Spirits of the Earth

The day after the faire saw Einin at Ryk Handelaar's estate, for she had been invited there to the dinner she was partially responsible for. After all, she'd suggested he hire jugglers and the like! Which she'd suggested after drinking a bit too much wine, but hey! It meant this dinner should be interesting.

But mostly, she was excited to see Ryk's home, and curious about the animals he kept. The way he talked about his estate, it seemed an exotic place. Certainly a lot more interesting than her own home, for while her home couldn't be called plain in any sense of the word, it was definitely traditional.

And, well, if they really were going to get married...may as well get used to the place she'd no doubt be living.

That thought sent her heart thumping nervously as her carriage approached his estate and a servant helped her out. Despite what they'd done, the idea of living with him was...it was strange. Was she really planning on doing this? Going through with it? Could she grow to love him? She knew she cared for him, and liked him, and...she'd learned she liked the not-so-platonic things they'd done, but...love? And with their conflicting identities?

Ugh, it was so confusing...

Dressed in a deep violet dress (one of her more expensive ones!) with a low neckline and her hair worn down (okay, so maybe she'd remembered that he liked that...), she headed up the stairs to his estate as the servants ushered her inside, one heading off to fetch Ryk. She was early, but she thought it better to arrive early than late!

And as she stepped into the foyer to wait for him, hands clasped and fidgeting, she had to admit, she was anxious to see him.

Would it be weird, seeing him again after everything, now that she was sober?

Or would it just feel...natural?

        Ryk was in his standard bedroom on the second floor, adjusting his black cravat when a servant came to announce the arrival of the young Lady Beirne. He smiled looking over at his large, and very expensive Connlaothian spring-driven clock, noting that Einin was at least an hour early. A magic clock would have been more accurate, but it wouldn't show off his wealth as thoroughly. He turned from the mirror he was using and thanked the servant, then exited to the hall. He walked at a brisk pace, reaching his lounge quickly, and crossing to the door that led to the second floor landing. From the top of the stairs he looked down on the very beautiful Einin Beirne, in her gorgeous dress. The nagging thoughts of his encounter with Dylanna the day before were whisked away. Why worry about love when there was a delicious young woman here to see him.
        "You're early I see," Ryk smiled as he descended the stairs toward his guest. He plucked at his black jacket, trimmed in a pink that perfectly matched Einin's hair. His vest underneath of course matched, as well as his pocket square, all to his usual standard. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he crossed to Einin. He extended his hand to take hers, in the a gentlemanly greeting, bowing his head to kiss the back of her delicate hand. "I'm so pleased," he said, never taking his eyes from hers. "The cooks we invited have been here for most of the day. I gave them complete run of my kitchen and servants. They seem to be getting on quite well, but we're not allowed near there until they have completed their work." He smiled and tilted his head toward a nearby door, "Shall I give you a tour of my home?"

Einin wasn't waiting long before Ryk appeared, and when he spoke, she beamed up at him and watched him descend. Matching her again, was he? That was...actually really flattering, that sort of attention to detail--but okay, she was lying to herself if she tried to claim she was paying that close attention to what he was wearing!

She was more focused on him, and how her heart raced and skin tingled when he kissed her hand.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want to interrupt their hard work! And some chefs, I've heard, can be quite superstitious...anyway, I'd love a tour!" Einin said, and laid her hand on Ryk's arm with a grin. "I've been curious about your place, after everything you told me! Are you going to show me your animals, too? Will we have time?"

        "We may," Ryk said, "and if not today, there is tomorrow, when you come to swim." He paused and swept his arm out at the room they stood in. "My grand entry is grand of course. Had to live up to the name." The double doors Einin had come in through were a dark wood, carved in beautiful detail, depicting some of Serendipity's fey ancestors. The flooring and wall paneling was a rich golden wood. Along the edges of each plank were delicately etched runes. A gorgeous crystal chandelier hung high overhead, from the thirty-five foot ceiling, with twinkling lights that could only be magic. A large, handwoven rug, with intricate flowered designs around the edges and a large Merchants Scale for House Handelaar in it's center spread out below their feet. Another set of large double doors, stood opposite the entrance, flanked by two sets of ebony stairs leading to the second floor landing. From where they stood, a second pair of stairs could be seen to lead up to the third floor landing. The entire, three tiered room was beautifully, and tastefully, decorated with art and tapestries. To their left and right were another two sets of double doors each, these a more normal size, and Ryk lead Einin to the left.
        The room they entered made less sense in its decoration, and appeared to be more of a small museum, which it was. Ryk gave brief explanations of each work of art as they did a quick circuit of the displays. He had works of world renown, and some of more historical value than monetary. When they were back to the doors they had started at Ryk lead Einin across to a single door that lead into a large sitting room. Furnished in dark burgundies and maroons, with rich red wood and a large fire place, the room was surprisingly cozy for its large size. A fully stocked bar, complete with a servant at the ready, took up one corner, and where the walls were not covered in shelves of books or curios, hung more tasteful art, depicting exotic locales. They did not linger long, as Ryk led Einin to the furthest door of two, leading into a drawing room. Half the size of the sitting room, but still large by normal standards, the room was decorated in much lighter colors. Soft blues and yellows with touches of green and orange decorated the rooms furnishings, and a honey colored wood for the floor and walls. A small fireplace at one end of the room, with large windows on the other to let in natural light. A small bar cart stood fully stocked, but unmanned near double doors leading out the other side of the room.
        As they passed through the double doors, Einin found herself looking at a large dining hall, with four long dining tables. They floors had no rugs, and the art was simpler, mostly depicting revelers at feasts. The room, as large as it was, was filled with the smells of delicious food. The kitchen was across through two sets of double doors, one set for entering the other for exiting, Ryk explained to Einin. That way his large staff would not run into one another as they rushed in and out with food and beverage. The doors were equipped with small windows, in case new staff members made the mistake of using the wrong doors, or some ignorant guest wandered to the kitchen. They avoided the room altogether, knowing they were not allowed to enter, and slipped through a single door down the wall a bit from the doubles they came in through. It led to a study, with a large desk, and many shelves of books. Having no exterior walls, the room had no windows and would have been very dark if not for the magical globes that hung in the air. The room was obviously more for utility than entertaining, but still had a liquor cabinet. Sheaves of documents were bundled on the desk. Some of those exposed bore a wax seal of Ryk's approval, others not yet finished. The fireplace shared the flue of the one in the drawing room, and had embers in it now, a burned document all but ashes lay in it. Ryk did not linger there long, leading Einin through one of the other two rooms that lead into the study. They were now back in the art room.
        "You've only seen six rooms. Is it living up to your expectations so far? We have the other side of this floor, and two more levels above."

"So far? Definitely!" Einin said as they returned to the art room, with all its unusual--and fascinating--relics. She turned to take another glance at a painting depicting a marketplace scene in what she assumed was Essyrn, considering its desert theme.

"Have you been to all these places, too?" she asked as she moved from that picture to another, wanting a second look. These pictures were so much larger, and more detailed, than the scribbles she'd seen in books. "I've always wanted to visit another country. Like maybe Thanatos! I hear there, they're ruled by women, and have female warriors and everything. I'd really like to see that. You'd probably like it, eh?"

She said that last bit with a teasing grin his way. "'Cause they wear so little?"

        "Thanatos? The people of Essyrn, especially the women, wear next to nothing. The swimming suit you'll be wearing tomorrow is based on normal daytime attire." Ryk walked beside Einin as she inspected some of the pieces a second time. He answered any questions she had about them quite thoroughly. "I've been to many of these places, but not all of them. Of course I only travel to these far off places as I am now, a merchant. I have a little business in Thanatos and Essyrn," he told his guest, "Most of my exports go to Adela. While Connlaoth has my largest import market" As he walked beside the young Lady Beirne, his fingers idly found a bare piece of her skin, and stroked across it.
        "Perhaps you'd like to go on an occasional business trip with me? When we're married of course."

"Uh, occasional?" Einin said, and stepped a little closer to him as he stroked her skin--so he could keep doing that. "You remember who you're talking to right now, right? Me? The person who kinda loves adventure and things? Who just said she's been dying to travel all over? Unless by occasional you mean all the trips."

Lifting up on her toes, she sneaked in a quick kiss on his cheek. "Except Connlaoth. I don't think I'd care for that wreck of a place. But I'd go all the other places if I had to stowaway on your ship."

        Ryk smiled at Einin's enthusiasm. He had only meant that she should travel with him when she was not busy with something of her own, but there was no need to explain that at the moment. He turned to her after her kiss on his cheek, and returned it with one of his own, on her mouth. Then he put his hand on hers and began to lead her toward the door to the grand entry.
        "We'll cross the entryway," he told her, "and I'll show you the other side of this floor. There's a room there I'm sure you're going to love."

With her hand in his and the taste of Ryk's mouth still on her tongue, Einin walked with him as he lead her along.

"Really? Is it the animal room?" she asked with a grin.

Nope. She wasn't excited about that in the slightest.

        "The animals are outside," Ryk said with a smile, "we'll get to them in time. We're touring the inside first, my dear. I think you'll enjoy one of my favorite rooms." He lead Einin out of the art gallery, through the entry, and through the double doors on the opposite side. The room they entered was another gallery of art. Like the before, the circled the room, Ryk giving explanations of the origin and significance of each piece. Halfway through the room, they passed a slender door. "That goes to the cellar. I will show it to you another day. There are rooms down there that Owl would love."
        After a circuit of the room, Ryk lead Einin back to a set of double doors they had passed. He pushed them open and lead her in to perhaps the largest room in the house. Tall bookcases lined the walls, and stood in rows. In the very center there was a very small sitting area. It consisted of a few plush chairs, pillows strewn about a thick rug, and an exotic essyrn chaise. A low standing table sat in the middle, stacked with recently read books, a few of them open. Lighting the area, were magic globes of light, trapped in gilded cages, set on the end tables. The rest of the library was lit by similar globes, that danced through the air. The tall bookcases had rolling ladders, so that the highest tombs could be reached. Above the sitting area was a hole in the floor of the second story, a tall railing around it to prevent inebriated guests from falling from above. In one corner of the room was a spiral staircase that went up to the second level of the library, where even more books were kept.
        "So much knowledge and adventures all here in my home." Ryk smiled, and swept out his free hand. He was clearly proud of the collection. "And this is only my personal collection," he whispered in Einin's ear, "there is a secret library in the city, where the Soot Wolves bring rare books collected from around the world. We copy the tomes, and send the originals back to where they came from. There is no book in Arca we don't have a copy of, including those of the University." He smiled and lead her to to the sitting are, where he sat and pulled Einin into his lap.
        "You can browse to your hearts content, but I'd first like to steal some kisses before you do."

"Omigods." Einin let it out in a rush, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the room. A room she could easily lose herself in forever. But for the moment, all she could do was stare with wide eyes, turning her body slowly to get a good look at it all--and then gasping again when she saw that there was a second level!

She covered her mouth with both hands to hold in the happy squeal that wanted to bubble out, and cursed the fact that they had a dinner tonight, because she wanted to throw herself at all those books and eat them up like precious, precious candy. Ryk's words in her ear made her shiver--both because of what he actually said, and because his warm breath tickled, but oh gods. Oh gods.

All those books and adventures and stories!

She craned her neck to stare at them all even as Ryk lead her to the seating area, and she only broke her stare when he pulled her into his lap. With a delighted laugh, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him full on the mouth, then again, the second one longer and deeper than the first as she nibbled at his bottom lip and tasted him with her tongue.

Yeah. Books kind of did it for her.

"What's your favorite?" she asked against his mouth. "Your favorite book ever?"

        "I have read very few books for the pleasure of reading," Ryk informed her, "I just don't have the time. I'd have to say though, that I really enjoyed a historical piece about tombs of Essyrni kings. There are so many that have been lost to the sands. I'd love to explore the dessert searching for them," he said with a smile. "I was thinking, that I might fund an expedition. Though I doubt I'd have time to go myself. Imagine the treasures that could be found."
        "What about you," he asked Einin, "what is your favorite book?" Knowing she could talk while he kissed her, Ryk brushed her hair back from her shoulders. He leaned in and caught the lovely scent of her tresses as he placed his lips on her neck. He kissed Einin softly, licking, and biting her gently. He tugged at one shoulder of the dress, while he loosened the ties in the back, so that he could expose more of her flesh. The top of Einin's soft breasts pushed up my the only partially loosened dress, Ryk kissed her chest, while his fingers gently played in her hair, and caressed her neck. He made small sounds of delight, at the taste of her skin, but he listened to her as she spoke. After all, he didn't want to be rude.

"Could always make time, you know," Einin said, "'cause that sounds like fun! Getting the treasure doesn't sound half as fun as finding it yourself! But anyway...hmm...my favorite book..."

She tilted her head in thought. Gosh, that was a hard one. She had so many favorites! "Oh, well, I read a lot of fiction, you know? A lot of stories about heroes and...and...ah..." She trailed off as Ryk began to kiss her neck, the sensation sending pleasant chills down her spine and heat through her body. Her hands tightened on Ryk's shoulders and she bit her lip as his teeth and tongue followed suit, her head tilting a little as she leaned into him, and she sucked in a breath.

He was making it terribly hard to think!

"Ah...my favorite book...right! It's, uhm..." He was loosening the ties of her dress, and her heart beat faster for it. "It's an adventure! It's about a knight who--he has to complete these, these trials to save his...his--oh, jeez!"

His lips found the tops of her breasts, his hands were in her hair, his caresses utterly tantalizing, and she lost her train of thought completely as her mind jumped to other, more immediate, and more thrilling things. Squirming a little in his lap, she grabbed for his wrists with a breathy laugh. "You're making it really hard to talk, you know!"

        Ryk didn't stop his kissing immediately, but after a moment he pulled back and gave Einin a suggestive look. "I do want to hear what you're saying, but the low neck on this dress just had my imagination going wild." He leaned down and ran his tongue through her cleavage, and all the way up to her chin. Then he kissed her on the mouth. "You're just so delicious. I can't help myself."
        He leaned back and adjusted Einin's dress back to how it had started, though the laces were still loosened. He gave her a soft smile, that actually reached his eyes, and brushed his hand through her hair. "Tell me of this adventure book you love."

Einin was really starting to get into this, and thinking that maybe she could just tell him later...but then Ryk stopped.

And it took her a moment to remember what they were talking about.

"Oh...right. Ah..." Einin said, though she really wanted to say that he didn't have to stop! She cleared her throat, trying to get her mind back on track, for it had veered wildly off course and gone straight into fond recollections of the day before. "Tease," she muttered with a knowing smile at Ryk, before she made herself comfortable on his lap, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Right. So...okay, so it's about this knight, see? He's kind of a nobody, but then one day this princess gets kidnapped! Kidnapped by this horrible, jealous sorcerer. So he goes off to try to save her, because all the people before him--like, really famous knights and stuff!--failed and died horribly, so people were getting less and less bold. So he volunteered, even though he figured he'd probably die, too. So he goes and he has to complete all these deadly trials to try to save her and he keeps running into this mysterious, masked person and there's this really amazing part where you find out--!"

She paused and looked up at Ryk sharply. "Well, if I told you, it'd spoil the big reveal, but it's really amazing and I totally didn't see it coming!"

        Ryk stroked Einin's hair while she talked about the book she loved, smiling at her excitement. "I'm sure I probably have a copy of it. Here, or in the other library," he told her, "I'll have to read, just write the title for me before you leave, so that I can remind myself to look for it." He turned his head to kiss her crown, and then he gently lifted her as he stood, and softly placed her, standing beside him.
        "If we remain here much longer, I know we'll lose ourselves in each other, and we haven't even finished the first floor." He groped at her briefly, kissing her a few more times, before offering his arm again. Just a few last rooms down here, and we'll head up. I think you'll like when we finally get to my private quarters."

"You got it!" Einin said with a grin, back on her feet again. "I think you'll like it! Or, at the very least, well...it's kind of important to me, so...you'll probably be able to guess why, when you read it. It's kind of an Owl sort of story."

Meeting his kisses with more of her own, she took his offered arm, still a little tingly and excited from his touches. As they walked, she stole some final, longing glances around the library, and sighed.

"Your quarters will have to be awfully special to top this."

        "I think the size of my bed will be more than enough to top this," Ryk said with a crooked grin. He led Einin out of the vast library through a set of double doors that led into a large room. Other than the interior walls and the doors that lead further into the mansion, the room was completely glass, even it's high ceiling, three stories above. The floor was made of the finest bamboo, shipped from Thanatos. The runes that were carved into all the other wooden floors and paneling were visible here as well. Similar runes were etched into the each glass pane. Even the knobs of the two sets of glass double doors were crafted from glass.
        It would be easy to imagine that the room would become an oven, with the sun shining down as it was, but instead it was pleasantly warm. A subtle aroma drifted through the air, reminiscent of fruit and honey. Waist high planter boxes filled with various edible shrubberies, split the room into five sections, each with its own seating. The chairs were a woven bamboo, with deep, plush, cushions. The double doors to the right of where Einin and Ryk had entered led out into a beautiful garden, and what appeared to be a hedge maze. Straight ahead of them, the other double doors led outside to his wildlife collection. Ryk led Einin in a quick circuit of the room, pausing at each door, so she could take a moment to look outside. Then he led her to the last set of doors in the room.
        "If we have time, I will show you the menagerie," Ryk told Einin, "but there is much remaining of the home that you have not seen." He then pulled open the doors to reveal a private concert room. There was little in the way of decoration, mostly images of minstrels, troubadours, and bards, playing their instruments. Otherwise, the walls, and most of the room, had instruments on racks and displays. Every instrument imaginable was present, and some that had never been played in Arca before.
        "Do you play anything?"

The next room was amazing, and felt like...it felt like what being in Thanatos must be like! The bamboo, all the plants, all that warmth...

It didn't top the library, but it came in at a close second so far. She'd just have to see if Ryk's bed lived up to the hype. But so far, she thought the outdoors might even beat everything indoors, from what little glimpses she could see of it. A maze, even?! Why hadn't he ever mentioned he had a maze! No wonder he wasn't too impressed by the one at the faire!

Following him into the music room, her jaw dropped at the sight of his collection.

She wasn't big into music. She liked to listen to it, definitely! But that was about it. That said, though she wasn't the most knowledgeable about all things music, she was fairly certain that there were instruments there that weren't even Serenian. Or even Adelan. Because they looked like nothing she'd ever seen--and she couldn't even fathom their function.

Making a circuit of the room to examine the pieces, she came to a stop before a rather intimately familiar one, and when Ryk asked his question, it was like he'd read her mind.

"Er, define 'play'. Because if by 'play' you mean get out a few notes in some sort of order where they sound roughly okay..."

Looking up at Ryk, Einin grinned sheepishly. "Heh, naw, I can play a little on the rebec," she said as she trailed her fingers over the smooth wood of said instrument. She didn't pick it up, though; it was rude to just grab peoples' instruments uninvited! They were expensive, and people could be touchy about that. "I just know a couple songs. Nothing that impressive. I never really had the head for music, you know? Or the patience! Getting me to sit still in one place and practice was like trying to teach a cat to be a pigeon."

Turning back to Ryk and looking about the room, she made a sweeping motion with her arm to encompass all the instruments. "Can you play all these?"

        "All of them? By Kia, that would be a feat," Ryk said laughing. He walked over to a finely crafted flute that sat on a pedestal, and lifted the instrument to his mouth. He did not hesitate in opening up and playing the fastest, most complex song he knew. He swung the flute about, rocking his body quickly to the tempo, not lifting his feet in the rooted dance. He played for just over a minute, and when he finished, he bowed with a flourish, like a proper jongleur.
        "This is the instrument I am best with," Ryk explained, "it's how I fed myself after leaving Zantaric. How I raised the coin to set myself up as a merchant. I used to play that song while balancing on a ball," he told Einin. He smiled at the memory of it before continuing, "I can play most wind instruments, and I'm especially fond of the newer trumpets. I can play string instruments that are plucked, but I have never learned to use a bow." He placed the flute back in it's place and then moved close to Einin. He pointed to the rebec.
        "You should play it. Even if you aren't the most talented. I'd love to here you play." He gave her a soft kiss, touching his tongue to her lip. "Play for me?"

Einin blinked at Ryk.

"You did all that balanced on a ball." It wasn't a question, just a flat statement of disbelief and amazement, which only grew as he listed off the instruments he could play. "Unbelievable."

And then he was kissing her, and she laughed against his lips. "Really? After that? You're a tough act to follow, but...if you insist."

Pressing one last kiss to his lips, she pulled away from him and and picked up the rebec. "I'm warning you, though! I haven't touched one of these in a while," she said as she positioned it along her arm and took up the bow. And then, with a slow breath in and out, she began to play.

She played one of the few songs she'd learned to completion, which wasn't nearly so upbeat as Ryk's song; it was slower and had more of a melancholy edge. Einin wasn't as bad as she made herself out to be, but it was also obvious she was an amateur who had the basics but lacked refinement, and she messed up a few times which made her grimace and mouth an apology. She may have tacked on a disclaimer that she wasn't very good at it, but after being asked to play (and after his performance!) she kind of wanted to impress him! That, and she couldn't help but be a perfectionist at whatever she did, because she absolutely hated being mediocre.

Even if it was something she stopped pursuing out of lack of interest, such as this!

...Maybe she'd pick it back up again, just so she could say she was good at an instrument.

She finished up and gave a little flourishing bow after, bow in one hand, rebec in the other, and flashed Ryk a crooked smile. "Wow, sorry for the downer of a song," she said with a laugh. "After yours, that sounded like a funeral dirge! I never did get to the faster stuff."

        Ryk stepped close to Einin again, lifting the rebec and its bow from her hands, placing them on their stand. He then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply. He released her, and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "You weren't as bad as you said you'd be. It was lovely." He took her by the hand and began leading her toward the next room. "You should take it back up, or perhaps choose a different instrument. The rebec though, is good for manual dexterity. Which could help with your night time activities, and our activities." Ryk gave Einin a lecherous look, and then his hand slapped sharply against her ass.

Einin squeaked at the sudden slap, and her skin flushed red with the combination of that and his words.

"Our activities, huh?" she said, and responded to Ryk's lecherous look by giving him a smack on the butt.

"Don't see how the rebec could help with that. Don't get me wrong, Ryk, I'm obviously new to all this so I'll defer to your expertise at the end of the day. But I'm preeetty sure you don't really do anything like this--" She mimed holding a rebec and drawing a bow across it, grinning up at Ryk the entire time. "--with your particular...instrument."

        "I simply said that manual dexterity would aid in our activities," Ryk said, "there are other motions a nimble hand can make my dear. I don't mean to be crude," he broke off and made the motion for manual masturbation. "I'll show you how nimble my fingers are as well." He gave Einin a little kiss on the cheek again.

Einin slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from bursting into laughter--though she was also blushing, because doing those things had been one thing, when she was caught up in the moment, but talking about it like this? She laughed, the sound both amused and embarrassed.

"I know that!" she finally got out and slapped Ryk's arm. "I was just giving you a hard time!"

       "I'd be happy to give you something hard, gorgeous," Ryk said, without missing a beat, "but we should get through the tour first, little bird." His grin was playful as he pushed open the door to the long and narrow breakfast room. The smell from the kitchens flowed toward them as they entered. "Unless you'd rather we take a break, and see to our carnal needs now."

Einin laugh-groaned and sank her face into her hand.

Okay, so she'd totally walked into that one.

His second comment, though? Kia. Sometimes, she couldn't tell when he was being serious and when he was joking.

"Now?" she said, giving Ryk a long, flat look before cutting a glance in the direction of the kitchens. "Now as in here, several feet away from the kitchens and the twenty-or-whatever people you invited, where we're probably going to be eating? Ahaha. Nooope. "

And, sticking her tongue out at Ryk, she broke off from him and walked on ahead to get a good look of the place. "Though speaking of the twenty-or-whatever people you invited, whatever they're doing in there, it smells really good."

        "It does smell good," Ryk said, sniffing at the air lightly, "it will be a pleasure to dine on what they are preparing. As for our previous discussion," Ryk's expression grew lascivious again, "I have a feeling you would have let me take you in the library had I continued," he gestured to his left, to a small door. "Through there is a storage room that nobody will be entering. We can seek privacy in there if you like. Or we can simply wait until we reach my large bed."
        Ryk walked toward Einin languidly, turning his head to look out the many large windows, and the double doors to his right. A half covered patio was beyond, and a large area that surrounded his paved pond. "It's a beautiful sight. Wouldn't you agree?"

"A storage room," Einin repeated as she looked out at the view, catching her first glimpse of the pond. And it really was a gorgeous view--which wasn't a surprise, because so far, everything in Ryk's home had been nothing short of perfection.

"A storage room. Kia, you're so romantic! I'm sorry, the view is really, really lovely, which is why I'm so confused as to how you went from showing me all this pretty stuff to suggesting we rut in a storage closet!" she said with a laugh. "And no, the library is not comparable to that or to...you know...here. Because it's a library. It has, you know...ambiance. Romance. Pillows! And, erm..."

She scratched the back of her neck. "Books. Now that is a romantic setting. So yes. Maybe I would have been down with that. But alas! Opportunity missed."

        Ryk grabbed Einin by the wrist and pulled her sharply into his arms. His hands hiked up her dress in a practiced motion, so that he could reach her round buttocks with his bare hands. Since she arrived, he'd been wondering if she'd worn undergarments. In the quick second it took to get his hands on her ass, his mouth pressed hard into Einin's, his tongue seeking hers, tasting her mouth. He slid his hands as high as they could go, exposing Einin's backside to the empty room. The still secured laces kept his hands from caressing more than the small of her back, and his hands quickly came down so that the modest Einin wouldn't feel exposed any longer. He released her, from the embrace, the entire thing lasting only a few seconds, and gave her an innocent smile.
        "I'm more than happy to wait my dear," Ryk said, taking Einin by the hand. "You're worth the wait." He turned, and tugged the likely shocked Einin along, pushing open double doors that had stood to their left. Beyond them was the second largest ballroom in Arca. Only the Queen herself had a more grand room.

"What are you--mmph!" Einin cut off when Ryk's mouth found hers, but she squirmed in his arms nonetheless, part of her delighting in his touches and part of her actively aware that the kitchen was really close which meant people might hear! Or see, if someone decided to open the door! Which would be just fantastic, since, judging by the sudden breeze, he'd hiked up her skirts.

For she had worn a frilly chemise beneath her dress, but little good that did her here!

Her heart beat wildly as she kissed him deeply, her arms around his neck, part of her terrified (however irrationally) of someone walking in on this, and part of her...kind of thrilled by it, kind of like that strange excitement that came before rushing off into danger. It gave it all a sense of urgency, brief and safe though it was, and when Ryk pulled back she came up breathless.

And more than a little hot and bothered, for she couldn't help but imagine his hands touching other places, and had found herself wishing he'd move them lower.

Damn him...

She returned his innocent smile with a flustered pout and tugged at her skirts to adjust them, then flicked some hair out of her eyes as he lead her into the ballroom. Which was bloody amazing, but he'd made it difficult to focus on! Which, maybe that was the point of all those subtle little touches that had started to build into not so subtle ones and if it was, it had certainly worked. Maybe that's what he'd meant when he said she'd like it when they got to his chambers.

Stepping further into the room, Einin took a deep breath to recollect herself, and then slowly turned to take in the room. "Is there anything you don't have?"

        The huge room was beautiful. The polished, blue-green marbled floors glistened like water. The dark, wood paneling, that wrapped all the way around the room, seemed as alive as a forest. The twelve, dark grey, stone pillars, that supported the second floor wrap-around balcony, were intricately carved in scenes of dancing and celebrating fae. Globes of varying color bobbed and swayed about, shedding their light on the room. Small tables, and the chairs set at them, looked like they had grown naturally into their shapes. Plush green cushions, and thick silk tablecloths also of green, patterned as leaves in a forest, adorned the furnishings. Gilded runes were carved into every piece of furniture, and stitched into every cushion and tablecloth, the same runes that were carved or stitched into every piece of Ryk's home. In the center of the large open area meant for dancing, was a spiral staircase that wound around a thirteenth pillar. The staircase, wrapped in ivy, went up to a third floor island, at the center of two crossing catwalks that overlooked the floor below. High above it was a stained glass dome, that stood beyond the third story roof. Across the room from Einin and Ryk were large double doors that went into the grand entry, framed by a pair of staircases that went up to the second floor landing and it's balcony. The room looked as if it belonged in a true fairy tale, with dancing nymphs and dryads, as if the woodland had been brought inside.
        Ryk lead Einin onto the dance floor, and an unseen orchestra began to play. With her hand in his, and the other on her hip, he swept her into a dance, holding her in close. He began a circuit of the room, at a brisk pace, swirling her along. "Magical, isn't it?" He smiled at her warmly. "I tried to make it more Serenian than any Serenian would. The enchanted décor actually changes with the seasons. It's especially beautiful in spring and autumn," Ryk was clearly proud of the room. "The more people there are in attendance, the more the magic comes alive. You'll hear the fae laughing, see the sculptures move, figures in the wood and the water-like stone below us. At capacity, faeries can be seen flitting about the air. Do you like it?"

"Like it? That's an understatement. I love it," Einin said as she kept pace with Ryk and the music, turning her head to take in as much of the scenery as she could. "It's like something straight out of a fairy tale..."

She tore her eyes away only so she could grin up at Ryk. "Do you have many parties here? I'd love to see what it's like when there's a lot of people! I mean...not gonna lie, I guess you know I'm not super crazy about parties and stuff, but...I think I'd make an exception for this."

And then she glanced away, looking out over Ryk's shoulder at the glimmering lights beyond. "Then again, I guess maybe the reason I never liked them so much was because of all the pressure. Maybe it'll be different? You know, once we're engaged and everything."

        "It may be very different. I myself attend parties, not for entertainment, but to further my endeavors," Ryk said conversationally. Einin surely knew that he meant he went to parties to spy and manipulate and take advantage of those less cunning than he. It was just a matter of course, and she'd surely have caught on by now. "I rarely have parties here. Only when I have real things to celebrate. I learn so much more when I go to other peoples homes. Plus the rarity of my events makes it so they are more anticipated, and all those I invite will attend."
        The song they were dancing to came to an end, and before the next song could really get going, Ryk lead Einin off the dance floor. The music continued to play, though more faintly, as the ascended one of the two staircases that led to the second floor. The walls here were decorated in a wide, continuous mural. It depicted a forest clearing, with fae revelry going on all around them. The not too distant trees seemed to sway in an unseen wind, a faint scent of grass and meadow flowers in the air. Einin would likely feel the difference beneath her feet before she saw it. The floor was covered in grass. Real, growing, grass. And meadow flowers. Or so it seemed. In fact they were real, but growing no longer. The plant life was enchanted to stay as it was. As they walked across it, the grass and flowers sprang back into place once their feet had lifted. The lighting painted into the meadow was slightly changing, moving in real time to the sun outside. When night fell, the meadow would be covered in shadows and moonlight.
        "It's truly amazing on the new moon. The stars stand out so bright in the sky. On the full moon, you can see the forest creatures looking in from the trees."

"I'm just going to throw this out there now, but there will be no endeavor furthering on our wedding day," Einin said, throwing Ryk a mock-stern look as she followed him up the stairs. "Give me that at least. One party purely for the sake of partying. I've never been to one that didn't have some...motive, for one reason or another--oh!"

At the top of the stairs, Einin froze for a moment and looked down at her feet. Was that...grass, crunching softly beneath her shoes? She lifted one foot and saw the grass and flowers she'd trampled shift back into place, unharmed and healthy as though it had never been tread on. With her breath caught in her throat, she looked around at the wonders before her, and picked up her pace again to keep up with Ryk.

"Okay...I'm going to have to admit...maybe the library isn't the most amazing room," she said as she looked up at the ceiling and studied the paintings on the walls, eyes wide as she realized the lighting itself was changing! The paintings were...alive! "Not that you can really compare rooms! I think the ballroom and library are tied, but in different categories? Yeah...I think that's how it'll have to work, and--I didn't even know you could do things like this!"

She paused, then laughed and pat his arm. "Not you you, just...mages in general. This is incredible, Ryk."

        "Well little bird, with a whole college of mages here in Arca, I've made a habit of finding those that have strange and unique talents," Ryk told her. "I was thinking you should attend, or at least get a tutor. Imagine the things you might be capable of?" He took Einin by the hand and led her around the balcony. He waved at one of the painted revelers, and the elf maiden waved back. "They respond to interactions. I didn't ask for that, but it happened as a the different magics mixed."

"Whoa..." Einin broke from Ryk to get a closer look at the paintings. She leaned forward with her hands clasped behind her back and peered at the elf maiden, tilting this way and that--and gasped when the maiden playfully mimicked her. With a delighted laugh, she took a step back, then whirled around to face Ryk, skirts swishing.

"Hah! That's so amazing! Though, might get a little eerie if you're alone at night...all those eyes watching you..."

She spun back around and stuck her tongue out at the elf maiden, and the image made a face back at her. "Ahaha! Oh gods, that's never going to get old! Ahem, anyway, you were saying, Ryk? The mage college? You think they'd take me?"

        "I think it's worth looking into," Ryk said, "Your family is wealthy enough that tuition wouldn't be a problem. Plus you have enough natural talent to have taught yourself what you know now. Imagine being able to conjure up illusory reinforcements, or make yourself invisible." Ryk pulled Einin along, not letting her linger to play with anyone else in the mural. After a circuit of the balcony, Ryk took Einin into a room that was above the second art gallery they had been in. He called it, "the quiet room. The room is completely sound proof. No matter how loud the party is out there, no sound enters this room. It's nice little place to escape to if you've over indulged in intoxicants." His smile showed that the room was good for more than that, and he gently pulled Einin closer. "Conversely, we can be as loud as we want, and nobody will hear a thing."
        Ryk's hands hiked up Einin's dress while his lips found hers. With her flesh exposed, and her garment pinned between them, he pressed his growing bulge against her. He wanted her to know that he wasn't just teasing her, but that she aroused him. Again though, the embrace didn't last long. Only a couple of minutes, and then he gently released Einin from his grip.
        "I am going to enjoy getting you to my room, but there are so many more rooms to see."

Einin had never thought of it like that, had never really thought her magic was anything special. It was hard work to learn what she had, but to hear Ryk talk of that like her self-taught tricks were something impressive? Maybe she'd been selling herself short after all...

But she didn't have much time to ponder that, because soon she was being pulled along and into a new room--

And Ryk was showing her just the sort of thing the "quiet room" was good for.

Einin's moan was swallowed by their kiss, and her hands were soon tangled in Ryk's hair as he pressed himself against her--and he would probably be able to tell that he wasn't the only one aroused. She squirmed restlessly at the feel of him, hips pressing eagerly against his, and her own eagerness quite surprised her, but she couldn't help it if he'd given her a taste and left her wanting him. Especially since this time, she didn't really have the issue of nerves holding her back; this time, she knew what to expect, and the pain was over with, and they'd seen each other naked and more, so...

But again Ryk pulled back.

Einin licked her lips and quickly readjusted her skirts, chest rising and falling with quick breaths.

"H-how many more rooms, did you say?"

        "Let's hurry," Ryk pulled Einin along to the next room, which was also above the gallery. He pushed open the door, but did not enter. "This is the dark room. It's also soundproofed. There are no lights in this room though, and the windows are always shuttered, with the curtains blocking any stray light from getting in." When Einin looked in, she could see lots of pillows, and thick rugs on the floor. There were many gossamer partitions, separating areas just large enough for couples. All along the walls were thickly cushioned loveseats just big enough for two. It was obvious what the room was meant for, and Ryk didn't try to hide it, but he did have something to say.
        "Don't worry lover. I've never personally used the room for what it's intended, but I rather not have guests fornicating in random places around the estate. Better that I designate a place for it. Keeps them off the flowers." He closed the door quickly then, and lead Einin to the second floor of the library. "There is no seating up here," Ryk told Einin, as he lead her to the railing that overlooked the reading circle below. "Knowledge is extremely valuable," he said distantly, "those that have it, know real power." His serious expression only lasted a moment before he was leading Einin to a room above the music room.
        "This is the dry room," he said, with a laugh. The small space had high standing tables and no chairs. It was not designed for comfort, but rather for utility. People could finish beverages in this room before heading into the library. During parties, an attendant would be on hand to make sure no drinks, or overly inebriated guests, made it through. Books had to be protected from fools, and those with impaired judgment. They crossed the small room shortly, and entered the reason the dry room was created, a bar. This room had no seats, and though it was twice the size of the dry room, it had half as many tables. The bartender stood at his bar even now, the supply of alcohol running nearly the length of the wall shared with the sun room.
        "The room was designed with the idea that most people would not linger long in here. You came for what you wanted and went back out to the party. It's more meant as a refilling station for the serving staff." He lead Einin through the room quickly, pushing open double doors that lead to the room above the breakfast room. He called it the moon room. Ryk gestured to a wall, if you could call it that. It was really more just large windows and glass doors. They were darkened however, reducing the amount of sunlight that filled the room. They looked out onto a large balcony, the one covering the patio below, and overlooking the paved pond. "The brighter the light outside, the darker the glass becomes. At night, the moon and starlight shine through unimpeded." Ryk walked Einin through the tables and chairs that were spread through the room. They were of a beautiful polished white metal, with white cushions and linens. The walls decorated in paintings of the moons different phases. The small door they went through, led out into a hallway, the first one Einin had been in since entering Ryk's mansion.
        "These are the guest and servant quarters," Ryk informed Einin. He lead her down the hall, making a left when it came to a T. They passed several doors, and three more hallways. He pointed left down the last hall, and said there was a lounge with a bar, before he quickly shoved open a door, pulling Einin inside. He closed the door with a snap, and turned a key in its lock. Einin didn't have long to take in the enormous sleeping chamber. To one side was a low wooden table, a sofa, and a pair of cushioned chairs. A door on the exterior wall, just beyond the sitting area, must have lead to a balcony, unless it emptied onto open air. On the other side of the room were four large wardrobes, two dressers, a tall mirror, and a changing screen. Against the wall, by the door they'd come through, was a large clock, ticking away the minutes. Two more doors on the same wall led out to places Ryk was to busy to show her. He led her quickly to his bed at the center of the room. His gigantic bed.
        It was long enough to sleep two tall men, head to toe, wide enough to sleep eight comfortably. Beyond being unnecessarily large, it was spectacular. The wooden posts, headboard, and foot board, were all beautifully carved. The canopy was dark and flowing, and fit for a king, with gold embroidery and gemstones. Ryk lifted Einin, and threw her into the center of the bed. He stopped only to pull off his boots and coat before climbing over the foot board and heading toward his lover.
        "I hope you don't have any objections to being ravished," Ryk said to Einin, lustful hunger clear in his eyes.

Einin could have laughed at how quickly Ryk lead her through the rest of the rooms, too fast for her to really register them--or appreciate them. Not that the last few were anything near as spectacular as their predecessors. In fact, that one room, the...love room...was just uncomfortably raunchy. But soon enough, they'd breezed through the remainder of Ryk's home and she found herself tugged into the final room.

She only had a second or two to get a glance around, and another to think, Holy shit, that's one big bed, and That'd be bloody fun to jump on, before she found herself scooped up into Ryk's arms--and then airborne as Ryk unknowingly answered her thoughts. With a surprised yelp, she landed on her back in the center of his ginormous bed, bouncing on the mattress with her skirts in disarray, and then she laughed and sprawled out with her arms and legs stretched out as far as they could reach. Gods! You could get lost in this thing!

"Objections?" Einin asked as she rolled over onto her side to get a better look at Ryk as he approached, a sea of blankets and pillows separating them. And then, watching him make his way across the bed with still so much space separating them, she grinned impishly as an idea struck--or rather, solidified, because it had been poking at her mind ever since she laid eyes on this bed. Really, this bed was just begging for it!

Her grin broadened. "No, more like conditions."

Sitting up, Einin kicked off her shoes and tossed them over the side, and then bounced to her feet. With a spring in her step as she walked over the bed, she headed away from him, toward the head of the bed, and scooped up a pillow--which she tossed at Ryk's head.

"On your guard, sir!" she said as she snatched up a pillow for herself and bounced lightly on the balls of her feet, imitating a fighting stance. "I've got no objections to this 'ravishing' business of yours--on one condition! Defeat me in battle, and I'm all yours! Fail and...uh...well, I haven't quite thought that far ahead yet, but if you fail, rest assured it'll be terrible!"

        Reacting instinctively, Ryk didn't catch the pillow, but rather he deflected it. Pillows made horrible weapons anyway, and his bed wasn't so large that he couldn't reach Einin quickly. He leaped at her from where he'd been on all fours, like a hunting cat pouncing on prey. He snatched the pillow from her fingers, and launched it away with more force than he'd intended. There were plenty more to replace it, but he did not give Einin time. With a rather canine growl he grabbed her wrist, twisted her around and off her feet, pinning her on her stomach, her arm held behind her back so she could not move. He sat on her legs and leaned forward to take in her scent.
        "Were you even trying?" he whispered through her hair, "I really don't think you were." He bit the back of her neck, and slowly released her arm, so she was less at his mercy. Then he reached for a pillow and thwapped her gently on the back of the head. He moved off of her quickly, getting space from her so that when she recovered, she'd have to work at hitting him with one of the many pillows that lay around her. "Let's try that again, shall we?"

Einin went down with a squeal, and promptly burst into laughter that was muffled by against the bed, even as she struggled uselessly beneath Ryk. Oi. Well that didn't go as well as planned! Still, short-lived as their battle was, she found it ridiculously fun, and loved that Ryk would actually play along in earnest. It was just...refreshing, having someone go along with her silly, dumb ideas and rough-house with her. Everyone else treated her like something breakable.

And then her laughter gave way to a sharp gasp when he bit her neck, the sensation sending pleasant chills down her spine.

Being captured wasn't so bad, in this sort of scenario.

But as soon as Ryk released her, she swatted at his pillow and scrambled to her feet, though she stumbled when her legs got briefly tangled in her skirts. She caught herself, snatched up a new pillow, and went on her guard in earnest this time. Keeping herself light on her feet, she started to circle Ryk, and grabbed up a second pillow so she could have a shield in addition to a bludgeoning weapon.

"Best out of three?" she offered up as she bounced in place. "You do have me at a bit of a disadvantage here, after all. Do you realize how hard it is to do all this in a dress? Really, I'm being rather impressive right now!"

And then she lunged in and swung the pillow at his head, but it was only a feint, because she swung the second pillow at him from the opposite side.

        They were only pillows, what harm could they do? As Einin swung one, then the other, Ryk didn't even bother to dodge. He took the hit from the second pillow without even a flinch, instead gripping his one pillow with two hands and readying a swing. Soon after Einin's connection, Ryk swung hard at Einin's legs. It was a cheap move, forcing her to step back hard and get tangled. He moved in quick and gently shoved her back before she could recover her balance. As Einin lay tangled in her garment, Ryk moved in for the kill.

"Ack!" Einin couldn't disentangle herself fast enough to get up, so instead she rolled in time to avoid the hit. Then she kicked her legs to free them and scrambled upright again before bouncing backwards and out of range.

"Wait, wait, wait! Time out! This isn't working! This dress is just--" With a frustrated noise, she tugged at the laces in the back, but couldn't reach them well enough to effectively loosen them. After all, it was the sort of dress that required help getting into--and help getting out of. She looked up at Ryk.

"Help me out of it?"

        "Gladly!" Ryk dropped his pillow and moved forward to untie the laces that kept the dress tight on Einin. As soon as he had them undone, he grabbed the bottom of the dress and pulled it up over her head, dragging her lacy white chemise halfway with it. With her lower back, and ample behind, exposed to him, Ryk dropped to his knees and kissed her flesh. He held her by the hips as his lips quickly traced a line up her spine. Her chemise was falling back down again, and Ryk knew a pillow attack was likely incoming, but that didn't cause him to hesitate in enjoying these few touches of Einin's bare skin. She was so soft and warm, and she smelled like sunshine. A free hit was worth the taste of her on his mouth.

Einin sucked in a breath, her spine arching under his kisses and goosebumps rising on her skin. She held her breath, fingers tightening on the pillow, and for a moment she forgot she was at war with him as her mind jumped from pillow fights to...well, a more naked sort of romp. She shivered as her skin heated, and it would have been so easy to give in right then--

But then she steeled herself and twisted her body so she could plant her foot on his chest and shove him backwards.

        A foot to the chest was not what Ryk had expected. He was instantly proud of his student, and also very turned on. That didn't mean he wouldn't trounce her before he stripped her naked, and had his way with her. As he fell back, Ryk snapped his hand out to knock at Einin's foot before she could withdrw it all the way. It would throw her slightly off balance and give him just enough time to roll backward and find his footing. As he leaped up, he grabbed a throw pillow and flung it at his opponent. Another soon followed, and then he was grabbing a longer pillow. He held each end in one hand, and ran across the bed at her. If she wasn't quick enough, he'd tackle her down. If she was, he'd fling the pillow out at her, no matter which way she moved. He couldn't let her get too far away. Distance was more to her advantage than his. He wanted that flesh pressed against him.

The smack to her foot threw her off balance, and Einin staggered before she got her footing again--which was just enough time for Ryk to retreat and start throwing pillows. Einin ducked under the first pillow though it glanced off her shoulder, and blocked the second with a swing from her "shield" pillow. With a little hop, she steadied herself again--just in time to see Ryk running at her with a huge pillow.

"Shit."

It was a risky move, but as Ryk had taught her before, he was bigger and stronger than her, so she had to rely on speed and cleverness--and here, she thought she had an idea for that. Dropping her own pillows, Einin grabbed onto the blanket with both fists and gave it a hard yank, hoping to tug it out from Ryk's feet enough to throw him off balance, which would be just what she needed to buy enough time to put some distance between them again.

        Surprise bloomed on Ryk's face for just an instant before he lost his footing and fell to the bed. The hits of the two blades at his hip dug into him and he groaned and rolled over, rubbing the injury. "Cheater, I'm gonna get you for that!" An uncommon joy was in Ryk's voice as he called out. He undid his sword belt, casting the blades aside, then pulled of his vest and cravat. His nimble fingers tracked down his front, twisting at his buttons, and he pulled off and tossed his shirt aside. Back on his feet, chest now bared, he picked up another pillow. He stalked toward Einin, with a smile on his face. The bed might be huge, but she could still only go so far.

Einin burst into laughter and quickly bounced out of the way, circling around Ryk and snatching up more pillows.

"Cheater? Nonsense! You're just a sore loser!" she said with a saucy grin, before sticking her tongue out at him. "There's no cheating in battle!"

While Ryk undressed, she didn't let him do it in peace; oh, she liked what she saw, all right, but this was not the time to get distracted! Instead, she took advantage of his occupied hands and chucked a pillow at him, then another, before hopping out of range and grabbing two more pillows to replace the lost ones. But Ryk was fast, and soon he was advancing on her again, pillow in hand, and Einin retreated, and retreated some more--until her heel hit open air, and she wobbled and nearly fell off the bed.

Scrambling sideways, she circled around Ryk again and moved inward to get away from the edge, then tossed down one pillow so she could grip her remaining one as Ryk had earlier--a hand on each end--before she ducked low and lunged for Ryk's legs.

        Ryk let Einin come in at him with her pillow. Closing the gap between them was to his benefit. She was bit more lithe than he, and a bit faster, but he was much sturdier and stronger. As she lunged at his legs, Ryk leaned forward, letting himself fall toward Einin. She hit his legs, knocking them out from under him easily, only to have him fall half on top of her. His pillow pressed between them as cushion, Ryk grabbed Einin's ankles and pulled them away from her, making sure she remained fully collapsed. He bit the back of her thigh, through her twisted chemise, just above her white stocking. Ryk's hands moved from her ankles as he repositioned himself atop her, moving quickly to make sure she couldn't get up. He then lifted himself onto his knees, and roughly turned Einin onto her back. He easily swatted aside her brandished pillow, and then pulling it from her grasp, he tossed it just out of reach, tossing his pillow with it. Snatching up Einin's playfully flailing hands, he pinned both of them above her head in a one handed grip. He pulled up at the the chemise with the other, sliding his fingers along her flesh in a gentle caress. His hand just below her breasts, Ryk leaned in to kiss Einin softly on the mouth. Lips pressed together, Einin pinned and at his mercy, Ryk did what any pillow fight conqueror would. He tickled he. Relentlessly.

Einin went down with a yelp, with Ryk atop her, and he yanked her legs out from under her before she could even attempt to get them back under her. She might have tried again, but that was when he bit her thigh, and she collapsed with a sharp cry that was definitely not one of pain.

While she was still squirming from that, she felt Ryk moving, and soon she found herself flipped onto her back. Clutching the pillow, she went to smack him with it, but Ryk wrenched it free, and before she could think of a plan B, he'd pinned her hands to the bed with one of his.

Einin peered up at Ryk with wide eyes, panting a little from exertion, and a blush rose to her cheeks despite herself as she found herself defeated. Which, admittedly, this was the result she'd wanted anyway.

"Guess you got me, huh?" She grinned sheepishly up at him, and jerked a little as his hand slid across her skin--not because he'd startled her, but because it felt good. She arched up into him and pressed her lips back against his, sucking in a breath through her nose when his hand moved higher, closer to her breasts, and her heart raced with anticipation until--

Until he started tickling her.

"MMMMPH!"

Einin bucked in surprise, her yell muffled by his lips. She wrenched her head to the side and tore her mouth free. "R-RYK!" It came out as something between a shriek and a squeal as Einin burst into helpless giggles, thrashing and twisting beneath him and yanking at her hands to try to free them.

"RYK! No! No, no, no, please! Stop! You can't--ahhhh! Noooo!" She wheezed between bouts of laughter, laughing until tears rolled down her cheeks as she squirmed uncontrollably, legs kicking. "Ahahaha! RYK! DAMMIT! You'll pay for--ahaha! Gods! Leggo, you cheating bastard!"

        "Cheating? I'm not cheating," Ryk said, "How can I cheat when I've already won? This is my victory dance." His tickling hand pulled up on Einin's chemise, giving her a brief reprieve. He pulled it up until it reached his other hand, which made it cover her face and left her body exposed. The tickling hand then pinned the chemise against her wrists, allowing his other hand to be freed from holding her down. He brought it down to continue his tickling. With Einin's face covered he expected she'd struggle more fiercely, but that didn't stop him. What stopped him, was the sight of her bare chest heaving and shuddering with deep breaths and giggle. He slid down her, keeping her pinned, continuing his tickling, until he brought his mouth down to her. He twirled his tongue around her nipples, on then the other, biting at them gently. His tickling ceased, and he used his hand to fondle her breasts, but he kept the other hand pinning hers. He tugged the chemise up a bit higher, just enough to expose Einin's mouth, and he kissed her. A few long kisses later, he released his pin on her and pulled the chemise away. He gazed affectionately into her eyes before kissing her again.

Einin was left panting when he paused, breathless from laughter, but the reprieve was short-lived because the moment he'd yanked that chemise up, she found her face covered and...well, he was back to the tickling. She didn't have time to register how exposed she was before she dissolved into another helpless giggle-fit, and though she thrashed and bucked and twisted in his grip, it was a halfhearted struggle--it was hard to put up a good fight when stupid bloody tickling was rendering you weak!

"Are you--ahaha! Are you trying to suffocate me now?!" she laughed, but she wasn't serious--the chemise was thin enough to breathe through. She was mostly just frustrated she couldn't see what he was doing, which made it all worse! "Y-you are a merciless victor! You should--gods! You should be nicer to your, ehehe, to your--your captives--oh!"

She cut off with a gasp when his mouth found her breasts and his tickling stopped, and soon she was squirming for an entirely different reason, the transition between sensations abrupt and startling. She panted for air, still tugging at her wrists to try to free them, and arched against his mouth and hands as her nipples hardened and heat flooded her body and pooled between her legs. She shivered, little whimpers escaping her which were soon muffled by his lips.

She felt Ryk release her, and quickly grabbed at the chemise and helped pull it away, and blinked up at Ryk as he gazed down at her. With a little smile, she cupped his face in her hands and kissed him, nibbling at his lip before tasting him with her tongue, her hands sliding down his neck to his shoulders and back, nails grazing him. "That was fun," she said, still smiling against his mouth.

"But wasn't that only two out of three?"

        "It was, and I won twice," Ryk said, pressing his mouth back against Einin's. His hands went down to begin unfastening his pants, working quick and nimbly. As soon as they were undone, he reached into them and began unlacing his smallclothes as well. With the laces all freed, he rolled away from Einin and pulled the rest of his clothing off, tossing it from the bed. Ryk reached over to Einin and pulled her atop him, sitting her astride his lower abdomen. He loved her white stockings, with their cute little pink bows. Ryk ran his hands up Einin's thighs to her waist, and smiled up at his lover. His cock stood ramrod straight, it's head resting against her buttocks, as he pulled her down to kiss him. His hands found her breasts, and he kneaded them gently, pinching lightly at her nipples as they kissed. "Now we both win," he said through their kisses, and he slid his hands down to grip her ass, squeezing it roughly.

Soon Ryk was bare, more naked even than she was, and Einin couldn't help but give him an appreciative once-over before he rolled her atop him. She sucked in a breath as his cock pressed against her backside, and moaned against his mouth as he played with her breasts, her imagination taking off. Gods, she wanted him already--had wanted him since she'd come here, actually!--and it took all her willpower not to just crumple and ask for it. It was only residual embarrassment that stopped her; it was one thing to do these things, but quite another to vocalize what she wanted.

She just hoped they still had plenty of time before dinner...

"We do," Einin said, jolting and sucking in a breath when he squeezed her ass. She feigned a pout. "But that still gives you three victories to my one. I'll have to work on that."

And then she kissed him hard, trailing her hands up along his arms until she found his hands. She laced their fingers together and pressed his hands down into the blankets on either side of his head, then gave him a mischievous look. "Gotcha."

She lifted her hips enough to slip his cock between them, and then brought them back down. She slid along him, back and forth, letting him slip between her folds to feel how wet and heated she was, but not yet taking him inside her. Instead, she was content to grind against him, biting her lip to hold in a gasp when she pressed him against her clit.

She stayed there, rocking lightly and whimpering at the sensation, and broke the kiss to press her lips to the side of his neck, tongue tasting him, before she followed it up with a hard bite to get him back. "Now I've got you captive," she breathed against his skin, nipping at his jaw. "Whatcha gonna do about it?"

        "What am I going to do about it?" Ryk parroted, "I'm not going to do anything, just enjoy you having your way with me. You're so hot and wet, little bird. I'm glad you want me as badly as I want you. Feel free to grind harder, that feels very nice." He just laid back, enjoying the view of Einin's naked body. Enjoying her wet slit sliding up and down his shaft. He glanced over at his clock, noting that they had more than enough time to chase each other around naked. He could take his time, she could have her fun, and he could fuck her slowly. "Can I at least have a few more kisses before the torture begins?"

"I-I suppose I can accommodate that request," Einin managed to get out, and sank her teeth into her lip again to bite back another whimper. "Just a few."

And then she leaned down and kissed him, her breasts pressed against his chest as she devoured him hungrily, tongue sliding between his lips and hands squeezing his tighter. She slid against him harder, a shudder going through her as she hit just the right spot, and her breath hitched when Ryk's cock prodded against her sex on one downward stroke. She was wet enough that it would have been easy to just thrust down against him until he slid inside--but she resisted. She ground against him instead, rotating her hips, and gasped against his mouth.

"Oh gods--!" Einin clamped her mouth shut against her moan. She was supposed to be torturing Ryk! She kissed him again, fiercely, and then shifted downward and pressed more kisses to his neck, his shoulder, using those slow kisses to buy time so she could come up with ideas. After all, he was her "captive"! And she wanted to drive him crazy as he'd done to her! But truthfully, she had only a vague idea of what she was doing, because sure they'd had sex, but he'd been in control then--and she still had a lot left to learn, which she was aware of now more than ever.

She released Ryk's hands only so she could move further down his body, trailing her fingers over his chest and belly and following them with kisses. She slipped her hand down and grasped his cock, and smiled up at him as she kissed the tip and flicked it with her tongue. "Do you like this?" she asked idly, knowing good and well that he'd enjoyed it when she'd used her mouth on him before. She still felt awkward about it, but there was only one way to improve.

"Because if you like this, well..." She kissed and licked the shaft, then the head again, before taking just the tip in her mouth. Her hand stroked him lightly as she swirled her tongue along him, but only briefly before she released him and kissed his hip, her hand still on him and not moving. She grinned, deciding that, perhaps, the best way to "torture" him was by being a little shit.

"...I might keep doing it if you beg for mercy!"

        Ryk enjoyed the taste of Einin's kisses, her soft breasts pressing against his chest as their tongues explored each others mouths. He felt a shudder go through her as she ground against him harder. When his cock prodded against her sex, it wasn't only her breath that hitched. Ryk held his breath at the anticipation of feeling her slid around him, but it didn't come. It would have been easy to thrust his hips up at that moment, to push his cock into her wet pussy, but he held back. This was her show for now. He'd let her have her fun, and enjoy the ride. As she continued to grind against him, rotating her hips perfectly, like she'd had more experience than their time together, he felt his pulse increase. Her little gasps against his mouth were more than pleasant, and it turned him on further, especially when she cried out in pleasure.
        He pressed hard into her fierce kiss, then turned his head away so she could kiss his neck and shoulder. He was definitely enjoying her timid version of torture. He was surprised when she released his hands to move lower. Was she really going to do what he hoped? Without his urging? Maybe she was more daring than he believed, or perhaps she was really going to torture him.
        He arched his back as she trailed her fingers over his chest and belly, he shivered at her kisses. When her hand grasped his cock, he took in a sharp breath and held it. She teased him with her mouth and he tensed, hoping she'd slide it all the way into her mouth, but she didn't. She told him to beg. He'd beg her. He was ready to beg. It would be fun. But he wouldn't crumble so easily.
        "A little teasing and you think you've broken me? I'll not beg," he told her playfully, "Do your worst," and he hoped she would.

"My worst?" Einin repeated, momentarily breaking character to blink up at Ryk. What was her worst? But then she licked her lips and fell back into character, tossing her head to flick her bangs out of her eyes. "You'll regret those words! I'll have you begging yet, villain!" Pause, head tilt. "Or am I the villain? Either way, you'll be sorry, you fool!"

She raked her nails down Ryk's inner thigh and pressed her lips to his cock again, slowly sinking him into her mouth, quite enjoying watching him respond, liking the way he tensed and shivered, measuring his breaths. This was...actually really fun, and even if she didn't entirely know what she was doing, she seemed to be doing well enough in her experimentation, and...she kind of liked having Ryk at her mercy like this, almost as much as she liked being at his mercy.

Because there was something very arousing about having a powerful, attractive man shivering under her touches.

Hand working along his length as she took him in a little less than halfway, Einin pulled back and massaged his glans with her tongue and lips, her teeth grazing along him as she moved. She then sucked hard on him, released him with a light pop, and turned to bite his inner thigh as he'd bitten her, in vengeance.

        Ryk couldn't help his sharp breathes and shudders at Einin's touches. She didn't work her mouth on him much, but what she did, made him sigh when she stopped. He grunted at her bite and smiled down at her. "How quickly you learn, amazes me," he said to her. He brought a hand to her face, caressing her gently, then pushed her hair from her face. "I think I'm about ready to beg for mercy though. Maybe. I might have it in me to resist you longer, as skilled as your tongue is proving to be."

Despite what they were doing, it was Ryk's compliment that made Einin's face heat. She smiled at him and leaned briefly into his hand, lightly nuzzling him. "I've got an alright teacher," she said, and winked at him to show she was teasing, because Ryk was far better than just alright.

She tightened her grip on his cock and stoked him in long, slow motions, from base to tip, once again resuming her role. "In any case, almost ready is not the same as being ready, so looks like I'll just have to continue my inquisition. Give up and I'll go easy on you!"

And then she replaced her hand with her mouth, and this time she pleasured him in earnest. One hand gripped his thigh while the other pumped his cock in time to the motions of her mouth. She watched him for cues, studying the way he tensed, listening to his breathing and the other sounds he made, and adjusting in response to the feedback she got. She swirled her tongue around the glans, recalling he'd responded well to that yesterday, and bobbed her head to take him in as deep as she comfortably could, before she felt her gag reflex kick in. She pulled back a little, not wanting to choke (that would really set the mood, wouldn't it?) and went back to work on the sensitive head, tightening her lips around him and licking him, experimenting with different sensations to see what got the best response.

She kept that up for a minute or two, just long enough to get into it--

And then she stopped, just like that, and sat up with a devilish smirk. "Well, I suppose if you're not going to give in, I may as well just stop entirely!"

        Einin's grip on his cock filled Ryk with pleasure, her strokes building the heat in him. As she took him in her mouth, pumping up and down his shaft, he tensed sucking in a deep breath. The pressure on his thigh, while Einin is worked his cock gave just enough contrast to slow his accent. She obviously hadn't gained the ability to take all of him in since yesterday, so her gripping him with her hand while she worked him with her mouth was a perfect solution. He hadn't taught her that, which meant she came up with it on her own. He looked down at her and saw her watching him. He smiled, knowing she was taking in everything he was doing, every response he gave. She saw when he pulled at his hair, when he bit his fingers, and every shudder and held breath. She was smart, and talented, and he loved it. In time, and not much at that, she would be the best lover he would ever have, and he was going to marry her. He would be sexually satisfied for the rest of his life.
        When Einin swirled her tongue around his glands, his hands quickly snapped down to her, pushing through her hair, playing with it, twirling it. Then she took him in as deep as she could, and he felt the tip of his cock pressing toward her throat, he sent overwhelming pleasure coursing through him, and his muscles all tensed. He held in the temptation to thrust or to push down on her head, knowing that would be uncomfortable for her, but it was difficult to resist. When she pulled back, returning to the head, gripping him tightly with her lips, licking him, he let out a few short breaths before sucking in more air and holding it in his lungs. She was pushing him so close, so fast, he wanted to give her his seed. Then she stopped, and sat up, smirking at him. He barely heard what she said. She was really torturing him now.
        "Oh, please don't stop," Ryk said, breathing fast. He'd held in so many long breaths as Einin had gone to work on him, his body was crying out for more air. She was very perceptive, and picked up on what he liked so fast, he couldn't believe it. "You're getting very good at that, very quickly. Please don't stop little bird, please. Take me all the way." He gladly begged, he wanted her to take him to the finish. Wanted to release himself in her mouth. "Please, my sweet. I will bathe you with my tongue, I will pleasure you over and over. Please don't stop now."

Ryk's pleading was like music to her ears, and he had barely gotten the last words out before she took him in hand again and covered him with her mouth. Einin took him deep again, having gotten a good response from him when she'd done that, and then went back to sucking on the glans, tightening her lips around him and laving him with her tongue. She bobbed her head, taking him in a little further before retreating to the head each time, and stroked what her mouth didn't cover with her hand, moving in sync. Her jaw was getting a little sore, but she ignored it as she went to work, his reaction--the way he bit his fingers, gasped and held his breath, and grabbed at her--more than enough encouragement to continue.

She pulled away only long enough to say, "Just warn me before you...you know..." and then she slid him into her mouth again, working him until he was slick.

It was also then that she remembered something, something he'd coaxed her into doing yesterday, and she decided to try it again then as her hand pumped him faster and her tongue pressed against his glans. With her other hand, she reached between his legs and gently began to massage his balls as she worked, and she glanced up at him as she did to watch his reaction as she did.

        Ryk was more than pleased when Einin took his throbbing manhood back into her mouth. Every motion she made, sent wonderful sensations through his body. She worked her mouth and hand expertly, keeping the perfect pace. He felt the tension in his body quickly rising as she worked him. Then her other hand reached in to massage his balls and he knew he wouldn't last much longer. There wouldn't be any holding out. His hands, which had been playing with her hair moved down to grip the thick comforter under him. His knuckles went white with the strength of his grip. His legs tensed, his toes pointing to the extreme. He arched back his head, taking quick, labored breathes. His teeth, biting into his lower lip, would likely leave marks, and he made small, hard quivering jerks with his whole body. Small whimpers escaped him as he reached toward his climax, growing louder as he grew closer.
        "Oh, Einin," he exclaimed, "Oh my darling, oh my sweet little bird. Blessed Kia, here it comes. Here it comes," and with that he had release. As his warm seed shot forth, the spasms rocking through his body, shudders of pleasure ebbing with each flex of his spurting cock, Ryk brought his hands up to run through Einin's hair. He caressed her affectionately as the pleasure washed through, and out of him. She was a wonderful girl. He was glad they'd found each other. He was happy to have someone that could be his true partner, and equal. "You are amazing little bird," he said to her, laying back in delight. "I think it's your turn."

This time, Einin wasn't taken off guard. She knew what to expect and she braced herself for it as Ryk cried out, and soon enough, she felt salty warmth flood her mouth. She jerked a little with a gasp through her nose, for even though she was expecting it, it still took a lot of getting used to! This time, at least, she knew what to do with it, and knew to get rid of it quickly.

Letting go of his cock, she sat up and covered her mouth to keep it all in, then swallowed Ryk's seed down fast. She still choked a little, but it was an improvement from the coughing fit last time! It still wasn't exactly graceful, for the flavor took some getting used to, but she thought she did better! And Ryk, at least, seemed quite pleased with her as he stroked her hair and showered her with praise. She supposed that was really all that mattered!

"Oh, gods," she said, wiping her lips and looking up at Ryk with a fresh blush. She brushed her bangs back from her face. "Is that...is that what I'm supposed to do with that? I never really...I guess I never really asked, but I didn't want to...you know...spit, because that seems really gross, but...am I doing that right?"

        "You're doing marvelously, little bird," Ryk said in praise, "you're amazing. I couldn't have hoped for a better student. You'll soon be the best lover a man could hope for, and you're all mine." He smiled at that, and sitting up, took her face in his hands and kissed her. His tongue explored her mouth, and he could still taste himself there, but he didn't mind one bit. Only a fool wouldn't kiss a woman who had pleased him so adroitly. While he kissed her, and passionately so, he pushed her back. Slowly forcing her to move onto her back, until he was between her spread legs. Ryk's half deflated erection, had sprung back up, and pressed into Einin's glistening folds. He pushed his cock ever so slowly into her, rotating his hips as he did, his mouth never leaving hers. When his full length was in her, he ground his pelvis hard against her, then he pounded into her hard. As Einin's body tensed up more and more with the pleasure of the fucking, Ryk stopped. He pulled his cock out of her completely, and hung it just above her opening, the tip only just grazing her lips.
        A smile grew on Ryk's face, even as he kissed her, and then he pulled away from Einin completely. "How do you like being teased?" he asked playfully, as he made his way down her body. Kissing her neck, and biting it. Kissing her breasts, that he also sucked and nibbled at. Kissing her stomach, that he dragged his tongue across, lapping at her navel. He bit her hip bones, one then the other, then the outside of her thigh. He kissed across the top of her leg to her pubic mound, and as he moved down to her clit, he nuzzled it gently with his mouth. He slid the tip of his tongue between her folds, tasting her sweet flavor, then his mouth moved to the inside of her thigh. He pulled at the top of her stocking with his teeth, then he rolled it down, kissing softly as he moved. When the stocking reached her knee he pulled it off the rest of the way, and brought her beautiful foot to his mouth. He kissed her foot, and then put her little toe in his mouth, sucking it. He kissed back up her bare leg, and then moved across to her other leg, repeating the process. When he reached her other foot, he sucked on each of her toes, one at a time, biting them softly before moving to the next one.
        Then Ryk gripped an ankle in each hand and pulled Einin toward him, spreading her legs in the process. He leaned in close and licked her once, then blew lightly on her moist lips. "I hope you're ready, little bird. I am going to lick you until your body gives me the sweet nectar I want."

Pushed onto her back, Einin threaded her fingers through Ryk's hair as she kissed him, her tongue sliding against his, her eyes closed in pleasure, and her legs opening for him. She felt him press his cock against her, and her body jerked a little, her pulse racing in excitement and a little bit of nerves--because she knew it would feel good, but was a little afraid it would hurt again.

But when he slid inside her, oh so slowly, and she whimpered, it was a whimper of pleasure without pain. This time, as she stretched around him, it just felt amazing, and she spread her legs wider and bucked eagerly against him to help take him in the rest of the way. She bit his lip as he ground against her and she clawed at his shoulders, her little gasps and moans swallowed by his mouth--and when he began to pound into her, her body tensed and her back arched, and she cried out, or tried to, but the sounds were muffled. She squirmed, knees pressing into Ryk's ribs, nails leaving marks on his back, and screams trapped between them, and gods, it had felt amazing before, but this time, impossibly, it felt even better, because she'd been dreaming of this, and wanting for this since he'd first touched her today, and---

And then he stopped.

She shuddered as he pulled out of her, leaving her feeling empty, and she hooked a leg around his and tried to press back up against him in hopes of recapturing him. But then he pulled away completely, and her eyes flew open. She blinked several times and propped up onto her elbows, chest heaving with panting breaths, and stared at him in wide-eyed alarm.

Before she could even ask why, she got her answer, and her jaw dropped. "What?! Ryk! That's not fair!" Einin gasped, her body practically burning with the need to feel him inside her again, but then he started to kiss her--and that made it a little more okay. She tilted her head so he could get at her neck, and huffed in mock frustration, which soon turned to sighs as his lips met her breasts. She bit her lip and jolted when he licked at her navel, laughing and sucking in her stomach reflexively as it tickled, and grabbed at his hair as he bit at her hips--and tightened her grip when he licked at her clit. She was trembling by that point, body tight with anticipation and desire, and she wriggled beneath him as he kissed her thighs.

"Oh gods...Ryk...you know, if you're trying to make me beg, I'm just gonna say right now that I'm way past that!" she gasped out as he tugged down her stockings with his teeth, a sight that had her biting her lip with arousal. "Because I'll beg! If that's what you want! Seriously, pride is not an issue! You win, 'uncle'--o-oh!"

Was he sucking on her toes? Fresh heat flooded her cheeks, and she tried not to move too much, because she didn't want to kick him, but that tickled, making her toes curl. And it felt...oddly erotic. Oh gods, but that was her feet! And granted they were clean, since she'd had stockings on, but still!

And then she yelped in surprise when he pulled her toward him, dragging her a little across the bed, and soon he was between her spread legs--and Einin threw her head back and grabbed at the comforter. Her entire body was tight with tension, shaking with need, and she nodded her head at his words and let out a held breath. "Please?"

        "If you need a place to put your hands," Ryk said to his little bird, "my hair is as good a place as any." With those last words to Einin, he brought his face down between her legs. He dove in without hesitation, bringing his mouth against her sex, releasing her ankles to put his hands to better use. First, as he sucked and licked at her wet slit, both of his hands reached up to fondle her breasts. He kneaded them more roughly than previously. He pinched her nipples, tugging on them, then swirled his fingers around her areola's in a gentle caress. His tongue slid up and down through her folds, hitting her clit on each upstroke. After a few minutes of vigorous licking, and squeezing her breasts, Ryk brought one of his hands down to assist in pleasing Einin's pussy. He spread her lips back, and pushed back her hood, exposing her clit. He brought his mouth right to it, licking and sucking the pleasure button directly, doing his best to elicit pleasure from his lover.
        As his tongue worked her clit, Ryk slid a finger inside of Einin. He buried it as deep in her as he could, and wiggled the digit around, searching for the magic place that all women had. When he found hers he knew, his tapping and rubbing had an immediate effect on her writhing. He pulled the finger out enough to give himself space to slip another one inside of her, and pushed them right back to the place he'd found. His fingers dragging and tapping away inside her, his tongue flicking across her clit, his other hand playing across her tits, Ryk did not pause in his ministrations. He was working her pussy as well as he knew how, drinking in her sweet juices as much as he could. Much of it was lost to the bed, and some of it ran down his hand and wrist, but he cherished every drop that he caught in his mouth. She tasted so clean, and sweet, he loved it.
        Ryk pulled at her lips with his mouth. He sucked on them softly, and nibbled them gently. He brought his other hand down as well, focusing completely on her dripping sex. He slid a third finger into her, and though she had received his thick cock, her young pussy gripped his fingers tightly. As his fingers pumped inside her, his other hand held back her hood once more, so he could directly lick at her clit without pressing his mouth hard against her. As he licked her, his hot breath blew across her sweet moisture, giving a mixed sensation of warm and cool, as the juices evaporated quickly. His licking grew faster and harder, his fingers scooped at her sweet spot, digging deeper and faster. With Einin's breathing picking up, her moans, and cries of pleasure increasing, her writhing making it hard to keep his tongue aligned, he knew she must be close, and so he pushed on with greater fervor.

And grip his hair she did, knuckles going white with tension as she held on, her head thrown back against the bed and spine arched in pleasure. Einin hardly knew what to do with herself as she writhed beneath his tongue, as his hands played with her breasts. She gasped, drawing in panting breaths mixed with whimpers and moans, and let go of his hair so she could clap a hand over her mouth when her cries started to grow louder.

And by the time he really got to pleasuring her clit, she was crying out in earnest and trying hard not to squirm.

When Ryk slid a finger into her, that quickly became a futile effort.

"A-ah!" She didn't know what he was doing, but whatever it was, it was magical. Her body tensed and jerked, muscles tightening around his finger, and she let out a sobbing cry her hand could no longer muffle, because she was using it to grab onto the comforter. She pulled at the blanket and bucked her hips against Ryk's hand, moving to the motions of his finger, and her breath caught when he slid a second inside. It was too much, that wonderful combination of pleasure from inside and out, and she could feel that familiar tension building fast. Her breathing came quicker as she gasped like she had been running for miles, and she stretched an arm above her head to grip tightly at a pillow for purchase.

"Oh Kia...oh Ryk...!" she cried, not really knowing why she was invoking the goddess right then, but she didn't care. Because then she felt her body stretching around a third finger, and she twisted a little so she could grab onto the nearest pillow with both hands and bury her face against it, muffling her moans which were quickly turning to screams. It took every bit of willpower not to close her legs against him--not because she wanted it to end, but because it was so intensely good, every muscle tensing and making her want to curl in on herself.

All she could do was writhe beneath him as the pressure slowly built toward something glorious, something she still didn't really understand or have a word for--all she knew was Ryk's touch was magical, the way he could invoke such powerful sensations with just the touch of his fingers and tongue, even his breath.

"O-oh gods, Ryk, I can't--I can't--!" she sobbed, legs shaking and body tensing until, abruptly, Ryk tipped her over that precipice. She came hard, biting the pillow against her cry as her body shuddered, her legs closed against the sides of his head, and her sex clamped around his fingers.

        Einin's climax had her tensing and writhing in ways that made it hard for Ryk to follow through, but he found a way to maintain his ministrations as his lover rode wave after wave of pleasure. At first increasing his speed and pressure to really push her orgasm on hard, Ryk then slowed, easing her down from the precipice of her satisfaction. Her breathing still heavy, but less, so, her spasms shorter with more time between, Ryk took his fingers from within her, and put them in his mouth. He sucked her nectar from his hand, not sparing a drop, and then moved his tongue in to catch the last remnants that flowed from her. When he was finished delighting in the sweet taste of his lover, Ryk sat up and smiled down at the prone Einin.
        "You know," Ryk began with a wily grin, "I now have you right where I want you." He made as if to go in to tickle her but stopped short with a laugh, as Einin tensed in anticipation. He fell against her gently, catching a nipple in his mouth, his hands raking across her in a gentle caress. He spent a few moments fondling and sucking at Einin's breasts, giving her some amount of pleasure even as the intensity of her orgasm ebbed. When Einin's heaving breathes finally subsided, Ryk lay next to her and pulled her in close, resting her head on his shoulder. He tipped her face up to his and kissed her on the mouth, dragging his hand down her back in a sweet caress.
        "How was that little bird?" he whispered in her ear. "Are you up for more?"

Einin lay there half in a daze as she came down from that wonderful high, her heart still racing and breathing still quick--and it quickened even more when Ryk threatened to tickle her! She tensed and gasped, about one second from scrambling upright and fighting him, but when he laughed and pulled short, she exhaled and relaxed again, letting herself flop back against the mattress. With a shake of her head, she pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes and willed her heartbeat to normalize.

"That's what I thought, not even you're evil enough for...uh..."

She trailed off as his mouth found her breasts and his hands found her skin, her words turning to sighs. She still felt shaky from the intensity of her release, but soon he had her relaxing, and she curled into him as he pulled her close, and met his kiss with a gentle one of her own--sweet and tender, but lacking the passion of earlier as her high faded. But as Ryk well knew, that was easy enough to rekindle.

"Do we have time?" Einin asked against his mouth, trailing her hand up and down Ryk's arm, shoulder, and neck, her fingers just barely ghosting over his skin. Her back arched under his touch as his fingers ran along her spine, and her breath caught as he sent pleasant tingles racing clear up to her neck. She kissed the corner of his lips.

"'Cause, uh, that was amazing and, you know, I wouldn't say no if, er...you wanted to...you know?" She flushed as she spoke, feeling a little silly. It felt silly to be shy after this, but saying and doing were different things.

        "We have plenty of time," Ryk said in nearly a whisper. He gave Einin a passionate kiss as he pulled his body away from her. His dexterity allowed his lips to remain pressed to hers, his tongue searching her mouth, as he he turned and climbed upon her. Slipping Einin's legs apart, Ryk lay between them, lifting her ankles to lock around his waist as he did. He gripped his hard member and pressed its tip into her folds. Up and down her wet opening, he rubbed it gently, pressing it hard only at her clit. Releasing his cock, he caught the moisture from her cunt in his hand, using it to slick his shaft. Then, without warning, he thrust the entirety of his prick into her warm slit. He immediately felt her tiny twat grip tight around his hard dick, and he let out a sigh of deep satisfaction.
        That was his favorite part, excluding of course the culmination of his work. That initial entry was always wonderful, and entering Einin's sweet honey pot was the best he'd experienced in years. Only that one night with Dylanna stood above his experiences with Einin. That wouldn't hold true long. Einin was swiftly learning to be an expert lover, and with a pussy this small and tight, she had a huge advantage.
        Ryk thrust slowly into his young lover, enjoying the tremble of her body at the pleasure of his rod pumping inside her love tunnel. It felt so good to be inside her, and he regretted that they would have to pause for dinner. Perhaps he could convince the young Lady Beirne to stay the night at his home. He could surely find some reason that would appease her parents. Then he could bring her up here after the guests had retired, and fuck the night away. He didn't have anything important to do with the Soot Wolves tonight, so it wouldn't interfere with his life in any way. He'd have to find a way. He didn't want to miss the chance to spend several hours fucking, and enjoying the sweet nectar of Einin's sex.
        "I had a thought," he said, finally breaking their long kiss. He punctuated his pause with a deep and hard thrust. Rotating his hips, and grinding his pelvis into her clit, he continued. "What reason could you think of that your parents would be satisfied to allow you to spend the evening with me here? We'll of course tell them that you'll be sleeping in one of my guest rooms," he told her. "I'd love to take you onto the balcony, under the stars, and pleasure you while you enjoy the night sky."

Once again, Einin felt a thrill of anticipation when Ryk slipped between her legs, but it seemed he was still going to tease her as he rubbed against her instead, up and down, and she whimpered and shuddered when he pressed against her clit. She grabbed onto his shoulders and lifted her hips, trying to wriggle enough to press him against her opening, because gods, while that felt wonderful, she wanted him inside her already! But then, finally and without warning, he slammed home, and Einin let out a sharp cry and held him tightly, legs clenched around him and body trembling. Gods, how silly it felt now that she'd been afraid of this!

And soon he was pumping slowly into her and she was holding on for dear life, her kisses growing fiercer, more passionate in her pleasure, her soft cries and moans trapped against his mouth. She tangled her hands in his hair and bit his bottom lip, a bit harder than she'd meant to, but oh Kia, this slow pace was a beautiful torture. He slid inside her easily, each by inch, all pleasure and no discomfort, for she was soaking with desire, having wanted this all night. The bed would likely be a mess when they were done, judging by the sounds their joined bodies were making, and between that and the noises Einin was making, Ryk was doing a damned good job.

When he broke the kiss and spoke, it took a few seconds for Einin to register the words. And when she did, her eyes flew open and she stared up at him, lips parted and face flushed.

"Uh...I-I...I don't know--oh!" She cut off with a yelp, her body trembling beneath him and her breath shuddering out as he ground against her clit, making her tighten reflexively around him. It was hard to think, much less answer him in coherent sentences, when he was filling her so completely. She squeezed his shoulders, her nails digging into him, her body tense with pleasure as his hips rotated and she followed suit, wriggling her hips experimentally beneath him to keep up that wonderful, wonderful pressure, her ankles locked at his waist and pressing lightly against his lower back to urge him on.

"M...maybe, ah, maybe I could...I could have drank too much, too much wine," she panted, voice rising to a whimper toward the end. "Got sick, couldn't--ah!--couldn't travel. Maybe? Oh, Kia, we can figure it out later! I-I can't talk when you're...ah!"

She kissed his shoulder and neck, then nipped at his ear, her panting breaths hot against him. "Talk later. Right now, I, um..."

She flushed a little deeper, bit her bottom lip. "C-can I...can I be, um...on top?"

        "No," Ryk said, with a serious expression on his face. He suddenly and violently began thrusting into Einin, fucking her hard and deep at a great pace. He stopped after a few moments, kissing her softly and reaching to part her legs from their grip around his waist. Then, without warning, he rolled to his back, pulling her along so that the young Lady Beirne would now be straddling him. He smiled at her mischievously and gave her a wink as he reached to play with her very erect nipples.
        "I actually love having you on top," he told his lover. "I get to look at your amazing body as you ride me. My hands can wander freely across your perfect breasts, and this amazing ass," he slapped her behind to accentuate his words. "Plus I get to relax and just enjoy being inside you while you rock your hips for me." Ryk smiled at Einin and leaned up to kiss her. "You're in control, Little Bird."

Einin's eyes went wide and before she could muster out a, "What?" Ryk was slamming into her, turning her words into a sharp, shuddering cries. Gods, she hoped to Kia no one was passing by his doors, because she couldn't seem to control herself, nor did she care. It was all she could do to just hold on as he took her, again and again, her head thrown back against the mattress and eyes shut tight with ecstasy. It felt good when he took her slow, but there was something thrilling and primal in his roughness, and he hit her in just the right spot.

So even though she'd at first felt a little disappointed with his "no", she was soon disappointed when he stopped!

Whimpering into his kiss, and shaking a little, she was about ready to beg for more, but then he rolled and she soon found herself straddling him. Oh. Right! Looking down at him, her body flushed with passion, she gave a breathless laugh and jumped when he slapped her ass.

"Really?" she panted, and bit her lip as she braced her hands on his chest and began to rock her hips, her expression tightening with pleasure. She leaned down to meet his kiss, her breath hiccuping as that changed the angle of her hips.

"A-ah! Wow...this...this is better this time. Better than yesterday," she gasped, and it was true, because this time she had a better idea of what she was doing, and didn't have to deal with the discomfort. She rocked a little quicker, grinding down against him as she did to rub her clit against his pelvis, and soft cries began to leave her. She grabbed at his arms, gripping him tightly, her body trembling around him with her efforts. "I-I think I like both ways. The...the view's nice this way, but--ah!--I like it when you take me, too."

        Ryk brought his hands to Einin's hips, helping guide her rocking and swiveling hips. As she put in the initial motion he helped give it speed and pressure. He didn't leave Einin to do all the work though. He thrust up into her, getting deeper into her than if she did the work alone. He caressed up his lovers body, from her hips to her tits, and pinched and twisted at her nipples lightly. She had shown arousal when he'd mixed pain and pleasure for her before, but he didn't want to rush her into anything extreme. One hand reached further up, his fingers wrapping gently around Einin's throat, his other went back down to her hip, then around to her ass. He squeezed her ass, somewhat roughly, and used the grip to rock her more quickly. The fingers on her throat applied the barest of pressure, slowing her blood flow, and giving her the high of oxygen deprivation. As the high would be peaking, he removed his hand, slipping a finger into Einin's mouth.
        "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Ryk told her with a smile, "it will only continue to get better as we get to know each other, and you grow more adventurous." He moved both his hands to her hips again, and continued to aid her in her rocking.

Though Einin had proven quite vocal in bed, she was a little quieter as she rode Ryk--not for lack of pleasure, but because it took more concentration, and was a little more work! Still, when Ryk thrust into her and grabbed her hips, helping her rock on him, her sharp gasps turned to soft yelps, and she rolled her hips quicker, lifting a little to slide up him before bringing her hips back down on his thrusts and grinding on the down stroke. It was a little awkward at first, having to use her muscles in a way she wasn't used to moving, but soon, with Ryk's help, she began to find a good rhythm that felt amazing, too. She spread her legs a little wider and sucked in her breath when he went deeper, her hands pressed against his chest.

The slight hint of pain among the pleasure made her jerk, an electric shiver going through her, but the hand on her throat...

Ryk had done something similar to her before, when he'd taken her from behind, but he had mostly just touched her--and she had been too lost in the moment, not to mention in an awkward position, to protest. This time, he squeezed a little--not much, not enough that she couldn't breathe, but enough that she could definitely feel the pressure--and her eyes flew open in surprise. She blinked down at him, confused, her mind caught somewhere between bliss and concern, and wrapped one hand around his wrist as she continued to gyrate on him, her breath coming faster--and only partly because it was harder to draw it. She trusted him not to hurt her, but wasn't sure what she thought about this, or what exactly it meant. She slowed to a deliberate grinding, dizzy with pleasure, and was about to comment on it except that was when he squeezed her ass. She cried out, bucking on him, until he released her and slipped a finger in her mouth, which she eagerly sucked.

Her hand still gripped his wrist, but slid up it until she could lace her fingers in his and press it down into the mattress.

"Ad-adventurous, huh?" Einin panted when she released his finger, falling forward against his chest and pressing her lips to his neck, his shoulder, her pink hair draping over his skin and nipples dusting against his chest. She whimpered, still rocking on him, and kissed him on the mouth, her tongue seeking his, her hands cupping his face. "I-I like adventure. Though...why did you...choke me?"

        As Einin fell forward onto his chest, Ryk brought his free hand up across her back in a long caress. He played with her hair while she kissed his neck, and brought the hand laced with hers to his mouth, kissing her fingers. Even as he kissed her fingers, he slipped his hand from hers and brought it up to also play with her hair and caress her back as she rocked against him.
        "By putting pressure on your neck there," he leaned in to kiss the side of her throat, "I cut off the blood to your brain. If done right it causes a dizzy sense of euphoria." He gently matched her rocking, pumping up into her steadily. "Done a little longer and you'll pass out. When you come to a few moments later, you're filled with total euphoria. I didn't want to do that without talking to you about it first." He slid his hands down her back in another long caress. He stroked across her bottom, scratched it, then slapped both cheeks sharply. He gripped her ass roughly, speeding the pace of her rocking, meeting it with his own powerful thrusts. He was bucking her hard, driving his cock as deep into her as he could. He didn't neglect the attention he was giving her round ass as he thrust. He squeezed it and slapped it repeatedly. Einin would likely have a number of red hand prints there, and sitting would remind her of their rough fucking.
        As he continued to fuck her, Ryk brought a hand up to slide into her hair. He gripped it in a slow hard pull, and gently pulled her head back. His mouth found her neck, where he bit her hard enough to leave a mark. He then sucked hard, rubbing his tongue on the spot as he did so. When he brought his mouth away a quickly darkening hicky was already showing. He repeated the action, giving her another dark hicky, right next to the first. He used his grip on her hair, while still fucking her hard and fast, to bring her mouth to his. He kissed her hard and passionately, his tongue exploring her mouth. He bit her lip and tugged at it as he pulled her head back again by her hair.
        Ryk released Einin's hair, and his firm grip on her ass, kissing her neck as he moved both his hands to hold her by her hips. In a quick and fluid motion, Ryk flipped Einin onto her back without taking his cock from inside her. Now back on top, he redoubled his efforts. His thrusting was fierce, creating an audible slap with each connection. His mouth on hers, Ryk kissed Einin through her moans and his own grunts. He laced his fingers in hers, lifting her hands as high above her head as they would go. He continued pounding her relentlessly, his mouth moving from hers, to her neck, shoulders, and back again. He dug in deep, reaching for all the stamina he could muster, and drove on even harder and faster. As soon as she peeked he would let himself orgasm, filling her with his seed again. Her orgasm is what he worked toward, her pleasure. It pleased him to please her, and so he didn't cease in his ministrations, he did not slow. He no longer kissed her mouth, wanting her lips free to cry out in pleasure.
        "Scream for me little bird," he told her, "let me hear how good it is."

That was definitely something they'd have to discuss, because Einin didn't like the idea of the whole passing out part. But soon that whole topic was out of her mind as Ryk really picked up the pace and bucked up into her, and soon, though Ryk had claimed she was in control, she didn't feel much like she was in control at all--not that she was complaining either way! It was all she could do to hang on as she rode him, as he went abruptly from gentle to rough, and between the powerful thrusts and the smacks on her ass, pleasure and pain blending into one dizzying concoction, and soon she was moaning her enjoyment.

It was hard to keep quiet when it felt so good, when every nerve was thrumming with pleasure, and when he grabbed her hair she yelped, then squealed when he bit her neck, all while driving up into her, again and again. Einin dug her nails into Ryk's arms and clenched her eyes shut, her breath coming in breathless pants, and just when she thought it was getting too much, he sucked on her neck instead, and she squirmed, ticklish yet aroused. She cried out again when he repeated it, held in place by his grip on her hair, and his sudden kiss silenced her. She kissed him back, whimpering when he tugged her lip and pulled her hair again, and then the world was spinning and she felt cool sheets beneath her back, and Ryk's weight upon her.

Her breath stole away when he really began to fuck her.

And that was the only word that could describe it, for it definitely wasn't the gentle lovemaking he'd demonstrated before. She kissed him fiercely, biting at his lip, as her pleasured sounds were muffled against his mouth and coming out as shuddering, frantic breaths and moans. And when he took her hands and pinned them above her head, a thrill went through her, heat washing over her, as her heart pounded in her chest. It left her feeling trapped and vulnerable, helpless to do anything but spread her legs and let him have his way with her, and gods, it was so weird, but she liked the vulnerability.

Because she trusted him enough to be submissive.

Einin came up gasping when he broke the kiss, and she hardly needed his encouragement, as much as it aroused her--because with her mouth free, and his cock slamming home, she was soon crying out in earnest, voice rising on each thrust, until her cries were close to screams, because gods, whatever he was doing, he was doing it right. The intensity of it all was almost too much for her to take as she writhed beneath him, the force of his thrusting rocking her entire body and making her small breasts bounce.

"Oh gods, oh gods!" she sobbed. His hips slapped against her thighs, turning her light skin pink, and no doubt there would be bruises later. Einin tossed her head and squirmed, back arching as she bucked her hips into his thrusts as much as she could. She jerked at her hands in a weak attempt at freeing herself--more because she found she liked the struggle and the sense of helplessness, the feeling of his strength, than because she actually wanted to be free.

"Oh Kia, oh Ryk--! Ah! You feel amazing, I--oh!" Her voice rose as that familiar pressure and heat began to build with each deep thrust, her body tensing and sex tightening as she drew closer, and closer, her fingers curling around Ryk's until she was clutching his hands in a white knuckled grip. "Oh gods, don't stop, oh gods!"

Ryk got his wish. She screamed as she came, her hands crushing his in her grip, her body trembling uncontrollably, her thighs squeezing his sides. She felt dizzy with pleasure as heat flooded her and her already tight sex clamped around Ryk's cock.

        Einin's orgasm was enough to give Ryk his own. Her screams, her trembling, the tightening of her pussy on his cock. He could feel the spasms of pleasure coursing through her, and he let out a deep moan of his own as he exploded into her. His thrusting slowed but he drew back further, and slammed home harder. His throbbing cock filled her with his warm seed, so full of it that some spilled out of her as his thrusting continued. When he was spent, Ryk released Einin's hands and brought his down to brush away their disheveled hair. He rested the entirety of his weight upon her then, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her deeply.
        "I hope you don't plan on sleeping tonight," he said between his kisses, "I don't plan on letting you. I am going to please you all night long, and take my own great pleasure from you." As he laid on her, kissing her, he felt his deflated erection returning. His flaccid cock grew stiff again in just a few short minutes, without ever taking it out of her. As it had grown limp, more of his seed had escaped her, along with her own juices, and Einin was now lying in a small puddle. Not that it mattered. Ryk was hard again, and still inside his young lover. He glanced over his shoulder at his large clock, before giving a smile to Einin as he began slowly thrusting into her again.
        "We have enough time for one more go if you're up for it, Little Bird." He kissed her sweetly, not waiting for her assent, and continued his gentle thrusts. He leaned on one arm brushing her hair back so he could look in her eyes. "Don't fall in love with me just yet, Little Bird," he said to her sweetly, "Love terrifies me a bit. I'll need time to warm to the idea." The words had barely escaped his mouth when he closed his eyes and pressed his lips once again to hers. He knew he couldn't let himself love her yet. Not yet. Love was a weakness. He loved Dylanna, but hid it from himself. If he loved Einin too, he might break. He'd just have to brave those waters if it came to it. For now he just made love to her, as a woman as sweet as her deserved.

Panting and shivery, Einin kissed Ryk back and wrapped her arms around his neck, though her kisses were more tender now, ad her grip on him was a soft embrace, rather than clinging to him in ecstasy. She felt sated and languid in the afterglow of their passion, her body warm and thrumming with pleasure, and when Ryk spoke of keeping her up all night, she gave a breathless laugh.

"I sort of figured you wanted me to stay for a reason," she said with a tired grin, a grin that soon turned to an "O" of surprise when he began to move in her again, slowly. She gasped, her hands tightening on his shoulders, and her body trembled because she was still sensitive from her release. Closing her eyes and pressing her face against his neck, she wrapped her legs around his hips again and locked her ankles--which was answer enough to his question of whether she wanted another go or not.

Because now that he'd begun again, she wasn't letting him go!

She moved her hips into his thrusts, slow, circular, and grinding, and kissed and nibbled at his neck, her breath coming out in hot pants. But when Ryk pulled back a little and brushed back her hair, her eyes fluttered open to look up at him--and the flush in her cheeks darkened at his words.

Don't fall in love with him.

He was making it hard, she realized, abruptly, in that moment.

And a sudden pang of fear bled into the bliss, but she couldn't say anything--didn't even know what she'd say, because her own emotions were a muddled mess, and she hadn't even realized they were until he'd said something--because he was kissing her again, and his hips were rolling into hers, and soon pleasure was erasing the worry, because right then, that was all that mattered. Right then, she didn't care. She threaded her fingers in his hair and tasted him with her tongue, her lips gently nibbling his, and let out small, breathy whimpers in time to his slow thrusts, for now enjoying the lovemaking.

Lovemaking. Like a man makes love to his wife...

        The lovemaking had been a rare treat for Ryk. Mostly it was just a bunch of ravenous fucking. He was good at it, he enjoyed it, and his lovers always did as well. With Einin, he let himself enjoy the slow pace and all the things that went with it. Without the vigor of an increased pace he could enjoy each individual thrust, he could feel all of Einin's shivers of pleasure. There was no detail he missed, and he enjoyed the sweet pleasure of kissing her slowly. The penetration was almost second to the physical joy of their bodies braced together, the heat of their passion, the beat of their synchronized hearts. An occasional gust of cool air from his magically controlled climate tingled along their flesh and brought sighs from the pleasure of it. It had been wonderful, and though the slow pace had made reaching climax take a little longer, they had both been more than satisfied.
        Now they laid spooning, of all things, Ryk's arms wrapped around Einin, her flawless back pressed against his muscled chest. He occasionally kissed the back of her neck and the side of her head sweetly. One of his hands stroked the bottom of her abdomen, caressing her in little swirls that traced down through her sparse pubis and up to her navel. His other hand stroked across her slight and supple breasts without lust. They were perfect, he loved them, they fit her so very well. The way the soft areola was puffed up, her little pink nipples unmarred from abuse. The feeling of her ample bottom pressed against his cock nearly elicited a rise of lust from him, but he released it, knowing he'd not have the time to give in to his desire again.
        "We sure are an interesting pair," he whispered, "I love our time together. Naked or otherwise. You are an amazing young woman. I'm glad you stumbled upon me that night, Little Bird. Now you just have to be sure you want to marry me," Einin could likely feel Ryk's smile as he nestled his face into the back of her neck, "I can be a handful after all." Ryk kissed Einin softly through her hair, and breathed a sigh of contentment. His confusion about seeing Dylanna and her son at the festival, and his visit to her home, were forgotten in the bliss of the girl in his arms. While he feared loving her, he loved the way she chased his inner demons away. She warmed his fractured soul, and he had no plans of letting her slip away.

Warm and comfortable in Ryk's arms, Einin lay there with her eyes closed, enjoying his gentle caresses and the feeling of his chest pressed against her back. That close, she could feel his heartbeat, and she couldn't help but smile as she cuddled a little closer and wrapped her arms around one of his--the one that was currently stroking her breasts. His touch made her skin tingle and nipples harden, and his fingers on her pubis and belly made her suck in her breath, but the lust was gone for now, replaced with a sleepy contentment as she nuzzled her cheek against the blankets.

Sex, as she'd come to learn, was quite fun--and sweet Kia, but Ryk made her feel things she hadn't known were physically possible! But this, right here? This was just as good. This feeling of security and affection, of...

She didn't want to think the word, but it made her feel loved.

And his words certainly helped.

Einin smiled into the blankets, her shoulders shaking with quiet laughter. "You're a handful? What's that make me, then?" she asked, and pressed her lips to his arm, whatever skin she could reach. For a few moments, she grew quiet, mulling over the rest of what he'd said, and then she hugged his arm a little tighter.

"...I do want to marry you."

        Ryk slid back from his young lover and rolled her toward himself. He smiled at Einin as he looked into her beautiful eyes, then leaned and kissed her softly on the mouth. "Stay," he whispered, then he rolled away from her completely. Without a word, he began collecting her garments, and neatly stacked them beside her. Each time he placed something next to her, he kissed her. He glanced up at the clock, and quickened his pace. Once everything was found and retrieved, he grabbed his own clothing and dressed in a hurry, throwing Einin a wink.
        "We're late," he said with a grin. "It seems I enjoyed holding you for longer than I should have let myself."

Einin stayed where she was while Ryk collected her clothes, and she only moved when he started to dress--and remarked on the time. Late?! Ack!

"Oh! Crap!" she said, and quickly rolled to her feet--only to freeze with a grimace as gravity did its thing, semen and her own wetness leaking down her thighs. The blankets beneath her were a wet mess, and she hadn't noticed it until she sat up. With a bright blush, she looked over at Ryk, not really wanting to move with the sticky mess clinging to her.

"Ah...primper?" And then another thought struck her. An important one. Far more important even than getting clean, and one that had completely slipped her mind the other day, while she had been lost in passion--and also very tipsy. "And, er...do you...I'm not gonna..."

She waved at the mess between her legs. "I'm not gonna get with child, am I?"

        Ryk pulled the primper from his now donned vest and gave himself a tap. He was as fresh as when he'd gone down to meet Einin a couple hours earlier. He smiled at her, and her exasperation and moved over to her. He kissed her tenderly before tapping her with the primper, but even as it cleaned her, more of their combined juices ran out of her. It didn't handle anything internal, so there was little he could do for her until it all had evacuated from her still glistening sex.
        "It's a possibility," he said in response to her concern over pregnancy, "but it's an inevitable eventuality regardless. When we're married, everyone will expect you to produce an heir." He kissed her again not giving her time to react to his matter of fact statement. "Can you imagine me as a father? It'll be interesting." He grinned devilishly at the concern he noted on her face, and then gave a small laugh. "If you're overly concerned about it, we can get you something that will prevent you from growing heavy with child. I recommend you use it after tomorrows plans for swimming, as it will bring your moon's blood early." He looked down to check the progress of the mess flowing from her and gave her another tap of the primper. There wasn't an immediate return of more flow, so what was coming out was out for now. Ryk kissed Einin again and then moved away to give her space to dress. He sat sideways on a chair so he could watch her as she moved. "I can get something else for you that you swallow before sex that will prevent conception. Best not to use it too much though, or it will prevent you from ever having children at all."

Feeling much cleaner now, if a little sore from their activities, Einin moved off of the bed and began to dress. "Er...I'd like that," she said as she bent to slip on her discarded stockings.

"I know when we're married, people will expect...things. But I'd like to wait a while? When I'm older?" She looked over at Ryk, worry creasing her brow. He looked smug and totally okay with the idea of children, and she supposed it made sense, since he was much older. But she was certainly not there yet! And the idea, frankly, terrified her. She wasn't ready to be a mother! She had so much she wanted to do with her life, like become a knight--and people died in labor!

Heart thumping in her chest as she began to really think about the consequences of all their pleasure, she pulled on her chemise. "I'm not really ready for children, Ryk. At all. I have to become a knight, and I can't do that with a child, and women die all the time, and--" She breathed, running her hands through her hair. "It scares me."

        "I only tease," Ryk told Einin. He didn't mention that if she weren't so easily swayed to marry him, he had considered letting her get with child so that he might manipulate her into it. No need to tell her that while she was changing him, he was still devious at his core. "We will make sure you don't get pregnant until you are ready." The smile he gave her was once again affectionate, he did care deeply for his Little Bird, he just refused to love another. He would not secretly suffer it again. He stood to cross back to her, the worry and fear on her face drawing concern from him. He slowly pulled her into a gentle embrace, and kissed her quite lovingly, brushing her hair aside.
        "When you bare our child I will be there to hold your hand, and I will have the best care prepared for you. You think that these little potions are the extent of the healing we can manage with magic?" He leaned in to whisper into her ear quietly, "we can even bring people back from the dead. The soul has to be willing, and it takes a great deal of preparation and power, but it can be done." He pulled back and gave Einin a reassuring smile. Then he tapped her with the primper again to remove the wrinkles from her garments, and the trickle that was likely running down her leg again.
        She was a sight to behold, flush with the afterglow, breasts heaving in her elegant, but simple dress. She was the sexiest girl he had ever beheld, and he desired nothing more than to ravish her again right then He restrained himself, though his cock objected with an erection. He took Einin's hand in his, kissed it, then pressed it to the pulsing member. He flexed it so she would be sure to feel it through his garments, and then he gave her a lecherous grin.
        "We should go to greet our guests," he said, "you'll have more of that tonight." He grabbed a potion from a hidden place and took a sip, then handed it to Einin. "For the soreness and the bruises."

That was...reassuring that there were things that could help with childbirth, but that didn't ease Einin's worry. A child? Gods! That was so far in the future for her she hadn't even begun to think about it, and now that she was, it was scary. She didn't even know that she wanted a child! Carrying something in her for months, then the pain of birth, and then...having a child...

Her stomach fluttered with panic. Thank Kia Ryk was on the same page, though, and was willing to wait until she was ready.

Though, they could bring people back from the dead?

Einin was still boggling over that when Ryk tapped her with the primper again (and just in time, as more...mess...had started to leak out), and she looked up at him, shoving the anxiety away with a smile. Whatever happened, she supposed, would happen--but for now, she trusted him, and was certainly enjoying her time with him now.

Despite what they'd just done, when Ryk took her hand and pressed it to his new erection, Einin sputtered a laugh and flushed red, jerking her hand away. "How did you--?! Did you move it?" she blurted as she took the motion and took a sip, relief spreading through her as the potion worked its magic.

        "I flexed the muscle," Ryk said with a grin, "much in the same way you can flex yours." He groped at her crotch lustfully, then squeezed her ass as he kissed her again. "I suppose we should head down," he said with a hint of disappointment, "we should not leave our guests waiting."

---

        Tiberius Kaikenn (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=17121.0), manipulator of ice and fire, student of Arca's Mage College, was arriving a bit late to the dinner that Ryk invited him to. The houseman directed young Tiberius to wait in the sitting room where the other guests had already gathered and were chatting. They appeared to mostly be entertainers, and wore the garb of their trades. A few looked like kitchen workers, aprons worn over what must be their finest clothing. Tiberius himself had not dressed nice.
        He stood out as a bit under dressed, and perhaps a bit disheveled, as his white streaked blue hair was likely a mess. Though his muddy-brown robe was soft and comfortable, and threadbare from love, it looked like beggars garb, even a bit soiled and singed by recent experiments. Tiber wore it open, the ties hanging loose, over a bright white shirt and grey trousers. Both were cleaner than the robe, but showed similar damage from experimentation. Comfortable brown wool slippers covered his feet, and he looked down at them wondering if he should have worn boots. It wasn't that he didn't have dress robes, and a bit finer choice of clothing, he had just forgotten. His mind had been on other things. When he noticed he was running late, he rushed from his lab to grab a carriage over. Luckily Master Handelaar was prominent enough that the driver knew right where he lived, and a quick route.
        The host it appeared had not shown himself yet, which meant Tiber was off the hook for being tardy.

Einin laughed, and swatted Ryk's hand playfully. "We had better, before we get  distracted again! We'll have time for that later," she said, and clasped his hand in hers. "Come on, then. Let's meet the people I apparently invited yesterday!"

Because she didn't fully remember everyone she'd invited.

Tugging on Ryk's hand, Einin headed for the door and pulled Ryk with her, ready to head out and meet the entertainers. Unfortunately, she wasn't aware of the dark hickeys on her neck, and thus forgot to cover them.

        Ryk tugged back against Einin's hand pulled her in close, and put a kiss to her neck. "You might want to cover the evidence of the amazing fucking we just did," he said, grinning as he continued to kiss her neck. "The primper doesn't clean away the dark spots I left on your neck." He directed her toward the mirror, pointing, and gave her a smack to the ass as motivation. "Don't dawdle now gorgeous."

Einin leaned into the kiss, a pleasant shiver going through her, because her neck was quite sensitive, and that felt good--and if he kept doing that, she might very well need another pass with the primper! But then he spoke, and realization dawned.

OH.

With a bright blush, Einin brought a hand to her neck as though she'd be able to feel the marks, then hurried to the mirror at his prompting. "Good gods, Ryk! It looks like I got attacked by an animal!" she said, and quickly worked her magic. The marks soon vanished beneath a layer of illusion magic, and when she was satisfied, she whirled back around to join Ryk and took his arm.

"Not that...mind them, or anything. They'll fade, I suppose, and it was fun enough getting them."

        "I'll give you more tonight," Ryk said with a grin as he led Einin to the door of his chambers. His order not to disturb him, even at the arrival of guests, had been followed, and he was happy about that. He'd had plenty of time to enjoy his young lover. As he led her back through the house to meet the people they'd invited, he daydreamed about the things he'd do with her that evening. Then his thoughts led to tomorrow. They had plans to swim. Sure partly to help her get better at it, but mostly so he could have her naked in his pond. Taking her in the water, under the sun, in the bathing suit designed in a risqué Essyrni style, was going to be a great time.
        "After all that exercise, I'm famished," Ryk told her as they approached the stairs. One of his house staff was heading up to the third floor as Ryk turned Einin down toward the first. "I hope the feast is everything we desire."

"I'm sure it will be!" Einin said with a grin. "I mean, it was pretty great yesterday, so I imagine it'd be even better today. Though, I did have a lot of drink...so could be it was only so great because I was tipsy, but I doubt that."

Considering she'd experienced other things while tipsy, too, and as today proved, it certainly hadn't been the champagne that made it so excellent.

        "Well when you were eating you had yet to drink," Ryk reminded Einin, "so your enjoyment of the food was genuine. Now that we've had a good tumble, you know your enjoyment of yesterday's activities was also genuine," he whispered as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Ryk led Einin through the gallery into the sitting room in which their guests waited.
        "Welcome everyone," Ryk said with a smile, "sorry for the delay, I was giving Lady Beirne a tour of the house. It's quite large. Who even needs this much space?" He laughed at the joke he made, and some of the others joined him in it. Viconia was not one of them, though her brothers did smile at the humor. The mage Tiberius was there, looking as if he'd just stepped from his lab, which amused Ryk, but did not bother him. Most of the invited cooks were in the room, so the food must be all but ready. He'd sent word through the Soot Wolves to have Branwen and Jaheira invited, and the Red Wolf had sent them to have new clothes tailored for the event. Branwen's curvacious body, and large bust was poured into a sleek red dress. She carried a long black case that held her swords. The slim framed Jaheira was wearing loose breeches and a vest of a billowing black material with fancy gold embroidery. She looked dashing, and would still be able to do her contortionist performance. Ryk had invited a couple other performers as guests as well, and everyone, aside from Viconia, looked pleased to be there.
        "You've likely had enough time to meet each other," Ryk said, "and you all know me! So let's have some fun. How shall we begin?"

"I'd suggest we begin with the physical activities," Einin said with a smile up at Ryk, before looking back out at the gathered group. Usually, she hated these sorts of formal affairs, but this just seemed like it'd be a fun night. No one was stuffy here--well, except for Viconia, who looked like she'd eaten a spider or something. Why the sour face, when she was getting both fed and paid well? Hrm.

"Get it out of the way before the feasting, because you shouldn't do strenuous activities after a large meal."

        "I think that is probably best," Ryk agreed, "Branwen would probably not enjoy swallowing swords on a full stomach either." He gave the busty performer a smile. "Would you like to begin my dear?"
        The beautiful, very feminine Branwen, stepped forward and the guests all moved back to give her plenty of space. Everyone formed a half circle around the sword swallower, so they could watch her work. Branwen opened her case and her sister, the boyishly beautiful Jeheira, stepped forward to hold it for her. The snug dress flexed as Branwen tipped back her head and slid the first sword into her mouth. Down her throat it went. She did a partial bow, turning for the group, then reached for another sword, sliding it in next to the first. It was fascinating to watch. She swallowed multiple swords at once, would turn the swords in her throat at times, and even swallowed one curved sword. The entire time, her dress gripped her, accentuating both the curves of her body and the flexing of her body as she performed. When she was done, she replaced the swords in their case, and bowed. She stepped back to give her sister the center space, and Jeheira went right to work.
        The performances continued on for a while longer, each act giving way to the next, everyone enjoying the talents of their fellow guests. Eventually one of the cooks came to announce that everything was ready, and the performing at least came to a pause. As Ryk and his guests moved through the adjacent drawing room to the dining hall, the master of the manor drew Tiberius into him. "It would please me if you would sit close," he told the young mage, "I would like to discuss your education, and your experiments." Tiber smiled and nodded to Master Handelaar, and all the guests filed into the  large, and beautifully decorated dining hall. Many of the dishes were already set about the table, and more were being brought in as they all took seats.
        "Well this all looks and smells delicious," Ryk said to the delight of the cooks, "let's not wait a moment more." He pulled out a chair for Einin to sit, then took the chair beside her.

The performances were delightful, and even better in the comfort and privacy of Ryk's home. There was no trying to look over the heads and shoulders of other revelers, no getting jostled, no fighting for a good spot or trying not to breathe other peoples' body odor. Every area had a good view, and she could really see things up close here.

Which made some of the performances even more amazing, and some even more cringe-worthy! Branwen's sword swallowing had her biting her knuckle with nerves, because how wasn't she cutting herself?! One wrong move and it was over, and to bow like that? She could slice up her insides! And multiple swords? Dear gods, the woman was ballsy! The other performances were amazing, contortionists and jugglers performing amazing feats that seemed to defy the limits of the human body. How people could move like that blew her mind. Einin couldn't even do the splits, and these people were bending themselves into impossible shapes!

But soon, the performances came to an end, and Einin felt pretty good about making that call, with regards to when to eat. Sword swallowing would be uncomfortable, no doubt, and she imagined contortion would likewise be...problematic.

Heading into the beautiful dining hall, Einin took a seat when Ryk pulled it out for her--and sucked in a soft breath, because, er...her bottom was a bit sore. Trying not to blush at the very fresh memory, she sat down gingerly and when a servant filled her wine glass, she took a small sip. And to think, if she stayed the night, there would be more of that to come. She took another sip of wine, deciding it best to clear her thoughts for now, and flashed Ryk a playfully accusatory smile.

Then, as Tiberius joined them, she looked over at him. She remembered him, the student from the mage college, and though she'd been too tipsy at the time, he had made her rather curious.

"I remember you from the other day," she said, smiling. "You're the student from the mage college. How do you like it there?"

        At first Tiberius didn't hear Einin's question, he had just thought of something to improve his experiment. It was right there, if he could only just hold onto it. Nope. Gone. He could be so scatter brained. That was why he wrote things down, but he didn't have anything to do that right now. Then a little internal voice, telling him that a gorgeous creature was addressing him, spoke up rather forcefully, disrupting his other internal workings.
        "What's that? The mage college? It's splendid," his brightly burning smile quickly melted, "well if it weren't so expensive. Do they think only nobles have magical talent. There are so many poor commoners, like myself, that can barely afford tuition, and some not at all. The school all but owns you by the time you've finished tutelage."

"...Oh." That hadn't quite been what Einin had expected! She didn't actually know much about the mage college, but had grown curious about it as of late, and though she of course knew there was a disparity between the rich and the poor, she was still a noblewoman, and still had a tendency to take her privilege for granted. She'd always heard of the college as being for all mages.

She supposed it had been naive to think that commoners got to attend cheaply.

Well. This got awkward fast.

"Goodness. Er. I'm sorry, that's...that's really too bad," she said, struggling for something to say to that, and floundering.  She cleared her throat. "I, ah...I'm afraid I didn't realize it was like that."

        "Well it's not like that for everyone," Tiber said, "some mages get sponsors to pay their way. That can be good or bad depending on the patron sponsoring them. Especially promising students sometimes get in on scholarships, or so I hear. I think that's a scam though, traps you working for the school." He was becoming animated, moving his hands as he spoke. Luckily Ryk didn't mind it. Some nobles would have been annoyed to be sitting between a conversation.
        "I use my talents to earn money to keep the tuition debts low. I don't want to be a slave to the school my whole life. I like studying what I want to study," Tiber's tempo increased as he continued, his hands moving to the staccato. "I've heard of the college forcing students into research that they found more fruitful by threatening to make them pay off their debts. I'd not want that to happen. I really think I'm close to finding a way to make flexible ice. I'd hate to be taken off my project so that the school could utilize my talents the way they want."
        A plate of food was set before Ryk, and then one to each Tiber and Einin, and the delicious smell of the food, in such close proximity, made the ranting mage pause. "Wow, that smells great," he said, his thoughts of tuition and research slipping away.
        "Shall we eat?" Ryk asked his guests.

Einin couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed at Tiberius's rant, because these were all things she'd been unaware of, and...and she just wanted to know what the college was like! What the people were like, what the classes were like, what the instructors were like. All this talk about making students their slaves, though, was kind of distressing, and Tiberius's passion kept her from getting a word in edgewise.

She stole a helpless glance at Ryk, flashing him a sheepish smile. She had no way of knowing what that simple question could unleash!

But as the food came around, she soon got a reprieve. Tiberius got distracted, and she pounced on the opportunity. "I'll be it tastes amazing, too!" she said, relieved, as murmurs of agreement rose up around the table. Eagerly, she dug in, though she remembered her manners. It had been fun being lax about that at the faire, and it was nice not having to worry about it as Owl, but here, in the formal setting, with so many people around and Ryk trying to impress, she took dainty bites, used the correct utensils, kept her elbows off the table, and made sure not to reach for anything.

"Gods...I was right," she said.

        Talking all but ceased during the meal. A few, small, informal conversations were struck up, here and there. Discussions of local news, or rumors on the streets, but nothing of great import. The people here were all commoners, and they didn't care much for polite dinner conversation, they cared more about the delicious food that was placed before them. Ryk was happy to concur with his guests, and kept mostly silent as he ate. He commented only on the deliciousness of each plate placed before him.
        The mint ice cream supplied between each course in order to cleanse the palate, was his own exotic contribution to the meal. It went over well with everyone, and he was pleased with that. It wasn't until it became time for desert that conversation was again flowing.
        "So Lady Beirne," Ryk began, "am I to understand that you're interested in the Mages College? That pink hair, tells us of your fae heritage. Do you perhaps have some magical aptitude that you would like to improve upon?"

"I do!" Einin said, perking up excitably at this topic. "My gift is with illusions. Glamour, I've heard it called. My parents always said I was fae-touched, and that glamour was the proper term, I guess. I'm not very good at it right now, but I'm definitely interested in seeing how far I can take it."

She took a small sip of wine before continuing. "I really like the idea of the college, and I'd love to attend."

        "Perhaps you should discuss that with your parents," Ryk told Einin, "I'm sure they could easily afford the tuition with your fathers business dealings. You'd not have to find a patron."
        "I envy you that," Tiberius said, "I know many others have it worse, but it's not wonderful to have debts to the school."
        "Well to be honest Tiber - may I call you Tiber? - I wanted to discuss your work," Ryk said to the young mage, "and perhaps contributing to your tuition."
        Tiberius' immense happiness was immediately apparent. As he was about to burst into another staccato barrage of words, desert was delivered. Cherry tarts with sweet cream, and real chocolate sticks. Ryk had requested it. He knew how much Einin loved cherry tarts.

Einin was beaming, too, excited at the prospect of attending the college and desperately hoping her parents would allow it! And if she and Ryk were engaged, they would have no reason to refuse her! After all, their main concern was finding her a match, and college might interfere with that. But if she were engaged, and Ryk was on board with that, then it wouldn't be an issue at all!

And when the cherry tarts arrived, they were just the cherry on top of what was already a fantastic day. She flashed a grin Ryk's way. "Are you trying to fatten me up?" she teased, before she dug into her dessert with gusto.

She wasn't going to lie--she hadn't eaten as much of the main meal as she'd wanted to precisely because she was saving room for dessert! Taking a bite and savoring the flavor, she swallowed it down and looked over at Tiberius.

"Looks like we may end up being colleagues soon," she said.

        With dessert served, the talking picked up a bit. Everyone was discovering that they had much more in common than they had anticipated, and everyone was getting along rather well. Even a particular sour faced individual was smiling by the end of the night, her juggling brothers delighted to see her improved mood. The entertainers all had storied to tell about foreign experiences, and the Soot Wolf sisters, shared some juicy gossip, that Rufus had cleared them to spread.
        All in all, the evening went very well. Everyone was happy to receive the payment agreed upon, plus a little extra, but really, they were all now considering Ryk Handelaar, Wealthy Merchant, to be their friend. Of course that was part of the plan, but it was still pleasant to win hearts and minds rather than strike fear into their very souls. As the last guest departed, Tiberius Kaikenn, with a writ of payment to give to the clerks at the college, Ryk turned to Einin, and gave her a gentle smile.
        "Would you like to join me in the study for a bit more to drink," Ryk asked Einin, "then perhaps I could scrub your back for you?"

"Scrub my back?" Einin repeated with a laugh, smiling impishly. "I could go for that. The drink. And the 'back scrubbing'."

Stretching her arms over her head with a small yawn, she adjusted the bodice of her dress. "As much fun as these sorts of social functions are, they're pretty exhausting, too. Not physically or anything, just. So many people all wanting attention. It was a lot of fun, though! Looks like you made some new and unlikely friends, too, eh?" she said, and nudged Ryk lightly with her elbow.

        "Making friends is at the heart of my goals," Ryk said with a sly grin. With everyone out of sight, his hands reached out to pull Einin close for a brief but passionate kiss. He then gently led his lover by the hand toward the study. He pulled a plain bottle from the liquor cabinet and poured the magical beverage into two wine glasses. It was one he shared infrequently, as it was quite expensive, and rare. It tasted different for all who drank it, and changed in flavor with new experiences, but most wondrous of all was it's ability to bring to mind your most pleasant memories.
        After replacing the bottle, he took a small sip of the chilled wine, tasting vanilla sponge cake, with cream and strawberry's. The flit of a memory was a recent outing with Einin, her hand in his. The ghost of a grin on his lips, he handed Einin a glass and drew her to his leather wingback. He sat, and pulled her across his lap, so that she was all but draped across the chair.
        "I think you will find this to be a most pleasant beverage. It's potency can sneak up on you however, so it is best to sip it."

Einin was more that happy to settle across Ryk's lap, leaning shamelessly against his chest with her head against his shoulder. So strange, really, to think of how natural this felt now, when before the mere thought of it had been enough to send her into stitches of embarrassment and denial. And it was still kind of awkward and embarrassing, all this being rather new for her--yet once the ice was broken, it also felt like a huge burden had been lifted.

There were just...few people she could truly be herself around. Ryk, Rufus, whatever persona he took--he was definitely one of the rare few.

She took a sip of the drink, and the taste of cherry tarts tickled her taste buds. She sighed with delight, relishing the very recent memory of their pillow fight. The parts that came after it had been wonderful, but that moment stood out most; she hadn't expected Ryk, or Rufus, to be the sort to humor her like that and just do something silly, and she loved that about him all the more.

"It's really good," she said, and grinned up at him. "What's your memory? Mine's the pillow fight. That was hilariously fun."

        Ryk was reluctant to tell Einin of his memory, as it showed him that his fondness for her was genuine, and not as feigned as he'd thought. He looked down into his glass as he whispered the words so that she could barely make them out. "Walking, holding your hand."

Einin had to tilt her ear closer to his mouth to make out the words--and when she caught them, spoken so quietly, she had expected them to be something far more scandalous for how he was acting! She smiled and peered up at him, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Does that embarrass you?"

        "It worries me, more than it embarrasses me, but yes." Ryk looked a little solemn as he met Einin's eye's. "Caring for someone is dangerous in a life like mine." Not to mention he was embarrassed that that was such a strong happy memory for him that it overcame his many frivolous dalliances. In the past he had even had memories of killing brought forth by the draught, as he overcame some challenging foe. Never had he seen true affection.
        Ryk did his best to move the topic along. He smiled and waggled his eyebrows at Einin, "we'll have to make more happy memories tonight. I hope you'll have the energy."

Einin caught the swift change in subject, and allowed it to change, even as her mind still reeled from the information. Of course she knew he cared about her, otherwise he wouldn't have invested so much time in her, and with her--but enough to be worried?

She pushed past it though, and laughed at his comment. "I'm the spry young thing in the prime of my life, here!" she said, and took another sip of the drink, tempted to just down it if it weren't for Ryk's warning. "It's you that has to keep up with me, old man!"

        "Old man?!" Ryk laughed at the playful jab. He almost spilled his drink on Einin. That would have been a tragedy. "I'll have you know that with advancements made in medicine, the average life of a human is almost sixty! That's not even taking into consideration magic. I'm barely half way through a non-magically extended lifespan. I am hardly old. Besides," Ryk continued, as he shifted his drink to the hand that supported Einin's back. "I think I've shown you how much stamina I have." His now free hand found it's way between her legs, quickly navigating the folds of her dress to reach the treasure he sought.
        "I'll do my best not to disappoint you."

Eining nearly snorted her drink on a laugh when Ryk got so playfully defensive! Of course she'd been teasing, and she knew people lived longer these days, but she also knew good and well that it was one of those things always guaranteed to get a rise out of him. She listened, grinning, as he went off on his tangent and casually took another sip.

"Uh huh, suuure. Haha, did I hit a nerve there, old--"

She cut off with a gasp, and then it was her turn to nearly spill her drink for, of course, after dressing hastily, she wasn't wearing any smallclothes.

Ryk retracted his hand from under Einin's hand, putting his two long fingers in his mouth. Slathering them up with his spit he drew them forth and moved to put his hand back between her legs. "You may want to set your drink down," he told her, as his wet fingers found her clit. He didn't begin rubbing immediately, giving Einin time to place the drink on the side table. He shifted her, with his own drink in hand, so that she leaned back more and her legs could easily fall open. He quickly placed his glass beside her as his moistened fingers began stroking her gently. His now free hand found it's way to the back of her neck, supporting her, and keeping her from bumping the table their drinks now rested on.
        Ryk's fingers started slow, then sped up, and as the friction continued, the saliva on them quickly dried up. He slipped them down between Einin's wet lips, curling them inside her to rub the knot of pleasure sensors that were there. He pulled them in and out quickly, rubbing her juices onto his thumb, then her reached his fingers back inside, while his now slick thumb rubbed at her clit. He leaned forward during his ministrations, kissing the exposed skin of her chest and neck. It wasn't enough though, and he wanted more of her skin bare.
        Ryk made a brief pause in his pleasuring of Einin to pull a blade from his coat. A fast and deft motion slit her dress open down the front, and he made short work of the thin fabric beneath that covered her. He could replace the garments a thousand times over, and he doubted his lover would mind the enthusiasm, but Ryk wasn't stopping to find out. He tossed the blade aside, slipping his fingers back inside her, his thumb vigorously stroking at Einin's clit once more. His mouth now found her small breasts, sucking her nipples in turn, and gently rolling them in his teeth.
        Ryk worked at his lovers pleasure with devotion, not pausing or hesitating. His mouth was leaving slight marks from his teeth, and purple welts from his sucking. Einin would be glad for the ability to heal those away. It was doubtful her parents would be pleased with their unwed daughter being covered in marks of an illicit sexual encounter, though with his reputation, they may think, or fear, their daughters chastity gone. Of course they'd be right. His plan was to marry the sweet girl, and put an heir in her as soon as he could, and he would not admit his growing feelings for the lass. Right now all that mattered was her orgasm, and Ryk was sure that was nearly peaking.
        The signs were obvious. Einin was tensing so much with pleasure that she trembled. Her breaths were quick and ragged. The music of her whimpers icing on the cake as Ryk felt the walls of her sex tighten and contract and then start to spasm. He quickened his pace to lift her pleasure as high as he could, and extend Einin's orgasm for as long as he could. He laughed into her neck as he finally let her rest, feeling her shuddering breaths lengthen.
        "I'm guessing you liked that?" Ryk's rhetorical question came from lips spread in a smug grin. He brought his hand, slick with Einin's pleasure, to his mouth and licked and sucked it clean. "You're delicious," he told her. He then reached for his pants and pulled them undone quickly, while Einin recovered from her climax. He maneuvered the fabric of his pants low enough for his cock to spring free, then he gently lifted Einin into a sitting position. He pulled away the ruined clothing and threw it aside. His young lover now sat straddling him in only her stockings and shoes. He smiled at her affectionately, drawing her mouth to his, and kissing her softly. He nibbled her bottom lip, and slid his tongue into her mouth to dance with hers. He then leaned her beautiful body away from his, so that he could view her better.
        "You are so amazingly gorgeous my dear," Ryk said genuinely. His hands slid across her body, the gentle caress causing goose bumps to spread over her flesh. He gently groped her breasts, pinched at her nipples, fingertips swirling around her areolas. He traced the line of her hips, and her clavicles. Her breathing was still heavy, and her ribs expanded causing her bosom to heave. He loved looking at her, and he would have sat there continuing to do so, if he didn't feel her wet sex leaking moisture onto his scrotum.
        Ryk lifted his pelvis, his cock bouncing against his stomach as he did so, and pulled his pants and smallclothes down lower. Then he lifted Einin so that he could free them further. He toed off his boots and kicked his pants off with little effort. Then letting his hands glide across Einin one last time, he brought them to rest on her hips. He looked into her beautiful pink tourmaline eyes a hint of a smile on his lips.
        "Ready my sweet?"

It was, indeed, a good thing that Ryk gave Einin that warning because otherwise that drink would have wound up all over them both. She gasped in surprise and pleasure, her skin flushing pink, and let her legs fall open shamelessly as her hands clutched his arms tightly, body trembling and hips jerking. Her dress was getting in the way, the folds bunched up around her waist and draping over Ryk's hands while she sat on the rest of it, and gods, she knew it as going to be a mess by the time they were through; already she was soaked.

Which Ryk soon discovered as his fingers slid lower, and her belly tightened and toes curled as his fingers prodded her--and then slid inside with that familiar, wonderful stretch. Her hands squeezed his arm, her head tilted back against his hand, and more little whimpers slipped out before she realized, oh gods, how private was his study exactly?

Her thoughts cut off sharply when his fingers curled against that place that took her breath away, hand flying over her mouth to hold back the sound that wanted to tear from her throat. Oh gods, what...what was he...?

It was intense, so intense she could focus on little else but that building, glorious pressure and his lips on her skin, her muscles tensing and relaxing as waves of pleasure coursed through her. Gods, she didn't know how he did it, how he knew her body so perfectly so soon, but soon she was writhing, hips twisting, breath coming out in fast, ragged pants.

And then he stopped?

Sucking in a deep breath, Einin cracked her eyes open and--

OH MY GODS.

Before she could hardly register what was happening, Ryk was slitting open the front of her dress with swift expertise, and--oh GODS. Her heart leaped into her throat, rendering her speechless, an impossible heat coiling between her thighs, and if she'd thought her pulse was racing before, it doubled as the fabric fell loose around her, baring her pale skin to his touch. It didn't even hit her that she'd have to explain the dress's loss later; all she could think of was that he'd wanted her so much he'd torn off her dress, and the wild carnality of it, the danger of it, the casual display of his strength and desire, was so startling, and so strangely arousing, she didn't even have it in her to be upset.

She just wanted him to take her. Right now.

"R-Ryk," she breathed, a moan, words failing her as his mouth found her breasts and fingers continued their work, but it wasn't enough, she wanted more, wanted him inside her, and though each stroke of his thumb and thrust of his fingers made her tighten and cry out, gods, she wanted him.

"Gods, Ryk, I--I..." She was trembling, hips bucking against his hand, her eyes clenched shut and body tense with pleasure. She bit her lip hard, but the whimpers still escaped her, and her nails dug into his arm as the pleasure heightened until-- "Oh gods, I'm...I'm gonna...!"

She cut off with a cry, hands covering her mouth as she bit her finger, hardly knowing what to do with herself.  Her climax left her breathless and dizzy, lightheaded with euphoria, and when he finally stopped she was still shaking, still sensitive and warm all over. She went limp but managed a little nod at his question, which had a very obvious answer. Did she like that?

"You think?" She cracked an eye open, lips curling in a half smile, before she blushed again as he licked his fingers clean of...well, of her.

Finally, though, he gave her what she wanted as he maneuvered her around and freed his cock, and she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, tongue tasting his, lips and teeth nibbling, and hips rolling forward to nudge against his cock, which was trapped between them. At least, until he leaned her back and caressed her--which not only gave him a chance to look at her, but her a chance to look at him.

For a moment, as she met his striking blue eyes, shivering beneath his touch and still lightly panting, something strange and wonderful, yet oddly terrifying, swelled in her chest.

She was going to marry this man.

And she wanted it.

She met his eyes at his question, a tight feeling in her throat, but she shoved the feelings back stubbornly and pressed a fierce kiss to his mouth, her tongue slipping between his lips as she devoured him. Her hands glided into his hair and she pressed her lips to his jaw, to his neck.

"I was ready an hour ago, old fart," she said with a shy grin, and rested her forehead against his, her nipples brushing against his chest. She glanced down between them, cheeks still brightly flushed--this still hardly felt real sometimes--and then slipped a hand down to grasp him gently, lifting her hips and then rocking gently to glide him between the lips of her sex. Back and forth she rocked, her breath shuddering out past her lips as he stroked against her still sensitive clit before, finally, she aligned him against her--and forced her hips down.

Her body tensed, her hand clapping over her mouth as she cried out. Her body was still adjusting to him, but any discomfort was only momentary, and soon the powerful stretch of him inside her had her whimpering in pleasure as she wiggled her hips to take him in deeper, until she was fully seated in his lap.

"Gods, you feel good," she moaned as for a moment she just stayed there, letting him fill her, before she gripped his shoulders and lifted up before plunging back down, and then she began to rock, gripping him tightly as her hips rolled in little circles and her clit ground into his pelvis, taking her breath away.

     As Einin rocked Ryk stroked his hands up her bare back. Feeling the goose bumps rise as he did so, renewed his smile. Hands on Einin's shoulders, Ryk leaned forward to taste her little tits. His mouth found her nipples each in turn, sucking them and pulling at them with his teeth and lips.
        Between his kisses, Ryk struggled to remove the remainder of his clothes. He could have paused their fucking and done it with ease, but did not want to stop. Einin's little pussy gripped at his cock, eagerly drawing him in with each rise and fall of her hips. He was in ecstasy. Finally throwing his last piece of clothing aside, Ryk wrapped his arms around Einin holding her in close so he could feel her skin against his. The rapid beat of her heart, mirrored his own, as he began biting and sucking at her neck. The purple and red marks began to rise up quickly, marking all the places his mouth traveled.
        Ryk leaned his lover back, supporting her as he brought his mouth once more to her chest. He bit and sucked at her breasts, leaving them as marked as her neck. Einin's hands through his hair sent chills down his body as he thrust into his lover more fiercely. Without warning he stood, using one hand to show Einin to wrap her legs around his hips. She wasn't up in the air long as Ryk soon laid her on her back, and drilled into her with greater vigor. Soon his thrusts were longer, harder. He grunted as he got near his climax, pressing his mouth hard against Einin's. As he filled her with his seed, he let out a satisfied moan, and eased his strokes as cock slowly softened.
        Ryk lifted Einin's lags as he pulled himself out of her, keeping his seed from spilling out of her. He held her legs together then, by her ankles as he leaned in, to kiss her.
        "I'm going to take you to my bed now."
        Ryk then, very adeptly, lifted Einin up into his arms. A small trickle escaped from between her legs, but Ryk easily caught it, tipping her so that the rest would remain inside. He navigated through his large home with ease, walking through doors that were mostly open, never happening across a single servant. When they arrived in Ryk's room, his cock was already hard again, and as he laid down his lover, he wasted no time in sliding it back into her.
        "Don't plan on sleeping much tonight, little bird," Ryk whispered in Einin's ear as he slowly and gently thrust into her. "I plan on fucking you all night long."

This still hardly felt real, doing this with Ryk. It was hard to believe she'd only given herself to him yesterday, thrown caution to the wind and just...gone with it. She had always imagined it would be scarier, that she would be shyer, that she would hate the vulnerability. She felt it would change her, somehow, like she was supposed to feel different afterwards, but nothing had really changed at all--except her confidence, if anything. When she'd overheard people talk about sex, it had always just sounded kind of unpleasant--a conquest for the men, a duty for the women, men were supposed to want it, women were supposed to not want it--but being with Ryk felt like a celebration: joyous and fun and free of judgment. She felt his affection and felt utterly alive in a way she didn't think she could, body and mind, and each new sensation he introduced her to only made her want more.

His lips felt electric on her skin, and Einin cried out when she felt his teeth, felt herself melt when he began to suck at her neck. She knew from his fierceness that there would be marks, but she couldn't be bothered to care as she pressed into his kisses and bites, releasing shuddering moans and spreading her legs wider as she slid down his cock, to take him in deeper. It was intense, but gods, it felt amazing as she rode him, her little breasts bouncing with the rise and fall of her hips and smack of their bodies, her hands tangled in his hair and eyes meeting his. Lips parted with her whimpers, she began to move a little faster, a little needier, her rhythm still a little unpracticed but having improved much since their first time--

And then Ryk was standing and she gasped in surprised and threw her arms around his neck, her legs squeezing around his waist--and soon those gasps turned to squeals and yelps when he put her on her back and took her hard against the seat. Her nails dug into his skin, her teeth dug into his shoulder, and her sex clenched hard around him as her body tensed in pleasure with each hard thrust, taking her breath away and leaving her throat raw with her cries. Her toes curled and she heard Ryk's name in her moans, moaning it over and over again, her body trembling as each slap of his hips against her drove her closer to a powerful release.

Ryk came before she did, leaving her just at the edge of ecstasy, the pulse of his cock inside her making her cling harder and roll her hips to try to keep him inside her, her mouth sealed to his and teeth nibbling his lip. She didn't want to let go as he pulled away, her body on fire and heart pounding wildly, and she looked up at him as he held her legs closed, panting and breathless, her legs visibly shaking.

She didn't think she could walk if she tried.

And so was rather glad when he picked her up instead, though her face went red and she curled into him tighter when he spoke.

"Your bed? But, wait, uh...the servants!" she started, but it was a very weak protest.

Because she was as eager as he was to continue where they'd left off, and her body was practically aching to be filled again.

Still, she was a little terrified to be carried through his home buck naked and all...erm...obviously ravished, her thighs slick from their fucking, and her heart stopped at each turn they made, each door they went through, as though expecting someone to find them. Yet for all her anxiety, she also trusted him; he wouldn't do this if there was a chance she might be humiliated, but that didn't stop her from hiding her face against his neck until they were safe behind closed doors.

And when he laid her back down on that glorious bed, and covered her with his body again, all trepidation left her as she opened her legs and welcomed him back inside, head tipped back with a trembling moan as he slid in deep. She arched up into him, needy with desire, hips bucking to take him in deeper, and hooked her feet behind his knees to give her purchase as she rocked up into him.

Her nails raked down his back, lightly grazing, before she wrapped her arms around his neck and caught his lips with her own, a hand in his hair tugging him down to her. His words sent a thrill through her, making her body burn.

"Still gonna take me outside?" she breathed, breath hitching and muscles tensing with each thrust. "Under the stars?"

When Einin spoke, Ryk took it to mean he wasn't fucking her nearly hard enough. She shouldn't have the breath to speak. So he doubled his efforts, driving his cock deeper and harder, with even faster thrusts. The audible slap as their bodies met over and over, and the rocking of the bed against the wall were accompanied by Einin's sounds, and Ryk's grunts.
        Ryk had learned the signs of Einin's orgasm, and kept his pace and rhythm as he felt her nearing. He wouldn't finish before her this time. He'd intentionally satisfied himself before her so that her body would be craving him more fiercely when he'd gotten her to his bed. It made finishing her off that much easier.
        As Einin climaxed, Ryk let himself reach that tipping point as well. He locked his mouth tightly to hers, slipping his tongue between her lips. Tasting her mouth, and feeling her breath against his face, as he filled her with his seed once more. Simultaneous orgasm helped with the conception of children, or so that's what was believed. He didn't plan on telling Einin he was trying to get her pregnant. He was going to marry her anyway. It wouldn't hurt to fill her with his child, secure his heir and his engagement, with the pleasure they shared.
        "I'll take you out when you're too hot to stay in the room," Ryk finally answered, as he  lifted himself from his lover. He once again tipped her up, holding her ankles together, trapping his seed inside her. The more of it that stayed in her, the better chance at a pregnancy. As he held her that way, he reached for some pillows and wedged them beneath her. When he released her legs, her round ass up on pillows kept her hips angled up, nothing trickled free of her. His lover settled just how he wanted her, Ryk caressed her lightly, pressed a gentle kiss to her lips, and rose from the bed.
        "Wait as you are," he said, crossing to a cabinet that held yet more bottles of alcohol. Ryk poured himself a shot, and drank it down. Then he poured one for Einin and brought it to her.
        "Prop yourself on your elbows and I'll help you toss it back," he told her, preparing to bring the glass to her mouth. "It doesn't taste very pleasant, and it will likely burn your throat, but it will make you feel great."
        Once his lover had consumed the caramel colored alcohol, he set the glass aside. Then he carefully slid her to the edge of the bed, keeping her hips propped up. He kissed her sweetly on the mouth, as he stood next to her, stroking his fingers through her hair.
        "Now I want you to open your mouth up wide for me," Ryk stood, taking his erection in his hand, "I want you to wrap your pretty lips around my cock, so I can fill your mouth up next."

That was certainly one way to shut her up, and anything else Einin might have said then was soon drowned out by her rising cries as he really began to pound her, the sounds of their bodies meeting making her face flush red--before sheer pleasure drove away even that small embarrassment. She clung to Ryk tightly, her cries soon building to screams as she clawed at his back and rolled her hips up into his thrusts, her eyes clenched shut and head thrown back, and she forgot completely that she had even asked him a question as all she could focus on was the heat of their bodies as it built, and built, and--

"R-Ryk!" she cried, body tensing powerfully and thighs squeezing him before, with a sobbing moan, she trembled all around him. She could scarcely breathe it was so intense, and her moans were soon swallowed by his lips as he kissed her, and she kissed him back fiercely. soon, she felt his spasms joining her own, only intensifying the pleasure she already felt, and when he finally came to a stop she could do little more than flop back and breathe.

Covered in a thin sheen of sweat and flushed all over, she shivered as he slipped from her and watched him through lidded eyes. She was still shaking, her legs like water, and it took her a couple seconds to register what he was saying and what it was even in reference too.

Oh...right...she had asked about going outside.

"Okay," she murmured, sucking in deep breaths as her heart raced wildly, and she let him move her as he did, thinking he was holding her ankles up only to make it easier for him to escape her legs. Though she did blink up at him curiously as he wedged the pillows under her hips--and told her to wait like that.

...Huh?

Face warming, she draped an arm over her chest and slid her other hand down to cover her crotch, legs closed as she once again felt oddly exposed. She had no idea why he'd propped her up like that, and her face grew even hotter when she realized it was, erm, probably some sex thing he had in mind? Her heart beat a little faster at the thought, her curiosity building, and she propped herself up with his help as he offered her the drink--

Which she promptly choked on.

"Oh, that's gross!" she said as it stung her throat, but his kiss made it a little sweeter, at least.

And then he was sliding her to the edge of the bed, and she covered herself again, feeling a little silly and awkward in this position.

Even as her blood burned hotter at his words, making for quite an interesting combination.

Her eyes widened, and she bit her lip as she got an upside-down view of him. "Oh, ah...erm...so..." She cleared her throat and licked her lips. "Am I er...supposed to do it like this or like...am I all upside down for a reason or...?"

        "Alcohol isn't the only way to intoxicate you," Ryk told his lover. "With your head hanging off the bed you'll get lightheaded, and it will intensify your sensations of pleasure." He stood before her, the tip of his cock positioned at her mouth. "This angle will also help you take more of me, deeper into your mouth and throat. Now open wide, little bird. While I fuck your pretty mouth, my fingers will make you cum again."

Well, it was certainly working. Between the shot and the blood rushing to her head, Einin was growing very dizzy. But as Ryk came closer, and promised such lewd things, her blood heated, and she reached out to grab the backs of his thighs and pull him in closer, her legs spread for him and mouth open.

It felt strange, taking him in her mouth from this angle, but she was too light-headed and aroused to care. It was a helpless sort of feeling, but a good helpless, and so...well...dirty that she was already growing wet from more than just Ryk's seed, her hips shifting restlessly for want of his touch on her skin. Gods. She could have never even begun to imagine such acts days ago! And here she was, enjoying them with Ryk. Was she...bad? People always talked about things like purity and innocence. Was she no longer pure or innocent--and instead corrupted and bad?

The worry was only momentary as she swirled her tongue around him, tugging him closer when she wanted more, pushing at him when it was too much, and wholly surprised at how deep she could take him now. And all the while her head spun, the world around them twirling her into lightness.

        Ryk was thoroughly enjoying the feeling of Einin's lips and tongue pleasuring his throbbing erection. In and out of her mouth, at a faster pace than he expected her to be able to handle. The fingers of one hand worked her clit, while the other kneaded her breasts and pinched at her nipples. As he got her closer to climax, her sucking became more vigorous. Her own pleasure made her hungrier for his cock. When finally she orgasmed again, Einin pulled back, releasing Ryk's dick from her mouth. She clung to it with both hands, gasping for air that came too slow.
        Ryk could tell Einin was reaching her limit. As her climax ended, he gently turned her, so that she could lay with her head propped up on a pillow. He didn't want her to pass out. She still had the pillow beneath her hips, as Ryk climbed onto the bed. He gently spread her legs, and as he slid his cock into her again, he pulled the pillow out.
        Pressing his mouth to Einin's throat, Ryk kissed gently, waiting for her to catch her breath before he began to slowly thrust. Her body was nearly limp beneath him at first, but as his thrusts continued, Einin grew more animated. As she clung to him in pleasure, Ryk smiled into the kisses he continued to press into her neck.

Einin felt dizzy, lightheaded from a mixture of pleasure and the breathlessness of sucking him and, well...being upside down, too. The world spun, but not to a sickening degree, and as Ryk climbed atop her and her body burned and shivered in the afterglow of her release, she peered sleepily up at him, panting softly, her face flushed with a healthy glow.

Gods, this was all so lewd, so inappropriate; they were doing things that she had never thought she would do--things she had never known you could do, things that would have sent her running for the hills in mortification if she'd known about them. Her understanding of lovemaking had been very basic and vague and mysterious before Ryk had wooed her out of her clothes, and she found herself surprised at just how much she was willing to try with him in the moment, just how much she trusted him, even as he surprised her with new pleasure after new pleasure. If anything, it only made her curious about what he would surprise her with next--and eager to learn.

And right then, she was more than eager, her heart drumming with excitement as he spread her legs and climbed between them, and she let out a sharp moan when he thrust inside her, her hands sliding over his shoulders. She was still lightheaded and drowsy at first, even as he began to move, but soon the effects began to wear off as pleasure took over, and she looped her legs behind his knees and dragged her hands down to squeeze his ass, urging him on, bucking her hips up into his thrusts and throwing her head back as he kissed her neck.

"Gods, yes..." she whimpered, her moans growing louder as each thrust brought a fresh spike of pleasure, heat coiling in her core. "Oh gods, Ryk...that's so good..."

        With Einin's ankles behind his knees, it was easy for Ryk to control how wide her legs were spread. As he slowly stroked into her, he kept them narrower. He wrapped his arms around her, tangling one hand in her hair, and kissed her deeply. His tongue slid across hers, and then he sucked her lip as he pulled away. His mouth moved across her face, down her neck and across her throat. He found both of her ears, nibbling gently as he strokes stayed even and gentle. Slowly he pulled her in tighter, gently tugging her hair to expose her throat. His teeth grazed along her carotid, his tongue leaving a warm swath that cooled as it evaporated on his breath, sending chills down her spine. Then Ryk spread Einin's legs wide and slammed himself in deep and hard, holding the thrust as he bit her neck and pulled her hair.
        Ryk released Einin's hair from his hand and partially lifted himself onto his elbows as he resumed kissing her mouth, and began thrusting hard and fast. He did not let up, his pelvis slapping hard against hers with every thrust. The wet slap was almost a thumping as he pounded away at Einin. His cock grew harder as he neared his climax, his grunting and panting reaching new intensity. Ryk's body collapsed against her, as he pulled her in tight again, one hand finding her ass and squeezing it hard, the other pressing Einin into him harder. As his cock began to spasm and release his seed into her, Ryk's kiss grew desperate and passionate, as if he were trying to breathe in Einin's soul.
        Once spent, Ryk stayed inside his lover. He propped himself onto his elbows and gazed at her beautiful, flushed face. He kissed her softly, on all the parts of her face. His fingers brushed through her hair, and caressed her ears and neck. "You are such a beautiful woman, and I am lucky to have you."

His slow starting pace gave Einin a chance to catch her breath--if barely. Even as Ryk took his time and teased her, keeping their lovemaking gentle, she was sensitive from her release and every little touch felt like bliss. She gasped and trembled beneath him, goosebumps rising along her skin where his lips caressed and breath tickled, and his slow thrusts let her feel every delicious inch of him. She slid her hands along his back, enjoying its contours and muscle as they traveled down to grip his ass. It was a nice change--lovemaking, he'd called it?

Did that imply, well...love?

But the break was brief, the switch sudden enough that it erased that thought completely, and it threw her off guard in a way that sent a rush of heat and excitement flooding her anew. She cried out as he spread her legs wide and yanked her hair, jerking in pleasure as he bit her neck, sharp and sudden. She dug her nails into him, surprised at the primal thrill that sparked--the act of being thoroughly and roughly claimed, of being marked. Soon her cries were muffled by his lips and she was helpless beneath him, clawing at his back, sucking and nipping at his lips, breaking the kiss only to draw in ragged breaths that didn't want to come. He was taking her hard, almost to the point of pain and past the point of ecstasy, each thrust bruising against her thighs and making her small breasts bounce.

And then he pulled her in tight and she clutched him harder, meeting his desperate kiss with her own and tangling her hands in his hair. She felt his spasms and knew what it meant, and though she had been close she didn't join him--though she hardly cared, for it had still felt amazing.

Besides, they had all night.

Flushed and panting, she stared up into his eyes as he caressed her, and pulled him down to kiss his cheek and jaw, his lips. She nuzzled against his neck, her breath hot against him.

"I guess it was luck that brought us together, huh?" she said when she could finally speak, and flashed him a cocky smile, trailing a finger along the edge of his ear. "My arch nemesis."

        Why did Einin being corny and adorable turn him on. Normally Ryk would find such childish behavior annoying and ridiculous, but when Einin did it, he felt a stirring in his loins. He felt his slowly deflating cock grow stiff again when Einin gave her little smirk, and Ryk was ready for more fucking. He lifted himself from his lover and put a small cloth between her legs to catch everything that would spill out.
        "If you hold that there while you follow me, we can go out under the stars." Ryk leaned in and gave Einin a quick kiss on the mouth. "Or if your legs are not working properly, I can carry you."

"My legs won't stop shaking," Einin said with a breathless laugh. "I think you broke them."

She flicked a glance at his growing erection, and a fresh blush heated her cheeks--which felt silly, considering all they'd done, and considering she'd seen that plenty, but it was still new and strange and exciting. She bit her lip, looking back up at his face. "But that doesn't look broken at all, and that's really all that matters. Carry me?"

        Ryk scooped his young lover up into his arms with ease. The thick quilted duvet under her came with, and wrapped in his arms, Ryk carried Einin's nude form out his bedroom and into the corridor beyond. As they passed through the halls on their way to the sunroom, they didn't see a single servant. It was late for them to be up doing any major work, but it was not uncommon for servants to do cleaning and such while a manor's residents slept.
        When they reached the almost all glass room, Ryk gently laid Einin on the floor. The duvet she was on, he straightened out to spread across the floor, and he grabbed cushions off the nearby furnishings to replace the pillows he'd left behind. He went to lay with her, drawing her into a sideways embrace. Ryk's fingers traced across Einin's back as he lay there with her, looking through his glass ceiling at a clear night sky where the stars were bright.
        "The sky is so beautiful at night," the wealthy merchant said to his lover. "We should do this frequently."

Carried naked through the halls yet again, by an equally naked Ryk, Einin didn't feel quite so anxious as the first time. He hadn't steered her wrong yet, and it only made sense that he'd know his servants' schedules and routes—unless, she thought, he had maybe told them in advance to make themselves scarce.

She glanced up at him, squinting with playful suspicion. Seemed like the sort of thing he might do.

Soon they'd reached their goal, and Ryk laid her out gently on the duvet and was beside her before she had time to get chilled. With a happy sigh, she cuddled into him, shivering pleasantly under his caresses and running her fingers lightly up and down his arm. Above them, stars twinkled bright and clear, and she could just make out the milky swirls of other galaxies—though she truly had no idea they were other galaxies. It wasn't often she star-gazed, wasn't often she stopped and just...was. She enjoyed it, though, and enjoyed it even more with her present company warming her.

"As often as we can," she agreed, trailing her hand down to his and bringing it up to her lips, kissing along his knuckles. "It's gorgeous...gods, don't get me wrong, your bed is amazing, but I think I could sleep here every night."

        “Every night? I’ll keep that in mind." Ryk continued to caress Einin as she cuddled into him. His erection pulsed with his hot blood though, and it was not long before he began fondling her pert young breasts and kissing her mouth with passion.
        “You can sleep here every night, and I will attempt to sate my lust on you.” Ryk pulled Einin on top of him, the cloth across her sex removed, his seed slowly began to spill out of her. He was quick to slide his member into her, stopping the leak. He needed to keep it in her as much as possible if he wanted her to get pregnant.
        That was his plan. Bed this beautiful young woman over and over in the hopes that she’d end up with child. Then their engagement would have to go forward, they’d have to be married. Einin was the best option Ryk had for that. She was a wonderful young woman, in mind and body.
        “I don’t know where my eyes should look. Into yours, at the stars, or at your amazing body.”

"All of the above?" Einin said, dipping down to press her mouth to his, her hands running through his hair as she nibbled on his lip. Slowly, her hips began to move, a gentle rocking that Ryk had called "lovemaking". She kissed him as she moved, slowly stoking the heat, brushing her lips along his cheek, his jaw, his neck. She nibbled along the side of his throat, her breath hitching, and nipped at his earlobe. Then, with another lingering kiss on the mouth, her tongue seeking his, she sat upright again and peered down at him with a flushed smile.

They were both a mess, hair disheveled, bodies glistening lightly, flushed. But to Einin, he never looked more handsome, glowing with life. She smiled, hips still making slow, circling movements, and caressed his jaw with her fingers.  "I think you're the best view, though."

        Ryk let Einin be in control of the fucking for a while. He watched her atop him, swiveling her hips in circular gyrations. She was a quick study. They'd come a long way in a short time. Her training with the sword was going well, and now she was becoming quite adept at working his sword.
        "Last night the tailor that I sent to your home," Ryk said. His hands wandered as he spoke, and Einin continued to gyrate. "They took your measurements, and I hope they asked your opinion on colors, though I know they'll choose something to go well with your complexion. The swimming attire will be delivered here in the morning. Before we swim, we'll take a tour of the grounds. You got to see the interior, but you've yet to play with my dragons." He quirked an eyebrow and grinned licentiously. "Well other than the dragon you're riding now."

Einin snorted a laugh at his pun and started to roll her eyes--but then she froze completely, hips still, his cock still buried in her. She stared down at him, hands resting on his chest. "Dragons. Oh, right! I forgot you had dragons! You told me about those!" she said, excitement lighting up her eyes.

"You've got all sorts of crazy animals, right? You'll have to show me all of them! I've never actually seen a dragon except in books--not even a tiny one! I can't believe I forgot you had those." Then she peeked down at where they were joined and gave her hips a teasing wiggle.

"...Guess I've been a bit distracted."

        Rit enjoyed the little wiggle Einin gave him. She had indeed been distracted, and he had been as well. She was a wonder. Beautiful, intelligent, adventurous. It was too bad she was so good and kindhearted. But for that, and the young woman would be perfect. He'd manipulated his way into an intimate relationship with her, perhaps he could corrupt her other morals. Either way, he was going to impregnate her tonight, and solidify their future marriage. The fact that he was extremely fond of her weighed into the equation only slightly.
        "I'll show you my entire menagerie tomorrow, and we will swim in my pond. Plus there is a very private little island in the middle of the pond that we can hide on and have sex."

"You even have a whole island out there? What don't you have?" Einin said, blushing anew at the thought of...well...making love on an island. Outside. It seemed awfully scandalous, even if he has said it was private--scandalous, and yet the idea, for some reason, excited her, the same way it was both terrifying and weirdly arousing when he had carried her, naked, through his estate. Why should that be exciting? They could get caught! And yet...

Bracing herself against him, she began to move again, slow at first but gradually increasing her pace, her breaths coming out in little whimpers. "I...I can't wait to see it all," she breathed, and ducked down to kiss him, pressing their bodies together fully for a moment, breasts brushing against his chest.

        "You will see it all," Ryk told Einin. "As for the island, it's an island only in that it's surrounded on all sides by water," he explained. "It's very small, and it has a hedge closing in the middle." He caressed down Einin's back as she lay against him. His thrusts had slowed and he kissed her neck softly. He was growing dangerously attached to this young woman.
        "When you're my wife," Ryk began, "all of this will belong to you. Our heir will be secure. You will want for nothing, and all your needs will be seen to while you pursue other interests. I hope that pleases you little bird."

Einin paused at Ryk's words, and glanced down between them briefly before looking back at him. "An heir, er...later on, yeah?" she said slowly, eyes wide. Talk of having a child always threw her off balance and filled her with panic,  because she knew she wasn't ready for that! Not yet! Even though she was, er, definitely doing the sort of thing that generally lead to babies.

"Way later on. I gotta still do my Owl stuff!"

A bark of laughter escaped Ryk at Einin's obvious fear. He kissed her gently on the neck and couldn't help but grin at her. "Silly little bird, we'll have the child when you're ready. But even then, how much effort do you think will be needed from you beyond carrying the child and nursing?" Ryk pushed her hair from her face and looked Einin in the eye. "You will spend as little or as much time with the child as you desire. Shower them with love when you're with them. Their education and general care will be handled by maids and tutors. Their meals cooked by the kitchen staff. When did your own mother ever wipe your face? Who bathed you, or feed you? The wealthy birth children, and pay others to rear them."

Einin was still on Ryk now, the topic distracting her away from the moment, and she snorted at his words. "Well, the carrying part and birthing part is a lot of effort in itself," she muttered, but he had a point when it came to the other parts. "It's super painful and sometimes people die and then your body's all a mess. That's a lot!"

She pressed her forehead against Ryk's. "Plus I...don't wanna be a bad mother. I want my kid to actually like me. And you."

        Ryk smiled up at Einin even as a dark thought ran through his mind. Would he be a good father? His tattered past was not the kind that bred good men, good fathers. He knew though that a person could rise above their beginnings. "You will be an amazing mother," he told her. "Your children are going to love you. You're kind and generous, and have good morals, though I may have convinced you to bend a few." He sat up fully and tipped her face up to look in her eyes. "You're going to shower your children with love." Ryk lifted Einin, laying her beneath him, and gently slid back into her. "You're the kind of woman that's the mother in children's tales, standing up to monsters to save her children. And do you think I would really let this perfect body be ruined by children? Haven't you noticed most wealthy women retain their figure after child birth? Magic my dear. Magic makes many things possible." Ryk's gentle thrusts matched his gentle tone, and he kissed Einin deeply, his tongue sliding into her mouth as he closed his eyes and set aside thoughts of children.

Magic could do all that?

Come to think of it, her mother did have a perfect figure...and Einin had never stopped to think about that. Never questioned it. Was her body natural or the product of magic? That was...kind of reassuring, but didn't do much to quell her other fears, like the pain of childbirth, caring for a tiny human, carrying a tiny human in her belly for months and not being able to do all the things she wanted to do because she was fat with a kid and had to be careful because even a clumsy fall could be bad, and just, well...the whole "lifelong commitment to a thing you made" part. That was a lot of responsibility, even if she had servants to manage a lot of that. Those were all terrifying thoughts!

...but hey, at least her body would still look great after?

She was not convinced.

But she was happy to shelve the topic for now before she had a panic attack, because she did not want to think about that while she was doing the sorts of things that lead to that sort of result. Children were a concern for way, way, way later on. She wasn't even engaged yet!

She ran her hands through Ryk's hair, deepening the kiss, before her hands trailed down his back, tracing the contours, dips, and rise of muscle. She found his ass and gripped it tightly, rolling her hips up into his thrusts with a little more need. Breaking the kiss, she gently nipped the side of his neck before pressing her lips just below his jaw, breath warm against his skin. "Harder," she breathed, deciding that would be a good subject change.

        With Einin under him now, the only place Ryk could really look was at her. The stars were above them, so Einin had them in full view, but they didn't really beat these stellar tits. They were small, yes, but they were very nicely shaped, with spectacular areolas and the most delicious looking nipples. Her smaller stature made it quite impossible to suck on them in their current position, but that didn't stop Ryk from thinking about it. Einin's fingers elicited chills from him as she slid them down Ryk's back, and when she gripped his ass and rolled her hips he could only be happy with how much more bold she'd grown. "Harder" she breathed, and an electric jolt shot through his body. Harder he could do.
        Ryk gave a hard thrust, one that was likely to shock and hurt Einin, but it would also change her state of mind. The following thrusts were more what she had been looking for. They were harder and faster, an audible slap from their bodies meeting over and over again. Ryk would be utterly impressed if Einin could keep from crying out with pleasure. He was hammering away growing faster and faster, making sure to thrust hard but not so hard as to hurt her, much. As he neared his climax, Ryk's mouth locked onto Einin's with great passion. His cock thrust in as far as it could go and let loose a shower of his seed. Einin was so full from his multiple ejaculations, that it had started to leak out around his still spasming cock.
        Ryk finally broke off his hungry kiss, and let out a heavy breath, clearly winded from the quick burst of exertion. "Was that hard enough for you my beautiful future wife?" As he dismounted her, Ryk closed Einin's legs and turned her on her side in a way to hold his semen inside her as best as possible, while he laid behind her and held her to his chest. "Try to keep your legs together dear. Don't want it leaking out all over to make a mess. You won't enjoy laying in that."

Ryk gave her exactly what she wanted, and Einin could only cling to him as he delivered. Hard and rough, he pushed her right to the edge of pain but didn't quite cross it—if anything, the shock of it only intensified what she was already feeling. Exhausted, light-headed from pleasure, she could only cling to him hard and let out muffled cries against his mouth. She was definitely going to feel this later; she was already starting to feel a little raw and her thighs ached, but not enough to overshadow the other sensations keeping her deliciously distracted.

By the time Ryk filled her, she was trembling and her legs were shaky, enough that she knew it would be some time before she could walk straight. Panting, she let him roll her over, body limp and boneless for the time as she tried to catch her breath and come down from her high. Ryk's question got a breathless snort out of her, because she figured the answer was quite obvious, but for the moment she couldn't answer with words and could only offer up a weak thumb's up.

It had been a busy night, to say the least. And now, as the heat of the moment cooled down, she could finally feel how sore and sensitive she was. It was a good kind of sore, though, like after a good workout, only this had been far more fun. But she also felt she might need a break before her legs opened again, because he had indeed taken her hard, as requested.

She scooted back against him, arms wrapping around his own and holding them to her chest. His instructions made her wrinkle her nose a little. Laying in a mess? Oh. Right. "Oof, yeah. Uh...got a towel handy? 'Cause like...I'm gonna have to move eventually and when I do...it's gonna be kinda, y'know..."

        "There's no need to worry about that little bird," Ryk said, before drawing his finger tips across Einin's skin in a gentle caress. His lips pressed into the back of her neck, mustache and goatee tickling her skin. He had had a spectacular time playing with Einin, and while he did need a moment to rest, he wasn't sure he was quite done with her. "I would like to share more memory wine with you. The unique experience can change even in this short time." His fingers continued to wander, while his lips continued to feast, and he only paused when he felt a shadow slip away, leaving behind a tray table with a bottle and two glasses, along with a small stack of fabric. Ryk knew that it would be exactly the wine he was looking for and a kerchief and shorts for Einin. His ever vigilant servants always performed better than could be desired.
        "Give me just a moment," Ryk said, slipping away from Einin. "Just stay right there." He rose from his place beside her and crossed to the tray. He grabbed the folded fabric in one hand, the bottle and glasses in the other and went back to Einin. He set down the wine and presented the thick cotton fabric, that women often used for menstruation, and shorts to Einin. There was another smaller cloth, likely meant to wipe up any already present mess. He could tell just by looking at the shorts that they would likely fit Einin but half her ass was going to be exposed. He definitely wasn't going to complain. He then poured them both some wine. He waited for Einin to finish putting on the shorts before handing her the glass, and taking a sip. His mouth was filled with the taste of chocolate and tobacco, two of Nammicks favorites. His memory was of Dylanna. Her naked body under his as she had finally given in to his charms. Dark skin glistening with sweat, her moans of pleasure as he thrust into her.
        The memory brought Ryk's cock to full attention. He was definitely ready to go again, though the erection did feel a little sore. That wasn't going to stop him though. If Einin was up for more he would keep going. If she had the desire to continue but the body was flagging, then he would just have to get her a potion. Magic was so often the best solution.

Presented with the cloth and shorts, Einin felt heat rush to her cheeks and felt stupid for it. She recognized the cloth, all right. She used them monthly. For some reason, Ryk handing her one was even more embarrassing than what they had been up to that night, and she wasn't quite sure why. He'd been with plenty of women! Of course he would know about woman stuff!

Turning her back to him, she quickly cleaned herself up, folded the cloth in the shorts, and then dressed. Well, half dressed. She was still topless, and she may as well have been wearing nothing for as much as the shorts covered, and she couldn't help but pick at the legs of them as though trying to make them stretch more.

Not that...it really mattered, did it?

Finished, she sat cross-legged, took the glass Ryk offered her, and took a sip. After all that, ah, exertion, she was tired and incredibly thirsty but she knew better than to chug it like she wanted to. Memory wine was to be savored, after all--and savor it she did.

As Ryk had stated, the memory could change even in a short time, and it had. The wine tasted like chocolate raspberry cake and the memory that came to her was the faire--getting lost in the maze together, betting on pigs, escaping into that random house...

She flushed even darker and sipped more wine quickly. Oh jeez...

Stealing a glance over at Ryk, she said, "What was your memory?"

        Ryk looked down at his cock as his answer to Einin's question. "Can you not tell? It was of sex. Delightfully sweet sex with a woman worthy of being my equal." He had moved closer to Einin as he spoke, kneeled next to her and looked her in the eye. "And I want more." He did not disturb her position, sitting cross legged, wine in hand, but he moved his mouth to Einin's neck, a hand to her breasts. Just a quick taste of her before he pulled away. "But perhaps you need a break. Something to eat and drink?"