Shalin, p.17
Shalin, page 17
“Oh,” she said. “This is a bit more . . . casual than I was expecting for this. Although maybe that's a good thing.”
Dare paused in reaching for his food and gave the beautiful vampire a closer look. She'd been a steady and faithful companion from the moment she joined his party, and fierce in her determination to save Marigold and Marcus and bring justice to Malin Meadowbrook. She hadn't voiced the slightest complaint no matter what hardships they'd all endured in the last year and a half.
“Everything all right?” he asked gently, taking her hand.
To his surprise she fidgeted slightly, an unusual show of nerves for his refined, self-assured friend. “You should know me well enough now to understand that I do not leap into things.”
She paused, giving him a fond smile. “Or I suppose I should say before I met you . . . since then I've joined your party on a whim, changed the class I've had for most of my life, and sworn myself to an impossible crusade to purge the great evil infesting an entire continent.”
He chuckled along with her. “I don't know how I could ever thank you for sticking with me through it all.”
Veressa squeezed his hand. “No need to thank me.” She hesitated, then continued quietly. “There's no limits to what I'd do for the man I love, and the family I've come to love like my own.”
Dare stiffened and stared at her in shock. Under his scrutiny her porcelain complexion flushed, but she held his gaze determinedly.
“Veressa,” he said slowly, heart pounding, “are you saying what I think you're saying?”
“I am.” She chuckled throatily and leaned forward to press her soft, ruby red lips to his cheek before leaning back, crossing her legs casually as her flush deepened. “I love you, Dare. I may be an old woman reaching the end of her life, all evidence to the contrary aside, but for a very long time now there's been little doubt in my mind who I'd like to spend the rest of it with.”
Her voice turned longing. “Maybe even give you a child, if the gods are willing and we can defeat our terrible enemy and somehow find peace once more.”
Dare took in the beautiful vampire, her sleek black hair, aristocratic beauty, pale complexion, and lush figure. She'd made it clear when she joined the party long ago that she didn't sleep with adventuring companions, so he'd done his best to not view her in that light.
But he wasn't blind to the fact that she was a gorgeous, sophisticated, and incredibly sexy woman.
“What about what you said about relationships with party members?” he asked.
Veressa laughed again, even lower and throatier. “A wise precaution learned over a lifetime of adventuring.” She licked her lips with a small pink tongue, her silver eye smoky in the dim lightning. “But I think we're no longer adventuring companions by this point. In fact we've gone well beyond that, wouldn't you say?”
Dare nodded wryly; working side by side battling an evil shadow organization was certainly more than just monster hunting and clearing dungeons.
“Anyway my rule was to prevent me from rushing into relationships and coming to grief if they should fall apart.” She smirked. “I think it's safe to say that I certainly haven't rushed this decision.”
“No.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I hate to bring it up, but what about your tentative agreement with Horold about the Fabled robes?”
“I can't fault you for taking a few minutes to consider our relationship when I've taken years.” The aristocratic vampire grimaced. “As for the agreement . . . even assuming we ever see the damn item again after that little shit Gary fucked off with it, we'll just have to make another arrangement.
“Marrying Horold to prevent conflict over a priceless item made sense back when we discussed it. But it never would've been more than a political marriage, and nothing against him but we probably both would've been miserable in it. Also it's hard to forget him bailing on us after Malin took Marigold and your son, even if I understand why and don't fault him for doing what he thought was best to keep his family safe.”
She rested her hand on his knee, expression soft. “So no, that agreement is long dead and thankfully so. Even if it means letting him have the robes and taking a fortune for my portion of it, I'd happily agree so I could be with you.” She gave him a tender look. “What we have is beyond priceless.”
Dare felt his heart soar at her words. He lifted her fingers to his lips. “In that case I'll be clear about my own feelings . . . I love you too, Veressa. I respected your wishes and was happy to care for you as a friend, close as family in my trust for you. But if you are open to more I would be pleased and honored to be with you.”
For all her poise, the gorgeous vampire's radiant smile shone all the brighter at his words. “Good,” she breathed, slipping out of her chair to sit on his armrest so she could cuddle up to his side. “Because as a good, responsible prospective harem member I've already spoken to your wives to get their approval, assuming you felt the same.”
“You did?” he blurted, again shocked.
She chuckled and ran a teasing fingernail down his cheek. “When we could all get a moment to spare from our duties. I'd like to say your harem was very excited by the prospect, and welcomed me with great joy.”
Small surprise there; his family all loved Veressa, and more than a few had spoken wistfully about her ruling him out as a romantic possibility. Especially Lily.
Dare felt his cock stir as the gorgeous vampire's pillowy breast pressed into his arm while she continued to tease him with her fingernails. “So should we find time for a date?” he asked as casually as he could.
“Oh, that would be lovely, and I'll definitely look forward to it,” she purred. “But after waiting so long I was sort of hoping to fuck you right through your desk, then go home with you and enjoy the welcome party the girls may or may not have hinted they were preparing for me.”
Oh hell yes.
He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her into his lap, and she melted against him as he claimed her lips, as soft and dark red as rose petals. Her mouth opened to him, tongue teasingly inviting him in as she eagerly ran her hands up his arms and across his chest.
“Goddess, I can't tell you how many times I've fantasized about touching you again,” she panted. “I bet you look even more like a statue of perfection after getting Great Power.”
His new vampire consort was feeling pretty perfect herself as he ran his hands down her sides to her hips and pulled her soft body harder against him, running his tongue over her pointy fangs as he chased hers deeper into her mouth.
Their makeout session started out inferno hot and lasted exactly as long as it took for them to tear each other's clothes off. Her body was just as sexy as he remembered, all lush curves and silky smooth skin, and he fully enjoyed the chance to explore every inch of her again.
Then Veressa shoved him down on his back on the desk, scattering piles of reports and their untouched food and drink, and climbed right up onto it to straddle his hips.
She was definitely making up for lost time, barely even taking a moment to rub her drenched petals against his tip before slamming down onto him, impaling herself to the core in an instant.
They both cried in pleasure together as Dare felt her silken heat engulf most of his length, already clenching around him in orgasm. She felt so good he reflexively jerked his hips up into her even as she rose up his shaft and impaled herself again.
“Fuuuck, I really wasn't misremembering how much your behemoth stretches me,” his horny new vampire consort moaned, running trembling hands over his abs and chest as she rolled her hips to grind his tip against her cervix. “I can't believe I waited so long.”
Then, apparently done with talking, she got serious and really started fucking him.
Dare had forgotten just how passionate the reserved, sophisticated vampire could get. He'd enjoyed some wild times with his lovers, especially Lily and Rose, but Veressa's velvety voice caressing his ears with increasingly breathless moans and whimpers of pleasure, interrupted regularly by squeals of rapturous delight, only barely drowned out the lewd sounds they made as she did her best to break his desk beneath them like she'd promised.
After about fifteen minutes of bliss he arched his back as pleasure rushed through him and began pumping his seed into her silken tunnel in endless glorious spurts. She didn't even slow her pace, although when she felt him erupt inside her it drove her to an even higher climax.
He didn't slow his pace either, and as soon as his cock gave a last twitch, still rock hard and eager for more, he wrapped his arms around his vampire lover's waist and surged off the desk. Using all his prodigious strength, dexterity, and agility he carried her down to the floor beneath him in an effortless motion, then took over slamming into her needy pussy while she squealed and bucked under him, driving her hips up into his powerful thrusts.
After about ten minutes of frantic coupling Veressa moaned and went limp beneath him, trembling through her most powerful climax yet as her silken walls milked him urgently. Dare had been holding off his own orgasm to savor her for last as long as he could, and was more than happy to bury his face in her silken raven hair, give a final thrust that pressed his tip hard against her cervix, and with a gasp of release pour his seed directly into her fertile womb, trembling at the intensity of his pleasure as his cock pulsed into her again and again.
After a blissful eternity he rolled off her and gathered her into his arms, holding her close as she practically purred, panting with her face buried in his neck.
“My my, you wore me out like I haven't experienced since our last time,” his sexy vampire lover said with a throaty chuckle. “What would you say about carrying your newest consort to bed?”
Grinning, he cleaned them both up with a Cleanse Target scroll, then dried her off with a towel the maids kept for just this sort of thing. As well as indulging in the chance to run his hands over her lush curves again. She giggled and pressed into his touch, but before they could get frisky again reluctantly reached for her clothes. “Party, remember?”
She turned out to be right.
As Dare carried his new consort into the bedroom he found the entire harem waiting up for them, wearing colorful party dresses and smiling joyfully.
A roar of sound greeted their arrival as they all shouted in unison. “Welcome to the family!”
Dare had been expecting his wives and consorts to be excited, given how much they loved Veressa, but even so he was nearly bowled over by their enthusiasm. He and his new consort were buried beneath a pile of affectionate hugs and kisses as everyone welcomed the sophisticated vampire, who actually had tears in her eyes at the warmth she received.
After a few minutes of excited chatter, as well as sharing a few cakes and other desserts Se'weir had made for the occasion, he found himself seated on the bed with Veressa on his lap. That was when Lily, who was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement, bounded up to them with her hands upraised triumphantly.
“Okay, I've got the rope!” she said in an eager voice, displaying a length of soft, thick cord.
Dare gave her a startled look. “Rope?”
Veressa chuckled throatily and ground her shapely ass back into his lap. “Remember how the first time we met we had some fun with my vines, beloved?” she purred. “Well I may not be a Lifetangler anymore, but the harem all seemed very interested in the idea of you trying out being all tied up tonight.”
The girls around him all cheered excitedly.
Dare looked around at the eager faces of the women he loved, then with a rueful chuckle held out his hands, wrists together. “Oh hell yes.”
On the plus side, he was so tired after the last few days that just lying there resting a bit while they all had fun sounded kind of nice. Not to mention ridiculously hot.
With delighted squeals his harem pounced on him, eagerly undressing him and pulling him up onto the bed to tie him down spread eagle, his rock hard cock jutting up proudly. His new vampire consort was quick to begin kissing and licking all over his body before finally taking him into her mouth, soft hands expertly working his girthy shaft.
When he'd had her tied up he'd fully enjoyed making love to her at her eager urging. Now she did the same for him. And that was only the beginning as the other women he loved joined the fun, starting with tying Veressa up next to him so they could play with her too.
It turned out to be an even later night than he'd expected, but he enjoyed every minute of it.
◆◆◆
Bright and early the next morning Dare gathered the more than a thousand people they'd saved from the Consortium onto the staging field.
After climbing up onto the back of a cart so he could be seen, he looked around at the crowd of nervous faces. Likely they assumed that him calling all of them to him like this could only be a bad thing, especially when the terrible lives they'd lived would have conditioned them to always be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
He gave them his best reassuring smile and kept his voice confident and optimistic, letting the Crusade's air Mage carry his words to every ear. “Thank you for all coming to hear me. I know the last few days have been eventful, and many of you are worried about your future. My people have done their best to answer questions and reassure you, but I want to lay it out straight for all of you so you know what to expect. You showed us trust in coming with us, and I want to assure you that your trust wasn't misplaced.
“First off, we're the Shadow Crusade, based out of the Independent Territory. We've been called to action by Merellesia, the Outsider, goddess of exploration, learning, and self improvement. Our foe, and the ones who abused and exploited you, is the Shalin Grand Consortium, the criminal organization that controls most of the wealth and influence on the continent.
“We rescued you from their clutches because we believe all people deserve to be free and pursue their own prosperity and happiness. We ask nothing from you, but hope that you will reclaim the lives that were taken from you and work towards a happy future for yourselves and your families. We will assist you in whatever way we can in making a new start for yourselves.”
He looked around at the sea of faces. Human, felid, canid, lepid, goblin, and several other races. Bound together by shared suffering, and perhaps in the future cooperating in a common purpose as a community.
“For all the children among those we rescued, the Crusade is committed to helping you heal and move on from the horrors you've suffered. Long term we give our solemn vow we will protect, provide for, and educate you until you reach adulthood, and at that time assist you in finding gainful employ and living the lives you desire.
“For the adults, we will help you recover from the horrors you've faced as well, and provide for you short term. As for long term, these are the options we offer you. First, if you have a place you wish to return to, a family or tribe you were taken from, we can assist you in returning to them. But bear in mind that your former masters may search for you, and all the more fervently because the Crusade saved you and they'll want to use you to get to us.
“For your second option, you are welcome to stay in this community and make it your home. We'll give you the resources and training to get started on your own livelihoods, and give you protection and keep the peace until such time as you feel prepared to govern yourselves, if that's what you wish. We'll also trade with you for what you might need in the future, and if you wish it and it's safe for all involved to do so we'll happily welcome you into the Independent Territory at some future time.”
“Third, you may join the Shadow Crusade, either as fighters or as support, to help us in taking down the Consortium and bringing justice to those who were the architects of your suffering. Bear in mind that doing so means a commitment to stay until our enemies are utterly destroyed. Once you join us, for your safety as well as ours you cannot leave until the fight is done.
“On the plus side, the Crusade's main base is under the protection of a powerful faction and would be nearly impervious to attack. If you fear for your safety and you wish to help us in a good cause, you're welcome to join us in the Independent Territory.”
Dare paused. “Your last option, always available, is to leave and go where you will. We freed you and that means you have the right to choose what you wish for yourselves. If you stay you'll be expected to keep the peace, obey the law, and work to support yourselves, but you'll be under the Crusade's protection and we'll assist you in times of trouble.”
The thousand or so freed slaves had remained almost perfectly silent as he spoke, intent on his words. As finished speaking they continued to sit wordlessly, not even murmuring among themselves.
He finally stepped down from the cart to signify he was done speaking. “The Crusade's clerks will come and speak to you individually, to find out what option you choose and what assistance you need. Or you may seek us out. There's no rush, take time to decide what you want.”
To their credit, many of the freed slaves were eager to get to work right away. Dare sent them to some of the Crusade's Foragers, Trappers, and Ranchers for training, as well as the Lumberjacks to get started felling trees for firewood and construction.
There was no time this year to grow a crop before winter, but those who wanted to become Tillers could at least learn what they needed to get a solid start next spring.
He spent the morning helping the freed slaves get started on their new lives in the settlement, arranging portals for those who wanted to return to their families or tribes, interviewing those who wanted to join the Shadow Crusade, assisting Le'nim with interrogations, going over Ireni's preliminary findings on the captured documents, and checking on the Crusaders who'd taken part in the raids to make sure they were holding up in the aftermath.
At noon they buried the 19 people the Crusade had lost in the raids, honoring their sacrifice and praising the good they'd done through their efforts. Dare, Ireni, and Carnon all spoke briefly, then the close friends and family of the fallen were given time to stand at the graves in peace before the rest of the Crusade approached to pay their respects.
