Chapter 5

When I came out of the bedroom, Maeve was still in the shower.

I opened the apartment door and saw Marianne and Bethany fencing over by the hot tub. "I have a job for you two." I said.

They came over right away, still holding their swords. "What's up?" asked Bethany.

"I did some serious miscalculations when I laid this place out. I want a section downstairs converted to a kitchen big enough to prepare food for two score people. Then I'll need a table big enough to serve that many. And of course sufficient chairs."

The girls looked at each other with dawning grins. "I think we can handle that." Marianne told me.

I handed her a couple of my credit cards. "Call if these aren't enough." I had a sudden thought. "Do either of you have a drivers license?"

"I do." they chorused.

I handed Marianne the keys to the Caddy. "You two decide who drives then. Please try to bring it back in less than three pieces."

They turned to go, but stopped when I spoke again. "Aren't you two forgetting something?"

They came back obediently and gave me a hug and a kiss, and then they were off.

I heard the big door downstairs open while they were still on the elevator. Then I heard the rumble of the Harley as Brian and Ariel arrived.

*I gotta get a camera set up to monitor both doors* I thought.

Maeve came up behind me and slid her arms around my waist. "Mother and father are here," she said.

I covered her hands with mine. "So I figured." I turned around in her arms and kissed her. "Do me a favor my love, and get dressed for them. It strikes me a rude to greet your parents in just a bathrobe."

"But I never worried about that at home." she pointed out.

"Ah, my dear, that was at your childhood home. Now, this is your home. And you are the hostess about to receive guests." I paused to let that sink in. "What would Ariel do?"

She kissed me lightly on the chin. "You are right," she said. "I have to get used to acting like a wife and a householder."

I gave her a squeeze and let her go prepare for her parents.

Pretty soon, I heard the big door rumble shut as Marianne and Bethany left on their shopping expedition. Then the elevator to the apartment started up.

Maeve came out of the bedroom in a hurry; She turned her back to me and said, "Zip me please." I was more than happy to oblige.

The doors to the elevator slid open. Brian and Ariel stood there looking around. "Come in." I said. "Welcome to our home."

Ariel took her daughters hands and kissed her cheek. "You look happy," she observed.

Brian shook my hand. "So far, married life seems to agree with you."

"So far." I replied. "Come and sit down. Would you like some coffee? Or something stronger?"

"Coffee will be fine," said Brian.

"Some wine for me if you please." said Ariel.

I poured coffee for Brian and myself. My wife made me proud by pouring a glass of wine for her mother, then taking one for herself.

Brian cleared his throat. "I have come to see my wife's point about your houseguests."

He looked helplessly at Ariel who sighed and set her glass down on the table in front of us. "Each of the ladies that accompany Maeve are the daughters of other major Houses among our people." She met my eyes steadily. "It was a great honor for our House to be chosen to foster these children." She took up her glass and drained it.

As Maeve refilled the glass, she continued, "There is a severe shortage of un-Bonded males of marriageable age among the Daoine Sidhe. This generation has produced 10 to 15 female children for every male born to a pure Sidhe union."

Ariel reached out and took her husbands hand, holding it tightly. "Once Bonded, a Sidhe male cannot breed outside the bond. It is physically impossible. They cannot indulge even with a mortal human lass." She brought her husband's hand to her lips and kissed it. "Else I would have gladly allowed him a mistress or concubine to produce children for our home." Brian brushed a tear from her cheek with a gentle fingertip.

"A lady of the Daoine Sidhe cannot conceive outside of the bond, although they can and often do take mortal lovers for pleasure." She took a deep breath. "Each of my fosterlings touched the Orb of Danae. Do you remember the words they spoke?"

I thought back to the ceremony. "I witness and accept this bond." I quoted.

Ariel nodded. She was pale as death as she continued. "Each of them accepted a Lesser Bond with you and my daughter. Do you know what that means?"

Maeve was almost as pale as her mother. "I hadn't thought of that." she turned scared eyes to me. "Oh my husband," she whispered hoarsely. "What have we done?"

"In accepting the Lesser Bond in deference to the Great Bond between Maeve and yourself, they have declared themselves to be part of your House. And they bring with them the dowries that they will never now use."

I was starting to get a bit queasy myself at this point. "You mean they will never marry?"

"They ARE married." Ariel said. "To you and my daughter."

I sat back in my chair. This I hadn't imagined in my wildest dreams. "Oh boy." I said softly.

"In doing this," Brian put in, "They have declared their alliance with your house in no uncertain terms."

"They could have done this by merely pledging fealty with the Orb of Danae," Ariel said. "But by doing in this manner, they have permanently bonded with the two of you. They can have children. But only you can sire them. And they have placed themselves under Maeve instead as co-equals. This gives them the status of concubines among our people. Any children they bear will be raised by yourself and Maeve, and will be considered as if Maeve had borne them from her own loins."

"I bet their families are just thrilled with me right now." I said.

"There are those who are thus forced into alliance with your House." Brian said. "Most had hoped to use their daughters to seal other alliances. Now this is impossible," he sighed. "When you turn things inside out, you do a thorough job of it."

"How did I reach House status?" I asked. "I thought that I was joining your House."

Brian shook his head and smiled tiredly. "When 10 Heirs of 10 Major Houses declared you to be their husband and liege lord, you became a House Major by default."

"And thus the shift in power among the Sidhe nobility." I stated.

Ariel nodded. "Technically, you are part of our House. And thus have raised our own status to a considerably more powerful position. This has its advantages as well as disadvantages." She paused for a refill of her wineglass. "We have been able to arrange for the High court to observe your family and monitor any children produced. In exchange, they have forbidden any direct attack on you or your family."

"That leaves indirect attack and attack by proxy." I said.

Brian nodded again. "And thus we have mobilized our own resources to help guard against such events."

"But in the end, it always boils down to my wits and my blade to defend my home and loved ones." I said.

Maeve moved to sit in my lap. "What will we do?" she asked.

I hugged her reassuringly. "We'll do whatever we need to do, and carry on as always." I patted her hip and lifted her to her feet. "Honey, please bring me the package that came today."

She went off into the bedroom and came back with a long wide aluminum case. She placed it on the coffee table and sat down next to me again. I opened the clasps and lifted the lid.

Inside, there were 3 swords. I lifted the broadsword first.

"This for you Brian," I said. "Bear it proudly for the defense of our House."

"I accept." he said solemnly.

I next took out one of the rapiers. "This is for you milady." I said to Ariel. "I have no doubt that you will use it well."

"I accept." she said with a tiny smile.

Finally I lifted the third blade and turned to my wife. "This is your blade. Find a name for it, and it will help you protect those we both hold dear."

"Yes beloved." she said with tears in her eyes.

Hey, if it sounds corny remember, I was winging it here.

"I think I need to have a talk with my concubines as soon as possible." I said.

"You will find that each has her own abilities and resources." Ariel said. "Each House Major has it's own specialties and talents unique to that bloodline."

I invited Brian and Ariel to stay for supper. But they declined, saying that they were needed at a High Court function that evening.

After they left, I sat on the couch holding my wife. *Oh God, what the heck have I gotten myself into this time. * I thought to myself despairingly. *I wish things were simple again*

"No Daoine Sidhe will harm a gravid female." Maeve said suddenly, jarring me from my reverie. "So all you need to do is get all of us pregnant, and we'll be safe."

I couldn't help it. I put my head back and let my laughter bray out like a jackass. "Honey," I managed to say, "So you realize how many men DREAM about having their beautiful, loving wife tell them to impregnate their beautiful, sexy friends, and MEAN IT?"

She shifted around to straddle my lap, facing me. "Well?" She demanded.

"By your command milady." I said. "But please, first give me time to get used to the idea."

"Oh all right." she said and started unbuttoning my shirt. "But I want to be pregnant first!"

I reached around her and unzipped her dress. "My thoughts exactly." I said.

Marianne and Bethany came back around 8 PM. They had found exactly what was needed and even arranged to have it delivered and/or installed.

"You girls did great!" I exclaimed. "What did I ever do to deserve such wonderful women?"

Maeve giggled behind her hand. "Oh you" she said.

I dug out my drafting tools and some paper. I drew up the design to refit the big vehicle door. Then the circuit diagrams for the video surveillance system to cover both entrances. "Maeve my delight, what do you think about getting Guido Balducci to do the work on these projects since he did such a good job on everything else?"

She leaned over my shoulder and scanned the drawings. She asked a couple of pointed questions, (reminding me NOT to underestimate my bride), and was satisfied once I made a few adjustments to the plans. "We'll call him tomorrow," she decided.

"Have I told you today how much you mean to me, and how proud I am of you?" I asked her.

"No, but I love hearing it anyway!" she replied with a kiss.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I guess I'd better have that talk with the girls. Better sooner than later." I squeezed her butt cheek playfully. "Go tell the girls to meet me in the hot tub in 10 minutes, swimsuits optional."

I slid my hand across the seat of her pants. "You, I want barefoot to the chin."

She swatted me across the back of the head and left to talk to her friends.

I snagged a towel and changed into a bathrobe. Maeve was already in the Jacuzzi, along with both Heathers. I slipped out of the robe and hung it over a chair with the towel. I gingerly stepped into the water. It was hot, but bearable. As soon as I was seated, Maeve slid over and pulled my arm around her shoulders. Heather #1 scooted up to my other side, snuggling her ebony beauty as close as she could without ending up in my lap. Heather #2 spread her arms across the back of the Jacuzzi directly across from me, giving me a prime view of her high, firm breasts.

With much whispering and giggling, the other girls climbed into the tub and settled down. There was plenty of room and some to spare. I waited for the ladies to settle down.

"I had a talk with Brian and Ariel today." I announced. Suddenly I had their complete attention. "If I had known what you were going to do, I might have advised against it." Gasps from several of the ladies. "This is not to say anything against any of you. Merely that until today, I did not understand completely what was going on." I looked each of them in the eye. "Now that I am better informed, I can understand why you chose as you did. And I accept your Bonding in the manner you doubtless intended."

Now they were smiling.

"There will be repercussions from these actions, as arise from any actions. And we will deal with them as a family. As I get to know you better, I will learn your individual talents and abilities. The better to marshal them to use for our benefit and defense."

I paused to gauge their reactions.

So far, so good.

"Please, do not follow my orders blindly, except in combat, Otherwise, if I make an ass of myself tell me. That way I can avoid making the same mistake a second time."

I winked at Maeve, then looked back at the others. "I intend to get Maeve pregnant as soon as possible. When that is accomplished, those of you who wish to have children can draw straws or otherwise decide the order that you will be impregnated."

There was a moment of profound silence, then the girls started grinning. *Yup, just made a fool of myself again* I thought.

Maeve craned her neck to look up at me. "The proper Lord of the Manor are ye?"

I winked at her. "I must be Milady, as I am the only man in residence here."

She promptly splashed water at me.

I put my hand on top of her head and dunked her. This may have been a tactical mistake.

(No "may have been", definitely was a tactical error)

I was swarmed by a laughing horde of nude nymphs bent on avenging their leader. Outnumbered 11 to 1, I had to resort to tickling to get to the surface often enough to breathe. Eventually I got my feet braced under me and I stood up straight.

It so happened that Chyoko was astride my shoulders at the time, and so was lifted out of the water and into the air as I erupted from the water. My chin was brushing the downy triangle of hair at the juncture of her thighs, and my nose was somewhere in the vicinity of her navel. She grabbed wildly at my head to maintain her balance. I was able to stay upright by some miracle, and raised my hands to her sides to help steady her. I could hear Maeve's golden laughter from behind me, and I could sense her position precisely even though she was out of my line of sight.

I lifted Chyoko and, with the help of Astrid and Molly, set her gently back down in the water. I leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips. "We will pick up were we left of at a later date." I promised her.

I turned around and lifted my wife up with my arms around her waist. She promptly wrapped her legs around me and kissed the tip of my nose. "Now what?" she asked playfully.

I reached under her with one hand and did something she wasn't expecting.

She yelped and squirmed but I held on tightly. "Now I show you what happens when you tease your husband!" I leered.

Her face lit up with a happy grin. I proceeded to give her exactly what she wanted right then and there, completely disregarding our audience.

When we were done, I slumped back onto the seat I had been attacked in, and pulled Maeve onto my lap.

I ignored the various comments and critiques of my lovemaking techniques.

All that mattered was that Maeve had thoroughly enjoyed herself.

"Will someone fetch us something to drink?" I asked to the room in general. Susan scrambled out of the tub and hurried, dripping, into the apartment. She brought back not only wine and wineglasses enough for everybody, but a slew of candles and holders.

She handed the wine and glasses to the Heathers, then spaced the candles around the rim of the tub and lit them.

"Story time!" Susan said. The others echoed her. I settled back with Maeve in my arms.

"There was once a young journeyman wizard on his way to visit his family." And so began the story of The Stinking Dragon.

The girls were laughing in all the right places, and when I finished, I was satisfied and the girls were all happy.

I chased the girls out of the tub and took my time toweling Maeve dry.

Candy and Susan informed me that the martial arts equipment would be delivered in the morning. I told them to pick a spot to one side of the room downstairs and have the heavy bags hung and the weapons racks along the wall nearby, and the mats rolled and stowed next to the racks.

"OK." Candy said. Then her and Susan put their faces up for their kisses.

I hugged Maeve as we walked back up to our apartment. "Darling, I have a couple of ideas for you and the ladies if you don't have any major plans."

"What did you have in mind?" She asked contentedly.

"I want to go shopping with you fine ladies tomorrow. And, I think we're going to need staff here."

She turned in my arm and faced me. "What kind of staff?"

"Whatever you think we can use. At the least, a couple of cooks, maids, and a cleaning crew that can be trusted." I said.

"Build quarters downstairs for them?" She mused, "And we're going to need big pantries and coolers down by the big kitchen too."

I kissed the top of her head. "You have free rein milady. This is your castle, do with it as you will."

She leaned into me. "And I shall clear everything with you first."

"Not this time." I said. She gaped up at me in surprise. "Now we are working out in the open as husband and wife. Your decisions are my decisions and I will back you 100% on anything that you decide."

We resumed walking up the stairs and into our apartment. "Then I want to pay off the note on this place," she said decisively. "And I will arrange to move our collective wealth into a joint account."

I held her chair for her at the kitchen table, and then sat down across from her. "I would rather just have you add my name to your existing accounts." I replied. "There are taxes to consider, and I am sure that your father has much better accountants than I could provide for now."

"Just so." she said. "I'll need your signature etc. but we can do all that tomorrow while we are shopping."

I reached across the table and clasped her hands between mine. "I hope I didn't embarrass you in the hot tub tonight."

She gave me a smug smirk. "Not at all my beloved." she said. "Now they know what I'm getting and they aren't. At least for now."

I knew she had a bit of the cat in her. "Meow." I said with a grin.

"I'll need to sit down with your father tomorrow and talk business. Do you think he will be free tomorrow night?"

"I think so. I'll speak to him early and ask him to keep his evening free."

"You are a treasure." I told her. "Tell me, do pregnancy tests work on Daoine Sidhe?"

She blushed then. "We don't need them. We can monitor our bodies and detect the moment that we conceive."

"I assume you follow the same lunar cycle that mortal women do?"

"Yes," she admitted. "I am too late in my cycle to conceive right now. And soon you will have to take one of the others to your bed until I am ready to try again."

"And who do you suggest?" I asked.

"Chyoko." she said instantly. "As much as I wish to be the mother of your first born, Chyoko would be my choice to warm your bed."

I saw a tear trickle down her cheek. "No," I said. "We can cuddle and do other things while we wait out the week of your menses."

I came around the table and wrapped my arms around her. "And when I do take one of the others into my bed, you will be there to watch and maybe even participate."

She rose suddenly, catching me under the chin with the top of her head. "OW." I said.

She ignored the outburst and took my hand to drag me to the bedroom. It looked like I wouldn't get a lot of sleep that night.

I was right.

I awoke the next morning to the sounds of work being done downstairs. Maeve was gone, but Chyoko was still in bed, presumably so that I did not wake up alone. I slid down the bed and lightly bit my bedmate on the butt. She almost jumped out of bed and whipped around to cuss me in Japanese and at least one dialect of Gaelic.

I made a sitting bow. "Domo Arigato Chyoko." I said, almost exhausting my knowledge of Japanese language.

She swung a pillow at my head with a screech, and I of course grabbed a pillow and retaliated. The situation degenerated into a wrestling match that I won only because she is supremely ticklish. When she surrendered, I planted a kiss between her navel and her pubic delta. "Maeve has recommended that you be the first to share my bed after she conceives."

I suddenly found myself on my back with Chyoko on top of me, kissing me fiercely. "Thank you!" she said happily.

"Thank Maeve." I said. "She made the choice, although I am happy with her decision."

I crossed my arms behind my head and gazed up at her while she straddled my stomach. "How many of you are virgins?"

She blushed. "We all are." she said. "Except for Molly. But then she's not full Sidhe."

I raised myself on my elbows, "She's half human?"