Flame of Cytherea: Cytherean Chronicles book 1 Read online

  The temple wasn’t all that far away, and was also one of the only buildings in the city made of stone and not wood outside of the castle. It was probably also the largest building in the city outside of the castle. It looked to be just one story, but higher than the buildings around it and taking up much more space on the ground. It also had a large dome in the center.

  The inside was beautiful, immediately inside was a small fountain with a statue of the goddess that seemed strangely familiar to him. They were approached by a man in robes who had an open face and a gentle smile.

  “Good afternoon, I don’t recognize you. I’m an acolyte here, are you new to the city?”

  He couldn’t help the answering smile that bloomed on his face despite his worries.

  “Yes, I’m Justin and you could say I’m new here. I was hoping I could talk to a priest or priestess? I have some questions about the Flame of Cytherea from long ago.”

  The acolyte looked curious, but instead of asking a question he said, “Certainly, please follow me.”

  They followed the acolyte into the nave and immediately turned and walked along the back wall to a door. They were led through a couple of hallways until the acolyte knocked on one of the doors. Another man, wearing robes that were more adorned, answered the door.

  After a few whispered words from the acolyte they were gestured inside and the four of them were left alone with the priest. The priest welcomed them and gestured to some chairs, when the ladies and he sat the priest started talking.

  “Warren tells me that you have questions about the Flame of Cytherea?”

  He was reluctant to admit what he was, a lot of people had treated him in a ridiculously deferential manner when they found out, and he didn’t want to deal with it here, although he realized it was probably just a matter of time.

  He wasn’t even sure what to ask really, he had been going on the assumption the last Flame was made to fight off a dark god somehow as well, that was a hell of an assumption. Although it did feel right.

  He asked vaguely, “I wanted to know what the reason was for the gift given, and how the goal was accomplished?”

  The priest sighed and said, “All I know is the last Flame saved the world from encroaching darkness. I know that probably isn’t much help. The true threat is known only to the high priestess.”

  He asked why and the priest replied, “The nature of the threat, if it was general knowledge its return could be accelerated. Whatever the threat was, it took both free will and knowledge to loose it on the world. So over time the knowledge was suppressed as much as possible.”

  Even the vague explanation sounded like the dark god, but he needed specifics.

  “Can we meet with the high priestess?”

  The priest shook his head, “She is very busy, besides she would not tell you what you want to know.”

  Seeing no other way around it, he reluctantly raised the white flames over his body and said, “Are you sure she won’t see me? It is rather important.”

  His fears were realized as the priest stood and bowed, eyes wide and perhaps a bit wild. “We had heard rumors the Flame of Cytherea was back but… I’ll be right back.”

  Sally giggled when the priest left and said, “You really hate that don’t you?”

  He shrugged helplessly. “Respect is fine, it’s the fawning looks that drive me nuts. Perhaps Cytherea finds me worthy in some way, but I am still just Justin.”

  The ladies shared a look he didn’t recognize, then as one they dropped to their knees around him and started fawning, obviously teasing him. He couldn’t help the bark of laughter that escaped his lips. Of course, that’s when the priest opened the door and slipped back inside.

  He snickered as the ladies jumped up, faces red, and sat back down in their chairs.

  The priest said regretfully as he took back his seat, “The high priestess, Celia, would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have, but she is tied up for the rest of the afternoon in prayers and services. Could you come back in the morning?”

  Slightly disappointed, but also excited he would soon have what information there was, he assured the priest he understood.

  “Tomorrow morning should be fine; I will stop by right after breakfast.”

  The priest escorted them out. None of them wanted to go back to the castle yet, so Nora gave them a tour of the city which ate up a few hours time. He followed as she pointed out the good shops, a few different taverns, where to get the best armor or weapons. They were all doing their best to ignore the fact they were one short.

  When they made it back to their room, he heard Nora giving instructions to bring out dinner. A short time later they were at the table eating when he felt Kat’s hand on his leg. He made an effort to control his breathing when she started to trace circles with her nails on his inner thighs, teasingly close to his manhood. He looked over at her sharply when she started to rub his pleasure through the fabric of his breeches.

  Her face was the absolute picture of innocence as she continued to chat with Sally across the table. He put up with it for about two minutes before he squirmed, holding back a gasp. He stood, forcefully grabbing her hand and walked toward the second bedroom. He closed the door after they crossed the threshold.

  She put her arms behind her and backed away slowly, an innocent look still on her face as she asked, “What is it love? Something wrong with dinner?”

  He growled and pulled her in for a kiss, but she ducked and danced to the side.

  “What is it dear? Did you… want something from me?” she asked coquettishly, slowly backing away again.

  He both loved and hated when she did this, it drove him crazy with lust every time. He rushed her again, this time he got a good hold and spun her by the arm, pushing her up against the wall. His weight held her still as he held her arm behind her. He reached with the other hand to unclasp her breeches, mind clouded by lust, by her beauty, and by her teasing.

  She said in artful innocence, “I was enjoying dinner, shouldn’t we go back?”

  At the same time she spoke, she was driving him crazy by grinding her ass back against his painfully hard cock and rocking her hips, not coincidentally keeping him from getting a hold of the clasp. He spanked her hard, which brought out a moan and she pushed back against him firmly, he finally managed to unclasp her breeches.

  Once he got them past her sexy hips, they slid slowly down her legs far enough to expose her.

  She breathed out in faux innocent confusion that caused his lust to spike again, “What are you doing?”

  He spanked her bare ass hard, then checked her. She was dripping and she moaned loudly when he put his hand on her sex.

  He growled as she turned her head, faux wide eyes full of innocence, protesting his actions and rough treatment. All he could think was she drove him insane, so expertly manipulating him in this game as she seduced him into rough sex. He knew it was play, yet his body and emotions didn’t get the message, he was overcome with lust and needed to claim her, to take her, to fuck her hard and fast.

  He took care of his own clothing and bent his knees a little, then he thrust up into her in one quick stroke.

  It only made his lust rise further as she whimpered in pleasure and flooded his pole, screaming his name on the very first stroke as he impaled her. He gasped when she ground herself against him, her inner walls hugging him tight during her bliss. When he released her arm, she braced herself against the wall as he grabbed her hips.

  He started to pound into her from behind, pushing her hard against the wall with each thrust as her hungry core greedily sucked him in each time their flesh spanked together. He couldn’t hold it for long, it was all just too intense, her grasping heat milked him time and time again as she rolled from orgasm to orgasm, his manhood pleasured deeply inside her hot, wet sex. He never stopped, couldn’t stop, taking her hard and fast until he felt his legs start to numb…

  He spanked her hard again right before burying himself up to the
hilt, growling out, “Here it comes, I’m going to fill you.”

  He felt her tremble and tighten around his invading flesh again at his words, his pole surged and started to empty itself into her hot welcoming sheath. He couldn’t help smiling back at her, at the little smile of triumph on her mouth. He pulled her head back by her hair and twisted her head to the side, kissing her hard before releasing her.

  He may have pinned her against the wall and ravaged her, but he was under no illusions, she had been in charge the whole time. They got dressed and went back out to the common room of the suite, they did need to finish dinner after all.

  He almost choked on a bite of food when he felt Nora’s foot slide up his leg and she started to gently massage his manhood…

  Chapter 17

  Nicci had enough feeling sorry for herself. She sighed. There was no choice really. She loved her father dearly, but Justin was her future. She just had to hope her father came to his senses one day and they could be a family again. Until he could see her for more than a little girl needing protection, which she hadn’t been for quite a while, it was inevitable.

  Even if she chose to stay, the cycle would just repeat itself. No, Justin was her future, and she would not give him up. Hopefully the king would come to his senses quickly, but even if it took years to reconcile, that wouldn’t be her fault.

  It would hurt, she would miss him, but it was the way it had to be. She also determined she would not sneak out like a child, like she had almost two weeks ago. This time she was taking the front door.

  She sighed gazing out her window, it was the middle of the night and she was wide awake. That’s what she got when she cried herself to sleep and slept the day away. She was wary though on the timing, if she marched to Justin’s rooms and joined them, her father could make things difficult for them. Even by simply throwing one or the other out of the castle.

  But she wanted to at least let Justin and the others know her plans, that she would not abandon them and what they had. Her new family. She slid the secret door open and slipped inside…

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  Nora woke fully alert and looked around. She could swear she heard a latch click. When the book shelf pushed out from the wall and a figure stepped in the room she prepared an attack. Before releasing it, she saw it was Nicci and started cursing up a storm.

  Nicci giggled, “It’s good to see you too!”

  She said frostily, “Damn it Nicci, I almost took your head off.”

  By this time everyone else was awake and pulling Nicci into a hug, including her.

  Nicci said, “I’ll join you all when you leave, I hope that won’t be too long…” she went on to explain her choice.

  “Nicci, why don’t you just join us now?” Sally asked.

  She was wondering that too, but she agreed with Nicci when it was explained.

  “I want to, but I am afraid that my father’s anger with me for making this decision will be turned toward all of you. At least when we are leaving we will all be out of his sight.”

  She considered that, she had never known the king to be petty, but then, things might be a different story involving his obsession with keeping Nicci safe.

  She hugged Nicci back fiercely when the princess made her rounds before kissing Justin hard and fast.

  Nicci said regretfully, breaking out of Justin’s embrace, “I’m curious about your day, but I need to get back to my room in case someone checks.”

  She watched as Nicci slipped into the passage before she lay back against Justin and tried to fall back asleep…

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  Sally yawned. She was trying to wake up after last night. She had decided to give Justin a rest after he slept with both Kat and Nora earlier in the evening, but she had been having a very pleasant dream when Nicci woke them all up. Needless to say, she was running on very little sleep.

  She was happy to see the smile on Justin’s face though; the change in him had been obvious once Nicci had stopped by to share their plans. He also looked a little too awake after their time together last night. Then it hit her, of course he looked awake. She leaned into him and whispered.

  “Would you give me a little pick me up, you tired me out last night.”

  She smiled as she felt his magic suffuse her with energy and love from the goddess. She kissed his cheek and thanked him and got back to eating her food. She hoped they found out what he had to do today, and that it would all work out…

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  Kat knew it had just been a day, but she was missing the smells and sounds of nature. The city looked nice, but it wasn’t comfortable for her. She had an urge to change and run into the surrounding hills, go for a hunt. Nothing overwhelming, her talent didn’t control her, but it did make the city an uncomfortable place to be and she just felt uneasy.

  She felt better when she reached out and took Justin’s hand, as they walked back to the temple. She hoped the high priestess would see them as promised, so they could go.

  She studied her intended mate as they walked. He was walking with more confidence now. She could see his inner strength reflected on his visage, though he insisted he was just Justin, she saw so much more than that. She wasn’t sure if he was even aware of it, he was humble and always trying to downplay his own importance. But he radiated a calm authority now that she and the other women could sense.

  It just made her love him more. She wanted so much, she wanted his child, a long life together, but she knew it had to wait. When he caught her studying him and gave her a questioning look, she just smiled and winked. She couldn’t exactly tell him could she? How besotted he made her, or how amazing he was? It would make him uncomfortable, or worse, arrogant. She preferred him just the way he was…

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  As they walked up to the temple he saw the priest from yesterday waiting at the door. He almost groaned at the looks he got when the priest bowed to him. He most definitely did not want to be famous. At least the bow was brief.

  The priest said respectfully, “Follow me please.”

  They were led down the same hallways as yesterday, but then kept going deeper into the temple. There were large murals on the walls as they got further into the temple. Some depicting the act of sex, some were just a couple standing together that was drawn so well you could see the love in their eyes. There were also drawings depicting pregnant women and some of families with young children.

  They were led into a room with comfortable couches and chairs, it looked like a lounge of some sort.

  The priest said diffidently, “Please make yourselves comfortable, the high priestess will be here shortly.”

  They sat on one of the couches, they did not have to wait long. A short time later their chatting was interrupted by the door opening.

  The high priestess Celia was in her mid fifties, but she was still in good shape and quite attractive. She smiled at them and said, “Welcome to the temple of Cytherea. Please, call me Celia, we will have no formalities between us Flame of Cytherea.”

  He relaxed at her friendly greeting and said, “You must call me Justin then, if that is the case.”

  She smiled at his response and said, “My priest tells me you want to know about the last Flame, I assume that is because you are at a loss as to what our goddess asks of you?”

  When he nodded she said, “Normally I wouldn’t tell anyone, but then, you aren’t just anyone. You need this information to do our goddess’s will, yet, I would have an oath from the five of you that what I say here will never pass your lips for the remainder of your lives.”

  He thought about that for a moment, then replied, “With the exception of needing to for success, and that I will extract a similar oath from that person, I would be okay with that. Specifically one of our number is missing today, and she will need to know what we are doing. And who can say if any others will be needed?”

  The ladies all agreed with him on the necessity of not being completely locked down. Celia didn’t exactly look th
rilled by the exceptions, if it became general knowledge they could face a new crisis weekly from idiotic power hungry assholes, but she would accept it as long as he extracted an oath first and said as much.

  When they finished giving their oaths, Celia began explaining.

  “Two thousand years ago, the goddess came to this world. There is much speculation about it, but we truly do not know the reason why. Before then, we had worshipped gods that simply weren’t real, in an attempt to explain the world around us. The goddess loved us, and wished to walk with us personally, and be a part of our lives. But she could not do so without compromising our free will.

  “It is said she loved us so much that she found a way. Shortly after that, all the children being born had magical talents. As you know, when we use them we can feel the goddess’s love, yet, she does not interfere in our free will or how we use them. It is simply enough for her to have this personal connection with all her children.

  “I don’t understand it completely, but free will is a gift, and as such, we believe knowledge of our goddess, and other gods, were given to us. That way, we had a way to choose to reject our goddess, even choose another god. Regardless of what the full answer may be, the result was a cache of knowledge was found. Knowledge of our goddess and other gods.”

  She frowned, seeming to collect her thoughts, then continued.

  “There is much we don’t know, we are not truly sure why or how the knowledge was given, but it is what we suspect. Most people had no inclination at all to replace our goddess, or even invite a second one in. But it only takes one.

  “The wrong man got a hold of the wrong knowledge, and through diverse rituals managed to summon a semblance of a new god. It is said this new god offered the man power and riches if he created an anchor through which the new god could enter this world.

  “The greed of the fool caused him to agree, and do so. He also found like minded men and they committed atrocities to forward the cause of this new god, and while he was rewarded with power as promised, he also changed.