by Joe Kuster
He bucked and writhed as they continued pumping him. He found his release, painting Abby’s generous chest and face liberally with his seed. However, the women didn’t stop.
Undeterred, they took turns suckling him just on the edge of being too much sensation. The pressure of his need slowly faded as the women slowly lapped, kissed, and sucked at him and each other. His noblewoman betrothed didn’t hesitate as she lapped Abby’s bared nipples clean of his seed, and Abby groaned in pleasure while she worked.
His magic twitched and surged as Serina’s delicate commands traced across all three of their bonds. He couldn’t tell what she was doing, but he could feel his healing touching their bodies in intimate ways. Abby and Rachel tensed in unison, giving whimpering sighs of pleasure. He’d never thought of using his magic that way, but Serina made it light up their nerve endings in intense ways. He studied the connections, filing the technique away for later use.
Abby whined as Rachel gasped in urgent pants, practically lunging she thrust his flagging cock into her mouth. She swallowed every bit of him, tongue playing with his balls as Serina forced her body into an intense orgasm that left her struggling to stay upright. Abby pressed Rachel’s head down as she looked at him with an impossible need in her green eyes.
As the goddess directed his magic at his own flesh, his cock swelled in Rachel’s throat as she swallowed hard, pumping him into her.
Serina bent his magic to her will, and he found himself impossibly hard as they worked him. He gasped as the pressure inside him began to rise rapidly. Taking control of Rachel’s head, Abby pumped her up and down on TJ’s manhood.
Their magic intertwined in a confusing haze of pleasure and desire. The insight it gave him showed Abby was enjoying taking control. On the other hand, Rachel was desperate to be used and was doing her utmost to suck his soul out through his cock while she fingered herself frantically below his field of vision.
Unable to take the onslaught any longer, he tensed and thrust into her. Body wracked with spasms, he panted as he emptied himself into her mouth. She continued taking him in deep, languid motions, coaxing every bit of his seed that she could manage as it dribbled around her lips.
Abby pulled Rachel from his flesh, then crushed her lips to hers. Serina plucked at his magic and forced them both into an intense climax as they shared an intimate kiss, his seed dripping from their mouths.
A hazy voice in his mind whispered, “You’re welcome.”
The divine presence and the golden haze around their bodies slowly faded as the trio caught their breath. TJ scooted onto the bed entirely and slumped bonelessly to the pillows. Eventually, the two women crawled beside him, curling into him.
“Zat was… very different,” Abby said.
Rachel laughed. “I think you mean that was awesome. I had no idea I could do that. It doesn’t seem like it should fit.”
Abby gave a very pleased sounding chuckle of agreement as she pressed her large breasts into his side and placed several happy, but sloppy kisses down his chest. Rachel leaned over and gave Abby a long, sensual kiss.
“Oh, gods… I’m gonna turn you inside out once we can fuck properly. Both of you… for a week straight,” TJ panted.
In unison, his lovers agreed. “Mmmhmmm.”
Rachel gave a satisfied grin, then lay her head on his chest, her long black hair falling to the side. “I’m looking forward to being wed. I want to be yours entirely, just as Abby is. Although, this was a lot easier with Serina guiding me. She took control and it worked perfectly. Even if I must swear to my chastity, no one will judge me for what my goddess chose to do with my body. Her guidance made me realize I was doing all sorts of things wrong.”
TJ responded by kissing her forehead and squeezing her tight to his naked body. He wasn’t about ready to agree with that statement, but neither was he going to protest in a way that made her go back to her prior approach. The previous evening, they’d tried something similar, but it had the tell-tale awkwardness of someone’s first time with the opposite sex. Or with sexy time in general, for that matter.
While Rachel had been twisted up with need, she had no natural feel or context for these things. She’d ended up quite self-conscious, despite Abby’s encouragement and attempts at instruction. In retrospect, it might have been easy for them to have worked it out with only two of them in the room, but there wasn’t much way of making it happen. He didn’t want to critique her efforts, but lack of rhythm and too much contact with her teeth had meant it hadn’t been particularly successful, or at least, at first.
What had started as Rachel trying to give him a blowjob had quickly devolved into an up-close lesson in the art of sex while he and Abby sucked and fucked while Rachel openly played with herself. It had been erotic, especially when she volunteered to clean Abby off. Unfortunately, Abby made even the most elaborate techniques of partner gratification look natural, and it had left Rachel feeling intimidated.
This time, Serina had jerked on their puppet strings, reading their minds while taking control of their bodies. She’d used them to please him, but everyone seemed content with the level of involvement. It hadn’t been any more of themselves than they’d already shared, but it had battered through mental barriers, learning curves, and gone straight into wish-fulfillment territory. It was a surreal experience, but not one he, or it appeared anyone else, objected to.
He gave an exhausted sigh as reality slowly coalesced around them. He’d been awake for over a day and was feeling the weight of it.
He started, “So… I, uh, caught the thief.”
Abby chuckled. “Zat you did. She is eating in ze other room. She helped us carry you up. Faith was listening in on your conversation and was able to fetch us before others found you.”
“Once we got you up here, Serina began whispering to us. So… I warned Kallista to stay close and gave her a writ with your seal on it in case someone challenges her. We can sleep now. She’ll watch over us,” Rachel said.
TJ chewed on his lip. “You’re not mad? She’s kinda bound to us for life.”
The women shook their heads in unison.
Rachel said simply, “We needed a rogue to get into the church. That and she’s already offered to be our bodyguard. She seems really happy about the arrangement.”
“Helping her aids Serina. Regardless of ze role she eventually takes, zat is no small feat. We owe our patron much, and if giving Kallista a home with us is a small repayment, zen we should do it,” Abby said.
TJ smiled softly and yawned. Now that the action had subsided, he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open.
Reading his fatigue, Rachel twisted her fingers into his hair. “Sleep, my betrothed. It’s been a very long day, and we’re all exhausted.”
Nodding slowly, TJ closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of the women he loved at his sides.
Chapter 29
TJ ran a finger down the trigger of his new crossbow. The silver-plated weapon sang with magical runes and was quite different than the clunky wooden thing he’d gotten in Larton. He’d had even more expensive options to pick from, but he wasn’t enough of an expert to know what he needed.
They’d had dozens of demonstration models to choose from. Still, every salesperson had quickly suggested he only use them as rough guidelines of what the craftsmen could do and instead suggested he spend an outrageous sum for a custom weapon. To be fair, he’d have paid it, but he didn’t think he could wait five days, much less five weeks for it to be crafted. With that in mind, he was stuck buying off the rack.
They’d had heavy-duty ones that were easy to cock, ones that could cast a minor light spell that illuminated the target, and one that would cause intense poisoning. However, each one of them seemed to sacrifice one thing or another.
The light spell one sounded useful at first, but he already had good eyesight in the dark, and it would just attract more attention to his position. The hard-hitting one could sling a metal arrow through
plate armor, but it was so heavy it was hard to hold steady. The one with the poisoning enchantment would run out after a few hundred shots, which meant he wouldn’t want to use it for practice. The challenge was that he needed to train; he missed as often as he hit his target.
After a bit of searching, he’d found one that seemed to fit his needs. It had powerful runes for accuracy that were a bit more lenient in what he meant to hit, rather than his actual aim paired with a slightly faster reload. He hadn’t admitted as much, but the fact that it had been inlaid with silver feathers had been the final touch that swayed him over the poisoning one.
He’d negotiated hard and gotten it for a third of asking price. He’d then paid nearly that sum again for a magical quiver that could hold far more bolts than it appeared.
At least paying for it all wasn’t a problem. They’d finally cashed in half of the gold. The bank said it could do no more.
Fortunately, as a Count, they let him put his money and remaining valuables in an insured royal vault. The assessor had called his decorations celestial gold, and the amount they offered in exchange had staggered Rachel, much less the other two. When she heard the tally, Kallista had to sit down in the corner while she rocked back and forth and fell into panicked breathing.
Unfortunately, Rachel was quick to remind him that reviving Skyridge’s economy was likely to be an expensive endeavor, as was chasing down powerful magic that he could use.
With that in mind, he decided to see how best to use the banker’s notes he’d been given and a standard magically-infused quill that mages used. They had demonstrated that no ink would stick to the paper without the quill and showed him how to make an impression of his signet on a space in the corner for additional security. It was all a bit convoluted, but for someone to forge one of the notes, they’d have to steal his signet, the quill, have some type of magic themselves, and be able to impersonate his signature.
Unfortunately, it meant spending a good ten minutes preparing a note each time he made to use one. It was either accept those or hire guards and roll around with a wagon of pay chests on display. After the guild had sent someone to rob him, that sounded like a terrible idea. So, promissory notes in hand, he’d set off to see what else he could find of worth.
The first significant expenditure had been a walk through the mercenary district. Rachel had negotiated a company to secure the mines, patrol the roads, and help protect her homeland from cursed beasts for situations where the guard couldn’t be used.
At the same time, she worked on the long-term plan of reinforcing the county guard as well as having a contingent of soldiers journey ahead to the city of Skyridge to provide security at TJ’s manor. Once they managed to get the mine operating, they’d be a much more lucrative target for bandits, and she’d wanted to get ahead of the problem.
All told, several companies were commissioned for a year and would roll control up under the largest one’s banner. TJ had already met with the officers in the city, and they would set off immediately. Others would be trickling into the area over the next week to receive TJ’s orders. He hadn’t cared about the formality and had said as much, but local tradition dictated that he personally inspect the troops and give the officers their first commission in his name.
After leaving the mercenary district, the next commitment had been to review and approve the Copperfoot Clan’s agreement, with a few amendments. Instead of waiting for them to slowly fund the buildup, TJ bartered for a more significant ongoing percentage in return for paying for the mine’s initial construction.
After a bit of back and forth, he’d also asked Yoddeat to organize scouting expeditions in the Skyridge Mountains as well as set up a smelting facility near Larton. Using his starter funds, the Copperfoot Clan would be arranging a sizable construction force from the local populace to make it all happen.
It wouldn’t be glamorous work, but it would pull workers back to the region. TJ then hired criers to announce the changes, trying to solicit merchants, traders, and a new workforce willing to relocate. Rachel had nearly dragged him back to the inn to show her appreciation, calling it a perfect wedding gift.
Afterward, they had dropped by the merchant district where the apothecaries resided. They had plans to stock up, but every single store had been shuttered. When they asked the locals, they gave conflicting accounts of what had happened.
Some said that a batch of imported wormwood had been infected with a pox and made the workers sick. Others said a large shipment of silphium had cropped up on a ship a city to the north and everyone was in a panic to secure their share of the seeds which had been rumored to be extinct. Either way, every shop was locked tight.
Since it was illegal for anyone to sell potions, reagents, or elixirs without being in the Guild of Apothecaries, they were stuck without options to buy healing potions or other magically-infused consumables. They’d only have what their magic offered.
Still, their trip to the merchant district hadn’t been for naught. Their wagon had been replaced with something a bit nicer and could be covered in bad weather as well as purchasing a few more horses and supplies for their expected trip north. After asking around, they picked up some higher quality saddles with minor comfort enchantments built into them. The others had teased him for the expenditure, but if his mission had him roaming around the kingdom for years on end, he would get his money’s worth.
He’d tried to get access to the Guild of Mages for spells, but they’d said his application was still being processed. He’d asked about when that might be considered, but they’d only given effusive apologies with no specific expectations.
He suspected it was their way of declining him access or as a way of eliciting a significant bribe, but he’d have to follow up with the Duchess to know for sure. He wasn’t looking forward to arranging another audience at the castle just to discuss it, so he decided a missive would have to do.
They hadn’t finished their shopping, but soon darkness was upon them. As soon as the shops were shuttered, they’d headed back to their inn for a quiet meal and resting their feet.
The next morning had started with a large bundle of letters being dropped off at his room. The previous day he’d managed to send a warning to the Duchess of a possible plot afoot and inquiring if she had insight into the Guild of Mages. That had yielded several follow up inquiries, but no additional answers. In the back and forth, Rachel also had arranged a few dispatches back to Larton. As they sent them off, other letters had finally begun rolling in throughout the day.
Bethany informed them that the necromancer was rumored to have headed toward Ardsville. In response, Rachel’s father and their contingent of guards were on a fast march this way as they scoured the countryside for the escaped convict. Likewise, Bethany’s brother had been called to the city by the New Order.
Unsure of what else to do, she’d given her letters of reference to Sir Blackstone and claimed she needed transportation to rejoin Rachel. She had then agreed to travel with the guard to tamp down the rumors cropping up about TJ. By her selective word choices, it was clear Rachel’s father wasn’t thrilled about what he’d already heard.
Once the big stuff had finally settled down, more practical shopping had begun. Stepping through the enchantment shop’s door, TJ gave the wizened old man at the counter a nod in greeting as the chime tinkled overhead.
“Count Skyridge, welcome, welcome. My name is Fenier, and this is my humble collection of curiosities,” said the man.
He chuckled. “Thank you, Fenier. I suppose word gets around.”
“Of the new Count who caused the bank to shut down for lack of currency after he left? Quite so,” Fenier said with a crooked smile.
TJ’s smile faltered. He’d not be getting any more deals today. Or perhaps ever.
Trying to ignore the twinge in his eye, he replied, “Such is the way of things, I suppose. I’m looking for spells, and if the price is right, some magical equipment.”
“Of course, Count. Th
is way, please,” the shopkeeper said.
Leading him to a curtained-off corner, Fenier gestured to a small table and chair. “Please sit, and I’ll bring my best wares forward. Most magicians buy their enchanted items and spells from the guild, but I’m confident that I’ll have something to catch your interest.”
Doing so, TJ suddenly felt wildly out of place. This wasn’t how he’d anticipated shopping. He’d expected to haggle over old dusty tomes, not to be seated with an awaiting tea service.
As soon as he’d neared, the teapot had tinkled with the sound of water filling the vessel. After only a moment, steam had begun rising from the spout. Doing his best not to look like a fish on land, he sniffed the teas arranged on the tray and picked one out that smelled of oranges.
He briefly considered if he needed a magical teapot. It certainly seemed convenient.
Glancing around, he saw several kettles arranged on a curio cabinet. Some had silver inlays of animals or were embossed in gold lettering. Near the top and pushed a bit toward the back where it wouldn’t be easily noticed, he spotted one with a stunningly built nude woman with horns and a tail.
He chuckled to himself as he realized it was a trap. He would never have thought of having a magical kettle until he’d seen it in action. They were probably rather expensive. Then again, as he pondered the store, he grasped that was likely true for all the items. No peasant would accidentally stumble into the store and assume they could purchase something, and maybe that explained the tea setting instead.
This was the seat of the royal power for the area, and perhaps customers from well-to-do merchant families and nobility weren’t uncommon. Aside from stores that only sold enchanted jewelry or a few home essentials like heating stones, this was the only shop in the city that specialized in magical wares that was open to the public. If Fenier demanded prices that only the elite could afford, perhaps the tea service was just the way of things.