Solstice 2

by Harrison Shaw

  A spicy sneak preview...

  I backed Ely against the nearby tree, pressing her wrists into the bark. I was suddenly very turned on. Maybe it was the need to heal. Maybe I was just a horny beast. Whatever the reason, I wanted to fuck her, and right now.

  “Yes,” she breathed, hissing in pleasure as I kissed her neck. “Use me, master. I’m yours to command and fuck however you want.”

  Hearing Ely talk dirty to me was something I wasn’t used to. But hell if I didn’t like it. I wanted her to keep that up.

  Especially since I felt Nell’s arms going around me from behind, reaching for my belt. She purred into my ear, licking around the tip. “You want to do that, don’t you, sir? You want to fuck your little sluts into submission. And make no mistake, we are your horny, eager little sluts.”

  Hearing them both talk to me this way was making me incredibly hard. My cock was pulsing in my pants. As Nell took me out, I knew there was no way I could hold back much longer. I needed to be inside them — first Ely, and then my adorable little ciarn companion.

  Solstice 2: A Gamelit Harem Adventure

  Chapter 1

  I brought Trish the freshly-prepared stack of pancakes, along with butter and syrup, on a tray.

  She was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes. She smiled as she saw me. “Well, what have we here?”

  “Breakfast in bed. Thought you might be interested.”

  Trish giggled. “Would I ever. You worked up an appetite in me.”

  “Then I guess I’d better feed you these pancakes.”

  “Oh no, mister.” She giggled and took the tray from me, moving it to one side. “I think it’s the other way around. You cooked...so now I get to feed you.”

  “If you say so.” I sighed like I was put out, but I was just making a show of things. I settled back into the cushions and let Trish straddle me, bringing the plate of pancakes with her.

  She poured syrup over them...and then let some trail down onto her bare breasts. “Oops.”

  “Yeah, oops.” I leaned in and started licking it off, making eye contact. She watched, grinning, breathing harder, her cheeks growing flushed. I could see she was getting turned on by what I was doing, and I liked it.

  The minute I took her nipple into my mouth, she groaned. She set the plate of pancakes aside. I had a feeling we weren’t going to get far with eating breakfast this morning.

  I looked at Trish for a moment, admiring her beauty. She looked sexy with that syrup on her breasts, sure — but it was more than that. She was really a gorgeous girl. I had seen her plenty of times, but not like this, all happy and smiling, like she was genuinely pleased with how life was going. Like she was happy to be in bed with me.

  “What?” she asked, grinning at me.

  “You just look hot. Gorgeous. I’m glad to be with you,” I said honestly.

  She slid over me, rubbing her syrupy breasts against my chest. She kissed me, her hot, sweet mouth coming against mine. I tangled my fingers in her hair and deepened the kiss.

  “You’re sweet,” she said, breaking away. “I’m glad to be with you too.”

  We lay in bed for a while, tickling each other’s bodies, giggling and talking. I had never felt content...even happy.

  Somehow I knew it couldn’t last.

  I had things to deal with. I had to discover JR’s identity. I had to find my legacy in Solstice...

  I had to become Bloodborne.

  I had to go deal with the friggin’ shop, right now.

  I sighed, extricating myself reluctantly from Trish’s grasp. “As much as I would love to stay in bed with you all day, I have to go to work.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “Technically I have to go to class, too. Though if I could persuade you to stay here with me...”

  “You could, very easily. But I’m positive that wouldn’t help either of us,” I said, giving her another syrupy kiss.

  She giggled. “Then I guess you’ll have to make up for lost time later later.”

  “Guess so.” I grinned, and with a last squeeze of her sexy little ass, I got up to go shower.

  ****

  I washed my hair and thought about some of the crap going on. Sometimes it helped to have a few minutes to process things on my own. I was a nerd, an introvert, a bookworm at heart. That’s how I had gotten that job at the store, working with Kristine.

  But now, it felt like it was time for a change. Maybe I was ready to get out into the world more. To do more than just my simple, isolated little job. I sensed that my role in Solstice had changed me, made me feel like more of a leader. Empowered, strong, and capable. A guy who could do whatever he wanted and not have to always be afraid of the consequences.

  I decided I had a bit of time before I had to go back out, though. So I would log into Solstice and pick up where I had left off.

  Queen Isabella’s bedchamber.

  I woke with her in my arms, her soft body curled into mine. She slept soundly and happily, smiling in contentment. It was a wonderful way to wake up.

  But not one that would last. The blaring of battle horns sounded outside. I rose, tossing off the covers, going to the window to look.

  Isabella rose quickly behind me, taking the sheets and drawing them tight around herself. She came up beside me, setting her hand on my shoulder.

  Together, we took in the sight of massive armies coming our way on horseback. They looked brutish and barbaric, the warriors’ armor made from thick bony plates and rough hides. They carried rough axes and swords and their faces were painted with war shades — bright blue and red. The chief rider’s expression was a snarl, battle rage evident.

  “I’m guessing you have some enemies, my queen.”

  She gazed down at the approaching army, wide-eyed. “I...None that I know...”

  “Surely that can’t be true. Everyone has enemies.”

  I went to my discarded clothing and started to put it back on. I knew I would have to fight.

  Thankfully, Isabella was able to equip me with a new suit of armor. I noticed on my character screen that it was a big upgrade in terms of stats. Increases to strength, attack power, and overall damage. I also gained an increase in my critical strike chance.

  I decided to use a two-handed sword that she offered me rather than twin blades. The sword she bequeathed was large and powerful, and would give me the chance to improve a new skill.

  I sheathed the heavy sword at my back as I looked down over my new suit of armor. It was mostly leather, black and polished, with some plates in core places for protection, the metal strong, silvery, shiny. But also very sturdy. There was a plate over my left shoulder, as well as a metal gauntlet on my left hand to protect me. I would have a nice balance of safety and movability.

  When I was finished putting on my armor, Queen Isabella came to me, putting her hands on my shoulders. “You look prepared. And handsome,” she said, giving me a smile. But it didn’t last. I saw the flicker of worry in her eyes. “I hope you will be careful.”

  “I’ll come back, my lady. And hopefully with many barbarian heads to present to you.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “You can leave the heads out on the step, if you don’t mind.”

  “Yeah, I’ll work on that.”

  She slid her arms around my waist and kissed me. It was slow, tender, and meaningful. It surprised me. There was more emotion conveyed in that kiss than any I’d had so far.

  The queen cared, truly.

  She put her hand on my cheek and gazed up into my eyes with mingled worry and hope. “Come back soon, love.”

  “I’ll be back, my queen. I promise.”

  Before I could exit the castle, Elysa came running down to meet me. “There you are,” she said, grasping my arm. “I was afraid you’d get away before I co
uld catch up with you.”

  “You can’t come. It’s too dangerous.”

  She rolled her eyes. “As if that’s ever held me back before?”

  I wasn’t about to discourage my cute little elven companion from coming with me, but I didn’t want to needlessly endanger her. “Are you sure it’s safe? I don’t want you to put yourself at risk for me.”

  “Nikar, I’m with you. I want to put myself at risk if that means helping keeping you alive.” She steadied herself, holding up her staff, squaring her shoulders. “I’m your companion.”

  She glanced toward the queen, something flickering in her eyes. Was she jealous? Interested? Both?

  We’d have to have a talk about that soon.

  But now wasn’t the time.

  I had a job to do. And that job was protecting Isabella’s’ home, ensuring that her castle remained safe from the oncoming viking warriors.

  I rode out to meet them with Elysa behind me, holding tight to my waist. The battle that ensued was rough and violent, my greatsword swinging. I didn’t have time to take prisoners; I let my blade swing and flash, letting the metal strike deep and draw blood. Battle cries rang out — and the screams of dying soldiers. Arrows flew. The fight turned chaotic.

  I dismounted, Elysa at my side. Together we hurled fireballs and heavy strikes, working as a team to fell as many warriors as we could. I took a lot of damage, but every time my health dropped too low, she would cast a spell of healing, helping me restore myself.

  She’d been studying, I could tell. Her healing spells were stronger than ever.

  As we hacked our way into the fray, I saw something surprising. There was another warrior, one standing beside the snarling leader. This warrior — the figure was smaller.

  Trimmer.

  Female.

  His wife? I wondered. I saw them exchange a glance, and some words, and then together they charged us.

  Shit, I thought. They’re coming fast.

  The man and woman barbarian team rushed us, swords flying, snarls of rage on their faces. They sliced at us wildly, taking us off guard.

  The man’s sword came down beside my ear, a loud whoosh sound. I turned and retaliated with a strike of my own, the heavy greatsword slicing hard and fast through the air, connecting with his arm. He growled in pain as my blow did damage — and for the first time, I saw a little number appear, indicating that I’d hurt him with my strike. I saw a little health meter flicker to life, as well. That’s weird, I thought. Why didn’t those mechanics show up before?

  I decided to dismiss it. Maybe as you continued to play, the game offered more options on that front. Either way, I liked having the option to see just how much I was doing, damage-wise — a quantifiable number.

  I started to swing wildly, propelled by some unseen force. Lightning crackled in the sky overhead. It was as though somehow, being on this battlefield, warring against these viking, brutish warriors, I had no choice but to search deep inside and bring out every last drop of rage inside me.

  To fight.

  To defend.

  To protect my queen.

  To conquer.

  My eyes swept to the left, where the female counterpart to the first warrior was waiting. She followed up his strike with one of her own, but I dodged and grabbed her arm, pulling her into me. Her helmet flew off. For a split second, we were face to face. The wind whipped her hair and I saw how beautiful she was. It almost distracted me... almost.

  I had a mission, plain and simple, and I was going to fulfill it.

  I would protect my queen.

  I aimed for the woman’s core, trying to land a blow she couldn’t dodge. But at the last moment, she swerved and tugged her way out of my grasp.

  Then she followed up with a short strike, her axe sounding as she aimed for my knee. Her strike connected and pain shot through me. I saw a tiny, brief little numerical flicker above my own head: -29 HP.

  Then it was gone, just as fast.

  How weird. It’s like there are stats, but they’re in the background. I wonder if I can change that...

  I didn’t have much time to think about it. Solstice was a living breathing world, every bit as much real as the world I inhabited out of game. Mess around too much, and you’d be screwed. Royally.

  As in, your blood splattering all over the place.

  The female warrior followed up with another strike, her pretty face etched in a snarl of rage, seeing her husband fall. But Elysa was ready; she cast a firebolt spell, the flames bursting forth from her fingertips, singing the woman’s axe right from her fingers.

  She cried out in surprise.

  That was to my advantage. I slammed my shoulder into her, knocking her back. Her partner, meanwhile, had gotten to his feet and was coming at me again. I saw the attack coming and swayed left, allowing Elysa to cast another blast of fire.

  That was enough. His health bar trickled almost to zero and he tumbled back again, his armor singed to pieces. He was bloodied and bruised. I knew this was my chance.

  I did swear to Isabella I would bring back some barbarian heads... so now is my chance.

  I brought my greatsword down, aiming for his chest.

  “No!” snarled the barbarian woman.

  I paused, my blade just inches from her husband’s body.

  “Don’t kill him.” For the first time I saw something in her eyes...something that wasn’t anger or battle-rage. Something fearful, even pleading.

  It surprised me.

  It also tugged at something inside me. Part of me wanted to give in to her request, to spare her husband’s life. Obviously he meant a lot to her, whoever this guy was. But there was a darker side of me that wanted to kill him and take her for myself.

  And another part that knew I could do even worse...

  I pulled my blade back, holding my strike. “If I don’t kill him, I’ll need something in return. A fair bargain.”

  She looked down at the man. He looked to her, and something silent passed between them. Some unseen agreement, perhaps.

  The woman looked back to me, lowering her axe and raising her chin proudly. “What is fair to you, warrior?”

  I knew what I wanted.

  My gaze drifted down her body, and though it was covered fully in her armor, I knew it was shapely and enticing underneath. I could tell by the cut of her figure — womanly. Sleek yet full. She would be wild in bed, I guessed... Like she was in battle.

  “You.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “I want you in exchange for sparing his life. You will come with me, at my side, and allow me to do with you as I please.”

  I heard the roughness in my own voice and could hardly believe I was making this demand. Yet I was.

  She swallowed. Something glimmered in her gaze that I couldn’t pinpoint. And then, slowly, she nodded.

  “Very well. If that is your demand, then so be it.”

  She tossed her axe aside and faced me. She gave one last look to the man, then moved to my side.

  As she did, something else happened — something remarkable. The soldiers around us started to drop their weapons, surrendering. Perhaps bringing their leader to his knees had sapped their morale. Whatever the reason, they were no longer willing to fight.

  “Lower your blades,” I ordered my men. “This fight is over.”

  We had won.

  ****

  I returned to Queen Isabella that evening, victorious. She was in the throne room when I returned, bloodied and a little worse for wear, but still in one piece.

  She heard me approach and turned from where she was in discussion with two other nobles. I saw the color return to her cheeks and she heaved a sigh of relief. Quickly, she came to my side, putting her arms around my neck.

  “Thank the gods you’re back safely.” She pulled away to look at me. “Who were these warriors who so brutishly ransacked my castle?”

  “A barbarian tribe from the north.” I had extracted some information from my new capt
ure — whose name was Lystria. “They’d come hoping to conquer your land, but we gave them other ideas.”

  “You did, hm.” She smiled. “Well, I’m glad for that. And you’ve returned in one piece, which I’m doubly happy for.”

  I was happy, too. In fact, I was more than happy. I was elated.

  I had the queen. I had Elysa. And I had Lystria.

  My new prize.

  Chapter 2

  I brought her with me into the bedroom. I wanted to see her. I wasn’t going to fuck her right now... not yet. But I needed to see her for myself, to know just what I was obtaining.

  As my prize.

  She followed me reluctantly into the bedroom. I knew that she had only come because she had to. I had forced her into this... but here we were.

  Lystria turned to me. She hesitated, then the familiar fierceness came into her eyes. She raised her chin defiantly as I closed the door behind me.

  I walked toward her, and then around her. She was mine, at least in this moment. And I wanted to survey my new property.

  You’re thinking like a king. Or a total bastard. Maybe both.

  It was true. That dark, owning instinct in me was coming out again. I couldn’t refute it; couldn’t deny it. The more time I spent in this game, the worse it got.

  Lystria was gorgeous. I saw now just how stunning she really was. Her armor, which was both functional and well-fitting, did little to hide the sumptuous curves beneath. I reached out, sliding my hands over her hips; she startled at my touch, but did not pull away.

  I leaned in close, pressing my chest against her back. “You understand that you are mine now, my little barbarian queen. You may have been wedded to that other man... but now he’s gone. It’s only my touch that you will bow to — only me you will answer to.”

  She shivered slightly as my breath came hot over her neck. She opened her mouth to answer, and then closed it again.

  When I moved in front of her, she stared up at me defiantly. But I saw something else in her gaze. The tiniest flicker of curiosity, even... interest.

  “You wanted to say something?” I asked.

  She licked her lips, then shook her head.

  I knew she was lying to me, but I wasn’t going to try to pry it out of her. When she decided to come out with it, she could.