Fractured Spirit (Alpha World Book 5)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “Are ya goin’ to summon Bob and Tiny?” Stacia asked Alburet.

  Nodding, Alburet silently called Bob, Tiny and Copied Stacia. As the smoke cleared from the minions, they looked around.

  “We are within Stormguard?” Tiny asked.

  “The King has lifted the long ban today,” Alburet told the Destroyer.

  “This is amazing,” Bob said as he took to the air, looking around wildly. “So many buildings, so many people.”

  “Aye,” Kitten said as she stood beside Stacia. “Stacia’s sister be havin’ her weddin’ feast shortly.”

  Bob dropped back to the ground, “You invited us to the wedding feast?”

  “Seemed like a good idea at the time,” Alburet told the Imp. “I’m responsible for all of your actions while you are inside the walls. Your actions will reflect on me directly, please keep that in mind.”

  Tiny bowed his head, “Yes, master.”

  “You can go when you wish to return to your wives. I thought you might enjoy the party.” Alburet grinned at his minions.

  A flash of light and smoke announced a minion being summoned near them. Tabitha took Stewart’s offered arm as the smoke cleared. “Let us show you to your table. I need to find Alistern after that.”

  The now much larger party followed Stewart to the table that had been set aside for them. All around them others were summoning their minions, mostly Infernals though there were some Undead. More chairs were being brought out to seat the new arrivals. Alburet brought over three more chairs for his minions.

  Alistern was accompanied by his Destroyer and Imp, as well as a Copy of Lilith with different hair and slightly altered face. Lilith glided along behind him, a serene smile on her lips as she met Alburet’s eyes.

  “Alburet, Stewart be tellin’ me tha’ this sudden proclamation be ya doin’. Be tha’ right?” Alistern asked bluntly as he came to a stop across the table from the group.

  “Probably,” Alburet replied. “We did meet with the King a few days ago.”

  Alistern seemed a little shocked. “Ya do nay understand how much this will mean to so many of us.” His jaw went taut for a moment as he struggled to contain the joy he felt. “Iffin it be true, than ya will be havin’ the thanks of all of us.”

  Lilith giggled softly, “What my emotionally conflicted husband is trying to say is simple. Thank you. In the last few months you have almost completely overturned the past few hundred years of repression we have endured. Now it will be up to us to prove that we deserve this.”

  Nodding, Alistern hooked his arm around Lilith’s waist. “Aye. Iffin a bit blunter than me was goin’ for.”

  “You know, as well as I, how happy this must make my Father,” Lilith said. “I’m sure he will be wanting to speak with you again soon,” she said to Alburet.

  Alburet shook his head, “I didn’t have that much to do with this.”

  Stacia covered his hand, stopping him from continuing, “Hush. Ya have been at the forefront of all of this since ya first day here. Just accept the thanks and do nay fight what is to come.”

  “You kind of did do this,” Karen agreed with Stacia.

  “I would like to see the Dark Lord’s palace,” Fluff said softly. “I have dreamed of it, for some time.”

  Glancing at Fluff, Alburet bowed his head. “If that is your wish, then I will do my best to see that it happens soon, my beautiful wife.”

  Fluff’s joy soared at his words and the matching emotion she felt from him. Her cheeks went pink as she felt the honesty and love in his words. “Will it always be like this?” she asked Stacia.

  “Ya will come to learn how to deal with the emotions in time. The first bit be hard, when it all be so new,” Stacia told her as she covered Fluff’s hand with her own.

  “Welcome to the fold,” Lilith said with barely enough volume to be heard by Karen and Fluff. “Mother has been quite excited. It is an honor for me that you both partook of my blood for the change.”

  Karen smiled, “It’s taking some getting used to. The gift bloomed less than an hour ago.”

  “Ah, you are in for quite the night,” Lilith replied. “Tonight, emotions will run high. With your other lovers beside you, though, I’m sure you will be fine.” She took Alistern’s arm, “Come husband, we have a few more things to finish before the bride and groom appear.”

  “Aye,” he said as he grinned at the group. “Always thin’s tha’ need to be done. We be seein’ ya later.”

  As they left, Karen sat back. “I see your mother is showing us a good example.”

  Stacia grinned, “Aye.”

  Alburet rolled his eyes, “I feel a sudden sinking sensation.”

  Fluff giggled as she felt his true emotions, which were at odds with his words. “You just want us to love you. You really don’t mind at all if we lead.”

  He met her eyes, his smile sincere, “I still have preferences in some things. However, with the diverse family we have none of us will ever want for anything.”

  Stacia kissed his cheek, “Mayhap tonight ya can remind me of our first time together?”

  Laughing, he kissed her cheek back. “That can be arranged, my dear little fire kitten.”

  Karen smirked, “Maybe we should pull up a seat and watch, Fluff.”

  Gulping, Fluff looked from Karen to Alburet. “Umm…”

  “As you wish,” Alburet said the words, intending them to convey his acceptance and love. “I won’t exclude you. Any of you.”

  “We be seein’ later, who be up for what,” Stacia cut in. “For now, we be attendin’ a reception.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Alburet woke to find Fluff facing him, her tail draped over his waist. Her hands were loosely clasped just under her chin as she purred contentedly in her sleep. Lips spreading into a smile, he watched her sleep for a time as his mind flashed back to the events of the night before.

  ~*~*~

  The reception had been a wild affair, wilder than any party Alburet had ever attended. Not only were those in attendance already celebrating the dual marriage, they were also celebrating the loosening of the repressive laws they had lived under. As many in attendance were Summoners or Necromancers, or had family who were, the party was a joyous affair.

  A steady stream of people came over to Alburet to thank him during the evening as Stewart spread the word about Alburet’s part in the decree. Feeling the pride that Stacia had in him for his role in the event, he couldn’t be mad at those who wanted to thank him. He was glad that the party still focused on the newlyweds for the most part. Deirdre and Almira shone like two jewels during the evening, with Chris and Grimgar the happy grooms who stood beside them.

  He did note that Violet had shown up for the reception and was sitting beside Marian. Wilbur was seated beside Erin, both of them laughing and smiling with the others at the main table. Alburet’s smile became more pronounced when he pointed out to Stacia, that Emily was again with Dennis, Margret Wilson’s son. He looked for Dennis’s mom, spotting Margret sitting at a nearby table talking animatedly with a portly, balding gentleman in black robes edged with silver trim.

  The giving of gifts was mostly one-sided as very few people had been expecting the second couple to marry. Only the Crowleys, Alburet, and a few others had something to give to the second couple. Almira and Grimgar did their best to let everyone know it was fine, as they didn’t need as much since they were both well established merchants. Deirdre and Chris were different, they were all but smothered in gifts. Deirdre was fighting back tears through most of it, overwhelmed by the generosity. Deirdre wept tears of happiness, when Wilbur and Erin presented the key to a home. Chris stood at that point and shook Wilbur’s hand, adding his own profuse thanks.

  The dancing and drinking had gone on for hours after that. Alburet made it a point to dance with both brides, while his wives danced with both grooms. After that, the quartet made polite, quiet goodbyes before slipping away. They made it back to the Guild Hall in time to take the po
rtal and walk up the ramp to the Keep an hour before midnight.

  They worked with Kim to get the room set up while Gerald and Marysue went to the Portal Guild to welcome the new testers. The plan was for Gerald to greet the new people, then take them through the portal and show them the Keep. They would all be told the requirements and offered the chance to join the guild. When the crowd finally arrived, it was over three hundred people strong. Alburet blinked at the massive crowd. Fluff stepped behind him and Karen.

  Gerald followed the recruits with Marysue on his arm. He nodded to the quartet who stood next to the throne as he took his position in front of it. He gave a brief welcoming speech, informing all those who had shown up of the requirements to join the guild. A few people scoffed at the idea of having to be nice to the natives and promptly left. Some were escorted out by the guards when they tried to sneak up the stairs. Still, over two hundred people accepted a scroll from the officers. There was a reception for those who accepted an invitation to the guild. Food and drink were laid out on sideboards while old and new guild members circulated and chatted. The party stretched on until almost five in the morning, when people finally started to leave, ready to turn in their scrolls and to head out hunting as groups were forming amongst the newcomers.

  Alburet reminded Gerald they would be hunting after getting some sleep. Marysue seemed happy with the news, giving them all hugs and promising to be ready when they were. After saying their goodbyes, the four of them pulled out their Homestones and went back to the house. Just inside the door of their home, Alburet felt a surge of emotion wash over him.

  Turning, he discovered Stacia had stripped completely naked, after just a few seconds of being inside. Before he could say anything, she knelt and asked him, as she had the first time that seemed so long ago, to take her. He nodded as he reached down and stroked her cheek. He dragged her into the bedroom and ravaged her for the next couple of hours. He did his best to not think about Karen and Fluff watching him dominate Stacia, focusing on the woman who begged him to do even more to her. He complied, going beyond where they had been before, giving her everything she wanted.

  At the end of those two hours Stacia lay bonelessly on the bed, a languid smile on her lips. Alburet turned to reassure Fluff that he wouldn’t do the same to her, having felt some trepidation once he allowed himself a moment to feel her emotions. He hadn’t even gotten turned all the way around when he became aware of the burning desire of Karen, just before she tackled him onto the bed. For the next hour he fought unsuccessfully to free himself as Karen had her way with him. He could feel her need for the struggle, so he fought back as much as he could but wasn’t surprised to lose since he wasn’t wearing any of his gear. When she was finally sated she slid off him and into Stacia’s welcoming arms.

  Alburet smiled at the two of them as Stacia lulled both herself and Karen to sleep. He was puzzled about where Fluff had gone until he felt her curl up beside him. She watched him with a timid expression, her emotions a combination of desire and uncertainty. “We can just sleep, Fluff,” he told her to calm her fears.

  Shaking her head, she leaned in and licked at his neck, at his sensitive spot. “I’m not ready for all of it, but maybe I can explore you some, while you touch me?” She swallowed nervously. Her emotional conflict was high; she desperately wanted what she asked for but was also deathly afraid of being hurt or rejected.

  “As you wish,” was his reply, with all the warm acceptance he felt as he let his fingers begin to lightly dance across her body. She returned the light touches, though she kept her eyes turned away from his. She could feel his desire for her, that he tempered with concern. That, above all else, was what helped her continue to caress him. It ate at her own fears, lessening them by fractions with every touch, as he continued to gently trace her body. His eyes grew heavy over the next few minutes, and he struggled to stay awake to please her as much as he could. She didn’t shift away from him even when he began to gently massage her pert breasts. He tried to rise to her touch, but his body just wouldn’t respond to his desire. She could feel his disappointment at not being able to continue, as he berated himself for failing her.

  “Sleep. You were purrfect. You did nothing wrong and have shown me how much you want to keep me safe even while you desire me,” she told him as his eyes finally slipped shut for the last time.

  “Anything for you,” he mumbled as he started to fade. Her contented purr, along with a few gasps of pleasure, were the last things he heard as he finally fell asleep.

  ~*~*~

  Those memories flitted through his mind as he looked at her now, vulnerable and smiling in her sleep as she purred. Reaching out, he stroked her head right at the base of her ear as gently as he could. Her lips twitched as her smile grew, her purring growing louder as she reached out her hands an inch and began to knead his chest. Her fingers were gentle, continuing the unconscious massage as she began to wake.

  As her eyes fluttered open, he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. “Morning, my happy cuddler. I’m sorry about last night.”

  Coming awake with a sigh of happiness, she kissed him again after his apology. “No, no. It was purrfect. I don’t think I could have gone any further right then. It was wonderful having you caress me. Knowing that you wouldn’t do more was freeing. I’ll never be able to do what Stacia does for you, or do what Karen does to you.” She bit her lip as she tried to explain what she was trying to say.

  “Then you’ll just have to be the medium between them. Softly giving and softly taking, so I have my own version of the three bears,” Alburet said when she paused.

  “So I’m just right?” she asked, her heart leaping into her throat.

  “I’ll say you are,” Karen answered from the other side of Alburet as she draped herself over his chest. “We’re each different in our own ways, Fluff,” she gave the smiling Lunari a kiss. “Shall we go bathe and get ready for hunting?”

  “Sounds like a promisin’ plan,” Stacia added as she got out of bed. “Iffin we can get our husband to agree.”

  “I do agree, but I seem to be at a severe disadvantage at the moment,” Alburet said from where he was still pinned down by Karen. “I seem to end up at her mercy all the time.”

  Karen grinned down at him, “As you should be.” She stole a kiss from him before she got out of bed. “Come on already, we have a quest to complete.”

  Laughing, he followed her as Fluff escaped out the other side of the bed. “No one ever says how rarely a man with three wives actually gets to win an argument,” Alburet mentioned idly as he trailed the trio into the bathroom.

  “Ya win as often as ya should,” Stacia replied as she motioned him onto a seat. “Now ya should sit so I can be pamperin’ ya. Which be a privilege, as ya be so put upon.”

  He could see the laughter in her eyes. “Oh so much bait, but I’m not opening up that can. If I tried Karen would jump me.”

  Snorting as she began to wash Fluff, Karen shook her head, “Nope, that’s between you and her this morning. I already have my hands full with something delightful.”

  Fluff giggled as Karen scrubbed her back. “I like the way she washes me.”

  Alburet pointed at the seat, “I think I’ll wash you first. Sit, Kitten.”

  Eyes heating, Stacia bowed her head, “As me master wishes.” She sat and stretched languidly, looking over her shoulder at him. “Every kitten likes to have their owner rub them.”

  “Yup,” Fluff said softly as Karen rubbed her. She froze for a second, realizing she’d said it out loud and waiting for the rebuke that she expected to come. Instead, she heard and felt the love-filled laughter, which eased her tension.

  “None of us will rebuke you, Fluff,” Karen whispered to her. “We just want you to be loved by each of us, and all of us. Your past is just that now, done and gone in the winds of yesterday. Today, tomorrow and beyond will be filled with love.”

  Bowing her head, Fluff nodded, “It’s just so hard to get used to. E
ven being able to feel all of your love, it’s taking time to break down the old walls. Now I’m afraid you won’t wait for me to do so.”

  “Silly goof,” Karen said as she wrapped her arms around her lover. “Do you honestly think any of us would do that?”

  “No, but the fear is still there,” Fluff sighed as she accepted the love around her.

  “Aye, it will take time,” Stacia said from where she was being played with by Alburet. Her voice caught as he tweaked her nipples, “Iffin… ya can put up with our quirks, do ya nay think we can deal with ya quirks?” She shuddered as a wave of pleasure rolled through her, “Master, iffin ya keep doin’ tha’ I will be a naughty minion and delay us goin’.”

  Alburet pulled his hands away from her, “Can’t have that.” His suppressed laughter sent another shudder through Stacia as he did exactly what she wanted him to, deny her pleasure for the moment. He could feel her wants and knew she needed him to toy with her, just as she had needed him to take her roughly last night. “We all have our place in this union, Fluff,” Alburet said as he rinsed Stacia clean. He looked over at the recently rinsed Lunari, “Last night was the tip of the last hurdle between the two of us. It will be overcome at your pace, but between now and that time, all of us will be here for each other. After that hurdle is overcome, we will continue to be here for each other. I will defy Victoria herself, if need be, to keep us all together.”