by S. N. Hunt
“I see you couldn’t even wait for me to bathe,” he said as he started stripping.
She smiled and watched him remove each piece of clothing. He climbed into the tub and sighed. She went back to eating her dinner.
A few moments later, she sat sipping her wine, staring into the fire. She heard the splash of the water as he got out. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and whispered in her ear.
“You are quiet tonight. What is on your mind, princess?”
She shivered as his breath tickled her earlobe, “I was just thinking about our journey to Zlorta.”
He walked around her and squatted down in front of her. He wore a towel low on his hips. His hair was still wet and sent droplets of water down his bare chest. She watched as a drop slid down his abdomen and disappeared into his towel. She swallowed hard and tried to concentrate on what he was saying.
“There is nothing to worry about. We have everything we need. I will always be there to protect you.”
Micheal took her hands in his and stood her up. He undid her towel and let it drop to the floor. He looked down at her and his eyes darkened. When he looked at her like that, her stomach flipped. She already was panting, and he hadn’t even touched her yet.
He traced a fingertip down her neck and along her collarbone. He leaned in and kissed her lips. She opened up to him and stepped into his arms. She pressed herself against him. Her hands undid his towel and traced back up his sides.
She pulled away from his kiss and knelt in front of him. She gathered the towel under her knees, using it as a cushion. His manhood stood proudly in front of her. She traced a fingertip along the length. Micheal moaned and his shaft twitched. Feeling confident, she wrapped a hand around it. She stroked her hand up and down the hot length. He was big, and she wondered how all of it fit in her.
She licked the tip with her tongue. Micheal gasped and leaned into her. His hands clutched at his side. Her core clenched, and wetness spread down her thighs. She took the head of his member into her mouth slowly and sucked on him. He threw his head back and tilted his hips toward her. She let go of his sex and drug her nails down his thighs. She pulled him deeper into her mouth.
Micheal threaded his hands through her hair. She let him control the tempo. She glided her hands over his thighs and buttocks. He was plunging in and out of her mouth now. She reached up and gently cupped his sac. She squeezed lightly, and he stiffened. His rod twitched and released his cum down her throat. She swallowed reflexively and heard him moan loudly.
He pulled her to her feet and picked her up. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. He carried her to the bed and laid her down on the bed. He spread her legs wide and started licking her wet core. She cried out and grasped his hair. He nibbled and licked her into a frenzy.
He slid a finger into her and she rocked against him. She moaned out his name and arched her back. Just as she was about to crest, he withdrew his finger. She whimpered, and he chuckled. He laid down on the bed next to her.
“Ride me, princess.”
She straddled his hips and with his help guided him into her. She slid down his staff and moaned as he filled her. He laid his hands on her hips and lifted her up and down on him. She picked up the rhythm quickly. He let go of her hips and pinched her nipples between his fingers. She gasped and threw her head back in ecstasy. He caressed and kneaded her breasts as she rode him. Each slide of her wet sheath brought her closer to the edge. She quickened her pace and soon fell headlong over the cliff. She screamed out his name and collapsed on his chest.
He lifted her off him and positioned her on the edge of the bed. She was kneeling in front of him and he pressed a hand to the small of her back. Her chest pressed down into the mattress and her bottom raised into the air. He bent and licked her slit from front to back. She shuddered and moaned as she buried her face in the comforter.
He slid the tip of his sex against her core, spreading her wetness. He gripped her hips tightly and drove into her to the hilt. She cried out and her chest came off the bed. He pushed gently down on her back till she was pressed into the mattress again.
“Keep that ass in the air, princess.”
He started thrusting in and out of her. She gasped and clutched the covers in her hands. He reached down and gently started circling her nub with his finger. She bucked against him and whimpered. He took her so close to the edge, but never over it. She was a withering mess under him and begged him for release.
Micheal pulled out and flipped her over onto her back. He pulled her bottom off the edge of the bed and slid into her center. He held her legs wide and pounded into her. She screamed and arched her back. He reached between them and pressed his thumb to her pearl.
She shattered, her core clutching his rod hard. Sucking him deeper into her. He groaned and pushed into her faster. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and slammed her against him. Her entire body shook in bliss. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. He cried out her name and stiffened over her. He laid his forehead on her chest and tried to catch his breath.
They crawled under the covers and he wrapped her in his arms. Her heart and breathing returned to normal. She snuggled against his chest and breathed in his scent. Her arms and legs were heavy, but she was blissfully content. A warm sensation spread through her as she thought of him.
I think I am falling for you, Guardian.
∞∞∞
Micheal finished clasping the last closure on Sarah’s breastplate. Mafu had done a wonderful job with the wyvern scales. The gambeson fit her like a second skin. The bracers and breastplate were a perfect fit. He had even thrown in a pair of britches made from wyvern skin.
“The wyvern skin is fireproof. Few blades can pierce the scales. I will have to send Mafu a large tip for this.”
Sarah walked around the room, testing how it moved. The armor was almost weightless, and she was still able to move freely with it on. She spun in a circle in front of Micheal.
“How do I look? Do these pants make my butt look fat?” She said with a grin.
Micheal laughed and gathered her into his arms.
“I think nothing could make you look fat.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. She broke the kiss off and looked up into his eyes. He smiled down at her and kissed the end of her nose. She giggled and wiggled against him. He growled low in his throat and licked the sensitive spot on her ear.
A knock came at the door and she sighed. Micheal quickly kissed her lips, pulled his hood on, and walked to answer it. Opening the door, they saw Shae standing there holding an enormous platter.
“I thought I would bring you up some dinner. No guests starve in the Centurion.” She set the platter down on the table. “I had the stable boys make sure that Lucifer and Angel are ready for the journey ahead.”
She paused as she looked at them both.
“I am sorry that we could not spend more time with each other. Hopefully, when this is over, we will have a proper reunion. Word has come to me that Antony sends Villosa after you. You must make haste and leave the city. Micheal, you know what she is capable of. Get Sarah to the city of Zlorta. Eat quickly and start your journey.”
Shae turned to Sarah, “Shamnus and I will see you both off. We will meet you downstairs.”
Shae walked out of the room and shut the door. Micheal took her hand and led her to the table. He lifted the lid off the platter and set her plate in front of her.
“Who is Villosa?”
“She is a dryad of considerable power. She can control the very earth beneath us. Antony found her many years ago in a sacred grove. Somehow he won her to his side. She moved her grove to his castle and has done his bidding ever since. She is very dangerous. If she choose to, she could level this city in a matter of minutes.”
Sarah hastily ate and put her cloak on. Micheal took her hand and led her down to the main room. Shamnus and Shae stood in an empty room. It was the first time Sarah saw no patrons
.
“I sent them all away and closed up for the night. Come.”
Shae led them to the stables. Lucifer and Angel neighed loud when they saw them. Sarah stroked Angel and looked at Shae. Shae smiled sadly.
“This is not goodbye. It is merely a pause. I will see you soon. Give Tabitha my regards.” Shae hugged her tightly.
Sarah was suddenly pulled from her arms and pressed to Shamnus’s chest.
“Be safe. Ah wull lassy ye, lassie.”
He released her just as suddenly. He wailed and turned into Shae’s awaiting arms. Shae wiped tears from her eyes.
“He will miss you. Be careful.”
“We will be careful. I love you both.” She choked out between tears.
Micheal helped her mount Angel. He mounted Lucifer and headed out of the city. Sarah waved and watched as Shae led the Shamnus back into the inn. The moon was full overhead, and the stars lit up the sky. The city was quiet, and no one roamed the streets. Sarah shivered in the still air.
Ghosts appeared around them as they walked out of the gate. She felt safer with them around. Though she knew not what a ghost could do to protect her.
Vines suddenly shot out of the ground in front of them. The ghosts attacked the vines. The vines withered and crumbled to the ground. Micheal kicked Lucifer hard and took off. Angel followed suit and Sarah hung on to her for dear life. Trees and vines shot out of the hard rock all around them. The ghosts kept a tight circle around them, allowing nothing to touch her. The ghosts continued to attack the vines, but more replaced them.
They had reached the walkway out of the crater and Micheal ascended. Sarah saw the ghosts fall back and defend their rear. They couldn’t leave the crater. Sarah prayed for them. They reached the top just as a shriek filled the air. Looking down into the crater, she saw a dark-skinned woman being swarmed by ghosts.
“Villosa. They will only hold her for long. We have a hard ride ahead. Let’s go.”
Micheal turned them away from the crater and headed deeper into the crimson sands. Sarah looked over her shoulder one last time. She wondered if she would ever see the city again.
Chapter Nineteen
Antony laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He could feel her eyes on him. She was chained to his bedpost. He still did not know why he had such a connection with her. He only knew that a part of him wanted her close.
Antony rolled onto his side and gazed at her. She kept shooting him glares of hatred. His name he had carved into her flesh, had healed over beautifully. He had kept her naked so he could view the scars at all times. A thrill passed through him at the fact that she was marked as his property. She knelt on the floor, using her long hair to cover her nakedness.
“What is your name?”
When she didn’t answer him, he yanked hard on her chain. The anti magic collar she wore pulled her forward. She pitched forward and caught herself on her hands. She hissed in pain as the stone cut through her palms.
“Cora Breedlove. Please let me go.”
Her name washed over him and he closed his eyes. Antony rolled onto his back again and spread his arms wide. He let go of her chain and she righted herself. He could hear her heart beating. It fluttered like a scared bird. It aroused him, and that frustrated him more. To have desire but to not have your body respond was torture.
“You are from Zlorta. Which means you are a witch. What is your specialty?”
Once again, she knelt in silence. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at her. He jangled her chain to get her attention.
“Love potions and spells.” She replied quickly.
Good, she is a quick learner.
“You were caught trying to dispel the sun barrier. I don’t think that has anything to do with love potions and spells.”
“I did it to see if I could. It had nothing to do with love.”
“Little witch, you are a horrible liar.”
“Fine! A woman that wants revenge for her husband’s death approached me. She asked me to remove the sun barrier. She hoped it would strike a blow against you. That your soldiers might burn in the rays of the sun.”
He chuckled, “I bet you did it out of the goodness of your little heart too?”
“No, I received half of the payment and would have received the rest if I succeeded.”
“Clever, you did not know if you could do it. So you got at least half up front. Smart girl, and what did the widow have for payment?”
She didn’t answer at first. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He jangled her chain once more.
“Five years of her life. Ten was to be paid if I succeeded.”
He crawled onto his knees and stared at her in awe.
“How old are you?”
She swallowed hard and met his eyes, “I am one hundred and thirty-five years old.”
He raised an eyebrow and smirked at her. He laid back down on the bed.
“You look fantastic for a century old witch. I might have to see how you do it one day.”
He laughed as he thought of her answer from earlier. He turned his head toward her.
“Really? What good are love potions and spells?”
“A king or queen can fall to love. A battle can start or end with love. Love is the most powerful force in the universe. Not that you would know.”
Hurt pierced through him at her last comment. He grabbed her chain and pulled it hard. She slid across the floor and hit the side of the bed. He yanked her up next to him. She fought the entire way. She clawed at his hands and arms. He yanked her up onto his chest, so they were face to face. He pressed her hands to her sides as she attempted to scratch his face.
“I loved, once. It ruins everything. Those that love you always betray you. What about you, little witch? Have you ever loved?” He snarled at her.
She stared into his blood red gaze. Her heart was beating fast. She held her breath. The smell of her arousal drifted up to him. He smiled lazily at her.
“I have loved one other. It was a long time ago.”
He brought his hands up and tangled them in her thick hair. He kissed a line down her jaw.
“What did he do to you, little witch?”
She shivered and squirmed on top of him.
“She was my mentor. I found her in bed with another apprentice. A male apprentice.”
Antony laughed and rolled them so she was under him. Fire rushed through his veins, but his member lay flaccid. He growled low, nipping and licking at her throat.
“See all love ends in betrayal. If it is not them cheating, it is them leaving. Death included.”
She gasped and pulled at his hands holding her arms. She arched her back and rubbed against him. Indecision clear on her face.
“What are you doing to me? I should hate you. I do hate you. You tortured and disfigured me.”
Antony traced a craving of his name on her shoulder with his tongue.
“I made you mine. No one will ever mistake you for any other. You are beautiful, Cora. My little witch.”
He met her eyes and saw the desire curling in the depths. He smiled and bit down hard on her neck. Her blood splashed over his tongue. It tingled and flowed through him in a rush. It was like a fire in his veins. Pure ecstasy filled him. He had fed many times from a woman, but it had never been like this. The sensations overwhelmed him.
She cried out in pleasure. He let go of her hands and let her touch him. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. Her nails pierced through his shirt. He released her throat from his teeth and roared. Her cries blended with his. He blinked and stood off the bed quickly.
She looked up at him in confusion. He glared down at her. His body felt alive for the first time in decades. He licked her blood from his lips and shuddered.
“Who sent you? What have you done to me?” He screamed at her.
Her eyes grew wide with fear. She climbed to her knees on the bed.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I have done nothing. You have my magi
c bound. I have known nothing like that in all my life. Please, please, I want more.”
She crawled off the bed and crept to him on all fours. His lust skyrocket at seeing her like this. Then he felt it, his heart beat. It was weak and faint. Pain pulsed through his chest and he doubled over.
No, no, this can’t be happening.
Antony rushed from the room as she reached out to him. He slammed the door shut behind him and leaned against it. He could hear her crying softly on the other side. A painful ache bloomed in his chest. He rubbed at it and walked down the hall. He had to find out what had just happened.
What made his little witch so special?
∞∞∞
Sarah looked off into the distance. Crimson sands covered the surrounding landscape. Heat shimmered off the ground and caused sweat to drip down her back. The sun blazed down at them from overhead. Occasionally a wind would blow through the dunes.
They had been traveling for three days. The days in the desert were hot and long, the nights freezing and too short. Micheal and she now shared a bedroll to conserve body heat at night.
The first night they had camped, Micheal had produced water and feed from the provisions bag for the horses. He then pulled out a bedroll that he laid on the ground. He had built a fire and cooked meat from the bag.
“That bag will make this trip more tolerable. There is nothing worse than being in the desert without water or provisions. Many travelers have died from dehydration or starvation in this place.”
She was tired of sand. She still bathed in a bucket each night, but it never felt like she got all the sand off. Once wet, it stuck to everything. It was in her sandals; it stuck to her hands and legs. She wore her cloak around her to ward off the sun, but somehow the sand still got in.
They thankfully had not seen Villosa since they had left the Blood City. Micheal told Sarah she was probably back at her grove recovering. Her grove was the source of her power, and she would have to return after such a battle.