Born of Darkness: Cirenthian Chronicles (Erotic Fantasy) Book 3 Read online

  She sighed and rolled into me, draping her body over mine. She started to kiss my neck and I just laid there and enjoyed the feel of her soft warm lips on my skin for a moment.

  She whispered, “I know love. I’m just being selfish. It’s been over a month since the attack on Valley pass. We need that treaty if we are to have a chance, I should have sent you all weeks ago. I guess I’m a little jealous too, I’ll be stuck here when the four of you leave.”

  She smiled and nipped my earlobe and breathed softly into my ear. I could feel myself getting hard again.

  She said softly, “At least I know you’ll be back.”

  I smiled and caressed her back and the top of her ass cheeks, my other hand reached over and played with hair.

  “I’ll always come back.”

  She smiled and nodded, “I shouldn’t complain, I knew what I was getting into when I said yes. It really is alright, I’ll just… miss you.”

  She reached down and started to teasingly stroke me up and down with the lightest touch of her fingers.

  “I’ll miss this too,” she said with a wicked smile as she moved over me and impaled herself in one movement.

  She gasped out, “Really miss it,” as she ground her body down on mine.

  She was so beautiful and wanton as she sat up straight and arched her back, grinding her body down on mine in little circles. She was tight, wet, and completely mesmerizing as she pleasured herself on me. I held very still, giving her full control of the angles and pressure as she pleasured herself above me. When she started riding me hard and fast I’d start to work with her, but right now I held my body still and simply enjoyed the show. If I moved now I knew I’d ruin it.

  It wasn’t all that long before I felt her tighten around me and scream in pleasure. Her scream cut off as her body started to tremble and she reached rapturous ecstasy above me. Her nails dug into my chest as she bathed my length with her silken liquid bliss. Despite already cumming a few minutes ago, it took an act of will to hold back at the spectacle.

  I reached up with both hands and twisted both of her nipples lightly as I started to drive up inside her hard and fast, literally bouncing her grasping sex up and down my length in an attempt to extend her orgasm.

  When she came down enough to gasp in a breath she collapsed forward and purred in my ear, burying her head where my shoulder met my neck. I didn’t stop, I reached down and grabbed her hips and started thrusting up into her even faster.

  I whispered with authority, “You’re so beautiful my love, cum for me again, now.”

  A mixed cry of passion and a gasp of pleasure escaped her lips. She bit my shoulder as her body once more trembled above me. I couldn’t help myself and it came from nowhere as my body locked up in pleasure and I felt myself once more pump my seed deeply into her hot sex.

  I wasn’t worried at my loss of control. Rounds three and four would last much longer. I was an extremely fortunate man…

  Chapter 3

  My other mates didn’t rejoin us until the next morning at the breakfast table, allowing us a few more moments of privacy that morning. We joined together again in the bath but eventually found ourselves clean, dressed, and extremely sated. A true honeymoon would have been nice, but I had a feeling that wasn’t to be. We had both been putting off the need to go to Arinith long enough; we put our personal needs and desires in front by getting married before I had to leave again.

  It really wasn’t a big deal, I just hoped she didn’t feel too neglected when I was gone. It was out of my control but I knew things like that could lead to issues eventually. Truthfully I didn’t even really want to leave, between my morning work outs with Ari, Sienna, and Alethea in the fields outside the capitol, and my time in the city working with my fledgling businesses I was out of the palace often enough to suit my nature.

  Even Ari and Alethea seemed content as long as they got their few hours surrounded by nature instead of stone.

  Still, I’d do what I had to. I would do whatever it took to keep my mates safe, and if that meant helping to secure a treaty and alliance with the Elves to stop the Empire from destroying Cirenthia, I would make it happen. The two were directly related after all, if Cirenthia went down in flames they would hardly be safe.

  It was just the five of us plus Tina in the room for breakfast, so I kissed my other three mates good morning, nodded hello to Tina, and sat down. It didn’t take long before Serina brought it up to the room.

  Serina said, “Good morning,” she turned to Alethea, “I don’t suppose your father has returned the latest treaty proposal yet?”

  Alethea looked uneasy, “It got here yesterday afternoon actually. We figured it could wait until this morning, but I don’t think he signed this one either.”

  Serina nodded and seemed reluctant when she asked, “Do you think going there would help?”

  Alethea shrugged, “It might, I’m afraid my father will probably never change his mind. He’s doesn’t think very highly of humans. I think the only reason he sent Ari to maintain the last treaty was his sense of honor, now that it’s broken…”

  Sienna asked, “Then how would it help to go there?”

  Alethea squirmed a bit but Ari answered in a matter of fact voice, “His position as clan chief requires him to protect the clan and enforce our laws. He is not however all powerful and doesn’t make or create laws. Any Elf can call for a clan gathering to discuss changing or adding new laws, or treaties. After discussion it is put to a vote. I believe that may take care of it, though I’m a little worried about what happened last time. It will stir things up.”

  I considered that for a second. Elves were much like humans despite any protests they may make at that idea. The emotion masking and long lives put aside, they were just as prone to petty prejudices and jealousy.

  Serina nodded and said decisively, “You should prepare to go tomorrow then. Try not to be gone long will you?”

  She smiled and added, “And don’t start any wars.”

  Alethea snickered, “No promises.”

  After breakfast Serina gave me a kiss and headed to the throne room. Cindy and Reed would be here to protect her. I tried to convince myself it wouldn’t be different than any other morning when I left to do my own jobs for the day, it would just be longer and farther away. It wasn’t quite as easy to leave as it had been that first time. I was very fond of her at that time, but now…

  The four of us fast travelled outside of the city and did our morning practice with weapons and magic. We made a fairly deadly team with the amount of time we had put in together up until now. I was fairly competent in the sword dance with another month of practice under my belt, but it still wasn’t quite muscle memory yet. I tended to fall back to my old style of fighting when pressed.

  Sienna made similar progress, she was in better shape now than she had been when I met her which was saying a lot. She’d always been in great shape. She still had that combination of beauty and innocence that had drawn me to her that first night, but now she was deadly with a bow, and could easily hold her own against all but experts with a sword.

  Ari’s ferocious grace with a sword and magic was still mesmerizing, and Alethea’s joyful and fiery temperament never failed to keep me on my toes. They were both more than a match for me. We all seemed to bring out the best in each other.

  When we finished up training we fast travelled back to the castle and all took baths. The rest of the day we spent making arrangements for our absence. I packed up the book of magic I was currently working on to increase my magical vocabulary just in case I had the spare time for it. We wouldn’t be taking horses or food. We were all part of the clan warding spell after all, and could just use fast travel to get there now.

  We just sent a message ahead that we would be there sometime in the morning the next day.

  Over lunch I remembered our brief conversation yesterday that the activities of last night had buried, so I asked about it.

  “Serina, what was that you s
aid yesterday about the goblins, wolves, trolls, and ogres?”

  Serina shrugged, “Just what I said, no one’s been able to find them yet or figure out where they went. I had the histories checked, as far back as Cirenthia goes for the last two millennia this has never happened before. They’ve just always been there.”

  I nodded thoughtfully and said, “That just can’t be a good thing.”

  Serina agreed, but until they showed back up there wasn’t much anything anyone could do about it. We talked a while about the possible reasons behind it, but nothing really rang true.

  That night we all made Serina the center of attention in more ways than one; I wasn’t the only one who would miss her when we left. It was very late before we all fell asleep sated, our bodies pressed against each other’s and our limbs tangled together.

  Chapter 4

  The next morning after breakfast we said our goodbye’s and entered into fast travel. It was strange because I felt incomplete; maybe it had something to do with our new bond. I knew she would be fine though and shook the feeling off. She would have the harder time with it, at least I still had three mates with me.

  I knew though that I’d have to keep a leash on my emotions. I already held Levi and his backstabbing son in contempt, the fact he was the reason I had to leave my new wife merely made that anger worse. I knew I’d get over it however, it wasn’t the first time we’d had to leave her in charge to go fix things, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. I’d have to keep firmly in mind that they were my intended mate’s father and brother, even if she was currently mad at their prejudiced stance as much as I was, they were still her family.

  To be fair though, it had always been the plan to split our time between Arinith and Cirenthia, Ari missed her… or rather our parents, and younger sister as well. When it came down to it I wouldn’t mind seeing them either.

  Of course, uncle and cousin or not, if they plotted to or hurt Ari again, they would be dead elves, same for anyone else who threatened my family.

  Someone smacked my ass and I turned and looked at Sienna.

  Sienna smiled cheekily, “Stop brooding. You look like you’re planning a murder love.”

  I snickered, “More planning a self defense.”

  Ari raised an eyebrow and I shrugged.

  Sienna twisted me around and pulled our bodies together for a kiss. It was just the four of us in here but that’s as far as it went. Weightless sex wasn’t nearly as good as it sounded.

  I shrugged and smiled sheepishly, “I’m sure it will work out, one way or another. I’m not feeling bloodthirsty; remember it was my idea to leave a few months ago to keep the peace. I’m just thinking there is a good chance things will go bad. If it wasn’t for the treaty…”

  Ari nodded.

  I managed to shake off my negative mood of thought by focusing on the positive aspects of the trip. It would be good to see little Nia again, and of course my adoptive parents Efrain and Aja. I’d be pleased to see my Aunt Aysha as well. There was also a chance once we were done with the business aspect that Alethea and I could bond as mates. She had already said yes to me a while back, only wanting to do it back in Arinith in the temple and forest she grew up in and with her family in attendance.

  When we reached our destination and appeared out in front of Efrain and Aja’s home, we all had our masks of non emotion in place long enough to make it inside the dwelling. Efrain, Aja, and Nia greeted us with smiles and hugs. We spent some time catching them up on the little things that didn’t make it in the messages we sent while we sat down to lunch.

  After we ate there was a long silence as if everyone was avoiding the subject at hand.

  Alethea cut right through it, “So what’s my father up to, any chance we can get him to approve a treaty?”

  Efrain frowned and turned away, answer enough, but Aja said, “It is doubtful, he sees no reason to go forward it. I’ve tried arguing with him that we stand or fall with Cirenthia, but he is blinded by hate and mistrust.”

  Reluctantly she added, “It hasn’t helped that you’re planning to bond yourself to Marcus, I fear that’s only made it worse. From his point of view both his niece and daughter are being corrupted and stolen away by a human. Poor Aysha is beside herself, he can’t order you as chief to do anything, but he is pressuring her to try and dissuade you. As for your brother…”

  I shook my head. I knew it wasn’t my fault; it was their prejudice that was doing it. But I still felt guilty. I seemed destined to cause waves, even if the fault was not mine. Alethea and Ari on the other hand looked livid; it wasn’t me that looked to be contemplating murder this time.

  There was a knock on the door, I got up and went to answer it.

  When I saw who it was I smiled, “Hello Aysha, please come in.”

  I tried to move back for her to get by, but she gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek, “Welcome home nephew,” she said lightly in my ear.

  She went straight to her daughter after releasing me and gave her a hug as well. It was almost disturbing; I didn’t remember them being so physically affectionate. It was almost as if they were already grieving what was coming. Was Levi truly so tied to his illogical and destructive course?

  Hate and prejudice was so blinding.

  Efrain said, “I think we’re going to have to call a clan gathering and vote on the issue, I don’t see him bending. As bizarre as it is, he truly does think a treaty would be a mistake. He was already predisposed to dislike humans, and after the betrayal he fears if he helps Cirenthia now, that they will just be betrayed again later. Even if Serina stays faithful, and your children grow up to rule well and ratify the treaty when Serina passes on, and for arguments sake, even your grandchildren.

  “Well, in a hundred fifty years, he will still be the chief here, and maybe your great grandchild will rule and decide when the threat comes from the East again, he or she will do the same as your monarch Jonathan did. Betray his country and us. If you think about it, he even has a small point, but if you think it through further… nothing is forever. What matters is this rule, the next few decades.

  “Expecting a guarantee of forever is… childish. But from his warped perspective of hate it makes a handy excuse and a reasonable argument if one doesn’t look too deeply.”

  Aja sighed, “My husband is right, we must summon a gathering. I love my brother but I can’t let him lead us down such a shortsighted path. The Empire will destroy us without the help of Cirenthia, we are only a few thousand strong after all. No, we need the numbers of Cirenthia along with our magic to win.”

  Aysha didn’t add anything, but if the pain on her face was any indication I was sure she agreed.

  I asked, “So, how do we go about calling a clan gathering?”

  Aysha replied, “We demand it of Levi as clan chief, he is obliged by law to gather the clan on any clansman’s request.”

  That actually… made sense. That would give the clan chief time to plan. Normally that was probably a good thing, but in our situation it was less than ideal.

  “I see, is there a reason we should wait?” I asked in a calm voice.

  Efrain shook his head and stood up. We all followed him out the door and I did my best to turn my face to marble.

  I wouldn’t be able to back down this time as I had last time we were here. When it was just about my and Sienna’s place in the clan, I could afford to let him keep his foibles and frailties and bow out to keep the peace. This time the future of the entire clan as well as all of Cirenthia hung in the balance. The only thing I really hoped is I wouldn’t have to kill him.

  No matter the circumstances how could I mate with Alethea after killing her father, and her brother too for that matter? But really, it was up to him wasn’t it?

  We arrived at Levi’s house and knocked. Alton answered the door and reluctantly asked what we wanted. There was no expression on his face, but his eyes burned with anger.

  Aysha said, “Go get your father.”

  Rather
than invite us in, he nodded and closed the door in our faces. We didn’t have long to wait before Levi opened the door. Levi was older, wiser, and more in control of himself. I couldn’t see any emotion on him at all.

  “What do you want?”

  Alethea answered, “I want a clan gathering called in regard to the treaty with Cirenthia.”

  She paused, and then added lightly, “Unless of course you’ve changed your mind father.”

  He nodded almost imperceptibly and said, “Very well, the evening after tomorrow, I’ll send out word right away.”

  He glanced at his wife for a moment, who stood her ground, and then he closed the door. I couldn’t even imagine that happening between Ari and I, just the idea of it was painful.

  We all turned and walked away. I felt the knowledge settle into my mind, tomorrow night at the field, discuss and vote on the treaty. It was fascinating to get a message like that; it came through the ward that was connected to us all. So far so good, but it left just about two days for mischief. I was sure he would be spreading misinformation and extolling his side of the argument, not that there was anything wrong with that. After all, I’d be doing the same thing.

  It was what he and his son would be doing that I didn’t know about that worried me.

  I thought about bringing up the mating, we had a couple of days to kill anyway. We could be mated and enjoy a day alone back at the waterfall outside Arinith. I decided against it though, thoughts about what was coming would be distracting and it was impossible not to tell Alethea wasn’t in the best mood right now, which felt a little off as she was almost always in good humor.

  Efrain turned to Sienna and I and said, “Okay, we still have plenty of time today. Let me see what my daughter has managed to teach you two shall we?”

  I almost lost my stone face and cracked a smile. It would be a perfect diversion…

  Chapter 5

  My paranoia was both getting a work out and wasn’t paying off. For the next couple of days I once again was taught the sword under Efrain, and after a short conversation with Aja she once again guided my spell craft studies. It was only for two days, but it helped us reconnect after our time away for a couple of months.