Uthiel gesticulated, as if trying to form something unformable. His mouth twisted, as if attempting to explain the unexplainable.
Sarco remained quiet, even though his hands trembled from the urge to shake and demand the answers to at least a thousand different questions from his best friend. But for as long as he’d known Uthiel, it had never worked to rush him. And there was no doubt about it, it wasn’t going to work today either.
Uthiel’s shoulders slumped. “I’m not sure I have the courage to tell you how despicable my actions were.” He sighed and threw up his hands. “I am the worst of cowards.”
Sarco shook his head. Coward and Uthiel Stoutheart in the same sentence made no sense. “How about if you start at the beginning, my friend? Nothing can be as bad as what you think it is.”
Uthiel stopped pacing and scoffed. After two deep breaths, he sat down again.
Sarco waited patiently as Uthiel slowly closed his eyes. It took the dropping of a good dozen grains of sand before he opened them once more. They were filled with grief and despair.
Sarco longed for the power to take away his friend’s pain. Just listen, listen, listen to him, Sarco reminded himself. Don’t say a word!
The paladin finally continued his story.
“I let her down. All I had to do was nod in her direction, give her my approval, and everything would’ve been fine. I know it would have been, but I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t sit there and watch her take another man inside herself, even if it was to heal him. To my credit, I didn’t shake my head no like I wanted to, but still, I simply did nothing.”
Sarco patted his friend’s shoulder, trying to impart a comfort he suspected his friend was beyond. Alas, just as he expected, Uthiel didn’t notice. He was lost in his story.
“I watched as she wavered for the first time since starting her test, and I did nothing to help her. When she announced to the council she couldn’t do it, you could’ve heard a pin drop in that room.”
For the first time since the conversation started, Uthiel looked Sarco straight in the eye. “I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe, and my heart felt like it was going to burst right through my skin. Then everything happened so quickly.
“Headmistress Seychelle jumped up and grabbed Briar’s arm. Mr. Chamman gripped the Headmistress and attempted to pry her loose, and Ray yelled his love of cock for all of Albrath to hear.
“What made the situation even worse, though, was that naked, disgusting enchanter putting his hands on Briar, and tugging her down toward his overly enthusiastic erection.
“He was even stroking himself with his other hand…the bastard,” Uthiel shuddered, then took a deep breath.
“That’s when the explosion happened.”
Another explosion? Too funny! Sarco couldn’t help himself, and a chuckle escaped. “Explosion?”
Uthiel glanced at him. “Oh yeah, another one. The biggest yet. Briar swears she turned her protective force field off and I believe her, even if no one else does.”
Uthiel turned his hands palm up, and for the first time, Sarco noticed oozing, red blisters covering his friend’s skin, from wrist to fingertips.
Sarco flinched. “VoT, that looks painful.” Maybe the situation wasn’t quite as funny as it had first seemed.
Uthiel ignored him. “I strove to stop it. I know what happens when Briar’s put in an uncomfortable position. When Headmistress Seychelle grabbed her, I saw a spark. And even more of them when Ray dropped his slimy dildo at Briar’s feet. Then, when Mr. Sabin forced her downward, I saw her force field arc. I was beside her by then and I only wanted to protect her, but it was too late.
“It was the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. Bright white energy flowed from within her, and through her, and out through her fingertips. Then it traveled through the Headmistress and Sabin, and myself, and even the panel of instructors. There was an ear-splitting boom, and the entire room lit up. My ears are still ringing, and I’m pretty sure the infirmary will have standing-room only for a couple turns of the hourglass yet. It didn’t miss anyone or anything.”
Sarco swallowed convulsively, but managed to not say anything to interrupt his friend. Not that he could have gotten a word in, anyway, because the story poured out of Uthiel now. Though Uthiel’s body was here, it was obvious from the blank stare in the paladin’s eyes, his mind was still trapped in the room were the trauma had occurred.
“The damage was pretty extensive. The Headmistress is missing more than a few of her long, shiny curls. Ray has disappeared or run off. Mr. Chamman will never be the same, I’m pretty sure. The left side of his face now tends to jerk and twitch. And I doubt Mr. Sabin will be using his cock on anyone for a long time to come. The last time I saw him, they were carrying him away on a stretcher with a large bag of ice covering it. Trust me, he didn’t look happy. The entire thing was a complete disaster. It was pretty ugly.”
Sarco had never seen his friend look so defeated. The Uthiel Stoutheart he knew faced dragons, championed causes, looked death in the eye and laughed at it. Had he really been brought this low by sentiment for a mere slip of a girl? “This isn’t your fault.”
Uthiel sighed, “But it is, don’t you understand? If I were a whole man, this would’ve never happened. I would have been confident in her love, and her healing another soul wouldn’t have bothered me so much.”
Oh, VoT, not the I’m-not-a-whole-man shit again. What was it going to take to get through Uthiel’s thick head and make him see the truth?
Sarco stood and paced. He glanced around at the cold, gray stone walls of the arena, searching his mind for the right words to ease his friend’s pain. Reasoning hadn’t worked last time, and neither had making Uthiel angry. Perhaps he could show his friend what he’d done right instead of what Uthiel felt he’d done wrong.
He stopped directly in front of Uthiel and placed a hand upon the paladin’s shoulder. “No man wishes to witness another man having sex with his woman, not even for the sake of healing. You didn’t demand Briar not do it―that was her decision. Don’t you see? You stood beside her. You did nothing wrong.”
Uthiel shook his head. “Perhaps I didn’t do anything technically wrong, but I didn’t help the situation either. I have to make this right. As it stands now, I have nothing to offer Briar, and that is no longer acceptable. What good is half a man?
“It’s not as if I haven’t been told enough times what it is I must do before I can even hope to be healed, Sarco, and it’s not as if I haven’t sought the beast many times. Now, however, Briar’s happiness counts on it, and I won’t let her down again.”
VoT, he is going after that fucking red dragon…again. Sarco’s stomach knotted. He’d hoped Uthiel would not go down that path, but now…
Lord Draka help us all.
Uthiel clasped his hands, resolve chiseled on his face. “I’ve made my decision. We have the summer season off before the next semester begins and you know what I must do.”
Sarco looked his best friend directly in the eye. “So you’ve come to the conclusion Briar’s the one? Did you check?”
Uthiel reached into the pocket of his tunic and pulled out a smooth, teardrop-shaped white stone and held it reverently in the palm of his hand. The light caught it at an angle, and multifaceted tones of fire and ice radiated from within its depths. Sarco had always admired the magnificent stone.
“I haven’t put it to the test, and I’m not sure I ever will. I don’t know if I believe in the legend of the stone anymore or even want to.”
Sarco couldn’t believe his ears. “Oh, come on, Uthiel. You know how meaningful this stone is to your people.”
Uthiel shook his head. “Just because the Dragon Heart Opal split and became two when my mother first held it, doesn’t mean it will happen with any woman I love. It certainly didn’t do anything in Deleny’s hand except lie there like the rock it is. I would’ve taken her as my wife anyway.
“So to VoT with the damn stone. There are times I swear I’d throw i
t away if I could, but, as we both know, it would just come back.”
Sadness clouded Sarco’s heart. He’d been there for Uthiel these past two years since Deleny’s death. He’d seen the torment Uthiel had faced. What would be left of his friend if Uthiel failed to kill the dragon this time? Was it worth taking the chance, if the stone didn’t prove Briar was the one?
“I know you loved Deleny very much, my friend, but perhaps the stone didn’t split because she wasn’t truly the one meant for you. Have you forgotten the stone wasn’t a sign for only your father and mother? I know the story behind it as well as you do, Uthiel. How can you ignore the fact that every firstborn child in your family for centuries has chosen his or her mate the same way, with the very same hunk of rock?”
Uthiel scowled, “That doesn’t mean I have to.”
Sarco ran a hand through his hair. “Quit being a chickenshit. Test it, Uthiel. If the Dragon Heart Opal splits, then you’ll know for sure. At least try letting Briar hold it before you go running off after that dragon. If she isn’t the one, why risk your life?”
Uthiel stood and faced his friend, determination in his eyes and his hands fisted at his hips. “I have to do this for me, whether she’s the one or not. You can understand that, can’t you? As things stand now, there can be no mate, no children, no future with anyone unless that dragon dies.
“So I need you to keep an eye on her, Sarco, while I’m gone. Promise me. I’ll tell Briar later tonight I’m leaving. I saw her safely back to her dorm room after the exam incident, and I figure she needs a little time to herself to calm down.”
Sarco shook his head. “If you won’t listen to reason, at least take me with you. You have to admit, a wizard can come in handy when facing that red monster. Leeky can babysit Briar.”
Uthiel shook his head. “No, my friend. I will not put you in danger. Anyway, you are my oldest and dearest friend. I would trust no other with Briar’s safety.”
Sarco nodded. He didn’t want to do as Uthiel asked, but when this Stoutheart male made up his mind, there was no changing it. He also knew he could no more deny Uthiel’s request than he could deny himself a similar request. There might come a day when he’d have to ask of his friend what was being asked of him now. Life was strange that way.
“So you’d leave me with the hard job?” he forced a chuckle. “That of watching over Miss Briarlarn Tumbleweed while you’re off playing with dragons? Speaking of which, are you going to tell her what you’re planning?”
“No, definitely not. I’m going to tell her I have to go home to take care of family matters and should be back before the beginning of next semester. Besides,” Uthiel grinned, “you’re not going to have to look after her for long. Her father is coming soon to take her home to the Dak Forest for the summer.”
Maybe after he got Briar off his hands, he could catch up with Uthiel. But it would be a waste of breath to talk to him about it now. He swallowed hard and broke the silence. “You’ll return in time for my family’s summer festival, won’t you? It wouldn’t be the same without you. If you don’t, I’ll come looking for you myself.”
Uthiel smiled fondly. “That doesn’t give me much time, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world, you know that. I’ll even fetch Briar along. Your family will be a big treat for her. I’m sure she’s never seen the likes of that many amazing wizards all in one place.” With a nod, he clapped Sarco on the shoulder. “Take care of her, my friend. And thank you.”
He turned and walked away.
Sarco had a sick feeling in his gut, but there was no stopping Uthiel. “Summer festival, Uthiel,” he called after him. “Not a moment longer.”
Uthiel’s only response was to lift his right hand and give a backwards wave.
Chapter Seventeen
“No peeking.”
Briar scrunched her eyes tighter. “I wasn’t.”
She gloried in the feel of the strong hands holding her gently, guiding and leading her who knew where. The heat of them warmed her to her core. After the final-exam trauma of just a few turns of the hourglass ago, Uthiel’s closeness was a much-needed balm for her wounded soul.
“So, where are you taking me?”
Uthiel’s excitement flowed over her, through her, surrounding her with a bubble of contentment and well being.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?”
Briar grinned, but reality quickly intruded. The bubble burst. How dare she laugh after what she’d done only hours before?
Stopping in mid-stride and opening her eyes, she threw herself into Uthiel’s arms and sobbed, “I’m so sorry about earlier today. Do you think the instructors and the spectators who were injured will ever be able to forgive me? I can’t believe I blew up an entire room. It was horrible.”
Uthiel placed a finger against her lips. “Shush, my lady. Didn’t we agree to not speak of it again tonight? It wasn’t your fault. It’s over. Everyone will heal. The injuries were minor for the most part. Now, close your eyes, and don’t open them again until I tell you.”
Briar sniffed, but did as she was told.
He wrapped his arms about her and rubbed her back in reassuring circles. “You’ll see, Briar. You’ll retake your exam when the new semester begins. You’ll pass it then, I know you will. So for the rest of this evening, let’s concentrate only on pleasant things.”
He kissed Briar’s ear, and the puff of air from his breath stirred the fine hairs on the back of her neck as he spoke. “Very pleasant things, I promise.”
Uthiel tugged them forward once more.
Briar shivered. Chill bumps popped out on every inch of her exposed flesh, and her heart pounded in anticipation. Her pussy throbbed, and even her panties rubbing between her legs as she walked shot tingles of excitement all the way to her toes.
They stopped, and Briar heard the sound of a key clicking and a knob turning. Walking through the doorway, the fragrance of sweet jasmine filled the air, and off in the distance violins played a lilting melody.
“You may open your eyes now, my lady.”
His words against her lips as he teasingly captured her in a kiss sent tiny shock waves of pleasure scampering down her spine.
Briar blinked and gasped as she twirled, trying to take it all in.
The room was unlike any she’d ever been in. The walls were warm sandstone, and soft carpets scattered here and there added color to the dark teakwood floors. A large doorway covered much of one entire wall. Partially open curtains in deep-red velvet and snow-white lace beckoned Briar to the balcony beyond. The luxurious fabric billowed inward from a misty, gentle night breeze that cooled her skin.
Numerous candles―some nearly as tall as Briar herself―flickered and illuminated the space with a magical aura. Wisps of smoke floated upward, and warmth filled her heart as her own worries of the day drifted away with them.
She smiled up at Uthiel. The thoughtfulness of his gesture of bringing her to someplace so beautiful brought tears to her eyes.
He winked and pointed, and Briar gasped.
In the center of the room stood the one and only piece of furniture―a magnificent, four-poster, big-enough-for-four, satin-sheeted bed. Her pulse raced and her pussy hummed with expectation.
“I distinctly remember promising you a bed, my lady. Does this one please you?”
Briar grinned at Uthiel, her breath coming in short bursts. “It’s perfect, so very perfect. How did you…? Whose is this? Where are we, Uthiel?”
Uthiel wrapped his arms about her and nuzzled her neck. “This place belongs to Sarco’s family, and I simply asked him for the use of his room for the night. We are in his homeland. The mountainside city of Landis.”
He led Briar onto the balcony. Her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat.
“That’s exactly the same way I reacted the first time I saw this sight,” Uthiel whispered.
Briar marveled at the view all around and below. From their vantage point high on the side of the
mountain, the unimpeded panorama was breathtaking. A waterfall split the mountain in half, thundering into a river that sparkled in the moonlight and rushed through a lush valley.
Lights dotted the mountainside, and Briar realized they were homes and businesses. From her perch, she could even see the intricate roadway of swinging bridges linking everything together.
“Oh, Uthiel, what a magnificent place.”
He smiled and hugged her tighter. “I’m glad you like it, my lady. We’ll be coming back here for the summer festival, but there is time later to talk of such things. Right now, I have plans for you. Oh, and we won’t have to worry about Mr. Leeky Shortz interrupting us. Even the great rogue gnome won’t find us this night. I bribed Sarco to keep an eye on him.”
Lightheadedness overcame her as blood raced to her pussy. The teasing tingling of earlier transformed into something so much stronger. A demanding pulse of need drove her as Briar gazed longingly into Uthiel’s eyes. “Just what plans do you have for me, Paladin?”
In a heartbeat, Uthiel swooped Briar up in his arms and carried her inside. He stood her at the side of the bed and ran a single finger from her throat to her navel and back up again. She shivered in anticipation.
“This night is for you, my lady. Your pleasure, all night, in all ways, with all that I am and ever hope to be.”
A tear escaped from her watery eyes. Her heart filled near to bursting as she rose up on tiptoes and lightly brushed his lips with her own.
His eyes filled with fire as he broke the kiss and lifted her plain white tunic over her head, tossing it aside. “You are so very beautiful to me, my sweet Briar.”
She watched as Uthiel slowly divested himself of his garments and gave her an erotic display, Briar knew, meant to heat her blood.
It worked. She burned.
The air in the room grew thin and she struggled to draw each breath. Her nipples hardened and ached for his touch. Butterflies fluttered in the pit of her stomach, and liquid heat moistened her pussy.
The Academy Volume One Page 18