Chapter Nine

Eon sat up and ran a hand through her hair. “Hello?”

“Mage Eon? This is Mage Guide Leader Thea Breatah. We need help.”A howling wind nearly drowned out the young woman’s voice.

“What is wrong?”

“We are camping on Tellcraft Mountain, and one of the girls decided to try a spell. It worked, and we loosed the wind.”

Eon was wide awake. “Which wind?”

“The north wind. The spell was for the north wind. It is circling us, and there is screaming in the stone around us. We’re scared.”

“Right. I am on my way.”

“You are coming?” The hope was audible.

“With help. We will get you home safe.” Eon was pulling her jeans on while she spoke. “We will be there within the hour, just stay together and stay safe.” She hung up and paused, stripping and pulling on her adaptable clothing.

She called Asta, but her sister didn’t answer, so she dialled Genifel and got an answer. “Gen, I need help.”

“Just tell me when and where.”

“Tellcraft Mountain and right fucking now. There are some mage guides who summoned a wind spirit up on that mountain. He’s probably working up the nerve to knock them off.”

“Right. Putting on something stretchy. Those wind spirits cause me to bloat something fierce.” Gen could be heard rummaging. “You still driving that silver SUV?”

“Yup.”

“I will be looking for you. See you soon.” Gen hung up, and Eon sighed in relief.

Gen was reliable and could get the job done. It would have been easier to use Asta as bait, but Eon would take what she could.

Right now, there were some girls stuck on a mountainside.

* * * *

Asta rolled over and checked her phone. “Oh dear.”

Steerik stroked her shoulder. “What is it?”

“Eon called me. My sister never calls outside of waking hours unless it’s urgent.”

“I am sure it’s fine.”

She turned her head and looked at him, happily sprawled out in her bed. “I am sure it isn’t. I have to go.”

She got out of bed and stalked to the bathroom to clean up while calling her sister and finally got an answer. Eon filled her in, and Asta blinked. “I am on my way.”

“Gen is coming, but backup would be appreciated.”

“I am on my way, sis.” She twisted her hair into a ponytail and headed to the bedroom where Steerik was sitting up.

“I am guessing that our tryst is over?”

“Yup. You can stay as long as you like, but there are some mage guides stuck on a mountainside, and I am an emergency responder, as is my friend Gen.” She got dressed as she spoke, and by the time Steerik got out of bed, she was grabbing her keys.

She walked over to him and beckoned for him to bring his head down. She kissed him when he obliged and smiled. “Thanks.”

“I usually get paid if there are thanks.”

Asta paused and frowned. “I can pay you. It was a nice first time, considering that you were tired from work.”

Steerik blinked. “First time?”

She blushed and headed for the door. “I... never mind. Text me your rate, and I will send it to you. No problem.” She smiled and shrugged. “Good night, and drive safe.”

She left her apartment and headed to her car. She got in and got on the road. The last few hours had been pleasant, but she had to focus.

Asta focused on the drive and went as fast as her car would allow. When she arrived at the outlook near the mountain, Gen and Eon were waiting. They both smiled at her, and together, they made a plan to deal with the maelstrom that was swirling above.

Gen looked calm and sombre, ready to take action. Asta was ready to act as bait, and Eon was ready to snag the girls and get them to safety while Gen worked on confinement.

They did their thing away from the convoy of parent vehicles who were trying to call in air support to rescue their girls.

Asta watched as Eon walked to the overlook and stepped over the safety rail. She started to grow and let her legs dangle while getting over a hundred feet tall.

Gen and Asta jumped onto her shoulders, and Eon climbed out of the ravine and began to jog along toward the mountain, growing as she went.

Eon moved carefully across the plain to the foothills.

Asta turned on her glow to get the spirit’s attention. There was something wrong with the aura of the wild energy swirling above.

“Gen!”

“Yeah?”

“Not a spirit! That is Borealis.”

“Aw, fuck. If I had known, I would have skipped dinner.” Gen nodded. “Right, Eon’s gathering them. Can you call him over?”

Gen stood on Eon’s shoulder and got her wings out. Thick, leathery wings emerged, and Gen crouched.

Asta pulled on the spirit’s energy and got his attention. Lust flared along their connection, and she grimaced as he darted toward her. “Now!”

Gen jumped into his path and flew into the path of the wind with her mouth wide, inhaling the elemental god. She closed her mouth with a snap and turned to fly back to the cars. Gen never hung around after she ate something or someone.

Asta held onto Eon as she turned back to the parked families, and her long legs got them there in two minutes. The guides were gently placed with their families, the grimoire they had used was confiscated, and Eon shifted and shrank down to her normal height as she and Asta made their way back to their cars.

Gen was kneeling next to her car, and as Asta watched, she vomited a swirling grey sphere. She panted and looked up at him. “I hate eating gods.”

Asta looked at the sphere. “Is that him?”

“Yeah, don’t get too close. He has a thing for recent maidens.”

Eon’s head whipped toward Asta. “Recent maiden? When did that happen?”

“Uh, tonight. It’s fine. It was casual. No promises, no affection.”

Eon blinked. “Aw, I wished for more for you.”

“It was fine.” Asta shrugged, and she blushed. “He was kind.”

Eon hugged her. “Right. You waited so long I thought it would be lights and sirens.”

Asta shrugged. “That was never my ideal situation. I settled for mutual attraction.”

“But tons of guys are attracted to you.”

“And I am not attracted to them. It was a pretty simple equation. He finished work, and I invited him over.” Asta looked at Gen. “Are you okay?”

“Great.” Gen opened her car door, grabbed a canister, and popped the sphere into it. “I have to call around to see if I can find a home for this twit. I am going back to bed.”

Asta nodded. “Excellent idea.”

Eon looked at her. “Are you okay?”

“I am. I feel fine. A few aches and pains, but no blood, so that is something.” She smiled. “Thanks for answering when I called.”

“Thanks for calling me back.”

They hugged and parted. Eon hesitated and then said, “Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

“Do you want to go for pancakes?”

“No.” Asta laughed. “But thanks, sis.”

Asta hugged her younger sister again and got into her vehicle to drive home.

Walking into her house, everything was tidy, and she knew she was alone. She felt a pang of loneliness but went to her pantry and got a packet of cookies. Losing one’s virginity felt like it called for a high-calorie snack as a reward or consolation.

She wandered into her bedroom and flicked on the light. Her bed was made. Clean sheets had been put on, and there was a note on the pillow.

Asta walked to the head of the bed and picked up the note. Call me for anything, any time. And his number followed.

She picked up her phone and put the number in. He had met her at the restaurant, so an exchange of numbers hadn’t been necessary.

Sadly, she wouldn’t need to call him. She almost wished she would, but nothing ever happened that required an assist.

Her life was usually very boring.

* * * *

Hari woke up to gentle kisses and stroking hands. Dawn hadn’t arrived yet, but Zerul was nuzzling at her neck, and the dream shifted to reality with startling ease. She murmured sleepily, “Oh, hi.”

He chuckled. “Hi.”

“So, you are wanting to try this in person?” She wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Oh, yes. How do you feel about it?”

She slid her leg against his. “Pretty good so far.”

He grinned. “Good. May I continue?”

“Oh, sure.”

“Thank you.” He kissed her until she clutched at him, sliding her hands into his hair. It was awkward to get around his horns, but she managed to flex her fingers against his scalp with the silk of his hair around them.

She tried to match him with every move he made, but just as she caught up, he moved on. Hari softly whined as he broke off, moving down to kiss and nip at her neck with his extremely sharp teeth.

The sharp blades were carefully wielded as he moved to lie with his head between her breasts, and a steady snuffling came to her ears. “What are you doing?”

“Memorizing you. There are no scents in the dream realm.”

“Oh, can that wait?” Hari muttered.

He chuckled with his nose pressed against her sternum. “No.”

“Oh.” The heavy ram’s horns on his head took up most of this angle, and he was snugly situated between her breasts until he moved his head to kiss and bite his way up one breast, flicking her nipple with his tongue and then over to the other.

Whichever creator linked the nipples to the clit needed to answer for their joke. Her thighs jerked with every flick.

She felt his teeth and knew he was smiling. He moved to her left side, and it caused her to squirm a little. The sensations were different. Her body was a fan of the left.

He sucked with slow, long draws, and her sex slicked. The physical world was definitely different.

Zerul slid his hand up her thigh to her hip and rocked her against him. Hari gasped and squeaked because his teeth carefully held her nipple as he moved the rest of her.

When he released his teeth from around her, she whimpered, and he continued to move lower until his head was wedged between her thighs.

Her hands slammed onto his horns as he pressed his lips and jaw into her. His tongue snaked into her, and one hand stroked her lower belly while his thumb rocked against her clit.

Hari’s mind scrambled to hold onto her thoughts, but her sex felt tense, tenser, and then slow flutters deep inside filled her with relaxed satisfaction.

His tongue teased her opening a few times, and when she flexed her thighs around him, he raised his head, licking his lips.

His tongue was longer than she was used to seeing, and she let out a strangled, “Where did that come from?”

“Anhara, I keep it for special occasions.” He chuckled and moved up her body, sliding the pointed head of his cock against her opening. “I will stop at any time.”

She focused on his glowing eyes, the silhouette of horns and the pinkish light of dawn colouring his shoulders. She nodded. “You had better.”

He smiled and pressed into her.

She arched when there was the feeling of intense pressure, and she doubted Steerik’s work, but then he continued until he was pressed into her all the way.

Hari exhaled slowly, and Zerul looked at her with concern. “All is good?”

“Yeah. You fit. No pain.”

“No panic?”

“None. So, do you have a thing for soaking?” She smiled at him.

He grinned. “Yes, but now is not the time for that. My compliments on your knowledge base.”

“Those who can’t do, study.”

He leaned down and kissed her as he started to move inside her. It was a slow caress, and he shifted his hips to change angles, and each thrust made the pleasure brighter.

She lifted her hips to meet his and wrapped a leg around his thighs.

He asked softly, “Can I move you?”

She blinked and nodded. He withdrew, and she whined. He was so warm. He flipped her to her belly and licked the marks on her back where the wings should be.

The sound that came out of her mouth wasn’t something she had heard before, but the bed vibrated with the energy she had expended. He slid into her again and groaned when he was in to the hilt, his belly pressing against her ass.

He leaned over her, weighing her down and whispering in her ear, “Now, Anhara, let’s find out what my teeth do.”

His thrusts picked up speed, and he moved her hair out of the way and bit the nape of her neck. The pain seared through her and ran down her fingers and toes, focused in her back, and then she felt the surge of energy as her wings bloomed outward. She felt them having sex, felt her wings stretch out, and then she shuddered as another orgasm pulsed through her.

Zerul groaned and pushed deep, holding himself inside her and between her wings. He released her neck and licked at the wounds. He sighed softly, “All better.”

She grunted. His body was keeping her new wings out at her sides, but it felt like doing unexpected splits in the middle of her back.

Hari whispered, “Off. Please.”

He grunted and withdrew, backing away.

She got her hands under her and pushed up, folding her wings and then flexing them again.

Hari folded her wings in and carefully turned around to face Zerul. He had backed up so she wouldn’t clip him with her feathers.

She stared at him naked. Physically, he was different. Psychically, they had been ideal with the edges blurred and their senses were projections and memories of touch, not the real thing.

He was gold and tanned, his horns were shiny, his eyes gleamed, and his lips had a light staining of her blood.

His voice was rich when he said, “There you are, Anhara.”

“And there you are, Zerul. I wouldn’t have guessed at that freckle on your hip.” She smiled.

He lifted her jaw on two fingers. “I would never have guessed at your wingspan. I am glad my boost could bring them out.”

“Oh, that’s what the bite is for.”

“Of course. It’s hard to get energy into a self-healing body. The bite is the best way.” He smiled. “Plus, it is rather fun.”

She rotated her head and tested the healing on her neck. “And it’s healed.”

“I know. And I get to do it over and over again.” He chuckled.

Hari looked down and said, “Where did my nightgown go?”

He shrugged. “You were naked when I woke up.”

“Well, I don’t like wearing anything to sleep.”

“Yes, that must have been it.” He winked.

She flexed her wings, and they arced upward and swept down. She hopped over Zerul to land behind him. “Okay, that’s fun. Now I know why Livia is so happy about hers coming out.”

“She doesn’t have a partner?” He turned slowly.

“No. Not yet. Don’t worry about Steerik. He’s just a buddy, and if she says so, it’s true.” She flexed her wings. “I really want to take these suckers for a test flight.”

“Pace yourself. There will be plenty of time after tomorrow’s party.” He reached out and took her hands. “I am thinking something backless.”

“Oh, I can wear my wings out?”

“I think it would be quite impactful. Mind you, I am only going to declare you as my consort, and then I am going to flick you over my shoulder and carry you into my abode.” He wagged his eyebrows.

“That’s it? All this fanfare for a few minutes of excitement...” She paused and tapped her lips with one finger. “Wait a minute. That’s familiar.”

He snorted. “When we are free to spend all day in bed, things will be a little different.”

“Why, Governor, you can do that?” She chuckled. “I just get Sundays and Mondays off.”

“Would you be willing to take on a different role?” He moved closer to her and stroked her arms.

“Like what?”

“Wife. First lady. Partner?” His brows rose as he locked gazes with her. “Think about it.”

“Isn’t that what a consort is?”

“Yes, but a formal agreement will knock Serel’s family back on their asses.”

“What an enticement.” She smiled.

“Free clothes? Nice place to live since yours was mage-scorched.”

“Ah. Right.” He had moved closer to her, and her breasts now touched his chest. “That had slipped my mind. So, you are already giving me a wardrobe and a place to live.”

He smiled. “I would like to offer you more, but you might take offense to it.”

“For now, I accept the position of consort. Wife would involve a bit of planning, right?”

“A little. Nothing untoward. Prolen is very good at that sort of thing.”

“What would I have to do?”

“Show up and make sure that there are nine other women there. As the consort, you are in charge of upholding the optics of the ritual.”

“Wait, so I have to find nine other women willing to line up and be ogled by the guys at the party?”

“Correct. They will be protected, but they are necessary. Women with power would be preferred.”

Hari blinked. “You are serious.”

“I am. They do not have to be maidens, but they should technically be single.”

“Right. So, an entire bank of strippers.”

He grinned. “If necessary and as long as they have power at their disposal.”

“Why? Serel didn’t have any, nor did half of the ladies with her.”

“Because you have power, a lot of it. The balance would be out.” He stepped to her so they were pressed together. “This one matters, Anhara.”

She smiled and looked at him. “Yeah, it does.”

He kissed her, and she stretched her wings before bringing them in and letting them fade. When she leaned back, she whispered, “It feels weird to be up during daylight hours.”

“I don’t sleep often, so you will be my cue for rest.”

“I will add it to the list of duties you want me to have.” She wrinkled her nose. Mentally, she was counting ladies that she knew that weren’t dancers.