Choose Your Chains (Closed for haremfaery)

[haremfaery]

Desire hadn't expected that. She had forgotten that Cillian was much stronger than he looked. His hand gripped her wrist. His arm went around her waist. His lips, oh his lips. Forceful. Demanding. Her body responded before her brain could decide what to do.

She kissed him back with the same force. The same demand. Her hands were all over him. In his hair. Touching his face. Grabbing his shoulders. Grabbing his hips. Tugging at the laces on his breeches.

She wasn't thinking about the future. She wasn't thinking about the past. Only now. Here. With Cillian.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

He'd burn alive, but in a different way than he feared. They didn't have the time or comforts to do this in any way that would be considered proper, but they'd never been the proper types. He frantically worked her breeches' laces and then turned her and pushed her against a tree. Foreplay consisted of fingering her until she wet enough and then bending her forward. He was not gentle as he entered her.

They'd both been denied the sex that they actually wanted. It hadn't even been that long, but when you've tasted the passion Cillian and Desire had between them, days feel like years. He'd best awash in so many different emotions since his father had interrupted their attempt to leave the city. He was working them all out in the form of rutting with Desire in the middle of the forest as the sun finished setting.

Cillian was everything that Desire had sought first in Tarron and then Vuduin. He was tender, nor was he selfish. This was also what he'd been missing—someone who'd wanted it as hard as he wanted to give it.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

(Posted on behalf of haremfaery)

Desire cried out with every one of Cillian’s thrusts. Tymora’s Luck, this had been what she craved. What she wanted. What she needed.

“Wait! Wait one moment.” She stopped moving. “I want the see you.” She pulled away with a gasp at losing his cock. But she spun around and Cillian on his back on the ground before any passion was lost. She straddled him and impaled herself on his cock in one swift movement. “Gods, Cillian. I’ve missed you.”

She kissed and bit his neck, traced the tips of his ear with her tongue. She posted faster, watching his face.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Desire could have asked for Cillian to fuck her standing on his head and he would have said yes, just as long as it ended up with him inside her. Everything she did felt terrific, and he couldn't believe that he thought he could survive with Siora.

Desire was mindblowing in every way, and the things she could do when she was on top were breathtaking, but there was only so much he could stand before he rolled until she was under him. He needed to control where she was, and touch her where he knew she liked to be touched. One hand roughly handled her breast, while the other pulled her hair so that he could run his tongue down one ear and then sink his teeth into her neck.

"Come for me, Desire."

Once she did, Cillian only had three more thrusts before he exploded inside her. He collapsed on top of her. He hadn't even pulled out yet before he said, "Fuck, you're amazing."

He lifted his head to see the leaves and twigs in Desire's hair.

"I think it might be a little obvious what we were doing out here," he said with a slight laugh.

 

[haremfaery]

Cillian seemed more aggressive, more dominant. Was he trying to prove something to her, or to himself? It didn't matter. She liked it. She wanted it. She needed a man who could give as good as he got.


He didn't have to tell her to come. When he pulled her hair it pushed her over the top. The bite made her come harder. She dug her nails into his back, but the leather protected him. She would have drawn blood otherwise.

She pulled a leaf out of his hair. "We could have been fighting ..." She grinned. "I think we both have some bruises." She let out a sigh. "This is going to be very awkward." She kept her ankles locked. She wasn't ready to let him go yet.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"I do remember Phyrra saying you wouldn't hurt me... She might take issue with the idea we were fighting. I mean, is there any reason we should hide."

She still trapped Cillian. Since there was nowhere else to go, he had only gone a little soft, so he started thrusting again. If she wanted to keep him there, he might as well do something to keep himself entertained.

"Why would anyone want to hide this?" He bent down and kissed her.

He had a million things he wanted to say. 'I'm sorry.' 'I wish never to hurt you again.' 'You mean the world to me.' 'Everything I do from this day forth will be to try to make you happy.' But al lof it would have been better said with three words. 'I love you.' But he couldn't say that to her yet. She said she wanted time.

"Tell me, Desire, what is it that you want?"

The sensation was enough to at least enough to keep him semi-hard and would soon be enough to take Desire again.

"Because I know what I want."

 

[haremfaery]

Desire kissed him back. "I don't want to hide it. But Siora won't be hurt if we return to camp arm-in-arm? If we share a tent? What about the others?"

As much as she wanted to be out in the open with Cillian, she didn't want to hurt Siora. None of this was her fault. Besides, Siora was key in negotiating an alliance with the Freeholds.

"Tell me, Desire, what is it that you want?"

She had to think for a moment, becasue that was a big question. She had thought about it before. She wanted Cillian, but in what way? Could the two of them settle in some town? Become shopkeepers?

She clenched and unclenched her muscles around his cock.

"I want you Cillian. I want to be with you, but what happens when this is over? Neither of us would be satisfied becoming farmers. I want a future with you, but I can't see what that would be like."

It seemed Cillian was fucking himself hard again. This time, they were less fraught, but no less passionate.

~~~~~

Desire finished picking leaves out of Cillian's hair and brushed off his clothes. She was sure what they had been doing was going to be obvious to everyone, but they could at least make an effort.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian circled around Desire and started cleaning her up. He'd done quite a number on her hair as he pinned her to the ground. Now he was trying his best to get the most of it out of her hair using just his fingers. If not for being a half-elf, the dying light would have been insufficient for him to even try the task. He brushed her hair to the side and kissed her neck.

"I mean, I don't think Siora might want to be sleeping in the same tent as me anymore. We'll have to do some rearranging. She can't be left alone, and neither can you. I know you are more capable of handling yourself, but let's not take any risks we don't need to. Both of you are too important to this mission."

"That leaves Phyrra, Vuduin, Tarron, and Jassin to keep Siora safe during the night. I'm not saying we should end up in the same tent... I don't think I'd be able to control myself enough around you that we'd be well-rested enough to be alert the next day. This feels like one of those logic games."

"I don't know if leaving Jassin with Siora all night is the best plan. I'm not saying I don't trust him. Actually, yes, I do. But that's not his fault. I don't trust anyone by default. Tarron... I don't think he'd do anything to hurt her. Maybe they could swap stories about what an asshole I am. If people are still up, we can switch, or it might be one more night, and then we can play the shell game with everyone. Let's get going."

She still looked very freshly fucked, but not a complete mess. He kissed her neck one more time before taking her hand and walking her back to camp, telling her when they were coming up to root or rock, she might trip over in the dark.

~~~~~

Jassin and Tarron were on watch when they returned to camp. Jassin seemed entertained by the two as they came back. Tarron was not amused, but he concluded that she used him as he had her, and only one of them was trained to do that.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire felt like a great weight had been taken off her. She hadn't realized how much her anger at Cillian had cost her. She loved him--as bad an idea as that was, even if there was really no future for them--she didn't care. Maybe it would burn itself out and they'd go their separate ways, but she wasn't ready to give Cillian up just yet. She couldn't.

"Vuduin and Siora would be better together. Vuiduin is honorable. He wouldn't touch her. He wouldn't stoke any anger she has for either of us. Tarron and Jassin could bunk together, or maybe you and Jassin. I can stay with Pyrra. I guess it's a matter of who gets a tent on their own." She smoothed a stray lock of his hair. "I guess we'll just have to sneak off when we need to ... And we probably shouldn't be on watch at the same time--I don't think I'd want to do much watching."

"Jassin isn't very talkative. I don't know any more about him now than I did when we started off."

~~~~~

When they got back to camp, Desire couldn't ignore the looks from Tarron. She really did need to speak to him alone. Their lives depended on them working together.

"So ... Cillian and I think it best that he no longer shares a tent with Siora. Or me. We need to do some juggling. Maybe not tonight, but tomorrow. Any thoughts?"

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian couldn't disagree with Desire. Cillian didn't trust many people, so the fact he trusted Vuduin said a lot about the elf paladin. However, Cillian was unaware of his boyhood friend's infatuation with his estranged wife.

"Continuing a theme here, you're right, Desire. Vuduin is an excellent choice. I mean, if I had a tent to myself, we would have to sneak off. Or are you saying you couldn't stay quiet?"

Cillian laughed.

"Who am I kidding? We don't do quiet. We're really uncontrollable together."

~~~~~

Tarron looked at them as they approached. "It'll have to be tomorrow night." His voice was harsh.

"Well, we can move some people around tonight," Jassin suggested. "I could rouse Vuduin, or I could just bunk with Siora—"

"No."

In the history of Omoris, there have been three events that would be classified as miracles. In 138 PA, the Arch-Litch Ghal'khun, on the eve of his accession to god-hood, was felled by an untrained peasant boy. In 529 PA, a blight, seemingly immune to magic, that had ravaged fields across the lands ended suddenly. In 803, a tsunami swept the southern shore, but the fishing village of Amna Themar was untouched.

Now in 1240 PA, Cillian Heart and Tarron Farceran, two brothers with oceans of animosity between them, agreed on something. It was perhaps a miracle that surpassed all the others.

The word 'No' had leapt from both their lips at the same instant. It seemed neither of the brothers fully trusted Jassin, emissary of house Iartoris. They both short each other quizzical expressions before Tarron said, "Let's handle rearranging the sleeping situation for tomorrow. Now, you two probably need some rest. Goodnight."

Tarron had a talent for making 'Goodnight' sound like 'Burn in hell.'

 

[haremfaery]

"Maybe next time we can try being quiet. That's somewhat ... arousing. Being with you, your hand over my mouth ..." She let out a shaky breath. "I need to stop or I'll jump you again."


~~~~~


"Tomorrow, then. If you need me to take a watch tonight--just have someone wake me. I can doze in the saddle." Desire said before heading to the tent she shared with Phyrra.

Glifriss blinked at Desire as she crawled into the bedroll that Phyrra had considerately laid out for her. She looked over at the elf maid.

"Oh, stop pretending to be asleep. I know you're dying to say something."

Phyrra propped herself up on her elbow. "Did you hurt Cillian?"

Desire laughed quietly. "He's not even singed."

"Good."

"We're working things out."

"Good."

"We're going to switch around the sleeping arrangements."

"Oh?"

"I suggested that Vuduin share a tent with Siora--for her safety."

"Clever."

"I thought so."

"I'm going to sleep now."

"Goodnight."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian coughed slightly at the suggestion of trying to keep quiet. The way Desire described it did have a certain appeal. But he let it go because she was right. They couldn't spend the whole night rutting in the woods.

~~~~~

Cillian slipped into the tent next to Siora.

If she was awake, he said, "Desire and I have made amends. I want to thank you for your understanding. For just one last night, I'll be in this tent with you. We've worked out a new arrangement. Desire and I won't be sleeping in the same tent. We can't leave you completely alone. Unless you object, we thought Vuduin would be the right choice. Phyrra will be with Desire since both of you are crucial to success in this mission. However, things work out, I'm glad to finally gotten to know you, Siora. You are a good person."

-----

The next morning, they would pack up and move out. There was still a week's worth of travel, but it had been a relatively easy ride. 'Had been' being the operative words here. Word of the massacre at the bridge had reached the Syndicate's leaders, and they weren't likely to take such a slight easily. Through means both mundane and magical, they tracked the troupe and would soon be upon them.

 

[haremfaery]

Siora had been trying to sleep but it was difficult. She knew Cillian had gone off with Desire to work things out. Since there had been no fire or smoke, or screaming, she could only assume that they reached some sort of agreement. She wasn't sad. The best she and Cilian could hope for was respect and possibly affection--but never love.

"I appreciate that you won't be sleeping with Desire until we can get this sorted out." She sat up and finger combed her hair. "Vuduin? I suppose he's the best option." Sharing a tent with Tarron would be awkward at best. She didn't know Jassin at all. While Phyrra had shown her competence in battle, she wasn't as formidable as Vuduin. She had traveled with the Paladin before, some time ago now. She knew him to to loyal and honorable.

"You are a good person, too, Cillian. I appreciate what you tried to do. Now we both can get past fantasies of what might have been." She made a thick braid of her hair, her fingers were quick and deft. "You should get some sleep."

~~~~~

At least they didn't have to sort out who was riding with whom. Desire dozed in the saddle and wondered if Vuduin would tell Siora that he had feelings for her.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Bellas was itching for a fight—a real fight. He'd been a low-level enforcer, and this was his chance to prove he had what it took to climb the ladder. The Syndicate ring leaders had told him to travel down the Kingsbron Road, meet with a band of elves and a tiefling, and put them down. Syndicate members had been tracking them since the bridge when one bandit managed to escape with his life. They passed intelligence via sending.

Word of the tiefling's ability had reach Bellas and his cohort. They had a plan. Take out the hellspawn first and then mop up the rest. There would be no warning, no brigands asking for a toll. They laid their trap, and they wouldn't strike until all arrows had been trained on Desire.

Though this time, they had brought a bit more fire power. Among the ambush were a few casters and a couple healers. No one would escape this time. The Syndicate couldn't let word slip that they'd been dealt such a blow without retaliation. They couldn't afford a hit to their reputation. Other organizations might hear of it and think the Syndicate weak enough to attack.

~~~~~

Vuduin was doing a fine job of holding Desire upright as she drifted in and out of consciousness. The troupe had traveled for several hours, they came to a bend in the road. Just as they turned, the first arrow flew.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire was dozing, leaning back against Vuduin's broad chest. They were in the back, Tarron was up front. Jassin and Phyrra were on their own horses, Cillian rode with Siora. They had gotten more horses, but not one for each of them.

Desire didn't hear the first arrow. It grazed her arm and clinked off of Vuiduin's armor. She was already moving to get off the horse. "I'm more useful on the ground." She told him. She had to start dancing before she was hit again. Another arrow grazed her thigh.

She shot three Eldritch Blasts in quick succession to cover the area around where she thought the first arrow came from.

She tried to use the horse for cover. Was it her imagination, or was she being targeted? Beshaba's Bleeding Cunt! She didn't have time to see what the others were doing.

She took an arrow to the thigh from behind and screamed in pain and rage. She would burn them all for that.

She unsheathed her swords from where they were hanging from the horse. The cowards were still shooting arrows from the trees. Soon she would be able to set them all on fire. She cut the shaft of the arrow. If she removed it, she'd bleed more. She began dancing in a lopsided way. But she was dancing. Soon she'd forget the pain. And she would burn them all to ash and the whole forest with them if she had to. More arrows whizzed past, but she was much harder to hit now.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

With the pretense gone between them, Cillian found he enjoyed riding with Siora more than he had before. To him, it felt more like sharing a horse with an old friend. They could talk and even joke. They could be friends—a platonic fidelity, but not something that would sustain a marriage. It hopefully wouldn't need to. Cillian was distracted as he tried to figure out the best way to give them a clean break.

He didn't know when the first arrow was loosed. It took him a minute for him to realize they were targetting Desire. It made strategic sense. She was the most powerful fighter among them.

"Tarron, guard Siora."

Tarron didn't bother to object to taking orders from Cillian. The eldest brother knew what had to be done.

~~~~~

From what he'd seen her do before, Vuduin knew after he healed her, it was best to get out of the way.

"Sorry," He said as he pulled the arrow out before laying his hands on her and channeling healing into her.

He was gone the next moment. His mission was Siora. Jassin was already putting up arcane shields to protect himself and then Siora.

~~~~~

Phyrra and Cillian darted into the woods on opposite sides of the road. Both of them worked better under cover of the canopy. It was time to get to work. Phyrra communed with the plants, vines springing up to snag the attackers. Cillian snuck from shadow to shadow, slipping a danger in between the ribs of anyone he crossed.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

(Posted on behalf of haremfaery)

Desire was happy for the healing from Vuduin, but it cost her more time. She started to dance again, moving and dodging. Arrows still whizzed past her, a few even grazed her, thrice-damn them. None connected. So far.

She shot Eldritch blasts into the trees any time she thought she had an idea where an archer was hiding and prayed to Tymora that she didn't hit Phyrra or Cilian, who were nowhere to be found.

Finally, her swords flamed. She kept to herself. She was a target, and if she got too close to anyone, they might get hit. The arrows slowed, and it looked like the bandits, or whoever they were, weren't ready for an actual melee.

She didn't have time to count them, but there were a lot. Her body was on fire now. "Come and get me, you motherless scum!" She charged at the closest one—if you could call her spinning, leaping dance a charge. Every hit she made did fire damage as well. To the shock of the man who attacked her, he took fire damage every time he hit her. "Damned if you do, damned if you don't." She laughed. She blink-stepped into the middle of the attackers laughing almost hysterically now. When she hit one bandit, fire seemed to jump from him to the bandit next to him.

It wasn't long before she was in the middle of a ring of dead or dying bandits. There were little fires everywhere where there were dry leaves and grass. A few trees were ablaze.

She took a moment to breathe and assess the situation. Vuduin had been forced away from Siora and was surrounded by bandits. Tarron and Jassin were protecting Siora.

She danced closer to Vuduin, shooting firebolts to make the kill shot on three of them.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian could see again they were dealing with Syndicate brutes. They might just have pissed them off, but as he drew his dagger across the throat of an elf in a green cloak, he wondered if perhaps they'd been paid by the Empire. It wasn't the most crucial thought right now, but killing had become so second nature to Cillian he could do it without having to devote the entirety of his concentration to it.

He could have just been being paranoid, but that was another thing that had been become so natural to him. It was the thing that got in the way of his relationship with Desire. That thought made him pause long enough for an arrow to be shot his way, barely missing him. Before the shooter could nock the next one, Cillian left him with the futile task of trying to hold his guts in.

He could hear Desire cursing the bandits and the screams of men and women screaming their last breath as they burned alive.

~~~~~

Phyrra knew it was necessary for the way Desire fought and that her fighting was the most effective among the group, but the druid was annoyed. She could have been ensnaring more bandits if she wasn't trying to keep the fire from becoming uncontrollable. Glifriss was happily mauling her way through Syndicate soldiers, keeping her human companion safe.

~~~~~

Vuduin hated to leave Siora behind, but once he knew she was protected by Jassin's shields and Tarron's sword, he moved to take out those that pelted them with arrows. But it was a mistake. Soon, they were all around him, swords out. Vuduin was good with a blade and shield, but even this would be too much for him. He said a small prayer that the gods would watch over Siora, and he charged. Three bandits tried to flank him, but they died in agonizing flames. Vuduin spared the briefest look at Desire to nod. Without worrying about anyone behind him, he cut his way through the other four in front of him.

One final arrow whizzed past his ear before he heard a roar and a scream as the archer was taken down by a now blood covered lynx. He scanned the trees, checking to see if there were any more attackers. Instead, he saw a bloody Cillian step out of the forest. He took a step towards him, ready to render aid.

Cillian held up a hand. "Don't worry. None of it is mine."

Vuduin turned to see Siora healing Tarron from several arrows that had pierced his side, and he went to aid her. Walking past Desire, he said, "Thank you for the help. I'd be a pincushion without you."

 

[haremfaery]

She shot firebolts and slashed her flaming swords against her attackers until no more were left.

Desire realized she was being targeted. It made her smug but angry. She was a force of nature and they knew it. She didn't care if they were slavers, bandits, or hired by the empire. They all died the same.

She had quite a few cuts and by Tymora’s Luck none of the arrows or swords were poisoned. She'd have to watch that. At least by targeting her, it made the others safer.


She limped a little as she walked back to the others. Now that the adrenaline rush was over she felt every ache and cut, every bruise and puncture.

Phyrra opened her mouth. Desire put a hand up to stop her. “I'm sorry, Phyrra. Sometimes I can’t help the collateral damage.” But she wasn’t sorry. They were alive that was what mattered.

Cillian was covered in blood. She wanted to go to him and fall into his arms. But he was standing tall. Must not be his blood. She smiled a little. She limped along with Vuduin .

“I could use another healing touch or two.” She really shouldn’t tease the paladin but the battle euphoria was still upon her and if she didn't . “But if others need it more, I can wait.” She could just deal with her wounds the non-magical way--the way she usually had to.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Phyrra looked at Desire and said, "I just wanted to tell you that you kicked ass. I mean, I wouldn't be sad if you had water or wind-based magic, but I can't argue with the results, but don't worry. I've got the clean up handled."

Vuduin placed his hands on Desire as Phyrra spoke with her. He didn't have a lot of healing left in him, but what he did was poured into Desire to at least get her better than limping. Siora would be able to handle the last of it with ease.

Phyrra finished putting out fires and then began inviting the plants, bugs, and fungi to break down the bandits' bodies. The wolves would soon come to drag off the bones, and there would be almost no evidence left of the attack.

They only had a few more days before they'd reach the border and could have travel faster, but the battle had taken a lot out of everyone. The troupe traveled slowly, and when it came time to make camp, everyone was exhausted. Tarron and Phyrra were on the first watch.

Even only a few days ago, Vuduin would barely be able to contain himself at the thought of sleeping so close to Siora, but now...

"Siora, would you like me to give you privacy? I can sleep outside the tent. I can still wake if needed. All you need to do is ask."

 

[haremfaery]

"Water and wind can be just as destructive, and most times, harder to stop." Desire told Phyrra as Vuduin gve her a healing touch. She sighed. It was if the pain was drawn out of her.

She walked more easily to Siora. "How is Tarron?" He looked like a pincushion the last time she had seen him.

~~~~~

"No, Vuduin." Siora placed a delicate hand on his arm. "I would feel safer with you inside with me." She had gotten used to having someone in her tent, someone beside her. "Do you remember when we traveled together before? That seems so long ago." That was when she truly got to know Vuduin. So honorable, so kind. And when he relaxed enough, rather amusing.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"He'll be fine after some rest tonight," Siora said.
"So nice of you to show concern," Tarron's voice sounded slightly bitter. He paused, the acid leaving his voice as he said, "Thanks for saving all our asses today."
~~~~~
Vuduin smiled. He did remember the trip. Though the smile quickly faded when he remembered the reason for the journey.
"Yes. I do remember. I'm glad I could be there when you needed someone."
The Vuduin that had traveled with Siora then was a different person, still very much infatuated with the Lady of House Farceran. Now he looked at her with new eyes. She was still beautiful and kind and brilliant. But he could appreciate those qualities without obsessing over them.
"And I'd gladly do so again if you needed," he added. He was sincere in that. Just because he let go of the version of Siaro that he had constructed in his head didn't mean he needed to abandon the friendship with the actual person.
~~~~~
Cillian spent some time talking with Jassin, but the conversations didn't reveal much about the half-elf emissary from House Iartoris. Unlike Cillian, the mage had grown up with a human mother and elf father together. His mother still lived, and his life seemed mostly mundane beyond his studies in magic and his position within a noble house.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire couldn’t understand why Tarron was so angry with her. He thought she was a whore. He should know that whores are wantons who slept around. He didn’t care about Cillian. So his anger couldn't have anything to do with him. Was he just angry because he simply wanted to get laid? He couldn't have feelings for her. They barely knew each other and had only shared a quick fuck. She remembered how angry he had been when he discovered her with Vuduin. Seven Hells, she hadn’t told Cillian about that. They promised to be honest with each other, but did that include offering up information that would be hurtful? It would be more hurtful if Cillian found out from someone else. Beshaba's Tits. She'd have to tell Cillian as soon as she could.

In the meantime, there was something she'd been wanting to tell Tarron. Perhaps it would help appease him. She squatted down next to the fighter, “Regardless of how we feel about each other, I want you to know that I have your back, Tarron. You are as committed to this cause as the rest of us. Your life is as important to me as anyone else.” She hoped she could repair the rift between them. They needed to trust each other.

~~~~~

“That means so much to me, Vuduin. My life has been ... chaotic of late. Your steadfast loyalty has always given me great comfort. I hope you know how much you mean to me.” Siora had come to care for Vuduin as a friend since that long-ago journey. But her position and her marriage kept her from entertaining thoughts of anything else.

Now that her marriage was over in all but the legal aspect, she needed to think about her future. Cillian and she would find some way to end the marriage--Cillian assured her that he would think of something so that she would keep her position and her reputation. If not, well, she supposed she could take a lover.

By the God's, why did life have to be so complicated?

~~~~~~

"I'm sorry that I don't have any adventurous stories to share with you, Cillian. But I would love to hear some of yours. Living in the empire for thirty years, you must have had other that you worked with, a network, so to speak. How did you all keep from being found out for all that time. I must tell you, that I am in awe of what you must have accomplished."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

"We're square," Tarron said.

Yes, he felt cheated somehow, like he should have had her, at least one more time. This wasn't anything like love. This was lust because she'd nearly sent him to the gods with the way she moved her hips. But that opportunity had passed.

"I've got your back as well."

~~~~~

Vuduin began taking off his armor. He hadn't really thought anything of it, but the tunic under it had become very clingy and translucent from travel. He set his armor aside and turned to her.

"I am duty-bound to be of service to the Lady of the House, but to serve you, Siora, has always been a pleasure. Even if I were not a guard of the House and you not the Lady, I would still enjoy your company. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I also hope that you also understand what our friendship means to me."

~~~~~

Cillian kept his face calm as he said, "You should understand that even though I'm no longer a spy, I'm still bound by the rules. I can't talk about any of it, even in the slightest details. We still have spies out there that could end up dead if the information ever fell into the wrong hands. The secrets will have to die with me."

Cillian was suspicious about Jassin's questions. Cillian was always suspicious, but there was something about Jassin that didn't sit right.

 

[haremfaery]

"Thank you, Tarron." Desire was sincere. She was sorry she slept with him. Sorry she used him like that. Sorry she had hurt Cillian.

She and Cillian had made quite a mess of things. She was trying to make things right, but some things ... a sort of truce was probably the best she could hope for.

~~~~~~

Siora would have offered to help Vuduin with his armor but she had no idea what to do. Vuduin was methodical. She could see there was an order to the process. She could also see his well-muscled chest through his tunic.

As a married woman and Lady of House Farceran, she occupied herself with many things. None of those things had anything to do with assessing a man's good looks. But now, now she found herself occupied with those things.

Siora smiled at Vuduin. Just being with him made her feel lighter. "I'm glad we are friends, Vuduin. I'm glad you are here."

~~~~~~

"Of course," Jassin said. "I'm sorry. The spy thing fascinates me. I should have known not to ask about it. Those of us living here--we have no idea of what it must have been like for you. It must be strange to be back, trying to live a normal life." Jassin paused. "Instead of your past--what of your future? Are you ready to lead a quiet life now?"