by Daniel, Jake
Jun fluttered around me and created a ball of glowing light. “I will light the way.”
Alysain shrugged. “I was going to recommend waiting until daylight returned, but Jun’s light should suffice.”
“Perfect. Stay by my side, Jun. That light will be very useful.” I motioned for the fairy to follow me below deck. We entered a long hall, passing several bunks which lined each side of the wide pathway through the center of the ship. Thankfully, each of the beds were empty.
Jun turned to me as I stopped to inspect an empty bed. “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I told you, that tainted spirit has a strange effect on fairies. Obviously, it could be way worse, but it makes me want to have sex like I was a hundred again or something.”
I gave her a smile and shrugged. “A hundred? Exactly how old are you? I mean, you are hot as hell, but I didn’t take you for a year over twenty-five.”
“I am approaching four hundred and sixty-nine revolutions in Aurilon.”
I nodded and smiled. “Nice.” I cocked my head and kept my eyes focused on hers. It was the first time I really paid attention to her close up. She looked like what I envisioned an angel would look like. Her body, albeit small, was perfectly proportioned and was accentuated by the tight colorful dress that she wore. Her wings looked like the soapy film of a bubble, and shifted between reds, greens, and oranges as they moved slowly back and forth behind her. “That is an incredibly long time to be alive.”
Jun shrugged. “Yes, I suppose so.” She paused and looked around. “Anyway, I think as long as I can avoid any intense fights for a bit, I should be able to keep my core clean.” She fluttered up to one of the topbunks and propped herself on the edge.
Alysain let out a stifled laugh. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to laugh, but when I saw your naked body zoom through the air, I nearly lost it.”
Jun blushed and shrugged. “The wind feels amazing on my skin when it is flowing over my body.”
I turned and smiled at Alysain. “Feel free to try it back at the manor any time you want.”
The griffon blushed as she gave me a nudge with her shoulder and continued down the hall.
Jun and I followed, ensuring we hadn’t missed anything along the hall that could be useful. We reached a solid wooden door at the end of the row of bunks and I held my sword at the ready.
I reached for the handle but paused as Jun’s light reflected off of something below the handle. There was a key wedged into the keyhole. “Looks like they were either trying to lock something in or let something out.”
Alysain and I stood at the ready as I kicked the door open and stepped back. After ensuring the room was clear, I pocketed the key and stepped through the door. Inside, there were several empty prison cells, four on each side. A selection of whips and restraints lined the walls. I walked over and pulled a spiked collar off the wall. I turned and held it up. “I better keep Gwen and Chloe out of here. I don’t need them getting any ideas.” I laughed and hung the collar back up next to an intimidating looking ball gag.
Everything about this room looked and felt brand new, as if it had all been installed recently, but hadn’t had a chance to be used yet.
Alysain opened a cell and shook her head. “What were they planning to do to their prisoners?”
I joined her side with Jun perched on my shoulder. “I’m not sure, but knowing Striker, I’m glad we stopped them before anyone was lucky enough to find out.”
As soon as Alysain and I moved to the opposite side of the cells, the ship listed to the right and I tumbled forward. Jun lifted off my shoulder and caught herself in midair out by the bunks, right as the door to the room slammed shut, locking Alysain and me inside.
I rushed over to the door and fished the key out of my pocket. It was completely dark inside the strange brig.
I concentrated on the door and saw that it actually contained an intricate locking mechanism wedged between two thick pieces of steel, covered by thick wood on both sides. Alysain joined my side after a minute and moved her face incredibly close to mine as she leaned her ear against the door to see if she could hear anything. Griffons’ hearing and eyesight were incredibly keen, and if anyone could hear someone through the door, it was going to be Alysain.
“Can you hear anything?” I asked, only inches from her face. Her breath reminded me of the crisp mountain air back home. We remained silent for several seconds, but we were unable to hear anything. This room was soundproof, and I soon found out, it hindered my Sight skill. Whatever was on the outside of the door and used to insulate the room was incredibly powerful.
Alysain held onto my arm as we walked through the room. There was a cell with a small bed toward the end that we made our way to and eventually were able to find our way inside and sit down.
I let out a long breath and leaned my back up against the wall. “Well, this could be interesting.”
Alysain let out a sweet laugh. “You could say that again. I blame the ball gag and spiked collar for distracting us.”
“Us?!” I laughed. “I saw how your face lit up when you saw everything in this room.” I wanted to keep the mood light. I figured Jun was on her way for help and knew between my bonded, and the goblins, that they would get us out of here before too long. I used my Nature Manipulation skill to create a vine of pure spirit. I hadn’t mastered that yet, but the vine I created contained enough spirit to dimly light the room and give us a small reprieve from the suffocating darkness.
Alysain crossed her arms over her chest and laid back against the wall next to me. I leaned forward so she could stretch her wings out to her sides. I knew they must’ve made it difficult to be in cramped spaces for too long. She moved her long lion-like tail off to the side and let out a long sigh. “I suppose this could be much worse. I could still be stuck at the castle.”
“Very true. I can’t believe you were able to stay there as long as you had. I would’ve probably killed the entire royal family if I were you,” I said. I blinked a few times and tried to recognize anything in the room, but the almost complete lack of light made it impossible.
Alysain shifted closer to me and responded. “Oh, trust me, there were times where I definitely thought about it. When I saw what they were doing at the tournament, I just couldn’t stand by any longer.” She paused and let out another long breath. “What about the others who were captured? Do you think we will make it to the Capitol in time before Aether executes them?”
I’d been so focused on my brother that I had nearly forgotten about the captives at the Capitol. I took a few seconds before responding, and things began to click. “Are dhampir able to have children?”
I could tell that Alysain was contemplating my question. After several seconds she responded. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a dhampir child or a pregnant dhampir.” She paused. “I’m not even sure their hearts continue to beat once they are turned. They, by all definitions, are technically considered undead. Their cores can still handle spirit, mainly tainted spirit, but that is what keeps them alive. Well that, and feeding on fresh blood, much like vampires do.”
After she finished I had a pretty good idea of what Aether was planning. “Aether’s made a deal with the dhampir to turn the prisoners.”
“What makes you say that?” Alysain asked.
“Aether spent a lot of time with Striker. I’m sure Striker tainted him to the point where he agreed that there was a punishment worse than death. To be dead, but never die.”
Alysain nodded. “You’re probably right, I knew I shouldn’t have let him live. I really held out hope that he would be different from his father and grandfather.”
I almost forgot that Alysain basically watched Aether grow up. “How long did you say you were part of the King’s Guard?”
“They recruited my sisters and me at a very young age. At one time, only male griffons could be in the guard. So, in the beginning, they used us as messengers to other parts of Aurilon, even the Northern Isles occasionally. Once our wings g
rew strong enough, the King trained us in combat. Augustus wasn’t always such a miserable person. Although, after what happened with Yesnie, the arachnid woman, and the queen, things really changed.”
Chapter Eighteen
“That had nothing to do with you, though. How could he hold that against you?”
“Oh, trust me, it wasn’t just me. It was my sisters as well. For the past ten years we have been subject to his and the rest of the King’s Guard’s wrath.” She paused and shook her head. “The King had far too many drinks one night several years ago and came after me. I almost pitied him as he stumbled toward me. He’d been crying in the courtyard where the queen was buried and he didn’t think anyone had seen him.”
“What did he do to you?” I asked, unsure if I wanted to know the answer.
“It’s not so much what he did, but tried to do.” She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “He found me and ripped my top off, and told me to bend over, and if I didn’t that he would have all of my sisters killed. He knew my sisters were all I cared about in this world. Fortunately, Aether wandered into the courtyard before he could even drop his pants.”
“Do you think Aether knew what his father was about to do?”
“I’m not sure, although, he never looked at me the same after that. He treated me as less than the others. I could see it in his face, I still can to this day. The next several years after that night, it only became worse. The King never tried anything with me again, but he treated me as if I never existed. My sisters, however...” Her cheeks reddened with anger. “I didn’t find out until recently, but my sisters never told me how bad it had gotten. They knew I would’ve dealt with Augustus myself. I feel it is my fault that the King did those horrible things to them.”
“You can’t blame yourself for that. You did everything you could once you found out.”
Alysain nodded and fixed her eyes on mine. “I never thanked you for your bravery at the tournament. I know that when you saw your bonded tied up to the walls, it must’ve been heart-wrenching.” She sniffled and I could make out a tear rolling down her face and watched as it dropped to her leg.
I shifted closer to her and wiped the tear away, leaving my hand on her thigh to comfort her. “It was one of the worst feelings I’d ever had in my life.” I paused and turned toward her. “But if you hadn’t given me that glimmer of hope by giving me those resurrection stones, I’m sure the outcome would’ve been entirely different.”
She moved a hand up and wiped her face. “Why are you doing all of this so selflessly?”
“All of what? Helping you and the others?” I asked. My hand still rested on her leg, and I really didn’t want to remove it. Touching her made me feel as if we had a deeper connection.
She moved closer, resting her head on my chest. “Yes. You could’ve been on your way a long time ago, yet you stayed here to help. And now, you’ve found out that you are the rightful heir to the throne. You are going to have even more enemies than ever before. Yet, you put yourself in harm's way time and time again to protect those who are in desperate need of protecting.”
I took a couple seconds to think about it. She had a point, I really could’ve bailed at any time. When Striker gave me the map that led to a way home, I could’ve left then, and never blinked an eye. Instead, I knew from the second I arrived that I belonged here. “I believe life holds brilliant potential, both alive and dead. As a hunter I’ve learned to respect life, even though one of the main outcomes of hunting is death.”
I paused and kept my eyes focused on hers. “I don’t agree with predators killing at will because they had their feelings hurt. That makes them less than men, it makes them weak. To throw around their power to get what they want. They abuse that power enough and others fear them, warranted or not.” I paused and shook my head. “I guess you could say I’m still here to help others recognize that there’s always a choice, and sometimes the only way to earn respect and overcome our fears is to fight back.”
“I’m going to fight for you, Logan. You’re the true King of Aurilon. My King.” She nuzzled in closer. Her airy scent filled my nose and energized me.
“And I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that you, and your sisters, never have to experience what you’ve been through again.”
She moved closer and I could feel her breath wash over my face. “I’d like to kiss you.”
I leaned forward and pushed my mouth close to hers. Her breath was cool and crossed my face like a mountain breeze as she hovered only an inch away from my mouth. She closed the gap and her soft lips met mine, followed by her tongue. She caressed my tongue with hers, as if she were tasting me, savoring it.
I moved my hand behind her back and underneath her wings, feeling her silky smooth skin down to the long tail and her perfect ass. I slowly removed the armor covering her full breasts, exposing them to the air. I immediately wrapped my hands over both, sliding them down and letting her erect nipples slip slowly between my fingers.
She let out a moan and her tongue plunged farther into my mouth. “I want to feel you inside of me. I want to give myself to you. I would very much like to have intercourse.” The way she said it curled the corners of my mouth into a smile as she ripped off my shirt and plunged her hand toward my shaft. She rubbed my erect length from outside my pants before pulling them down and exposing my manhood in all its glory.
“Wow, you are… huge!” She looked up at me wide-eyed and I pushed her back onto the bed. It took everything I had not to plunge my length deep inside her. Instead, I grabbed her feet and spread her legs wide. Her fleshy mound spread to reveal her glistening opening.
I started with one leg and worked my way down slowly. I kissed and sucked as I traveled along her inner thighs. I stopped as I reached her sex and switched to the opposite leg, taking the same amount of care, kissing every inch, down to her thigh, and stopping to hover directly above her delicate channel.
She arched her back and her breaths increased as she tried to push herself closer to my mouth. “I want you.” Her slit glistened in the dim light as she rotated her hips. I kissed her sex and drew my tongue up slowly, savoring her scent and letting her wetness wash over my mouth. She wrapped her hands behind my head and pulled me forward, moving her hips methodically as I worked her pearl with my tongue. She let out another moan as she moved faster. “I’m going to come, but I’m not ready, I need you inside me.”
I came up for a breath and kissed my way to her navel, across her toned stomach and up to her amazing breasts. She reached down, frantically grasping my girth and pulled me close to her opening. She arched her hips up to meet my tip, prompting a small moan to leave her lips. I moved up between her legs and she wrapped them around me, pulling me close. “You’re so big, I don’t know if I’ll be able to take all of you inside of me.”
I held a finger to her mouth with one hand and parted her wet folds with the other as I entered her, prompting a small gasp from the griffon. “Did I hurt you?” I asked, trying to get a view of her face.
She wrapped her legs tighter and pulled as much as she could of my length inside of her. “Faster. I want all of you. I want every inch.”
I slid myself in and out of her tight channel. I started slowly at first, but quickly picked up speed, thrusting forward and meeting her hips with force. She screamed out and reached her hands back, gripping onto the bars of the cell, and used them to push herself forward, taking me deeper. Her breasts bounced wildly with each thrust and her long lion-like tail whipped wildly around our cell. I bent down and concentrated on each nipple, switching back and forth until she screamed.
I moved up from her breasts and returned to her mouth. She plunged her hungry tongue inside my mouth and kissed me passionately. I felt her tighten as she neared orgasm; her legs already shaking in anticipation of her climax. I kept a steady pace, my girth rock hard and moving in and out of her sex with ease. Her breaths increased and she rocked her hips with intensity, releasing a scream as she came and he
r body convulsing as her pleasure overwhelmed her. Her passage tightened more than I even knew possible, clamping down on my girth and after a few more thrusts I plunged over the edge and emptied my seed deep inside of her. The familiar flash of bright yellow light filled my vision as I held myself in place.
We continued to kiss and I stayed inside of her long after we both had come. I caressed her body late into the night, feeling her curves and running my hands along her silky soft wings. If I were to die, even a minute later, I would’ve died a lucky man.
As I was about to drift off to sleep I heard a muffled banging at the door. A few seconds later it got louder. Alysain and I pulled our clothes back on and walked over toward the door.
I turned to Alysain and grabbed her arm. I had a feeling we were going to want to stand back. The banging became louder and clearer until finally the door flew off its hinges and Chloe came tumbling in. Bright light filled the room and it took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. The light felt as if someone had taken an extra bright LED flashlight and were shining it directly in my eyes.
Chloe looked up at me from the ground and gave me a smile as my vision cleared. “There we go. I told them it would just take a little force to get you out. Looks like I was right.”
I laughed and helped the holstaur up off the ground. “Well, after taking a few charges from you during training, I would’ve put my money on you being the one to make it through that thing.” I paused and looked through the door where Isobel, Gwen, Dahlia, and Jun stood. As soon as I met Gwen’s eyes, the women rushed into the room.
Gwen wrapped her arms around me and gave me a huge hug. She stepped back slowly after a few seconds and shifted her eyes between Alysain and me and then giggled excitedly. “Oh, no way! There is no way. You two bonded? This is great!”