The Academy Volume One

by Maxine Mansfield

  Briar sighed. She wouldn’t wake him, and she wouldn’t yell at him, at least not tonight. Tonight, she would care for him, and then she would sleep.

  The poultice on Uthiel’s shoulder needed to be replaced. Gingerly, she lifted it away from the wound so as not to awaken him, and was amazed by the skin beneath. The raw, red, oozing slash had disappeared. Only a thin, pink line remained as a reminder of the injury. The surrounding skin felt cool to the touch. Briar smiled.

  She stared at her hands, turning them over and back again. They still radiated heat and energy, even after so many hours.

  The power didn’t frighten her anymore. She understood it now and accepted it for what it was.

  She―Briarlarn Tumbleweed from the Dak Forest―had channeled.

  She had heard of people being able to channel heals through their fingers but had never actually seen it. Now she had. It was a very rare gift, one for which she’d be eternally grateful. And it had been right at her fingertips all along.

  She gasped as another realization hit her. The power to heal Uthiel’s sexual problem had been within her grasp all along. She hadn’t needed to seek the help of others. Or rely on spells or incantations or even her precious Dak Forest mushrooms.

  It was her love for him that allowed the healing energy to flow.

  Carnelian had been right. Love was the true power and the healing force behind everything. She had just needed to believe in herself and in the strength of the love she and Uthiel shared.

  She believed enough for both of them now.

  She admired again the healthy pink skin where the gash had been. There was no doubt her channeling had healed his body, but how could she find out if she had also healed his soul?

  She wanted to test her theory right now, and there was only one way to do it. Briar tingled with anticipation. If he hadn’t been snoring so peacefully, she’d have woken him and shown him right this moment just how healed and complete she believed he was.

  Smiling secretly, Briar planted a warm kiss on his sleeping lips.

  She wrinkled her nose at the smell of the discarded poultice, its pungent odor filling the room. She rose, scooped it up and headed toward the small window. Holding it out as far as her arm could reach, Briar let it drop.

  It landed with a splat, and she hoped the concoction wouldn’t kill the wildflowers growing around the base of the tower.

  She returned to the small makeshift pallet where Uthiel slept contentedly. She cuddled up against him and hooked an arm securely about his waist.

  Tomorrow she would prove to Uthiel and to herself that he was completely healed in everyway. Tomorrow they would put all the pain of his past behind them and begin the rest of their lives together. Tomorrow the sun would come up on a brand-new, shiny day.

  But now, she would rest. Briar laid her head as close to Uthiel as she could get, wrapped her fingers around his, closed her eyes, and let sleep take her away.

  ****

  Below the window, Carnelian startled as something cold, wet, and smelly hit her squarely on the back and slid beneath her wing and scales, landing directly on the painful spot. She almost cried out but knew the paladin wasn’t far away―and neither was his sword.

  Grinding her teeth, she struggled unsuccessfully to shake the disgusting thing off, but the soggy lump wouldn’t budge. It was as if the thing had a mind of its own and had purposefully sought the most hurtful area of her body.

  The effort took more energy than Carnelian had, so she gave up and laid her head back down. Too much damage had been done. Too many days had gone by since the sword had deeply pierced the tender flesh between her scales, and her life’s blood had begun to ooze nonstop from the painful wound.

  Maybe this way was for the best. Perhaps this was how it was supposed to end. So many rotations of the sun spent running and hiding, so many regrets, so much pain. She was tired of it all. Too many other dragons had died in her stead. That would not happen this time. Obsidian was old enough now to be cared for by others.

  Obsidian. Her one true regret. She would never watch him grow into the powerful dragon he was destined to be. The first male successfully hatched in more than two centuries, and he was her greatest joy.

  Her mother, Cyrsophrase, would’ve been so proud to know her lineage had helped produce the dragon who just might save their entire race.

  Though he didn’t know and never would, Obsidian was the reason the human hunted her. His hatching had been a time of celebration throughout their land. The golden egg lying in the nest surrounded by other nests containing plain white eggs had been on display for days. Every dragon knew a golden egg meant an obsidian-black male.

  The very day before the tragedy had been the day of his hatching. Dragon after dragon had flown in and watched as his egg slowly cracked down the middle and split wide open. Other dragon mothers had even left their own nests to rejoice at the hatching of the male dragon. It was a day of great elation.

  What a difference a day made.

  The very next morning, Carnelian had gone hunting to feed her young dragling. When she returned, she saw a sight that made her heart all but stop. Two humans were joined together in an empty nest right next to the one in which Obsidian slept.

  She meant to only relocate them away from her child, not hurt them. She didn’t realize they would come apart so easily, or be so frightened, or struggle so fiercely. But struggle the female human did, and when the small human dug her nails into a soft spot―right above an old talon injury―it was simply reflex for Carnelian to open her claw. The girl plummeted to the ground before Carnelian could catch her.

  The anguish and hatred on the man’s face had haunted her dreams to this day.

  The dragon wiggled. Something was different. Though the wound still ached, it didn’t burn as if on fire. No longer did it ooze, or did blood drip constantly down her side.

  A surprising strength returned to fill her tired body and, for the first time in days, her mind cleared. Understanding flowed, and with it a calm she hadn’t known for many phases of the moon.

  The half-elf, half-human female―the link between her and the paladin who sought her life―was here now. The healer, whose love might possibly be the only thing stronger than the paladin’s hatred, had arrived. Only time would tell.

  Yawning widely, Carnelian once more laid down her head. Tomorrow there would be time to face her destiny and the man. Tomorrow she would do her duty. Tomorrow she would protect what needed protecting before she sacrificed the only thing she had to give in order to guarantee peace and to solidify her race’s opportunity to thrive.

  But for tonight, she would close her eyes and rest.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  His cock was hard as a rock and throbbing before he even opened his eyes, and Uthiel nudged it against the backside of the woman nestled up against his crotch. What he wouldn’t love to do with and to Briar’s warm, soft ass right this moment. He shouldn’t, though, and he couldn’t. They were in a crowded room, after all.

  Sarco and Leeky slept less than three feet away. Not to mention the object of his affection’s father slumbered no more than six feet from he and Briar, and in their direct line of sight.

  He shouldn’t disturb her. She deserved her rest. She’d traveled far and then spent many turns of the hourglass tending to his needs.

  But Uthiel couldn’t help himself. With the pain in his shoulder now gone―most assuredly due to the amazing talents of Briar―the only ache he now experienced was the demanding throb of his cock needing to plunge itself deeply into the sweetest pussy he’d ever known.

  How long had it been since he’d sheathed himself within her folds? What would it hurt to quietly part Briar’s legs and slip his cock deep into her moist, hot pussy for just a while? He could do it stealthily, without anyone but him and Briar being the wiser―

  Midan Tumbleweed opened one eye, stared in his daughter’s direction, and shifted his sleeping pallet a couple of feet closer.

  Uthiel sighe
d. It was hopeless.

  But what if―?

  He shook Briar’s shoulder lightly and whispered close to her ear, “Grasp your half of the Dragon Heart Opal, and hold onto me.”

  In her sleepy state, she did as he asked.

  Uthiel clutched his half of the stone with one hand and hugged Briar close to his heart with the other.

  He quietly chanted, “Isle of Mist, unveil yourself to me and transport home your son’s essence with his mate-to-be.”

  The stones of the tower room walls disappeared, replaced by thick, white mist. The floor dropped away, and Uthiel gently floated downward, landing on his feet, with Briar in his arms.

  She opened her eyes and glanced about. “Where are we?”

  Uthiel set her down and stretched his arms wide as he spun in a circle. “Welcome to my home, my lady. This is the Isle of Mist.”

  Briar gasped, “How did we get here? And why are we here?”

  Uthiel chuckled as he watched her take in the wonder of his home. “As to the how, the Dragon Heart Opal and a spell. As to the why, because I need to have you all to myself―to kiss, to touch, to make love with, Briar. It’s been much too long.”

  God Draka, she was beautiful. His heart pounded in his chest and his cock throbbed. “I’m not sure how much time we have, however. Our flesh-and-blood bodies remain in the tower at Castle Kuropkat. This spell is a version of one my people use to relay messages when we have something important to impart but can’t or don’t wish to physically leave where we are.”

  Briar nodded and grinned, “Then let’s not waste a moment.”

  Uthiel smiled, took her hand, and led her along a meandering path to his favorite place on the Isle.

  ****

  Briar sighed. Even though it was the middle of the night, and details were hard to make out, the Isle of Mist was breathtaking.

  More than once she stumbled, and luckily Uthiel caught her. But how could she be expected to pay attention to where she stepped, when there was so much else to see?

  A cloudless night sky twinkled above, deep and infinite and filled with lights from thousands of stars. The three moons of Albrath glowed, each in a different phase. The third moon was no more than a sliver in the western sky and the first moon a quarter, while the second moon shone full and round. It hung suspended above a vast, dark sea. Water lapped against pristine white sand, and tall palm trees swayed to a gentle breeze.

  She closed her eyes and breathed. The combination of island vegetation, salty sea air, and the man beside her sent shivers of anticipation skittering along her spine.

  “Where are we going? Is it much farther?” she asked.

  Uthiel squeezed her hand and pointed toward a tent off in the distance. He leaned in close, nibbled her ear, and whispered, “There, my lady. We need privacy for what I have planned.”

  The memories of other beaches and other nights spent in Uthiel’s arms flooded her mind and a tingle that began in Briar’s pussy quickly radiated all the way to her toes. She wanted him. It had been too long.

  Heat mingled with anticipation and permeated Briar’s entire body from the inside out. She fanned her fevered face with a free hand. Her breaths came in short gasps, and her knees threatened to buckle more than once.

  With every step she took, the beat of her heart increased, and the yearning deep between her thighs intensified.

  By the time they finally stood before the white canvas structure, Briar panted as if she’d just run a race.

  Uthiel lifted the flap, and she entered ahead of him. The tent was lovely. Though plain canvas had been stretched over tall, wooden poles to construct the frame, inside multicolored silk pillows and fur throws adorned the floor.

  How long had it been since she and Uthiel had made love? At least a full rotation of the second moon. What if she’d forgotten how to do this properly? What if she did something wrong and caused him damage, as she had in the past? She cringed at the memory of Uthiel without eyebrows.

  Unsure whether her protective force field would be in place in a dream state or not, Briar quickly whispered to herself the incantation to lower the field for lovemaking, “My body is safe, so lower the field. No protection is needed, for he’ll be my shield.”

  Uthiel tilted her chin, and all her shyness and fears melted away as she saw the love gleaming in his eyes. Her heart filled near to bursting, and she knew no matter what she did or didn’t do properly, all would work out between them in the end.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell Uthiel she was nearly certain his lack-of-orgasm problem was over, but his kiss interrupted the thought.

  Exploding starbursts replaced all rational thought with pure emotion. His mouth slid across hers with expert precision, and her body melted against him.

  He caught and nibbled her bottom lip, and shock waves of bliss scurried from her pounding heart straight to the junction between her thighs. When he nipped at her tongue moments later, she felt soft pillows cushioning her back, although Briar had no recollection of lying down. She barely realized she was naked when Uthiel’s lips began their foray downward.

  His tongue flicked out, teasing the tender skin of her neck and shoulders as his tantalizing kisses left imprints on her soul. He was like a man who had hungered long and now sat at a table to feast. And feast upon her he did, as his fingertips and hands joined his lips, teeth, and tongue in play upon her body.

  Briar sighed, her mind blank of everything except the sensations Uthiel created.

  He captured one nipple and suckled, while tweaking the other one hard. Briar couldn’t prevent the quivers that shook her. He lapped at the tender skin between her breasts, then buried his head in their valley, placing kiss after kiss as he traveled closer to the hungry spot between her legs.

  She wanted―no, needed―to touch him as he touched her. She required the steady reassurance of his skin beneath her fingertips to continue to exist. Without it, she would simply float away on the wonderful sensations Uthiel created.

  Hurriedly, she ran her fingers through his hair and down his body, pulling at the barrier of his clothes as she went.

  “Off. Take them off,” she demanded.

  Uthiel mumbled as he divested himself of his garments, “Such an impatient little thing you are tonight.” His chuckle belied any irritation. “You’ll get your turn, my lady, but right now…it’s mine!” He punctuated his words by nipping at the tender skin of her ribs.

  It tickled. Briar wiggled and laughed, but Uthiel didn’t allow her even an inch of space to escape.

  He growled against her overheated skin, “I’m going to kiss and taste all of you, Briarlarn Tumbleweed, and when I get to the tips of your toes, I’m going to start all over again. In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a man long starved and having you―every inch of you―is the only way to satisfy this kind of hunger.”

  Briar snickered, “Never let it be said I left you…unsatisfied. Feast away, Paladin.”

  Uthiel proved he truly was ravenous. He flipped her onto her stomach and continued his glorious torture down the middle of her back. She flinched as his tongue lavished a particularly sensitive spot right at the base of her spine. Chill bumps popped out on her arms, and shivers raced along her lower extremities. She was squirming with delight by the time he licked first her right ass cheek and then the left, before spreading her legs wide.

  If she suspected him hungry before, then he was, without a doubt, insatiable now. Uthiel parted Briar’s folds and latched onto her clit as if it were ambrosia and he’d been existing his entire life on only bread and water.

  Over and over, he licked and suckled, not giving Briar a moment’s respite. Her fists clenched the pillow beneath her head as waves of delight flowed through her torso. The pressure intensified, deep and strong, throbbing and pulsating. She gulped deep breaths of air and rocked her hips back and forth as she rode Uthiel’s tongue.

  “Now, Uthiel! I need you inside me now, please,” she begged.

  “I’ll gladly give you
what you wish, but you must first talk dirty to me, my lady.”

  Briar shuddered as Uthiel once more renewed his onslaught upon her sensitive nub. Electrifying spasms of excitement shot from where his tongue touched her clit and skittered through her belly and down her legs to the tips of her toes. She curled them in ecstasy.

  She was going to die from this, and she was going to die before she ever again felt Uthiel’s cock deep inside her. That wasn’t acceptable.

  “Penis, penis, penis,” she choked out.

  Uthiel whispered against her clit, “Not this time, my lady.” The vibration of his words upon her tender membranes almost sent her over the edge. “You know what I want to hear. Come on, Briar, set the naughty girl free. You know you want to.”

  Then he licked her.

  Not one of those quick teasing licks. No, this lick flicked deep into her pussy, teasing her with what was to come, before slowly sliding the length of her to once more swirl about her clit.

  Briar panted hard as she lifted her head and yelled for all she was worth, “Fuck me, Uthiel! Put your cock in my pussy and fuck me! Do it now!”

  He slid up her body and thrust his cock deep inside, right where she’d demanded. “As you wish, my lady,” he ground out.

  Briar closed her eyes and gloried in the way the width and length of Uthiel’s cock hit all the right spots as it pounded mercilessly into her. She slid her knees up, arched her back, and held onto the large pillow for control, allowing him even deeper access. Her efforts were rewarded a moment later when Uthiel grabbed her hips with both hands, plunged all the way in to the entrance to her uterus, and redoubled his stroke volume.

  It was exhilarating. It was magnificent. The joy of his cock deep within her brought tears to her eyes. The force of Uthiel’s thrusts were unbearably wonderful, and Briar feared she was no more than three grains of hourglass sand away from orgasm.

  It was too soon, too quick. She wanted to savor the moment.