Chapter 68: Precious

It took a moment for what had just happened to truly sink in for Sarah. Ethan and Selene were going to get married? She felt a wide smile begin to grow on her face as it really hit her. Ethan and Selene were going to get married! And since Sarah herself was betrothed to Ethan, she would be able to spend the rest of her life with her first real friend.

“Finally!” Beth nearly squealed, then ran forward to hug Selene. She was shortly followed by Ethan and all of his other wives, including Sarah herself. They all ran to her and obviously weren’t being careful enough in their exuberance because Selene overbalanced and fell backwards, taking the rest of them with her.

Ethan laughed.

The ladies laughed.

Thor made a decidedly amused meow.

Despite having fallen on the floor, no one made a particular effort to get up quickly; they were busy celebrating. Selene appeared to have happy tears in her eyes, and her face -- always the model of feminine perfection -- was made even more gorgeous by the dazzling smile plastered all over it.

“I’m so glad you came back!” Sarah gushed as everyone managed to disentangle themselves and stand up.

“Me too.” Selene said with a contented sigh. “I was miserable on Earth without all of you.”

“And you’re sure you won’t leave again?” Kendra asked.

Selene nodded. “Not for anything more than a visit, not if I’m married to Ethan.”

Kendra smiled.

“Damn straight.” Ethan beamed as he pulled Selene into another hug. “You’re not going anywhere.”

He held her tenderly for several long moments, and it didn’t turn into a group hug this time. He pulled back and looked at her fondly for another few moments before speaking. “I believe I promised to start fulfilling a certain someone’s kinks, didn’t I?”

She grinned as her cheeks got a hint of pink in them, then she nodded. “You did.”

He stepped back to look her up and down, then spoke. “First, you need a safe word.”

“I don’t need one.” Selene replied. “I won’t use it; you would never do anything to make me.”

“I won’t ‘play’ unless you have one.” Ethan said, his voice firm.

Selene sighed. “Okay.”

“Your safe word will be ‘red light’, said twice.” He paused. “Or you can think it to me if your mouth is full.”

Selene blushed.

“Say it.” Ethan said, a commanding edge to his tone that Sarah didn’t usually hear from him.

“Red light, red light; but I’ll never use it.” Selene replied and then shivered slightly, rather like Sarah did when she occasionally imagined what it might be like to share a bed with Ethan.

Sarah frowned slightly. “Um, what’s a safe word?”

Ethan looked at Selene, a devious smile on his face. “Maybe I’ll have Selene explain it to you later.”

Selene’s cheeks went even redder as she nodded, which didn’t exactly reassure Sarah.

“Or I can explain later if that will be easier.” Ethan offered after seeing the look on Sarah’s face, and his tone suddenly wasn’t teasing, but rather sincere.

“I think it’ll be less uncomfortable if I explain later.” Selene said.

“Okay?” Sarah still hesitated, not sure what to make of this strange turn of events.

Ethan smiled at her. “You’re so cute when you’re unsure and slightly embarrassed, especially when your nose does that cute crinkly thing.”

“Um, thanks?” She smiled and her heart felt warm and fuzzy, but she still had no idea what was going on with Selene.

“You’re welcome.” He grinned at her.

“Can ... can you give me a hint now?” Sarah asked. She thought that Selene was right about getting a full explanation from a woman, but she wanted some idea of what was going on.

“I like a good ... let’s call it a ‘role play’, and the safe word is a way to stop if it goes too far.” Selene said.

“Role play?” Sarah asked.

Ethan nodded. “Like actors on a stage, acting something out, only more real.”

“Oh.” Sarah frowned slightly. “So...” She cocked her head to one side. “ ... it’s like a play?”

“More like a game.” Selene replied. “Or maybe a play without a script, or a play where you make up the script as you go.”

“And so I don’t ruin the game...” Ethan glanced at Selene, stepped toward Sarah, and spoke quietly into her ear. “I’m going to order her around like she has to listen, but she obviously doesn’t and she knows that; it’s just part of the game. And as part of the game, she’ll pretend like she has to listen, but obviously she doesn’t and we both know that; that’s also part of the game.” He leaned back and spoke at a normal volume. “Understand?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I know what you mean, but I don’t understand why you would do it.”

“I think Selene can explain later, if you want to listen.” He replied.

“Okay?” Sarah looked between them, their ‘game’ not making a lot of sense to her.

“Now, where were we...” He looked at Selene.

“Safeword.” Selene replied instantly.

“Unless you use it, you’ll be mine to do with as I please.” Ethan said, and Sarah thought he was making his voice more commanding than normal. He cocked his head to one side slightly, then looked Selene directly in the eyes. “mine...” His voice had changed slightly, but Sarah didn’t recognize the accent. “ ... my own...” His voice got lower and slightly sibilant. “ ... my precious.”

“Okay.” Selene replied, almost cutting him off in her haste to agree, though she started chuckling too.

Suddenly, Sarah remembered where she’d heard that accent before. Ethan had once imitated a character named ‘Gollum’ from a story called ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Apparently, Gollum had valued this one ring more than anything else in the world. Sarah smiled at that.

“I love it.” Selene’s smile was ear-to-ear.

“No, don’t say ‘I’; not when it’s just me and my other wives.” Ethan shook his head. “You aren’t to address yourself as ‘I’ when it’s just us.”

Selene opened her mouth to reply, stopped, then closed it. “Um, so then how do I-- uh, how should...? Huh?”

Ethan’s grin grew wider. “I don’t know, my Precious Selene, how should you?” He looked at her pointedly.

Selene’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.”

“You forget, my Precious, you shared your soul with me when we bonded.” Ethan replied, good-natured malice in his tone. “I don’t remember everything, but I definitely do remember some things.”

“But...” She trailed off as she looked at everyone around her.

Ethan just raised his eyebrow at her, and there was something in his expression that Sarah had never seen before. It was something vaguely predatory that was focused on Selene. Oddly, that seemed to make the Brazilian woman weak in the knees as she let out the tiniest sigh.

Sarah wasn’t sure why.

She had no idea what to think. What was going on? Judging by Selene’s body language, she didn’t seem upset. In fact, she looked rather like Sarah had felt a few nights ago when she’d woken up from a dream that involved her naked in a bed with Ethan. Nothing had happened in the dream -- she’d woken up just before things were about to -- but she remembered exactly how it felt.

Selene looked how she had felt.

Sarah didn’t understand why, but apparently Selene did.

Selene stared at Ethan, her cheeks almost burning they felt so hot. He really wanted her to...? and in front of his wives? Just with him was one thing, but with his wives? Her cheeks got even hotter as the area between her legs developed an itch that Selene was damn sure would be very persistent until Ethan scratched it.

But still...

“Are you sure?” She finally asked the man of her dreams, knowing that she would hate the answer almost as much as she would love it.

“Yes, my Precious, I am.” He replied. The look in his eyes was perfect.

Selene remembered that moment in the clearing by the portal like it had been yesterday, when he’d stunned her with his hammer and then taken her gun. He’d looked down on her with his dragon side out and on full display, and his dragon side had looked down on her like she was barely worthy of his notice. But then moments later, he’d asked if she was okay as Ethan.

He was doing both of those right now.

There was something dragonish about him that had that self-satisfied and confident, bordering on arrogant air about him. But when she looked into his eyes, she knew that he cared. It was written all over them.

“Why did you choose ‘my Precious’?” She asked.

He smiled. “Two reasons. First, do you remember that conversation we all had about how you were struggling to feel like you measured up and weren’t worth much?”

She nodded. It had been right after she’d discovered her telepathic abilities and she’d been so happy about them because she had felt like she finally wasn’t useless. She’d voiced that, and Ethan had pointed out that her worth didn’t come from her abilities, but from who she was. Looking back, that might’ve been the moment she started falling for him.

“I wanted you to have a constant reminder that you are valuable.” He said kindly, sincere tenderness in his tone as he looked at her pointedly. “And you are, especially to me.”

Her heart swelled at his praise. “And the other reason?”

“You’re into some pretty kinky stuff.” He replied. “I don’t want you to forget that you’ll always be precious to me, even in the middle of everything that turns you on.”

She closed her eyes and smiled. “Really?”

“He nodded.” Alana helpfully supplied with a chuckle.

“Oh, and there might be a third reason too.” Ethan added with a chuckle. “I might’ve been slightly obsessed with you while you were gone.”

“Just slightly?” Alana teased.

“Oh, and a fourth reason is because it makes us both laugh.” Ethan added with a chuckle, ignoring Alana.

Selene did chuckle at that.

“Selene, who are you?” He asked with a contented smile.

“I’m your Precious.” She said, and saying that felt more wonderful than she could describe.

“Damn straight you are.” Ethan beamed, and then added in a mock-serious tone. “And don’t you forget it young lady.”

She chuckled, knowing that he was always teasing his wives, and she would be one soon. She couldn’t wait to make it official. “Um, then...” She took another deep breath. “Then ... then Your Precious would like to know when we’ll get married.”

Everyone stared at her.

Selene’s cheeks burned. She couldn’t tell if it was in embarrassment, shame, or arousal; it was probably all three.

“Um, Selene?” Sarah said tentatively. “Why are you ... um, why did you...?” She looked between Ethan and Selene, apparently trying to form words but clearly having trouble doing so.

“Dominus, what is...?” Beth trailed off.

Selene supposed that it was a sign of just how different her tastes were that Beth couldn’t figure out how to ask a question.

“Selene, why did you just refer to yourself in the third person?” Rachel asked, putting the others’ questions into words.

“Why don’t you explain.” Ethan said to Selene, his confident swagger and good-natured malice returning.

“Um, I read this story once where the man made the heroine talk to him like that, in the third person.” Selene explained. “I um, I always thought that it was really hot.”

“And what did he do if she forgot to address herself that way?” Ethan asked.

“Oh.” Selene grimaced, realizing that she had. “He punished her.”

“Punished?” Sarah especially had wide eyes, but everyone was staring at her.

“Not real punishments.” Selene hastily clarified. “It was sexy stuff that hurt just enough to feel amazing.”

Beth sighed wistfully.

Everyone else looked at Selene like she’d sprouted a third nostril, except for Ethan who looked like he was ready to start laughing at the expressions on everyone’s faces.

“Um, what am I marrying into?” Sarah asked after a moment.

“A very kinky family.” Ethan replied. “But I promise, you’ll never need to be involved in that; not unless you want to be.”

Sarah nodded slowly, hesitated, then spoke. “Um, what does ‘kinky’ mean?”

“It means my tastes are a bit ... different.” Selene explained. “Sarah, I realize that I’m a bit ... weird, but I hope that’s okay.”

Sarah nodded. “Well, I do have a demon, so I don’t have any room to object to ... uh...” She indicated Selene. “ ... that.”

“Thanks.” Selene smiled, then looked at Ethan. “So, when?”

“Unfortunately, not tonight.” He made a face.

“Oh?”

He nodded. “As much as I would like to, no; you have a few things you need to do first.”

“Really?”

He looked at her for a long moment before speaking, and that good-natured malice was back, along with a healthy dose of impishness. “Really. You’ll sleep here on the Argo tonight, then we’ll send you back to Earth with a letter first thing in the morning. Once you’ve followed all the instructions in the letter, then we’ll bring you back and we’ll get married.”

“Okay.” She replied instantly, slightly disappointed that it wouldn’t be tonight, but relishing the reason it wouldn’t be.

Everyone else looked at either Ethan or her.

“Why are you making her--” Kendra paused. “--what was that phrase? ‘Jump through hoops’?”

“Tell her.” Ethan said, the level of swagger rolling off of him making Selene want to both slap him and also tear all her clothes off and offer herself to him.

She didn’t quite meet anyone’s eye as she replied. “Um, because I always kind of liked that idea, and always thought it was super hot.”

Again, everyone stared at her.

“Besides, I need some time to make her dress.” Alana spoke up after a moment. “Can I get some volunteers to help--”

Ethan’s other wives all interrupted to volunteer at the exact same moment, a fact which made Selene get slightly choked up. Ethan stepped next to her, put an arm around her, and pulled her close. She didn’t resist. She leaned up against him and put her arms around him as well. Despite being an inch taller than he was, she leaned on him and sighed.

Ethan sighed at the exact same moment.

They both chuckled, then he looked at her. No, he gazed at her for several long moments.

“What?” She asked.

“Mine.” He said tenderly has he gave her a gentle but firm pull closer. “My Precious Selene.”

A wide smile split her face.

“You appear to be preoccupied.”

“Hmm?” Fiona looked at her husband as they both sat in their bed after the long day. She was indeed preoccupied, and for the first time since they had started talking every night, her mind wasn’t entirely on the conversation.

“I said that you appear to be preoccupied.” He repeated.

“I’m wondering...” She looked at him. “If the emperor himself, or at least the crown prince isn’t being convinced that the false prophet is a false prophet, how are you being so convinced?”

“They do not know that I am a dragon.” He replied. “Thus, they are unaware of my interactions with him while I was in my natural form.”

“Ah, that’s making sense.” Fiona nodded slowly, then cocked her head to one side. “You were meeting him?”

He raised his eyebrow. “Have you never wondered how that arrow came to be in my back the night I first proposed?”

“Well, your proposal was driving most other things out of my head.” She replied. “I was wondering, but then with everything that was happening afterward, it was never occurring to me to ask.”

“Lady Ekthros tracked down the false prophet and I endeavored to bring him to justice and liberate Rachel.” He said. “They had some dark magic that was able to destroy a fully enchanted dragon scale, creating a weakness that one of his wives then exploited.”

Fiona’s eyes widened.

She didn’t know of anything that could destroy a dragon scale on a Drago, and by her guess, her husband was nearly that powerful.

“Rachel was much changed in bearing and demeanor.” He continued, and she was glad that it wasn’t so much work to convince him to talk to her anymore. “I detected no sign that she had touched dark magic, however, the differences in her were subtle but profound.”

“I’m glad to be hearing about the dark magic, but sorry to be hearing about the rest.” Fiona said, trying to imagine what it would be like if some dark witch had seduced her son after he had grown. She couldn’t, and more, she didn’t want to. And not only was Rachel potentially in grave danger, but Sarah was as well.

“I was wanting to be talking to Sarah when we’re both in Nalatia, and maybe I could be asking her about Rachel.” She said after a moment. “Could it be arranged safely?”

“Given the false prophet’s presence, you will have additional security, so perhaps.” He replied. “Nevertheless, even if I deem it safe enough to attempt, I will be nearby to prevent the false prophet from harming you.”

She smiled at him, then scooted over a bit on the bed and leaned against him. “Thank you milord.”

He nodded once, though didn’t reply.

“So, I’m not knowing much about security, but I thought you might like to be knowing that Ellis -- that is, guardsman Ellis Trelane -- was figuring out that Tabby is a bodyguard. Before Prince George was saying she was on the dock I mean”

“How and when did he ascertain that?”

“He was noticing that she was always putting herself in a good place to protect me while I was shopping in Karnas with my cousin, Shannon.” She paused. “Thank you again for arranging for her to be coming here; that was a wonderfully kind thing you were doing for me.”

“You are welcome.” He replied. “I will bring Ellis to Tabitha’s attention, and perhaps recommend him for your security detail while we are in Nalatia.”

“I would be liking that; he seems like a good and trustworthy man.”

“According to all accounts, he is indeed.” Lord Delmar replied. He then looked at the grandfather clock in the room. “Our conversation time is concluded; I shall retire.”

“Good night milord.” She said.

“Good night Fiona.” He slipped down and rolled onto his side so that his back was to her, but she didn’t mind; he always rolled onto his back while he was sleeping and she would cuddle up closer to him then.

She slid down under the covers as well, but something occurred to her after she had. “Milord, could I be asking one more question?”

“Proceed.” He replied, but didn’t change position.

“Were you seeing anything of the false prophet that was convincing you that he was a necromancer?”

“Not specifically. But what I saw with the preponderance of other evidence makes it clear.”

“Okay, thank you for explaining.” She said.

“You are welcome.”

Fiona closed her eyes, a smile on her face. “Milord?”

“Yes?”

“I’ve really been enjoying talking with you in the evenings.”

He didn’t answer immediately. “It has not been unpleasant for me either. Good night Fiona.”

“Good night milord.” She replied with a wide smile, then lay in bed for several minutes thinking. If her husband hadn’t seen anything specific when he had met the false prophet in person, then why did he seem so convinced?

“Holy shit Sarah, I’ve really missed your cooking!”

Sarah beamed at Selene’s praise.

For once, all felt right with the world. Ethan and his wives -- including the soon-to-be wife Selene and Sarah herself -- were all sitting around the dinner fire with grinning faces. There was something different in the air tonight, something that she couldn’t put her finger on. No one around the dinner circle looked anything less than perfectly happy and content.

It was after dark and the Argo’s deck was lit by lanterns that cast a cheerful, flickering light on everything as they ate. There was a slight breeze and they could smell the sea air. It was a warm night, but not too warm; it was a cozy and relaxing type of warm, especially with the coals in the firepan casting their light and warmth on everyone. They weren’t talking much, but they were all there...

... together.

Ethan, Alana, Beth, Taloni, Rachel, Kendra, Selene, and Sarah herself.

She couldn’t have stopped smiling if she wanted to. These were the people she would spend the rest of her life with, the people she would raise a family with, and the people she would grow old with. She would be around them for life’s highs and lows, its triumphs and its disappointments. Through thick and thin, they would all have each other, no matter what life threw at them.

She sighed.

“What?” Beth asked.

Sarah looked at her curious fellow wife, a wide smile on her face. “This is one of the best days of my life so far.”

There was a general chorus of agreement.

“Where are Thea and Victoria?” Beth asked a minute later, as the two women were uncharacteristically absent from the dinner circle

“I don’t know.” Sarah replied. “I told them that dinner was ready.”

“We’re here, but don’t say anything please.” Thea said as she and her platinum blond friend entered from the lower decks. “Seriously, please don’t say anything about marrying Selene.” Thea said, and she seemed serious.

“Why?” Alana asked.

“Because if you do, I’m pretty sure I’ll meet my future husband tonight or tomorrow, and if I find him here, my guardian might have a hard time with it.” Thea replied. “If you could wait until we get to Nalatia before officially telling me that you’re going to marry Selene, or at least until we’re close, I’d really appreciate it for his sake.”

“I love how much you care about him.” Sarah smiled.

“He’s been so good to me.” Thea replied as she sat down and grabbed some food, Victoria right behind her. “He was a father to me, but he never tried to replace my father. The queen did the same with being my mother and I really appreciated that; I still do.”

“Yeah, I like him; he’s a good guy.” Ethan nodded, then took another bite of dinner.

The rest of the meal passed peacefully with a calm, settled air of tranquility and contentment. It had never felt quite like this before, even on the Argo, and it was wonderful.

After dinner, Ethan beckoned Selene a bit further away from everyone. They talked for a minute, and both of them nodded regularly. Selene then turned back toward Sarah, but Ethan caught her hand and gave her a gentle tug back towards him. He leaned in and started whispering into her ear, but of course Sarah couldn’t hear what he was saying.

She could see the smile growing on Selene’s face though.

Selene looked radiant as he whispered, then he stood straight and looked at her pointedly, after which a tiny bit of pink tinged her cheeks as her smile got even wider. They grinned at each other for a few moments before Selene turned and walked toward Sarah.

“Ethan wants to talk to you for a minute.” Selene said, the grin still plastered all over her face.

“Okay.” She got up and walked over to him.

“So, I just talked to Selene and, since you asked earlier about what she wants, it might be better that you two talk sooner than later, if you’re willing to listen.”

“I...” Sarah hesitated, not sure if she wanted to know.

“You don’t have to listen, but I think it’ll help you understand who she is as a person better.” Ethan added. “Also, I’ll be married to both of you soon and her tastes won’t change. I’d prefer you started understanding her now rather than later, but I won’t push.”

“It’ll help me understand her better?” Sarah asked.

He nodded. “Her kinks didn’t develop in a vacuum. Part of the reason they formed is the way she grew up and I think knowing why will help you understand her a little better.”

“Okay.” Sarah took a deep breath and could feel her cheeks getting a bit warm just thinking about it.

“Don’t worry, I told her not to embarrass you too much.” He smiled at her.

“Thank you.” She smiled back.

He smiled at her for several long seconds before he spoke again. “When we finally do get married, I’m going to kiss you so much that your lips will get sore.”

Sarah’s smile grew wider. “I can’t wait.”

He kissed her on the forehead and then headed into the captain’s cabin with his other wives. He glanced back and smiled at her one last time before closing the door.

Sarah sighed.

Selene walked up to her with an almost Thea-esque expression on her face. “So, you up for what might be a slightly embarrassing conversation?”

Sarah took a deep breath, then nodded. “I don’t know, but it’s probably a good idea.”

Selene nodded. “I think so too.”

Sarah looked at her friend and found her ever-present smile getting wider yet again. “I’m so glad that we’re both marrying Ethan. You were my first real friend and I love that we’ll be together for the rest of our lives.”

Selene chuckled. “Me too, but that phrase of ‘be together’ has a slightly different meaning where I’m from.”

“What’s it mean?” Sarah asked.

“Basically, that the couple is ‘in a relationship’ and sleeping together.”

“Oh.” Sarah frowned as her cheeks got warm. “Um, is that one of the ... uh ... the things that Ethan was talking about?”

“No.” Selene shook her head. “It’s definitely not a turn-off, but I’ve never felt particularly attracted to a woman.”

“Ladies.” Anthiel said from the quarterdeck.

Selene and Sarah turned to look at her.

“How about you find a hammock below decks, get comfortable in it, and talk about this there?” The high elf suggested. “It might be awkward at first, but I think it’ll help and then you can whisper so no one will overhear you.” She glanced to where Raklan was standing, ostensibly working on the rigging, but likely eavesdropping instead.

Sarah looked at Selene, who nodded.

“Thanks Anthiel.” Selene said, then called a bit more loudly. “Thor!”

The kitten came running up to her and the amber-haired beauty scooped him up, then they went below decks. They walked through the blanket separating the ladies’ area from the rest of the ship and stopped in front of Sarah’s hammock.

“You’re welcome to share mine.” Sarah offered.

Selene nodded, and it was it bit awkward for them both to climb into it, especially with Selene carrying Thor, but they managed. It took another minute for them to find a comfortable way to lay in the same hammock, but once they did, Sarah found it quite comfortable. They were laying half facing each other with Thor in between them.

“So...” Sarah bit her lip, not sure how to ask what she wanted to ask.

“Why am I so weird?” Selene prompted.

“I was going to ask ‘what’ you like that was weird first, but ‘why’ might be better.” Sarah replied, thinking about what Ethan had just said.

Selene looked like she was thinking for several seconds before she spoke. “So, did you meet Ketura?”

Sarah shook her head.

“Well, she’s a concubine, a wife who’s also a slave, and I haven’t been able to get that out of my head.” Selene began. “I know Ethan would never be comfortable with that -- and honestly, I don’t think I would be either -- but I want something like that, if only in the bedroom. In the bedroom, I want him to, for lack of a better term, ‘own’ me.”

“What?” Sarah stared. “Why would you want ... that?”

“I know, it probably doesn’t make sense.” She sighed. “After my brother died, I ended up taking care of everything. I wasn’t even a teenager yet and I had to run the house because my mother was a basket case and my dad was trying to keep food on the table.”

“I’m sorry.” Sarah’s face fell and she put her arm around Selene to give her a laying-down hug.

“Thank you.” Selene replied as she hugged back. “No pre-teen should have to run a house like that, but I had to. I had the weight of everything and I just wanted a break. I had to make way too many decisions and do so much work because my mom just couldn’t and--” She stopped. “Well, I wasn’t ready; I was too young.”

“I know what that’s like.” Sarah replied as the hug broke. “I was only five when my mother passed. Father took care of things, but I had to grow up so fast.”

“I’m glad you understand, but I’m sorry you can.” Selene wiped her face. “That’s why I’m so ... weird. I just want someone to sweep me off my feet and take the weight off my shoulders. I had to make so many choices so often that -- at least in the bedroom -- I don’t want to make any more; I can’t relax if I have to.” She chuckled. “Ironically, I find the roleplay -- not the reality, but the roleplay -- of being a slave very freeing. I don’t have to think, I don’t have to plan, I don’t have to worry; I can just be.” She paused. “Well, only with someone like Ethan though.”

“Oh?” Sarah asked as Thor readjusted himself between them

Selene nodded and spoke forcefully. “If anyone tried to force me, I’d kill him. If someone put a slave collar on me for real, I wouldn’t rest until I was free and he was dead.” Her face and tone softened. “But with Ethan ... I know he cares and so I can just let go.” She sighed. “I can’t describe how wonderful that feels.”

“I understand that a little I suppose.” Sarah nodded. “He makes me feel so safe.”