A Distant Tomorrow

by Bertrice Small

  Corrado’s family, on the other hand, drew her interest. His father, Dima, was a tall and slender old man who had had his sons late in life, but despite his advanced age he still displayed a refined demeanor. His elder son, Ing, was plump and cheerful. He had never had time for a wife, and didn’t seem to miss one. Now he clapped his father upon his back, teasing him that perhaps he would get to see some grandchildren after all.

  The day began to wane, and the guests came together upon another high terrace to watch the sunset, which was even more perfect than the sunrise had been. Pink clouds edged in gold and purple floated in the sky above and vibrant colors — scarlet, orange, salmon, lemon-yellow, rose and gold — flowed and pulsed one into another. The air was still and warm and perfumed with late summer roses. Slowly, slowly the sun sank into a horizon of dark violet, and then there was the tiniest flash of green, which drew applause from the spectators. It was considered good fortune to spy that small moment.

  “The wedding day is now concluded,” the High Priest Arik said. “Sirvat and Corrado will retire to the privacy of their apartments.”

  With a bow to their guests the newly married couple left the garden.

  “Lara!” The voice was that of Lady Persis. “Come with me now, and we will speak with one another. Tostig wishes to depart early, and I would not keep my good son-in-law waiting. Besides I am anxious to return to my comfortable home.”

  “Ungrateful, presumptuous bitch,” the Dominus murmured under his breath.

  “I shall be with you momentarily, Lady Persis,” Lara said. Then she put a gentle hand upon Magnus’s sinewy arm. “I will take care of this matter, my lord Magnus,” she murmured. “Would you like me to turn her into a mouse?”

  “Could you?” he asked, his turquoise eyes twinkling. He sounded hopeful.

  Lara smiled, but said nothing, giving him a quick kiss, and hurrying off.

  She found the Dominus’s mother in the great day room of the Women’s Quarters. Going to a sideboard Lara poured two goblets of wine, and then brought them over to where the Lady Persis was seated. “I thought we might enjoy some refreshment while we talked,” she said quietly.

  “Refreshment or support?” Lady Persis asked with some humor.

  “Perhaps a bit of both,” Lara replied with a small smile.

  “My son says he means to wed you,” the Dominus’s mother said.

  “Yes, so he has told me,” Lara answered her.

  “You would refuse him?” Lady Persis was surprised.

  “Nay, but I would also not be hurried. I am a widow, lady.” Lara responded. “My husband was a great lord. Not as great as your son, I will admit. But a great leader of his clan family, and of his entire world.”

  “How did he die?” Lady Persis wanted to know.

  “He was killed by his younger brother who was tempted by his foolish wife. She had been inveigled by an ambitious man of Hetar who believed if Vartan were dead, the clan families of the Outlands, a land not ruled by Hetar, would be leaderless and vulnerable to an invasion. He was wrong, of course.”

  “What happened to the assassin?” Lady Persis wanted to know.

  “I killed both him and his wife,” Lara said quietly.

  Lady Persis looked first shocked, then disbelieving. “You killed them? You mean you had them executed, of course.”

  “Nay,” Lara replied. “I killed them.”

  “How?” Lady Persis had eyes like her son’s, and they were now wide with a mixture of both fear and curiosity — and perhaps even a bit of fascination.

  “With my sword, Andraste. I am a warrior, lady,” Lara said simply.

  Lady Persis was silent for several long moments. Finally she spoke. “You are a warrior,” she repeated slowly. “Why have you come to Terah?”

  “Because my destiny led me here, lady. I do not fully understand it myself,” Lara said candidly. “But it was obviously meant I be here else the curse of Usi would not be lifted.”

  Lady Persis nodded. “I will admit that what you have accomplished here has been beneficial to the people of Terah,” she said. “I was taught that magic was wicked, yet yours seems not to be. And my brother, Arik, is favorable to a marriage between you and my son, Magnus.”

  “My magic is naught but for good, lady. I do not practice the dark arts although the sorcerer Usi was a man who did. But those who use the darkness eventually fall into it, and are lost. I walk in the light.”

  “I have been told faerie women only give children to those they love. Is this true? My son must have heirs.”

  “I will give them to him when the time is propitious, lady. I gave Vartan a son and a daughter,” Lara said.

  “Where are they?” Persis wanted to know.

  “With their father’s people. I could not take them with me on this quest,” Lara said to the older woman. “My son may one day be leader of the Fiacre clan.”

  Lady Persis nodded. “You did what was best for them. I can see that,” she replied. “I left Sirvat when she was just a little girl. I know there are those who think badly of me for it, and perhaps they are right. I loved Magnus’s father, Ejnar. When he died I thought I might, too, but I did not. I went on because I was supposed to do so. But Sirvat is her father’s image. Each day I looked at this child I had not intended bearing, and I found myself beginning to hate her. She was alive, and Ejnar was not. I protected her the best way I knew how.”

  “You left her to her brother, and went to Narda’s home,” Lara said. “Do you still hate her?”

  “No! How could I? Magnus was a far better influence for Sirvat than I ever would have been. She is the sweetest of my daughters because I had virtually nothing to do with her upbringing.” Persis laughed almost bitterly. “It would appear I lost not only my husband, but a daughter as well because I could not resign myself to my own fate. You at least gave up your children for a noble cause, Lara.”

  “But I cannot forget them,” Lara said softly.

  “Nor should you!” Persis told her. “When my son told me that he would marry you I was angered, for I thought he should have a Terahn maiden to wife, and certainly not a Hetarian. But I see now that Magnus is wiser than I ever was. My brother is right. Arik says you will help Magnus to become Terah’s greatest Dominus.”

  “The High Priest honors me,” Lara said. “If Magnus becomes Terah’s greatest Dominus it will be because of his own efforts. I will take no credit for his accomplishments, lady.”

  Persis laughed softly. “You are very clever,” she noted. “I can see you will manage my son to his best advantage. He will be fortunate in you. I give you my blessing, Lara.”

  “Give us both your blessing, lady. I know it would please the Dominus greatly to know you approve.”

  “Nonsense! He couldn’t care a whit what I think,” Lady Persis declared, “but I thank you for saying it. And I will follow your good advice.”

  Lara rose. “Then I will see you before you depart on the morrow, lady.”

  “You take pleasures together, of course,” the older woman said.

  Lara nodded as she set her goblet back down.

  “His father was a marvelous lover,” Lady Persis said.

  “Then his son surely takes after him,” Lara replied with a smile, and she left the Dominus’s mother alone. They had tested each other, and Lara knew that Persis would now leave her in peace. Her original motive might have been to control her son’s future, but Lara could see that in her strange way Persis loved Magnus, and wanted what was best for him. Twice she had mentioned that Arik approved of Lara. It was good to learn she had the High Priest of Terah on her side should she ever need him, as perhaps she would one day. She hurried through the castle to tell Magnus of her meeting with his mother.

  She found him in his private gardens enjoying the night. Sitting next to him she slipped her hand into his. “Your mother and I have made our peace. She would give us her blessing in the morning before she leaves.”

  “Did you bewitch her?” he asked in an amu
sed tone.

  “She is intelligent in her own way, and it seems your uncle has much influence with her, my lord Dominus,” Lara told him. “He has told her a marriage between us is for the good of Terah. We talked on many things, but they are women’s things, and would be of no interest to you. Just know she will make no difficulties between us.”

  “I want to go to Hetar,” he said, surprising her. Turning he tipped her face up so he might look into her eyes.

  “Why?” she asked, though she had herself considered taking him to Hetar.

  “You want me to populate all the land beyond the mountains with Outlanders,” he began. “I want to know these people before I let you bring them here. And it is always better that a man knows his enemy. Hetar, should they learn of us, will be our enemy. I want to see the City. I want to know what it is I may have to face one day.”

  “Do you trust me?” Lara asked him.

  “Of course,” he replied without hesitation, “but I must see for myself. I have given you my word, faerie woman, and I will keep that word. But let me see first. Do you understand?”

  “Aye,” she said slowly, “I do. You are wise, my lord Dominus. Will we wed before this journey, or after? I will leave the choice up to you.”

  “Before,” he said. “I will take no chances on losing you, Lara.” His fingers stroked her face gently. “Will you agree?”

  “You said the Dominus must wed with much pomp and show,” Lara reminded him. “If you wish that then we cannot go to Hetar until the spring. I do not believe the Shadow Princes can hold back the danger that long.”

  “Then we will bring the Outlanders here before the winter sets in. They will be safe, and in the spring you and I will go to Hetar,” the Dominus said.

  “It will take a great act of combined magic,” Lara told him. “I must speak with Kaliq on the dream plane once again.”

  “Not tonight,” he said softly. And his hand began to undo her simple gown. “Tonight is for love, faerie woman. Tonight I would exchange pleasures with you.”

  “Would you play at being my husband then?” she teased him gently, her fingers caressing the back of his neck.

  “I am your husband,” Magnus murmured against her mouth, his eyes meeting hers. “We but lack Arik’s formal blessing, my faerie love. I know the Great Creator smiles on our union, Lara. And before we go to Hetar in the springtime we will have a proper wedding.” He undid the last fastening on her gown and it slipped to the ground. Pulling her naked body against him, he kissed her.

  It was good, Lara realized. This was where she was meant to be. In Terah. In the strong arms of Magnus Hauk. Her lips softened beneath his, and suddenly their tongues were at play. She murmured softly as his big hands fastened themselves about the twin moons of her bottom. His fingers dug into her flesh, kneading it gently. She could feel the desire in his very fingertips.

  He felt her yielding, felt her need. His own need was burgeoning beneath his gown. Laying her back on the marble bench he straddled her as he pulled off the long tunic he had worn that day, tossing it on the gravel path.

  Lara half sat and began licking at his broad chest, nibbling teasingly at his nipples. Impatient he took her head between his hands, and began kissing her face. Her hands began to fondle his great manhood; stroking it, her subtle fingers playing with his seed sacs, rolling them in her palm, marveling at their size.

  “Faerie witch,” he groaned. “I want to be inside of you.”

  “Not yet, my lord,” she whispered hotly in his ear, licking it playfully.

  “Tell me what you want,” he demanded.

  “Know my flesh,” Lara told him. “Taste me all over. I want to feel your tongue on me, my lord and my love.”

  She lay back again, and he began to tongue her. The dampness covered her breasts, and he blew on her wet nipples causing them to pucker tightly. Unable to help himself he suckled hard on each in turn before beginning his further exploration of her lush body. Lara closed her eyes, and reveled in the touch of his warm tongue. Slowly it roamed across her torso, and belly, and then he blew on her again causing small frissons of delight to ripple down her spine. The tongue slipped down her leg in a single smooth motion, pushing between the toes of each foot. Then his tongue swept upwards again.

  “Oh, Magnus!” Lara breathed.

  Reaching her smooth pink mons he placed a long hot kiss upon it. Then his tongue sought out the purple-shadowed slit and ran down it. He was almost dizzy with the heady musk of her body. And his own desire was greater than it had previously been.

  His tongue pushed between her nether lips, seeking out the most sensitive spot on her body. Her small sharp cry told him he had succeeded. His dark blond head was buried deep between her thighs. He pulled her flesh open to his sight. She was milky with her juices. His mouth fastened about the tiny nub, and he began to suck her.

  It was as if she had been struck with lightning. The sharp enjoyment pulsed through her as his mouth demanded more of her than any man ever had. And to her surprise Lara found she was willing to give him what he wanted. Her mouth opened in a scream. He sucked on her flesh all the harder, and a fierce tingle surged through her, leaving her helpless to him. And then he was pulling himself up, and she was beneath him again. Slowly, slowly he pushed into her body. Lara could scarcely breathe. He was so very big, and she reveled in his size as her body opened gradually to accommodate him. She could feel herself responding almost violently to the invasion, and then he was completely sheathed. Hands captured her head.

  “Look at me,” he growled. “I want to see the pleasure in your eyes when your desire peaks, my faerie love. I want to lose myself in that green sea, Lara.”

  He filled her so full, and his lover’s rod throbbed and burned within her. At first she could not open her eyes. Her lids were lethargic, as if her eyelashes weighed heavily on her cheeks. But then she managed to lift her lids, and looking into the turquoise-blue eyes staring back at her, Lara shuddered with release. Magnus laughed softly and began to move skillfully within her. Her love juices were so heavy that the bench grew wet beneath them. The small release she had previously experienced had not sated her. Indeed she felt more need than before. Her nails dug first into his shoulders, and then began to rake down his back with her insistence.

  “Oh, please! Please!” she gasped.

  “Faerie witch!” he panted with his own urgency. “A moment more, for you are too delicious to waste so quickly.”

  “We have the whole night!” she sobbed. “I will raise your lust again.”

  “How?” he groaned. He was close and he knew it.

  She softly whispered the words in his ear. “I will take you between my lips, my lord Dominus, and I promise you that you will desire me again very quickly. I know how to stoke a man’s hungers.” She licked his ear.

  His juices exploded forth, mingling with hers, and he shouted with the hot sweet pleasure they had just attained. For several minutes they lay panting and gasping with the fulfillment they had given each other.

  Finally Lara managed to speak. “Magnus, you are crushing me.”

  Slowly he pulled himself off of her. He was drained. Weakened. He had never been as satisfied by a woman as he was with Lara, and he sensed that it was the same for her as well. The night had darkened, and the sky above them was studded with stars.

  Magnus managed to stand on his feet. He swayed briefly but did not fall. Reaching down he pulled Lara up. “Come,” he said. “We will bathe, and then you will do to me what you have promised, my faerie witch.”

  Lara leaned heavily against him. Then she whispered in his ear again. “Shall I suck you dry, my lord Dominus?”

  “Yes!” he said through gritted teeth. “Yes!” He almost dragged her into his apartments and through to the bath. They bathed each other with large soapy sea sponges. When they had rinsed the scented foam from their bodies she knelt before him and took his lover’s rod into her mouth. Her lips closed tightly about his flesh, and she began to suckle upon hi
m. He groaned with both pleasure and surprise as he felt himself growing hard again. Her lips and mouth worked him into a fever. Her tongue licked the great pillar of flesh, and swirled about his seed sacs playfully. Before he might rethink the situation, she was sucking upon him with such insistence that he was unable to control himself, and Lara drank down his juices with such fierce relish he felt as weak as a maid.

  Standing she kissed him, her tongue pushing into his mouth, and he tasted himself on her. Then without a word she rinsed them both again with the fragrant water. “Shall I sleep by your side tonight, my lord Magnus?” she asked him sweetly.

  “Aye,” he managed to grind out as he took her hand to lead her to his bedchamber.

  He was confused. Never before had he felt himself out of control, and yet he had been in those few minutes in which Lara had pleasured him so wildly and so sweetly. He had been driven almost mad by her warm mouth, her facile tongue. He was not certain he liked being out of control, and in her care. Oh, other women had done to him what she had done. But never so completely.

  “What is it?” she asked as she climbed into his bed. “Did I not please you?”

  “If you had pleased me any more I should have died,” he told her honestly, “but I felt I had no command of our passion.”

  Lara laughed softly. “You didn’t,” she told him. “I was in complete authority, Magnus. Did it frighten you to be dominated, my lord Dominus?”

  “Faerie witch,” he said looming over her. “I was not so much frightened as surprised to find myself in such a position.”

  “Women often find themselves in such a position, Magnus, but as confusing as it was to you, you trusted me. Trust will be the cornerstone of our love,” she told him.