by D. R. Rosier
We also discussed foods, likes and dislikes, all the usual stuff for a first date type situation, which was weird because I was going to be bonded to her before we left in a couple of days, at possibly any time.
The only subject I didn’t inquire on was what wifely duties she’d been afraid of, and now was looking forward too, I already had a good idea, and I was looking forward to it too.
We were still on the couch when my mates came back, and our relaxed almost jovial atmosphere became strained as she stiffened against my side, and then almost regretfully moved away. It didn’t help that all my mates weren’t in the best of moods after counseling the elves all day. I hoped they were done with it.
Regina smiled but it was a strained effort, “Are you joining us for dinner?”
Sianna replied, “If it isn’t an imposition?”
She looked nervous, as if she might be rebuffed.
Saria said evenly, “It is not, but we may not be the best of company right now. Which… isn’t right. I owe your mother a debt for taking such good care of my people, and I owe you courtesy, but it’s been a hard day.”
Karana said, “I spelled them to sleep after they ate, so they should be okay until morning. We’re back for the night, just… we’ll be okay in a little bit.”
Sianna and I looked at each other in surprise, then out the window. It was already dark, we’d talked longer than we’d thought we had.
She bit her lip, “Then I will stay, thank you.”
Regina smiled, this time it was slightly more genuine, and pulled on the rope to call a servant.
“How did the queen take it?”
Sianna answered before I could, “Very well, I imagine she’ll approve the plan shortly, if not tonight than tomorrow.”
Karana walked over to the couch and sat on my other side. Her movements despite her mood were still done with sensuous predatory grace.
It was a bit awkward at first, but as the food arrived, and my mates started to unwind, relax, and smile more, things improved. Sianna was everything she wasn’t the first night, welcoming, open, and polite to the point of sweetness. Even she started to relax by the end of the night, if not completely comfortable at least she no longer feared a harsh rebuff.
I thought it went well at least, and dinner was very good.
When she retired for the night, I got to enjoy our second kiss by the door. It was even better than the first. She had her faults, like my other mates, but damn did she have her pluses too…
Saria, Karana, and Regina pulled me into the bedroom as soon she was gone, and we stripped down and got in bed. We all cuddled on the large bed, I was between my two elves, while Regina snuggled into Karana’s back.
Saria said, “It’s been a long day, and we’ve all missed you.”
Karana nuzzled my shoulder, “We did,” she said sultrily into my ear.
I held them tight, “I can’t imagine how hard the last couple of days were for you three. Do you still want me to drop by there at lunch tomorrow?”
Saria kissed my shoulder, and then my neck, her lips and warm breath lingering on my skin, as Regina answered.
“Yes, they have a long way to go of course, but they were a little better this afternoon. We need to make sure they won’t lose it around a man, and you understand the issue, plus we know you won’t talk about it if something goes wrong.”
Karana sighed Regina’s name in pleasure in my ear, but I didn’t have time to wonder what my insatiable red-head was doing to her from behind, since Saria turned my head and kissed me softly with a needy passion that took my breath away.
I moaned into her mouth when I felt her and Karana caress my chest, and Karana’s lips on my neck as I continued to kiss Saria’s sweet bowed lips.
What followed was one of the most remarkable night in my life, and perhaps one of the most overwhelmingly intimate experiences in my life. I’d been expecting none of my mates to be in the mood after their day, considering what they were dealing with, and they weren’t in the mood, to fuck I mean.
I’d made love to all of my mates before, but only one on one, usually in a group we were wilder as we loved each other freely and in infinite combinations. But that night, we all made love to each other. I won’t even try to guess why they all felt that need, but it was overwhelming. The soft caresses, the way they loved me one at a time and even each other. Usually a foursome would be less intimate, but I felt a strong loving connection to all three of them at once, and they to each other.
Then I fell into a deep contented sleep, surrounded by the women I loved.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The next morning took a radical turn I wasn’t quite expecting. At least, not yet.
When I woke up, Regina and Karana were already gone, but I had my arms wrapped around Saria quite firmly from behind in the spoon position, and I had my morning wood nestled between her ass cheeks. It was incredibly comfortable, intimate, and warm with her against me.
She must have sensed me wake up, and she spoke in a loving and lightly amused voice.
“Good morning. They went to cancel Karana’s spell, and order breakfast for my people. I got to stay today until you woke up, since you apparently won’t let me go.”
Oh, that was the amusement.
“Was I being clingy in my sleep?”
She giggled, “You could say that, my love. I tried to get up twice, and you wouldn’t let me go. You umm, growled at me, and wrapped your arms so tight I could barely move.”
I knew my petite blue-eyed mate was stronger than me, so I hadn’t exactly trapped her or anything. Still, I’d never held one of my mates captive in my sleep before. I must’ve been more stressed about things than I believed, or maybe I just didn’t want them all disappearing on me again for a full day.
I’d get over it, it was a temporary thing and the elves needed their help.
“Bath?”
She nodded, and twisted her head around for a kiss, then she ground her ass back against me.
“Then I’ll take care of that, and then join the others. Be careful today, don’t argue with the queen if she decides against your grand plan.”
I nodded against her silver white hair, “I won’t, but if she just wants me to change people I won’t be teaching them my knowledge. Unless they take the oath on their own I mean. I suppose a mixture of both is still better than nothing.”
She nodded in understanding. It was the one thing I would tell the queen no on, it went against my oath if I did otherwise. The new oath was close enough to the Hippocratic oath that I felt comfortable with it, but without an oath and a desire to learn I wouldn’t. I didn’t think it would be a problem though, I didn’t think my mother in law would order me to become an oath breaker, she was ruthless but not evil.
That was the hope anyway.
We got out of bed, and into the bath, where she did take care of me, and I took care of her. After a quick breakfast, Saria left me to join our other mates with the elves. It really was a strange feeling, I hadn’t truly been alone much at all since meeting Regina that day. That day seemed so long ago, but in truth was less than two months ago.
I wasn’t anxious about it or anything, but I’d gotten used to her being by my side all the time, accustomed to it, and it was an odd feeling. I didn’t just miss her, it was the absence of her presence, the sounds of her breathing and the soft ruffling of her dress. If that makes sense?
Sianna would be here soon enough, and I thought I’d take the moment to work on my ring. I’d built up quite a large number of spells, between utility, cleaning, comfort, defense, and offensive spells. I felt pretty comfortable I could handle a wide variety of situations, as long as it wasn’t an overwhelming attack. Even then, I had the wide area air attack to protect myself with.
I added two spells that morning, before the knock on the door came that would change my life. Both spells related to personal grooming. A shaving spell which would remove the hair from my face, except around the eyes, and one to trim my
nails. I already had one that would serve to remove dust, dirt, and sweat from my body, but in truth it left me feeling raw and I preferred a bath.
Although, I really missed showers. Maybe I could build one with magic. Though, baths had a lot to recommend them, when I had three nubile and insatiable mates to get me cleaned up.
Regardless, I got up and headed for the door at the firm knock, and I opened it up.
Queen Sera stood there.
“Your majesty,” I said softly in surprise, as I moved out of her way and bowed.
She flowed into the room, Sianna right on her heels and she looked nervous. Sianna shot me an apologetic look.
Sera said, “I have made my decision,” she tossed me a bag that clinked when I caught it, “Gold, for your school, and the paper you need. I’ll give you two months to prepare, and then start sending you volunteers. I have similar concerns to your own, and I wish to make sure they’re loyal to the crown before sending them your way. Of course, the elves will be an exception, I assume you’re making them the same offer through your mates?”
“Yes, your majesty.”
She waved a hand, “I don’t have much time, I only came to tell you that in person because I’m also here to bond you with my daughter.”
Her eyes were hard, as if daring me to object. It was a bit of a shock without notice, but I’d known it was coming, and at least now I knew what the apologetic look was for.
“As you say, I believe we were going to bond her with my other wives as well?”
Sera replied, “They’re needed where they are right now, and Karana can bond them to her at a time of their choosing, but between you two it has to move forward now. I’ve been informed you may be leaving in the morning tomorrow. If that’s true, and the bond fails, I’ll need to introduce you to one of my other daughters. Now is the time.”
I bowed my head in acquiescence, wondering how she could both be doing it now for the sake of not holding onto the elves, but at the same time be so coldly clinical about failure. I hadn’t failed to see Sianna’s flinch and grimace. At the same time, I buried my reluctance so it wouldn’t show on my face, not out of fear of the queen, but because I didn’t want to insult my future wife.
“I understand,” I said evenly.
Sera said, “One more thing. I would be grateful if you could fashion seven similar rings for my mates, like you made for my daughter. It will be years before flesh sculptors are available, and I wish my mates to be protected in that way. My enchantments are sufficient for protection in most cases, but not all.”
I could understand that desire. I’d also been expecting a question of this nature for quite a while, so I didn’t hesitate in my answer since it was already thought out and prepared. I was actually relieved, at least she wasn’t asking me for a weapon, just a ring that healed, and only to the one that it bonds. I’d also make eight, so she could have one for herself.
“I will, they’ll bond to the first person that touches them, and will never work for another.”
Sera said, “I’ll have seven small silk pouches sent to you. Sianna, stand by James.”
Sianna still looked nervous, as nervous as I felt, but I didn’t let that show as I gave her a gentle smile and held out my hand. Her hand was warm when she took mine, and she gave me a grateful squeeze as she stood by my side and looked at her mother. Honestly, it was a bit of a surreal moment, and I almost laughed out loud at the thought of a man standing by with a shotgun.
Good old shotgun wedding, but with magic instead, done by the absolute ruler of the human race on this continent. Still, after the last couple of days I had hopes it would all work out, and I supposed I’d have a very good indication if I was right in just a moment or two.
Sera started the familiar chant in a language I couldn’t comprehend, yet the bonding spell was easily recognizable from hearing it twice before.
Her magic rolled over us like a tidal wave, and swept us out of our bodies and minds, to float in that altered consciousness where there was nothing but the core of our beings, and I took hers in.
Sianna had a lot of resentment and ambition. More than I’d suspected. That resentment wasn’t about me though, and after the last two days I was fairly sure she viewed me as an escape, not a punching bag to get her anger out over her mother. Not that I could feel anger, emotions weren’t a part of her essence, but her resentment had to fuel some, which she kept buried.
She also shined brightly, blindingly so, with innocence and empathy, which made me believe her ambition wasn’t dark. She’d already told me she wanted to make her mark on the world, and make it a better place, I just hadn’t suspected the depth of conviction she held behind that idea in her very being. She was complicated, incredibly so, but I knew with the support of me and the rest of our mates she’d channel that ambition to good ends.
I’d never hold her back, I wanted to see her fly.
She was also slow to trust, suspicious of others, but that was no surprise given the snake pit of back stabbing politics she’d grown up in. She was very intelligent, and would be a power to be reckoned with, especially since she’d live another eight hundred years. Her power as a mage would rival the strongest elves.
I had no doubt after seeing her essence I could grow to love her, but half that equation would be up to her. Slow to trust wasn’t a deal breaker, but I have to admit it did concern me. But… we had plenty of time to patiently establish that trust. She already told me she wanted love, and after seeing the brightness of her soul I believed her.
There were dim spots too, but no more so than I’d seen in my other mates.
I reached out for her soul, and it hung there for a second, then she responded in a rush, and our souls entwined and bonded.
We were thrown back into our bodies, my senses were disoriented for a moment, and I caught a glimpse of the queen sweeping out of the room. Apparently, she’d stayed long enough to make sure we bonded.
My eyes met sea foam gray ones, and I caressed her cheek softly as I leaned down and claimed her lips for the first time as mates. Her lips were so soft, but her body was a bit stiff in my arms, and I released the kiss.
Her eyes had the desire I expected in them, the mating bond was always an intense experience which led to an immediate consummation, but I also saw deep vulnerability mixed with anxiety.
Chapter Twenty-Four
It occurred to me almost immediately she wasn’t afraid of me, not exactly. My other mates had all been virgins as well, but not intact, and had been far older than Sianna with more experience in the world. My new mate was hardly a child, but she was six years younger than me at nineteen, and had led a pampered existence in comparison to the others.
Regina had been a virgin, but she’d been practically raised in a pleasure house. Karana and Saria were over two centuries old. In other words, I needed to go slowly and put Sianna at ease. The last thing I wanted was for her consummation to be an ordeal of pain without the pleasure, so I ignored my rock hard cock and desire to ravish my beautiful mate, and smiled down at her.
I wanted our first time to be special, it was hard enough that we were virtually strangers, though I did know quite a bit about my exquisite mate, we weren’t in love either. Though, I felt very tender toward her right now, and I wanted her to enjoy the experience. Not least of all because if I fucked it up it could inform her sex life and attitude towards it for a long time to come. None of my mates were frigid, and I didn’t want Sianna to be either.
I moved slowly and scooped her up in my arms.
Sianna looked started for a second, but then put her arms around my neck.
“I’m… I didn’t think…” she trailed off, and looked up into my eyes in confusion and amazement, as I carried her into the bedroom.
I chose Karana’s, because the bed was… fresher? That was a good as word as any.
“Didn’t think what? We’d successfully bond?”
I started to strip, and with a nervous but also hungry look, she did as well
, slowly.
She looked gorgeous in a light blue dress, with dark blue accents. Her long only slightly wavy honey brown hair was up in an elaborate bun, revealing the gentle curves of her neck, and her petite ears, as well as the delicate beauty of her face. She had soft cheekbones, a button nose, rosy cheeks, and naturally red lips. Her light tanned creamy skin was flawless, and she still had the blush of youth on her face.
She nodded helplessly, and I frowned, “Disappointed?”
Her eyes widened, “No. Just… surprised.”
I walked over slowly, like a hunter trying to touch a skittish deer before it ran away. Okay, that was a slight exaggeration, but it was obvious her deep desire was at war with fear. I wondered what kind of horror stories she was told about having sex for the first time.
Her eyes widened almost comically when she looked down my body admiringly for the first time, and then got stuck when she reached my cock. The kind of oh shit that will never fit look that never fails to stroke a man’s ego.
I said, “You’re shaking, I won’t hurt you. I’ll never hurt you Sianna.”
I moved my head down and lifted her chin until our eyes met, and paused before claiming her lips. We kissed softly at first, but she sighed and increased the passion of it.
Her eyes stayed locked on mine after we broke it, and I slowly removed her dress. It flowed down her body to fall into a pool around her feet.
She whispered, “I know you won’t, not on purpose. You… have a beautiful gentle soul.”
I understood then, she’d thought I was going to reject her. So complicated. She was a young confident and powerful woman, but so full of vulnerability and doubt at the same time. She’d grow out of it as she got out from under her mother’s shadow, and grew to trust me and the rest of our family, and more importantly trust herself, but it would take time. Her distrust would be the largest road block, but once past it…