Chapter 4
She shoved the black mage's body unceremoniously off the Alvamar. Oh Mira, she swore violently. Her hand searched for his heart, and a faint fluttering rewarded her for it. Suddenly he started hacking, blood spilling from his lips. Lorelei swore and shifted him gently onto his side to prevent him from choking as series of spasms racked his body. After the attacks had passed, the Alvamar's eyes drew open slowly, his gaze unfocused. Lorelei bent down closer to him.
"Alvamar, do you know me?" she asked gently. He nodded and then jerked as another fit of coughing took him.
"Tell me how to help you," she urged. "What can I do?" His eyes flew to her face as his burnt hand groped for hers.
"Life force. I need it," he whispered, his voice dry and crackling. "Will you give?" Lorelei froze for a second but then her resolution firmed.
"Take whatever you need."
"Then open yourself to me."
Lorelei closed her eyes and willed her strength to him. She felt something pull deep inside her, getting stronger and stronger until it started moving to their joined hands. She gasped involuntarily, her self-defense mechanisms threatening to slam down but she willed herself to keep open. Strength drained slowly from her body, her mind started swimming, her body to tremble. Her eyes flew open, her gaze fearful as she felt the core of her existence start to melt away. The Alvamar's grip on her hands strengthened as he concentrated on drawing her life force. Lorelei bit her lip as her body started to shake violently and darkness began to descend down on her vision but she didn't allow herself to break away. And then, she didn't know anything because she crumpled to the ground.
Lorelei came to, the blood pounding in her head. She was lying beside the Alvamar, still amidst the destruction. She moved cautiously. As far as she could tell, she was fine. Drained but fine. She inched towards the Alvamar slowly. He looked more like a man dead than alive. Terrible burns marked his hands and body while dark, clotted gashes slashed across his face and shoulders. But beyond all that, his breathing was even and his heartbeat steady. Lorelei breathed quick thanks to Mira as she shook him awake gently.
"Lorelei," he croaked after a few tries. "Are you all right?" She nodded hastily.
"We need to move away from here now." She looked around them. "Who knows when the next wave will hit." The smoking, blackened ruins around would serve as a banner especially when seen from the sky. The Alvamar winced as he tried to move. His body was a single scream of agony but even that was distanced by the sheer sense of relief that he was still intact.
"I can barely move. You'll have to help me. But first, I'll need to gain more strength."
"From a tree, I think," he amended as
he sensed her reluctance to "donate" more. "Help me. to a nice sturdy oak."
Three trees later, he was sleeping like the dead as his body started to rebuild itself at an inhuman rate.
Lorelei was depressed. She had just trapped a small rabbit in the woods for their next meal but the thought that they were never going to make it in time to Miramar was foremost in her mind. The mage had been badly hurt. There was no way that they could continue the pace they had maintained all through this journey now. As she headed back towards the outpost with the rabbit slung over her shoulder she allowed herself the luxury of brooding over all the mistakes she had made during this journey. If only she had seen the lance heading towards Kirsah, she castigated herself bitterly as she put one hand onto the shack's door and pushed it open. If only she had ... She gasped. The rabbit fell to the floor as she swung into a attack stance.
The young man standing over the sleeping Alvamar had turned swiftly on the sound of the door opening and gaped at her obviously practiced moves. He put his hands palms up and quickly moved his hands away from his body in the internationally recognized signal of peace. "I mean no harm," he said quickly.
"Get away from him," demanded Lorelei. He complied quickly. Lorelei circled around to put herself between him and the prone healer. "Now, tell me who you are."
"I'm the security patrol for this sanction. I saw signs of a forest fire from the air and I came down to investigate. I had just entered this outpost when you came in." He suddenly caught a whiff of Lorelei's scent which had intensified due to her agitation. His eyes widened as he realized what that signified. His gaze unconsciously dropped to the Alvamar's body as he instinctively sized him up. "Pardon me for intruding," he continued self-consciously as a faint blush colored his cheeks. Lorelei ignored his discomfiture even though she had guessed what had caused it.
"How did you get here," she asked guardedly. She had learnt from the past that powerful people of all kinds used youthful and innocent-looking people as their best weapons.
"Firedrake," said the young man, gesturing towards the outside.
"Show me," replied Lorelei.
Tied to a tree behind the shack lurked a dun-colored, very real firedrake. It showed its yellow teeth and hissed as Lorelei and the man approached it.
"He's not a very friendly fellow," said the man, still struggling with the embarrassment of the situation and his involuntary reaction to a woman in the middle of Onset.
"I can see that," replied Lorelei dryly as the animal snapped at them both. Her mind raced with the possibilities. Hope loomed on the horizon. She fumbled with the seal of the Imperial Guard tucked away in one of the hidden pockets of her bodysuit.
"I need your mount," said Lorelei as she handed it to him. The young man's eyes widened and grew more confused as he absorbed the import of the seal. "I'll send back a rescue party for you once I get to the next base." Her voice lowered as she deliberately took on a confidential tone. "I'm on the Queen's business."
"Of course. Anything I can do to help you, Warrior." stammered the young man and was immediately graced with a dazzling smile.
"What is your name anyway?" asked Lorelei belatedly.
"Andrei," he replied shyly as he became the recipient of another flashing smile. "Thank you, Andrei," she said sincerely as she took his hand.
Thirty minutes later, Lorelei helped a wan Alvamar into the firedrake's saddle. Andrei was holding the head of the beast steady but he really didn't have to because the animal had become a lot friendlier after he had gotten a whiff of Lorelei. Apparently even some animals related to the pheromones a woman emitted.
When they were ready, she lifted a hand to wave to Andrei. He nodded and smiled back at her. The firedrake, Manaus, crouched down low to get the thrust it needed to get off the ground. A jerk and a sudden thrust of the wings and they were airborne and back on their way. Sitting behind her, the Alvamar leaned up against her back and instantly reentered his healing sleep.
Heading due north, Lorelei calculated the time needed to reach Axis. There would be a Guard's post there and fresh firedrakes. And the potion she needed. She smiled softly. Things were finally getting better.
The Alvamar awoke with a start. For the first time in hours, his mind was clear and functioning. He took swift inventory of himself. His burns and cuts had healed well, everything seemed to be functioning normally. Next he took stock of his surroundings. Lorelei and he were airborne again. His mind had dimly registered the breaks they had made to rest the laboring firedrake. Lorelei turned her head to glance at him.
"Feeling better?"
"Much," he yelled back over the rush of the wind. "How are you doing?"
"Good." But she was blatantly lying. The urge had hit once again while he was out. She had been straining against it for a couple of hours now. The Alvamar's gaze rested on the back of her bodysuit. It was soaked through, a very familiar signal. He didn't even have to ask to know.
He bent his head to kiss her shoulder. Lorelei started under the soft touch but she didn't tense up. For some reason, she didn't mind his touch as much as she used to. In fact, she liked it. A lot. Perhaps because part of his life force was hers now. Well, hers and a few trees worth... But that last night had left its impression. She had to respect the man for what he was able to do. Satisfy her needs as far as possible without even attempting to push her into sex with him. He had kept his promise in every way, even when he had had to leave her afterwards to go satisfy himself in private... Deep down, he had a warrior's honor.
His hands slid from her waist to her breasts. Lorelei's lips parted as her breath started coming in swift pants. Her body had caught on and was rising to the occasion very, very eagerly. His hands gently squeezed her breasts, eliciting a sharp gasp of pleasure out of her. She swiftly tied the reins in her hands to a spike in the saddle to avoid dropping them. A rough tongue rasped up her neck, making her squirm in pleasure. Behind her, the Alvamar smiled in pleasure at her reactions. This was the first time he'd felt Lorelei remain fully aware after he had started touching her. Her body arched back against him, opening herself to touch. He leapt at the chance.
One hand stroke slowly down to her groin, thoughtfully left accessible because of the saddle. Her hands moved hesitantly to his thighs as she leaned back against him, causing his leg muscles to tighten and sending blood rushing to his groin. His questing fingers slipped under the damp fabric at her groin only to be met with a rush of hot fluid. Lorelei sighed softly at his touch on her clitoris. Soft slow strokes, his other hand caressing her breath and his mouth nibbling on one earlobe. A sweet shudder swept through her as she let herself feel everything he was doing.
The stroking of his fingers intensified slightly, just enough to make her tense up and long for more. The hands on his thighs tightened as she started breathing hard, her lips parted in concentration. Her hips started to grind against his. His fingers speeded up their tempo in response. This couldn't be real, she thought. The rushing wind, the pleasure flowing in her veins, the touch of an unseen lover, all this couldn't really be happening. And then the pressure of his fingers intensified as a warm, wet tongue thrust into her ear. Lorelei gave an involuntary cry as she arched back again, seeking her pleasure. She forced to keep her eyes open but soft moans escaped her as her hips began to move to his rhythm. The pleasure suddenly sharpened. Lorelei froze, her vision fading as she drowned in the pulsing waves of her climax.
His hands held her in place gently as she floated along, wisps of her hair streaming with the wind.
"Better?" he asked, his voice soft and seductive in her ear. She smiled tremulously.
"Oh, yes!"
The firedrake circled over the town of Axis. Lorelei strained to catch sight of the banners signifying a Guard's Post. There! On the west side of the town. The firedrake swooped down, responding willing to the touch on its reins. In a clatter of claws and a cloud of dust, they landed in the courtyard. A young Guardsman ran up to take Manaus's reins. Lorelei and the Alvamar announced themselves as they dismounted and were escorted to the Captain's offices.
Marrilyn Assemate, Captain of the Axis Guards walked into the office with the striding gait of a warrior in her prime. A wide swath of gray cut through her hair but her manner and her obvious health made her look like a woman half her age. With a smile and gesture, she invited them to sit. Lorelei swiftly outlined their mission, unwillingly noticing the slight furrow in her hostess's brow as she gazed at the younger warrior maid.
"Alvamar, we are honored by your presence. Please accept the services of our healer for anything you desire."
"That's very kind of you," he replied smoothly. "Perhaps a room for me to rest," he continued meaningfully.
"Of course." The captain rapped on her desk. A young guard entered and was instructed to guide the Alvamar to the healer's offices. As Lorelei stood to accompany them, the captain gestured her to a halt. The Alvamar sent the captain a penetrating look but turned to go with his escort. Lorelei sank slowly back into her chair and turned to face the captain.
"Lorelei," started the captain without preamble. "What are you doing here during your Onset?"
"It started quite unexpectedly after I picked up the Alvamar," replied Lorelei baldly. The concern in the captain's eyes was understandable.
"Were you... prepared?" she asked. Lorelei shook her head. A hiss of breath escaped the captain's lips.
"Then you are..." Lorelei cut her off quickly.
"No, there is no way I am pregnant." The captain relaxed.
"That is a relief. I hate to see a young warrior's career cut short by such an incident. We have several good partners here for you. Feel free to select whomever you wish to aid you during this time. Our healer will make sure you are supplied with the prevention potion and whatever else you desire."
"Pardon me Captain, but the Alvamar and I need to continue as soon as possible. I would like to request two fresh firedrakes or a dragon if you have one available and I would like to leave as soon as the Alvamar is ready." The furrow reentered the captain's brow.
"Warrior, do you know what you are doing? He is not the best person to be with at this time."
"Nevertheless I have a mission to fulfill," stated Lorelei flatly.
The captain nodded in resignation.
"Please see the healer before you leave. She will be able to provide you with whatever you need. We will have the firedrakes ready for you in two hours."
Lorelei clattered down the stairs of the barrack, turned the corner and promptly bumped into a broad chest clad in warrior armor.
"Lorelei!" came a delighted voice above her.
"Varius!" she replied happily and hugged him. An old buddy from a couple of years ago, Varius was one of the most charming men she had ever known. Predictably, he caught the scent of the Onset as it swirled upwards towards him.
"Lorelei," he said in concern as he moved her back to look into her eyes. "What are you doing here now?" Lorelei sighed as she repeated her story for what appeared to be the tenth time. And all during her tale, she watched the hunter enter his eyes as his body responded to nature's call. After she was done, he swept her into his arms and claimed her lips in a proper hello. When they parted again, her cheeks were flushed and her breath came in swift pants. Lust had once again reared its demanding head and found him very, very suitable.
"I would be honored if you would select me to be one of your partners for this Onset," he stated formally. "We been friends for several years and I have always found you to be a very capable warrior as well as a very attractive woman. I would take care of your needs in...." he continued on, launching into the traditional spiel. Lorelei didn't hear a word. Her gaze swept down his body eagerly. Long and lean, with sunlight streaks in his hair, Varius was a very well formed man and very well endowed from the size of the bulge in his breeches. And her body was letting her know in no uncertain terms that it wanted a thick shaft thrusting into her now!
"Thank you, Varius," she said in an agonized voice. "You must know that I do want to desperately, but..." Varius started in surprise. "I have a mission to complete." She groaned softly. Kirth, Karuth and all the other evil gods! Varius was perfect for her! Unlike the Alvamar, he was familiar, not a hint of magic about him. She liked and trusted him completely. He would pleasure her into senselessness... The mere thought of their bodies moving together sent washes of driving need though her. Two hours! She had two hours! Maybe, if she got to the healer really fast!!
Varius felt her resolve waver and swiftly stepped into the breach. She found herself pressed up against the wall of the corridor, his lips on her neck and his hands coming up to rest temptingly under her breasts. Her knees gave way under the sheer violence of her need, her head dropping back to give him full access to her neck. A warm, wet tongue swept up from her shoulder to her ear, making her yelp from the stab of pleasure that shot straight to her groin.
"If you're sure you don't want me..." came a low, sensuous voice in her ear as his body pressed into hers. Lorelei groaned seductively, her eyes fluttering shut. To Kirth with her damned mission! She needed a man! She hooked one leg over his hip and ground her hips against his as she took his lips aggressively right there in the corridor.
His body was sweaty against hers as they twined together. Beside the bed was an empty glass. The healer had told them to wait an hour to let it take effect but Varius wasn't wasting the time waiting. He had taken her to two climaxes already and was preparing to satisfy her properly. She was wanton in the candlelight, her hands sweeping possessively over his body, tasting, licking and biting as she explored his body. Her entire groin was soaking wet and the scent.. the scent was driving him mad! The animal in him had been held in check too long and was screaming to be freed. He lifted himself off her and grabbed a slim packet off the bedside table. His hands shook as he struggled to slip the thin membrane onto his pulsing penis. The pressure was unbearable and Lorelei wasn't helping any when she got behind him, plastering her damp body against his back, her nails raking sharply up his body.
With a triumphant cry, he got the thing on, shoved her back onto the bed and knelt over her. Her eyes were blazing with lust as she spread her legs wide for him. Their gazes locked as he fitted his throbbing penis to her entrance and leaned forward. Her pupils dilated, her mouth opened in a silent scream, her body arching up towards him as he forced himself to slide ever so slowly into her soaking body. He groaned. The pleasure was exquisite. When at last he was hilt deep in her, all restraints snapped. Her strong legs wrapped around his waist as her hips started pumping roughly against him. Lorelei was whimpering and gasping, her eyes glazed as she sought to satisfy her body's needs. With a deep growl, he thrust deep into her. Lorelei stiffened instantly, her body freezing into pleasure.
"Oh Mira, yeeessss!" With each deep, strong thrust, the room echoed with her strangled cries as her body got what it craved. Varius propped himself up with his arms, using the additional leverage to ram into her. She lifted her hips arching up to meet his thrusts, her strong legs braced to let him dive as deep as he could. Varius sat back onto his heels, and grabbed her hips, using them to pull her body onto his shaft repeatedly. His eyes were intense, boring into hers as he gave her what she needed. There was no time for gentleness. This was for pure lust...
Then suddenly Lorelei seized control. She swung up, shoving him back until she was sitting impaled, face to face with him. His arms wrapped around her as she started pumping her body on his, one arm braced behind her on his knee. She gave a groan of deep satisfaction, her head dropping back as she worked her body on his. Just the way she liked it. Varius groaned tightly as his eyes drank in the erotic picture she made. Rich hair glowing in the candlelight, her head back to expose her body to his gaze. And her body, her body was drinking him in. Oh Mira, she was so unbelievably wet! Varius began to thrust his hips to meet her, using his arms to pull her down harder onto his shaft. Her pace picked up, her strong body surging on his faster and faster. Lorelei started to whimper helplessly as she drove blindly towards satisfaction.
Suddenly, her body froze into rigidity, her vocal cords working as she tried to cry out. Her eyes glazed swiftly into a stunning blackness as her body arched painfully towards him. A scream worked its way from her throat as her sheath contracted tightly around his shaft. He took over. One thrust, two and he was exploding with her.
Freshly washed, Lorelei thundered down the stairs towards the courtyard. The Alvamar was waiting beside a pair of firedrakes, an inscrutable look on his face. She was a just a tad easier to figure out because she was glowing like a candle. She flashed him a cocky grin as she tucked the precious vials of prevention potion into the creature's saddlebags. They both swung into their saddles. As Lorelei gathered up the reins in her hands, her eyes lifted to meet a pair of laughing blue eyes staring at her from a second floor window. Varius was leaning, bare-chested and grinning, against the window jam, arm lifted in a jaunty salute. With an answering grin and wave, Lorelei took to the skies with the Alvamar right behind her.
Continued in Chapter 5
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