“I want to put it behind two doors instead of one,” I said. “Right now, it sits in a box. If anyone beat the house wards, they would find it. In the garden, you can’t even find the door unless you’re on my list. And if it has an aura that attracts necromancers, then it won’t pull them to Aerenvale, as the amulet will no longer be in Aerenvale.”

  Eleya stepped up beside me. “I will maintain the layers with him. We study it only to the point required to know what the cult might do with it.”

  Oleiga walked down off the dais. She stopped close enough that I could smell her perfume, cedar and something sweet. “I will still need access.”

  “You’ll have it,” I said. “The door opens for you but no one else from the council.”

  Hinzbel tapped his quill. “I see no problems.” He glanced at Kaluin.

  Kaluin moved a step closer, slate eyes on mine. “You have proven yourself to me, Liam. I will trust you in this matter, so long as you promise me you will destroy it if it cannot be contained.”

  “I will,” I said. “No debate. We’ll try to learn how it can be destroyed.”

  He held my stare, then looked at Eleya. “You agree?”

  She kept her chin high. “I do.”

  He shifted to Oleiga. “Your opinion?”

  “Moving it puts distance between it and our people,” she answered. “It also puts distance between that thing and any hands that do not belong on it. I favor distance.”

  Hinzbel softened it with a grin. “Also, if it does something ugly, better it does so in your tomato patch than in our square.”

  I snorted. Oleiga gave him a look, amused in spite of herself. Even Kaluin’s mouth twitched before he killed it.

  Hinzbel flipped a page. “And we keep this quiet. No gossip. Tell only the people in your house who need to know. I do not want anyone opening the wrong door.”

  “Agreed,” I said.

  Hinzbel closed the ledger. “Then let us make it official.”

  Kaluin nodded. “A vote. Store the amulet in the pocket dimension under triple wards beyond the warded portal. Study limited to identification, defense, and methods of destruction. Elder Oleiga inspects the wards. Immediate destruction if it threatens us.”

  “Aye,” Hinzbel said.

  Oleiga’s cool gray eyes stayed on me. “Aye.”

  Kaluin paused half a breath. “Aye.”

  And that was that.

  I set the last plate on the low table by the bake-oven and dropped into a chair. Lanterns threw a soft pool across the grass. The chestnuts held the air still. For once, nobody shouted orders or blew a horn. After the council’s vote earlier, after the long day of patching towers and easing frightened hearts, we were home with a hot meal and an empty sky.

  Eleya poured cider. She wore a pale green dress that hugged her curves and bared a smooth line of shoulder. Lulu kicked her bare feet up on the bench, saw me look, and did a little wiggle that made me forget what hunger felt like. Ysolde took the chair to my right, seeming satisfied.

  “Dinner in a non-burning house,” Lulu said. She raised her cup. “Ten out of ten.”

  We’d kept it simple. Roast carrots and onions. A pan of herbed potatoes. Bread. Goat cheese. A bowl of those blue strawberries from the pocket garden, already halved and leaking juice. It smelled like a true feast.

  “To a wall of spears, steady wards, and skilled shots,” Ysolde said, tapping my cup with hers.

  “And to the fact that we’re still here,” Eleya added.

  We drank. After that, we ate for a while in that easy quiet that only shows up after a hard day.

  Lulu licked strawberry syrup off her thumb and leaned into my side. “I’ve decided I’m done being sad about the bakery for one night,” she announced. “Tonight is for food and cuddles.”

  “Approved,” I said. Her hair brushed my arm, warm and sweet, a little wild.

  “House meeting then,” she added, all mock-business. “Sleeping arrangements, chores… kissing privileges.” She wagged her eyebrows.

  Ysolde snorted. “You can kiss your pillow. And only when I’m not in the room.”

  “Awww.” Lulu flopped on the bench.

  I glanced at Ysolde. “You staying on for a while?”

  She held my eyes. “Yes.” She cut another strip of carrot and chewed. “The recruits need more training. Town is still green when it comes to defense. And you…” She let the last bit hang and then gave the smallest nod. “Yes. I’m staying.”

  It hit somewhere low and good. “Glad to hear it.”

  Lulu kicked my shin, grin huge. “Translation: you’re stuck with us.”

  “I’ve seen worse assignments,” I said.

  Eleya set her cup down and folded her hands on the table. “Rules,” she said, calm and firm. “Same as before. Honesty without pressure. Love without judgment. We say what we need.”

  Ysolde tilted her head. “And sleeping?”

  “You and Lulu in the bunkroom,” I said. “Eleya with me.”

  “Yay! Ysolde!” Lulu said. “But I’m coming into your room EVERY morning to wake you two lazy bones up!” She shimmied over and kissed my cheek. She didn’t move back far afterward.

  Ysolde flicked a glance between Lulu practically in my lap and Eleya in her green dress with that queen-look on, then me in the middle. She breathed out through her nose, as if accepting a ridiculous but fun plan. “Fine,” she said. “I’m kicking her if she snores.”

  “I don’t sn…” Lulu started, then stopped and made a face. “Okay, sometimes I snore. You can shove me. No kicks! My tender buns can’t handle them.”

  “Fair,” Ysolde muttered.

  Eleya reached and wrapped her fingers around mine under the edge of the table. Warm, intentional. “Also,” she said, eyes on Ysolde, “I expect you both to take care of yourselves the way you take care of us. Eat. Sleep. No sneaking back out to patrol at three in the morning.”

  Ysolde rolled a shoulder. “One patrol.”

  “None,” Eleya corrected. “Let the watch do their jobs. Captain.”

  That got a real smile out of Ysolde. Her smiles were rare and worth the hunt. “Yes, Doctor.”

  We went back to eating. Lulu made me try a strawberry with goat cheese. I did. It rocked. She watched my face like a cat with a string.

  “Tomorrow,” Eleya said later, voice low, “we move the ugly thing into the garden. I’ll set the locks. Oleiga wants to inspect tomorrow at dusk, after we’ve settled it.”

  Eleya cut another strawberry and fed it to me off the knife tip. It was perfect. She watched me chew like she owned the bite. She kind of did.

  We cleaned the plates after dessert. Eleya stacked them neatly. Lulu snuck one more strawberry and got caught, then stuck out her tongue. Ysolde stood and stretched, long lines and solid muscle on full display, and I had to work not to stare like a kid.

  She caught me anyway. One eyebrow. “Enjoying the view?”

  “Always.”

  “Good.” She turned to Lulu and jerked her head toward the house. “Come on, blonde.”

  “Oooo, bossy,” Lulu said, delighted. She leaned over, kissed my mouth quick and sweet, then popped up and bounced toward the door. She got two steps, spun, trotted back to Eleya, and kissed her cheek too. “Night, first wife.”

  Eleya laughed softly. “Night, terror.”

  Ysolde paused by my chair. She touched my shoulder, warm grip, a fraction longer than casual. “Night, Sheriff.”

  “Night, Captain.”

  They disappeared inside, Lulu’s chatter fading down the hall, Ysolde’s lower voice cutting it in half when needed. The garden went quiet again. Crickets. A soft clink from the bake-oven cooling.

  Eleya slid her chair closer and swung a leg over my lap. She straddled me like it was the most normal thing in the world. The dress hitched high. Her thighs were smooth and strong under my hands. She rested her forearms on my shoulders and looked me over like she was checking for cracks.

  “You did well today,” she said.

  “We all did.”

  “We did,” she agreed, and kissed me slow. No rush. No grab. Just warmth and the taste of strawberry and cider and the woman I wanted to wake up with tomorrow.

  “Tomorrow,” she said against my mouth, “more work. Tonight, you’re mine.”

  “Doctor’s orders?” I asked.

  “Exactly.”

  Chapter 37

  I grinned and kissed Eleya, even though I could still hear Lulu saying something to Ysolde in the hallway and laughing.

  Eleya’s eyes burned. She straddled me in the chair, and I could feel her warmth. My hands slipped under her pale green dress. Her eyes went sharp, and those delicious lips of hers met mine. I could feel the heat build up in my chest.

  Lulu and Ysolde knew what went on, but the idea that they were both here now…

  It translated into ravenous hunger as I kissed Eleya harder, my finger digging into those delicious thighs of hers. Her hands were in my hair, pulling, and the sounds she made were simply incredible.

  “Mmnn,” I groaned as I slipped a hand under the top of her dress, and I cupped her breast. She arched her back, and I lifted the dress off of her, leaving her naked except for the silky green panties she was wearing. Her skin was pale in the moonlight, and the contrast was beautiful.

  I pulled her to me, and my mouth found her hard nipple. My hand moved to the other one, and I squeezed, kneaded, and sucked. I had a handful of her ass, and I kneaded that too. I loved every delicious inch of this beautiful, high elven woman.

  Eleya’s moans grew louder, and I was certain that the other girls could hear us. I didn’t care. I liked it. My cock was hard, and I needed to be inside of her. I needed to be inside of her now, but I needed to taste her more.

  My mouth traveled down her body as I pushed her onto her back on the table. I pulled her panties off and spread her legs, and I admired the beautiful sight before me. The moonlight danced over her, and I could see how wet she was. I could smell her arousal.

  I kissed her lower stomach, licked my way down. And soon, my tongue explored her folds, and she gasped with each touch. Her hands found my hair, and she pulled me into her, desperate to get more of my tongue inside of her.

  I lapped her up, and her thighs wrapped around my head. I could hardly breathe, and I loved it. Her hips bucked into me, and she screamed out in ecstasy as she rode my face.

  With a growl of lust, I picked her up. She gave a yelp and giggled as I parked her pretty ass right on the floor with a boom that even the neighbors would’ve heard, if we’d had any. The muffled hallway conversation was gone now.

  “Liam!” she squealed, half laughing. “You’re crazy!”

  “Crazy about eating your pussy,” I replied and pushed her back.

  Eleya laughed as she collapsed onto the ground, and her legs wrapped around my neck. I devoured her and fucked her with my tongue, and her moans filled the night air.

  “Gods, Liam!” she gasped.

  I grinned and looked up, then saw both of them standing in the hallway. They were mostly concealed by shadows, and even Ysolde had a naughty smile like a schoolgirl stealing candy. They quickly darted out of sight, but I’d seen them.

  Eleya had seen them too. Her eyes met mine, and we both grinned.

  “Don’t stop,” she hummed.

  Oh, I didn’t.

  My tongue moved faster, and I brought my fingers to her clit.

  “Liam!” she cried, and I felt her body tremble. She was close, so close, and I knew she wanted this. I could tell she was desperate for it.

  “Cum for me,” I said.

  “Yes!” she moaned. “Gods, yes!”

  Her body writhed beneath me, and I could feel her tighten. Her scream filled my ears, and her thighs squeezed me as the orgasm ripped through her. She bucked against me, and I had to push her down to keep my tongue where she wanted it.

  As she squirmed under me, my eyes darted up, and I saw Lulu in the doorway, biting her lip, dainty hand drifting down to the hem of her skirt. Ysolde was a step behind her, wide-eyed as they watched me make Eleya cum.

  That was too hot…

  Eleya came down from her orgasm, and I drew back from her. She panted and giggled. She sat up, and I pulled her to me, mouth going for hers. She mewled her delight as she wrapped her arms around me, and I felt her hand move between my legs. Her fingers gripped me, and she squeezed.

  “Fuck me,” she whispered. “I want you to fuck me.”

  I didn’t need to be told twice.

  I stood and ripped off my clothes. We were right in the middle of it, and there was no way the other girls couldn’t see us now. I didn’t care, and I could tell Eleya didn’t care. In fact, she seemed to want them to see. She liked it.

  And so did I.

  I pushed her down, and her legs wrapped around me. She was soaking, and I slid inside of her without hesitation. She was so tight and so wet, and she felt incredible.

  She cried out as I began to thrust into her. Her hands gripped me, and her hips met me with each movement. I lifted her leg, flipped her on her side, and she moaned in delight as I went even deeper, keeping her leg high against me. She screamed my name, and right now probably the entire village could hear it. The thought made me thrust harder, faster, and her screams grew louder.

  We were animals in heat, and I was going to make her cum again.

  “Liam, I’m so close!” she cried.

  I kept my pace and reached down, my finger finding her clit. I pressed on it, and that was all she needed.

  Her screams filled the air, and I felt her tighten around me. She came, and she came hard, and I felt my own orgasm building up. I grunted, growled, and finally exploded, filling her with everything I had. As I did so, I looked up and saw Lulu and Ysolde.

  Lulu was close to fingering herself, while even Ysolde had absently allowed a hand to wander to her firm breasts.

  Holy shit, that was hot.

  I watched them even as I pumped my last into Eleya’s welcoming and warm pussy. By now, the girls knew the show was about to be over, and they snuck away into the shadows.

  With a grin, I looked down at my beautiful Eleya, her skin wet with a sheen of sweat. I pulled out of her and collapsed beside her. We both panted and laughed, and she rolled on top of me. She kissed me hard, and I wrapped my arms around her.

  “That’s half of the show,” she whispered. “Next half is in the bedroom. Better acoustics for Lulu and Ysolde.”

  I laughed and nodded, and she stood and pulled me to my feet. Grinning, the two of us went into the hall, where Lulu and Ysolde had stood mere moments ago—their door was ajar now—and we pushed into our bedroom.

  Ready for more…

  Chapter 38

  Gentle sunlight warmed my cheek when I woke up. The sheets were halfway off Eleya’s hip. She lay on her side, hair a copper spill across my pillow, one bare thigh out from under the shirt she had stolen. The neckline hung low on her back. I eased closer, kissed the curve of her shoulder, and slid out of bed.

  She could use some extra sleep after last night, so I left her.

  As I headed into the hall, I saw the bunkroom door was ajar. I took a quick peek in. After all, its occupants had done some peeking of their own last night…

  Lulu lay starfished across her cot, blonde hair all messy. Her sleep shirt was bunched high on her thighs. One heel stuck out from under the blanket like she was trying to kick the sun. Ysolde slept on her back in a short linen tunic, one arm folded behind her head. The other lay on her belly. Her sword leaned within reach. They both looked younger like that.

  I tugged Lulu’s blanket back over her hips and stepped away before either of them woke up.

  In the kitchen, I grabbed an apple and a small knife, shouldered the door, and sat on the stoop. The yard smelled like wet grass and yesterday’s woodsmoke.

  With a content sigh, I sat down and began to cut the apple into clean wedges and ate one slow. The house felt settled now: tight roof, straight floor, the counter Lulu had practically made out with when we finished it. Sheriff duties didn’t leave a lot of nap time, but the work fit, the town fit, and waking up with Eleya in my bed and those two crazies in the next room fit best of all.

  We were supposed to move the amulet into the pocket garden this afternoon so Oleiga could inspect the wards at dusk. I planned the day around that, then let the thoughts go and watched the lane.

  I was halfway through the apple when I spotted Hinzbel. He hustled down the road. He never moved fast unless coin spilled or fire spread; he carried no ledger and wore no smile. He caught my eye, lifted a hand once in greeting, and kept coming.

  He was headed for me.

  I stood, set the knife on the rail, and met him halfway to the gate.

  “You don’t jog unless it’s bad,” I said. “What’s up?”

  “Problem,” he puffed, catching his breath. “A crew was pulling the burned poles at a burned-down place on the west lane. They turned up a stone trapdoor under the ash. One of the lads dropped in to have a look.” His eyes jumped to mine. “He hasn’t come back out. We heard a scream. We called to him—nothing.”

  Trapdoor and a scream. So much for a quiet morning.

  I rose to my feet, discarded the remainder of the apple, and followed Hinzbel down the lane.

  Never a dull moment…

  Finished and eager for early access to my next book (or even a naughty version of the cover)? Check out my Patreon: patreon.com/jackbryce

  THANK YOU FOR READING!

  If you enjoyed this book, please check out my other work!

  Be sure to leave me a review on Amazon to let me know if you liked this book! Like most independent authors, I use the feedback from your review to improve my work and to decide what to focus on next, so your review can make a difference.

  If you want early access to my work, consider joining my Patreon (https://patreon.com/jackbryce)!

  If you want to stay up-to-date on my releases, join my newsletter by clicking here. You can also join my Discord, where the madness never ends… Join by clicking here or entering the following invite manually in your browser or Discord app: https://discord.gg/uqXaTMQQhr.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27