Chapter 33: Love at first fight

I finally found an editor, so hopefully you all won’t need to put up with my typos and poor/dyslexic editing skills anymore. :)

Rachel could feel the change in the air at Alana’s suggestion that they ‘try out’ the new bed, and it was almost a palpable change. Selene had already excused herself, and the redhead could see Nalatia starting to fade into the distance through the enormous bay window that covered the rear of the captain’s cabin.

Standing near the door, the teen mage was in a perfect position to observe just how interested her fellow wives were, especially Alana and Beth. It occurred to her that besides the night that Ethan had returned to the Argo, Alana and Beth hadn’t slept with him in well over a week. Her one experience in bed with him had been amazing, but she had no idea what it would be like with his other wives there. She bit her lip, not exactly sure how one does something like this.

“Problem beautiful?” Ethan asked while Alana gently kissed his neck, Beth slipped her arms around one of his biceps, and Taloni slid onto his lap.

She felt her cheeks grow warm as she looked down. “Um, no?”

Alana stopped her kissing to chuckle and the rest of his wives also stopped, all looking amused and somewhat sympathetic. Rachel suddenly felt like she had just been pushed onto a stage and expected to know her part perfectly, despite only having found out that she would be an actress a few seconds ago. She glanced up to see that Alana had slipped down to sit next to Ethan, Beth was on his other side leaning on him, and Taloni was sitting across his lap. All looked cozy, but the sexual tension in the room seemed to have dissipated slightly.

“Sorry.” She said, leaning against the closed door.

“Sorry for what?” Alana asked.

“For um ... I mean you all were so...” She looked at them, then down again. “ ... and now you’re more ... uh...”

Taloni chuckled, then her wings became a blur as she hopped off of Ethan’s lap. Her feet never touched the ground as she floated over to the redhead to give her a big hug. “Don’t worry Rachel, I used to be super nervous in bed too. I promise we won’t do anything that would make you uncomfortable.” She let go of the redhead as she lowered herself to the floor and turned to Ethan. “Right master?”

He nodded. “We wouldn’t dream of it.”

The newest bride noticed that Beth’s cheeks had gone slightly pink, and Rachel glanced at her. “What?”

“I was just thinking about the first time that Alana and I ... Um...” The blonde’s cheeks went a bit pinker. “You know, I’m not really sure how say it.”

“Had smokin’ hot sex?” Ethan suggested grinning ear-to-ear.

“Yeah.” The wood elf’s cheeks were red, but she was also smiling as if at a fond memory. “We’ll go slowly and you’ll be fine.”

“I’m just not sure...” Rachel hesitated. “I um, I just feel like...”

She paused, not sure what she felt like. For some reason, the idea of being naked with anyone other than Ethan and Alana just felt too ... too ... Something. She wasn’t sure what though. She looked at the wood elf for help, silently pleading with her eyes.

“Don’t worry; we won’t push.” Alana hopped off the bed and stood next to her, slipping her hand into the redhead’s and giving it a comforting squeeze.

“It’s just, I mean, I never really...” She took a deep breath. “I’m not used to being, um, naked around anyone. I never even let my handmaids help me bathe, so...” She bit her lip. “And it was nerve-wracking with just Ethan and Alana, so now...” She glanced at the bed.

“Ah.” Ethan nodded, then cocked his head to one side. “You woke up naked with everyone the past couple mornings.” He pointed out.

“The first morning was the one that you ordered us to put our clothes back on after that airship’s shadow.” Rachel pointed out. “We were all scrambling so much I didn’t really think about it. And the second...”

“ ... and the second you were clutching the sheet to cover yourself the whole time.” Ethan nodded. “Okay, I didn’t realize that would make you uncomfortable.”

“It doesn’t.” Rachel said hastily. “I love it, I really do. It’ll just take me a little while to get used to it, that’s all.” She looked down. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Perfectly okay.” He said kindly.

“Master, I have an idea that wouldn’t require Rachel to take her clothes off.” The Fey teen smiled slyly. “Do you remember the trip back to the Argo? Rachel said something about the tongue...”

“Oh?” Alana looked at the redhead and raised her eyebrow.

“Um, yes?” The redhead felt her cheeks grow downright hot.

“What did you say?” Beth asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“I said, um...” She gulped.

“You glanced at his hips, and then you said...” The Fey prompted.

“Um ... I said, um...” She hesitated until Alana gave her hand another gentle, comforting squeeze. “I said that ... that ‘great communication requires the proper use of the tongue’.”

Ethan whistled.

Rachel blushed.

She also couldn’t help but notice that his very large... ‘thing’ was out and erect. In fact, it was pointing in her direction and seemed to stiffen even more after she’d repeated what she’d said on that trip.

“I think someone likes that idea.” Alana said.

Rachel had already licked her lips before she’d realized that she’d done it.

“How about this?” Alana whispered into her ear. “How about you take care of him with your tongue, and the rest of us will take care of the rest of him?”

The wood elf pulled back and looked into the mage’s eyes. Rachel couldn’t help but notice that she had the prettiest eyes; a rich hazel color that seemed deep and passionate, but also warm and sensual. Her eyes were so captivating and so wonderful enough to get lost in that she could see someone -- not her of course, she wouldn’t want to get lost in the wood elf’s gorgeous, incomparable eyes -- but someone else might never want to be found.

“Do you want to try?” The brunette asked after several seconds, her grin becoming slightly lopsided.

“Sure.” Rachel replied almost automatically, without really thinking about it.

Then she realized what she agreed to.

She swallowed hard.

Alana bit her lip, then leaned forward to whisper into her ear again. “Yeah, he likes it when we swallow.”

“I’ve never done anything like this before.” She whispered back.

“I know, and I’ll bet you a thousand gold that he loves that.”

“Do you?” Rachel looked at him.

He had been tenderly kissing Beth while Taloni was gently massaging his shoulders. The look of tender devotion on the Fey’s face was heartwarming, as was the bliss on the blonde’s.

“Do I ... what?” He asked after breaking his kiss with Beth.

Alana smiled slyly. “Like that she’s never had her lips around another man?”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He said firmly, and there was a strong note of draconic possessiveness in his voice.

“Come here.” Alana gently took the redhead’s hand and led her over to Ethan.

Rachel had an image flash through her head of how she wanted to do this, and she felt her loins grow warm as she thought about it. It would be so ... so submissive; subservient; a show of deference that at once shocked her in its abject admission of subjection ... yet at the same time it also made her yearn to feel that with him. To have him literally standing over her as she...

She blushed.

“Speak.” Ethan -- or maybe the dragon -- instructed.

“Um, my lord could you please...” She faltered. “I mean, can I ... with my lips and tongue?” Her cheeks felt almost hot and she couldn’t meet his gaze.

“You may. Any other requests?” The dragon replied, as if he knew there was more.

“Please my lord, could you...” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Could you please stand while I do?”

“Stand?” The dragon replied impassively.

“Yes my lord, stand ... stand over me while I do ... it.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his other wives give each other looks of both surprise and intrigue. The dragon regarded her for a moment, then Beth hopped off his lap and he stood. He was taller than she was. Not by much, but by an inch or two. She could’ve easily looked into his eyes, but didn’t.

Despite the room being warm, she could feel herself start to shiver slightly.

“What’s wrong?” Ethan’s caring voice came; the draconic element receded, but didn’t disappear altogether.

Rachel crossed her arms over her chest, holding herself slightly as she bit her lip. “I...” She looked into his green, cat-like eyes. There was warmth there, and love, and caring.

Still...

“Are...?” She hesitated, then looked. “Are you still okay with me? Am I still...?” She trailed off, not exactly sure what she was asking.

“Still a wonderful woman who I love deeply? Yes.” Ethan said, pulled her gently into a hug, and then thought directly to her. I promised I would never intentionally betray your trust Rachel, and I meant it; I still mean it. I’m pretty sure I know what you have in mind, and I’d love it. But I won’t push.

Thank you. She thought back, then bit her lip. I know you won’t push, and honestly the fact that you won’t makes me want to do it even more. But I’m nervous, and sometimes I could use a push though...

He let go of her, smiled, and then spoke firmly but gently. “Rachel, kneel down.”

“Yes my lord.” She breathed a sigh of relief. It was sometimes easier to let someone else take the lead because it gave her brain a break, and usually a desperately needed one. She’d never been able to do that before because she hadn’t trusted anyone enough. But here and now with Ethan, she felt safe enough to let her guard down like that.

Alana dropped a pillow right in front of the redhead and she slowly sank to her knees, putting her face about level with his ... his ‘equipment’. She was vaguely aware that both Beth and Taloni were in the room and could see her, which made her cheeks feel hot. She was sure her cheeks were approaching the shade of her hair roots, instead of resembling the tips like normal.

“How do I...?” She asked, looking at the enormous thing in front of her. She had really never seen it this close before, since she’d been so nervous on her wedding night and been distracted.

“It won’t bite.” Beth said from the bed behind Ethan. “Just be gentle and no teeth.”

“Yes, please no teeth.” Ethan nodded with a grin.

The redhead nodded.

Taloni hopped off the bed and gave the redhead a dazzling smile. “You can do this Rachel. Maybe try just touching it first.”

“May I my lord?” She looked up at him.

“I wish you would.” He grinned.

She nodded and returned her attention to it. It was huge. It seemed to approach the size of her forearm, but she thought her brain might be playing tricks on her. The large head was bulbous and slightly pointed; all the better to penetrate a woman she supposed.

She reached a hand out, but stopped it just before touching it.

“Go ahead.” Alana encouraged her best friend as she knelt down beside her.

She almost wanted to laugh at the redhead’s trepidation. She was probably the most fearless woman that the wood elf had ever met. But when it came to anything intimate, she was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. It was actually kind of cute.

She was really cute.

Rachel was slightly frozen, her hand a mere inch from Ethan’s very large and very wonderful cock. A tiny part of her wanted to be in Rachel’s position, but the redhead looked like she wanted this, no matter how nervous she was.

The wood elf reached out and settled a hand on her shoulder. “Trust me, it’s impossible to screw this up unless you use your teeth. He loves you, you love him, and you’ll both enjoy this.”

“Okay.” The redhead nodded, took a deep breath and then gently touched it with her finger.

It was warm; very warm.

Rachel didn’t know why that surprised her, but it did for some reason. She hadn’t been expecting that, but it made sense. It was extremely warm, though not quite hot. It was the only part of him not covered in scales, and the warm skin was soft and smooth. It pulsed slightly as she touched it.

“Okay, now feel a bit more.” Alana suggested.

She did.

She ran her finger down the length of the shaft and back up, marveling at how natural it felt to do so. She added her other fingers, and then reached the head. The head looked like it was an overfilled water skin; like it was straining to get to her.

She liked that.

“I do recall hearing something about tongue...” Taloni said mischievously from the bed.

Rachel blushed. “How...”

Alana put an arm around her. “It’s actually not that hard; simply tell him how you feel, just don’t use words.”

Abstracts.

Rachel hated abstracts.

“It’s a bit like kissing, only he doesn’t kiss you back.” Beth said a bit more helpfully.

Rachel looked up to see her husband towering over her. For some reason, he seemed like a towering pillar of strength from this angle, and she felt like an insect before a giant. From this position, he was literally standing over her and looking down on her with undisguised desire. It made her feel...

Feel...

Beautiful.

Wanted.

Sexy.

Yet at the same time it also made her feel small, but not in a bad way. She felt like bit of driftwood caught in a mighty storm, or a rider being carried along by a mighty steed. She felt so caught up; so passive and submissive, like he was a force of nature and she was kneeling before him because that was the only appropriate response.

She liked it.

She couldn’t believe it, but here she was literally kneeling at his feet while he was literally standing over her and she loved it. She loved the strange combination of empowerment and submission that she felt. She felt like he was a force or nature that had captured her completely, but at the same time he’d been hopelessly captured by her beauty and his desire for her.

It was strange.

Good, but strange.

Ethan watched as Rachel slowly leaned forward and then stopped, her lips less than an inch from his now throbbing cock. Her touch had felt heavenly, and for some reason her hesitation and general nervousness made this all the more special. She was fighting through her nerves because she wanted to do this. He wasn’t actually sure if she wanted it more for her own sake or for his, not that it mattered.

It was amazing to watch.

Not to mention pleasurable.

The redhead gave him a nervous smile, and then leaned forward a bit and planted a gentle, tender kiss on the head of his cock.

He growled in pleasure.

She glanced up at him, smiled, and then did it again. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation. Oddly, the best part of it wasn’t really the sensation; it was the fact that Rachel -- his headstrong, independent, and assertive wife -- had asked to do this; asked to kneel before him.

She wanted to do this for him.

He loved that.

“Okay, now try kissing the shaft, maybe the underside.” Alana suggested.

The redhead pulled back slightly and glanced up at him, as if asking for confirmation, or perhaps permission.

He nodded.

She lifted his cock gently, holding it like it was a treasure and kissed the sensitive underside where the head meets the shaft. He shivered in pleasure. Apparently emboldened by his reaction, the redhead continued kissing down his shaft, and then around the sides too. She did this for nearly a minute while his other wives watched. Beth and Taloni seemed fascinated, Alana seemed entranced.

“Now, about that tongue...” The Fey teen finally said.

Rachel nodded, hesitated for several moments, then with her lips mere millimeters from his cock, slipped her tongue out and gave it a small lick. He had never noticed before, but she had the cutest tongue. It was slender and a bit pointed, as well as smooth and silky.

He again growled in pleasure.

“There you go.” Alana encouraged.

Unless Ethan was much mistaken, he thought he heard a quiet, soft, and simultaneous moan coming from the two blondes on either side of him. Rachel apparently took all of this as encouragement, and ran her tongue up further on his shaft, ending just below the head.

“Wow, my tongue gets dry fast doing that.” She said, as she looked up at him. She looked a bit pleased with her daring.

“Then perhaps something a bit more ... all encompassing?” His wood elven wife suggested with a sly grin.

Rachel gulped.

Ethan was about to say something to reassure her, when the redhead found her courage again. She looked him in the eye, grasped his shaft with one hand, and then guided it into her mouth ... or at least that had been her intention. She was still looking him in the eye and apparently misjudged, because the head of his cock bumped into her upper lip just below her nose. Undeterred, she glanced down, course corrected, then locked eyes with him again as she took him into her mouth.

It was heavenly.

Not just the sensation, but the eye contact too. She slid up and down, clearly having a touch of difficultly fitting him in her mouth. She looked at him as she slowly bobbed up and down. There was a question in the redhead’s eyes, asking if she was doing a good job. He reached down and gently stroked her cheek.

“Beautiful.” He said, using both his nickname for her and a perfect description of the lovely sight before him.

Alana couldn’t tear her eyes away. Her very best friend, the woman that she was in love with, was making love to her husband with her lips and tongue while she watched. There was a hesitancy and vulnerability to the way she did it too. It was more than just a physical thing; they had a connection that she couldn’t deny and found it incredible.

Care to join her? The dragon’s thoughts came directly to her so none of his other wives could hear.

She froze.

You on one side ... Rachel on the other ... Your lips so incredibly close to each other... The dragon continued.

She could picture it and couldn’t get the image out of her head. It was like someone had glued it to her psyche or the inside of her eyelids. You could’ve knocked her over with a feather. She shuddered in anticipation and pleasure, yearning for that; longing for it.

Not yet. The dragon thought to her. She isn’t ready for that ... yet. But it will happen.

Yes please sir! She thought back.

The wood elf turned her attention back to the sight at hand. Rachel was moving her head in a slow, deliberate fashion. She wasn’t in a hurry, but seemed to be enjoying herself and savoring the experience.

Am I doing this okay? She asked everyone mentally while her lips were otherwise occupied.

“Perfectly.” Alana sighed in response, amused at how nervous Rachel was in the bedroom compared to how she was everywhere else.

“Rachel, it couldn’t possibly be better.” Ethan said gently.

The wood elf could see the redhead’s lips curve upwards as she continued her tender ministrations. It wasn’t long before Alana recognized the tell-tale signs of their husband about to cum. She leaned over and whispered in Rachel’s ear. “Get ready, and don’t be afraid to swallow. He likes that.”

Ethan could feel his cock tense up as the redhead’s tender devotion, and especially the look in her eyes, drove him right to the edge. Alana had warned her, and in response the redhead had picked up her speed just a little. The wood elf whispered into her ear again, and moment later he felt her tongue gently massage the sensitive underside of his cock, just where the head met the shaft.

Marrying you was the best decisions I ever made and I’m so grateful to be your wife. The redhead thought to him. I love you my lord ... my Ethan.

Rachel fastened herself around the head of his cock and sealed her lips, then looked up into his eyes. She had such beautiful blue eyes. Right now, they were so incredibly trusting. All of her walls were down and she looked up at him from her kneeling position like he was the only man in the universe. Even without what she’d just said, he could see how much the redhead truly loved him.

He came.

With a long groan, he came and she gently sucked as he released into her waiting mouth. Her cheeks puffed out slightly, but she caught everything and he even felt her swallow.

The entire time, she looked him in the eyes.

When he’d finished, he took a moment to recover. When he had, he let out a low whistle. “Damn Rachel, you weren’t kidding about the ‘proper use of the tongue’.”

She grinned sheepishly as she slid her mouth of his cock. Her lips followed the contours so there was no ‘pop’ sound. Instead, she slid off, hesitated a few millimeters from the head, and then gave him a tiny, little tender kiss.

It was really sweet.

“I kind of enjoyed that.” She said looking very embarrassed, but also quite pleased with herself.

“I can tell.” He replied, and gently stroked her cheek. “I did too by the way.”

“I can tell.” She echoed.

He offered her his hand, which she took and he helped her to her feet.

“Being married to you is nothing like what I thought it would be.” She said with a small smile.

“Worse?”

She shook her head. “Better. Way better. Thank you for being a wonderful husband, and for being patient with me.”

“Thank you for being a wonderful wife, and tolerating my dragon side.”

“It’s my pleasure.” She grinned, then glanced at the three other women in the room. “Speaking of pleasure...”

“Are you going to join us?” He asked indicating the bed.

“Yes, but not today.” Rachel replied. “I might watch, but I’m not sure I’m ready for...” She paused for a moment as she touched her dress. “ ... for that. Not now anyway. Is that okay my lord?”

“Of course it is.” He smiled. “I’ll look forward to the day when you are ready though.”

He could’ve sworn that her eyes flicked towards Alana for a micro-second before she replied. “Me too.”

It had taken Kendra about a week to reach Arcanum from her former position. The wind had been good, otherwise it would’ve taken another day or two and she was grateful. She lashed her ship to the Arcanum docks, pulled out the satchel in which she’d stashed the dragon scales, and then went to pay for her berth. The dockmaster smiled when he saw her, no doubt hoping for another gold coin like the first time.

She rolled her eyes.

Men.

Graflex’s shop wasn’t too hard to find. It was just south of the Boar’s Head Tavern, and she saw a tiny sign for a blacksmith’s shop about a block south of it. Curiously, there was someone wearing an official Arcanum messenger outfit sitting across the street looking very bored.

She walked up to the shop, surprised to find it looking almost abandoned. It certainly had seen better days. The sign was faded and the chains on which it hung on were rusty. The windows were so filthy that she couldn’t make out much inside by looking through them. She opened the door to discover the hinges made a creaking noise that sounded like they would fall off with much more use.

The inside of the shop wasn’t much better.

Given the state of the windows, it was fairly dark with no other lights supplementing the daylight. Even in the dim light, she could see racks of weapons lining the small shop. She couldn’t tell their quality in the low light though because her eyes hadn’t adjusted yet. His reputation was stellar, though you’d never guess it by the look of his shop.

“Who’s there?” A slightly grumpy voice came from the back of the shop. She heard the sound of him sniffing the air, then he spoke again. “You brought dragon steel.”

“I did.” She nodded.

A grizzled Dwarf with salt and pepper hair and an even grayer beard shuffled out from the back room. Like most dwarves, he was about four feet tall and powerfully built. This one seemed stronger than most though, and he looked like he could out-wrestle an ox. He eyed her and seemed to contemplate something.

He glanced at her sword. “Dragon steel there too, unless I miss my guess.”

She nodded.

“You lookin’ to get some things made for a fellow called Ethan?”

Kendra didn’t let her surprise and alarm show on her face, but did casually lower her hand to rest near the hilt of her sword. “How did you know?”

“Some woman named Gabriella came in here to place an order for pickin’ up by someone that Ethan had sent.”

“Gabriella?” The dragon huntress raised an eyebrow.

“Yup.” He shrugged. “Gimme them there dragon scales and I’ll get started.”

“You don’t even know what he wants.”

“Nope, but I know what he’s going to get.” Graflex replied.

“What’s that?”

“These.” The dwarf pulled out a roll of parchment and rolled it out for her to see.

She looked at it. “He didn’t ask for those, and definitely not the war hammer head. He wanted a spear.”

“He’ll get a spear; damn near two.” He indicated the center design and then pointed to the rear end.

“Huh. That looks like a normal...” She cocked her head to the side. “That’s pretty clever. That one addition pretty much changes everything.” She cocked her head to the other side. “Huh. And you say that someone named Gabriella brought these designs in?”

Graflex harrumphed in answer, which she took to mean ‘yes’.

“Could you describe her?”

“Human, twiggy, blonde or white hair, and she made me feel a bit less grumpy.”

“That sounds like her.” Kendra conceded.

If Gabriella was bringing designs for weapons, then it was a pretty good bet that Ethan would need them. The only other people who knew that she was coming to see Graflex were on the Argo anyway, so clearly this was either from Gabriella or Ethan. Either way, that was fine with her.

“Here you go.” She handed him the satchel of dragon scales. “What’s this going to cost?”

“Whatever dragon scales are leftover when I’m done making these three will suffice.” Graflex said as he hefted the satchel in his hand as if measuring it. “Come back the day after tomorrow, around noon, and I’ll be done.”

“That fast?” She asked skeptically.

“I’ve had days to set everything up in advance.” Graflex replied grumpily. “Why in Illuminar’s name should it take longer?”

“Okay, I’ll see you the day after tomorrow.” Kendra nodded.

Graflex harrumphed and headed towards the forge without another word. She shrugged and headed outside, not sure where to go next. Maybe an inn for a few nights, or maybe a tavern to listen in on the latest news? That probably wasn’t the best idea though. Magistrate Haglath was still probably pissed at her, so maybe she should keep a low profile.

“Excuse me, is your name Kendra?” Someone asked. It was the man wearing an official Arcanum messenger outfit, but you could never be too sure.

“Who’s asking?”

“I have a message from Elder Goman for the raven-haired woman who drops something off to Graflex’s shop. However, you must answer the challenge question first: who is number four?”

“Number four?” Kendra thought for a moment, then realized. “Oh, Rachel?”

The man nodded and then handed her a letter that was sealed with wax. It read:

Kendra,

We were forced to leave Nalatia early. Elder Goman volunteered to use his own personal portal to send you and your airship to our location when Graflex has finished. If you’re not comfortable with that, please meet us twenty miles due west of Gralden as soon as possible. Either way, send a message to Elder Goman so we know, and he’ll get it to us.

Thanks in advance, Ethan

Kendra grimaced.

If Ethan was going to Gralden, then ... she shook her head slowly. She well remembered the conversation that she’d had with Lord Borden. He’d been extremely displeased to learn that Ethan had married other women after Beth. Very displeased indeed. She doubted that he would need his weapons in Gralden, but he might if Lord Borden was angry enough.

It was unlikely, but possible.

The messenger spoke again. “Elder Goman also wishes you to know that he has prepared a small apartment for you to use during your stay here.”

She considered.

Sleeping in her airship wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but it wasn’t luxury living either. An inn would be more comfortable, but it more likely she might be noticed and reported to Magistrate Haglath. Frankly, the hammock on the Argo would be her preferred option.

Hmm.

She looked at the letter again. Portalling would allow her to get back to the Argo much sooner. It beat sailing another week to meet them near Gralden anyway. And it looked like he could use the portal to move her airship too. That was probably only possible because her masts folded, but still; it was a good offer.