“I can judge distances and travel times. I can look at that copse of trees over there,” he pointed to a grouping of trees that was a half-mile away, “and tell you with certainty how many trees are within the wood. I can judge a person’s character when I first meet them…” he trailed off.
Kiarra’s brows rose in surprise. “You can tell me the number of trees over there?”
Clay shrugged, blushing again. “Yes. There are 51 trees in that particular grove.”
“That’s amazing,” Kiarra murmured. She squinted as she looked at the same dark splotch in the distance.
Clay laughed. “Maybe, but again, it’s still not that helpful. The Sorcerer won’t have an army so I’ve no need to judge the number of men. I could count the number of stairs you might have to climb to reach him, but so could Seb.”
“No,” Seb put in, affirming they were all listening. They were far enough apart to make room for their horses, but there wasn’t much noise to muffle their words. The low of cows, birdsong, and the clop of hooves mingled with the whisper of the breeze. “I can tell you there are stairs and the location of them, but not how many. I wouldn’t have known how far it was to the homestead where the prisoners were being kept, if not for your help.”
“But…” Clay began.
“But you still don’t see how that might help,” Ian added, his lyrical voice thoughtful. “What else do Merchants do?”
A moment of silence passed between them before Mason spoke with characteristic certainty. “They sell items.”
“So I can sell the Sorcerer a tapestry?” Clay asked with more amusement than self-deprecation. He already felt better. They may not have convinced him he was valuable, but it helped to speak his worries aloud.
“How many times have we bought something and regretted it afterward?” Mason asked. He never turned to look at them, but his voice carried easily.
Kiarra laughed. “Many times. Once, a Merchant in the market convinced me I needed a hair bow. I never wore it, but she thoroughly persuaded me to spend my few coins on the trinket.”
Clay sucked in a breath. “You think I could convince someone to do something they wouldn’t otherwise do?” The possibility scared him rather than comforted him. What a burdensome power.
“Possibly,” Ian said smoothly. “It’s impossible to test at the moment because I doubt it would work on us. However, if it’s true, a skill like that might be influential.”
“What a horrible ability to have,” Clay breathed aloud, speaking his thoughts. Kiarra reached over and gently touched his knee.
“It might be useful during battle, but you’ll never need to use it again, Clay. It may only work for a short time, as well. Buyer’s remorse is a real thing.”
Clay nodded. He couldn’t imagine the Sorcerer falling for such a ruse. If it worked, though, he might be able to contribute after all. And Kiarra was correct; he didn’t need to use the skill after they won the battle.
“Now, tell me about this book you have been looking at since we left Treleaven. I know which book holds Reed captivated, but what about the one you keep studying?”
Kiarra’s question distracted him from his wandering thoughts. He patted his saddle bag. “Census records. Advisor Carson’s information gave me a hunch about the rural people of Megreria. There are more men than women born in rural Megreria, even now. In a couple generations, it might become a real issue if women are only allowed to mate with one man. Our country would entertain a large number of unsatisfied men, which is never a good thing.”
Kiarra nodded, following his reasoning. “Why doesn’t the same disparity exist i
n the city?”
“I’m not certain, but I have theories. I imagine it’s due to the same reason that there are many women and men in Treleaven that are perfectly happy with only one partner. The families that had multiple bondmates moved from the city when Caden took over or fled to Acclesh. It’s genetics. Their families bear women who have more bondmates. The ones that only had one partner, or maybe two, didn’t feel the pull as much. They stayed in the city and birthed babies who would only be Fated for one bondmate as well. I don’t know if that will change.”
Kiarra nodded in understanding, relief coloring her expression. If the citizens with only one partner made up the majority of the population of Treleaven, it wouldn’t cause a significant upheaval when they were recognized. Some of the rural homesteaders might want to move to the city, but they could prepare for them.
“Alyson is pregnant with a girl,” Kiarra added absently.
Clay’s brows rose. “How do you know?”
“She knew she was pregnant, and I felt the spark within her. It was female in nature.”
“That’s amazing,” Seb breathed next to them. They had been careful about Kiarra's tea consumption. When they found peace, they would ask if she wanted to bear children. Being able to feel the spark of her baby would be an astounding joy. Clay’s thoughts drifted towards a future with Kiarra, her other matches, and possible children. It was a beautiful vision, if they lived to see it.
Chapter 26
Kiarra
The closer we rode to the city, the more I felt the dark magic of the Sorcerer. It stretched across the usually cheerful countryside with sinuous tendrils. Even the birds ceased chirping and singing. We made camp for the night in a small copse of trees, not unlike the one we had stopped in earlier. My lips tilted at the memory as I brushed down my mount. It wasn’t dark yet, but we wanted to get a good night’s rest before entering the city. Once we passed the walls, there would not be time for breaks.
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