Finally I slowed. Eventually I leaned back and he ever so gently wiped away my tears, then kissed my eyelids, my nose, and slowly kissed me. I kissed him back eagerly and he smiled before letting me kiss him again. He ran his hands up my sides and into my hair, deepening the kiss till I was breathless, I opened my mouth, letting his tongue rove every inch of me. We parted and stared at each other. "You're so breathtaking."
I laughed, "Me?"
He nodded seriously. "You. Everything you do is perfection. And oh gods when you fight..." He shivered around me. I looked at him wondrously. He thought I was...attractive? I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Awed, I guess... He ran his fingers up my cheek, around my ear and cupped the back of my head, drawing close, his lips hovering over mine. "When you fight I lose all control. You move like it's this lethal dance. Majestic, beautiful, a ballet of death. You handle your weapons with such a masterful ease, it's intoxicating to watch. I've become addicted to you in the short time since I've met you Drake." He raised his other hand, the water dripping down his long fingers back into the water below, he stroked my other cheek while I stared into his light blue eyes as he stared back, searching my features. He smiled, stealing my breath away, then kissed me ever so gently. I let him tilt me back and wash my hair, his hands wandering my body while I grasped his shoulders for support. I shivered as he soaped up my body with those long-fingered hands of his and gasped as he touched my most intimate place, grabbing a hold of me and stroking as he kneaded me.
My breathing quickened and hitched as I arched my back into him. "Gr-Griff-fon." I barely got his name passed my lips as I moaned and he quickened his pace, smiling into my neck. "W-wait. I'm gonna-" I panted for breath, shaking in pleasure. He chuckled, the sand vibrating around me and my breathing hitched as I came closer to climaxing. "dirty the water. Griffon." I pleaded. "G-Grif-ah, I-I can't!" I broke off into mews and gasps as his palm gave me such pleasure I'd never known before. I was losing my mind, floating, bucking my hips up into his palm. He suckled my neck, making me give a high-pitched moan in ecstasy as he pushed me over the edge and I hit my release for the first time in a long, long while...and it was the sweetest release I've ever experienced, draining me completely and I sank into the water in utter exhausted contentment. Aodh wrapped a supportive arm around my waist. I shook my head at the reality of the situation. A fire burned in my veins even though I had just cum, even though I was basking in the afterglow. I was shocked at my own reaction. I wanted him. "My god." I raised a shaky hand to touch his cheek with my fingertips. "What just happened?" Aodh smiled brilliantly, proud of himself as he studied me. I looked down and started to frown. "I got the water dirty." I raised my hand to try and clean up my chest, but Aodh beat me to it with soapy hands, making me shiver under his touch. He smiled victoriously and I pouted, reaching out to pull him closer, causing him to study me quizzically. "It's not fair, I wanna make you feel good too." I slid my hand down his chest, causing him to stiffen and shudder.
"D-Drake-" I grasped a hold of his throbbing member under the water and he hissed, a heat entering his ice cold gaze as he studied me and rocked, trying to control the obvious knee-jerk reaction to buck his hips. I ran circles around his tip with my thumb, and he growled low in his throat, sending a thrill down my spine. I pumped my hand up and down his shaft, altering slight pressures of my grasp from time to time. I watched as I made his breathing speed up, the flush that flew across those high cheeks of his. Watched the way those perfect lips of his parted, and his piercing eyes dilate. I used my other palm and rolled his sack, causing him to arch his back with a gasp, eyes fluttering. I picked up pace to his hitching breath and was unprepared for him to lunge forward, lips claiming mine and his hands to rove my skin fervently. I kept my hands moving, squeezing him gently, watching and feeling his reactions. My own breaths picked up as he kissed me relentlessly, causing me to gasp as he tweeted my nipped playfully. I whined at the distractions, wanting to fully concentrate on pleasing him. I tried my best, picking up speed and rolling his sack, our breathing picking up as one and he growled, thrusting his hips into my hand. A second later he came, kissing me deeply, our skin flush, forming together like we were made to be one. I couldn't believe this was so...beautiful. I tucked his long hair behind his ears as we pulled away enough to study one another. "That was amazing Baby." I beamed and a soft smile graced his features as he watched me warmly.
"We have to get you washed up too." Then I frowned down at the water.
"I'll wash my hair another day." He said, pecking me on the lips with a kiss. "Don't worry about it." I helped him soap up his body, when I was done, I leaned down and surprised him by kissing his forehead. He looked up at me hungrily and I smiled softly, slipping away from him as I got out. He caught my wrist before I could get too far. "Don't get dressed yet, we have to treat your wounds. I nodded but still slipped away from him, toweling off. I jumped when he touched my shoulders and guided me to stand with my back to him. He took my towel from me and started to dry my hair gently. It felt like heaven. I think I may have swooned as my knees became weak, but I clenched my fists and managed to stay standing. I couldn't believe the effect he had on me by the simplest of touches. This man was not human. There was no way. Once he released me, my hair mostly dry, I put on a pair of underwear and my now clean leather pants and wrist guards. I waited a bit as Aodh got dressed in a light tan shirt, gray slacks, and his cloak from yesterday, then he put ointment on my bolt wounds and re-wrapped them. After which I was able to put on my normal leather jerkin. It felt good to be in my own cloths again. Aodh passed me the cloak I had worn yesterday. "Keep it. As it gets further into Autumn here, it's bound to get chillier." Everyone was scattered around when we came out of the bath house and we waited some more as others got washed up for the day. Sultan and Ruggiero had left early to get camping supplies that we would need. Caesar had left at some point and returned with a beautiful tan skinned, brown eyed woman, her elegant, straight black hair down around her. Holding the woman's hand, Caesar made a bee-line for where Aodh and I were sitting around the fire-pit.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9hvYA44nt
"Griff, this is Yamazaki Aimi. She's a healer who wants to come with us."
Aodh studied them for a moment. "I see. Miss, you realize we will be outlaws, yes?"
"Yes, I am well aware." She said crisply with a slight accent.
Aodh nodded. "Very well, is there a nickname you would prefer to be called when we hide our identities?"
Yamazaki was quiet for a moment, then, "Vixen." She said with a smile, tightening her hold on Caesar's hand, who blushed and looked away. The reaction from the mercenary was greatly amusing to me and I tried to hide a smile.
Aodh seemed lost in thought for another minute. "Vixen, how much has...Caesar told you?"
Yamazaki shook her head. "I know about the evasion. The death of the King and Queen. That the Prince is here and we aim to do something about this. And that Caesar and some others are going to Vramore Dynasty while the Prince's group heads to Slegary."
Aodh nodded. "Let's gather everyone. I have a slight change of plans." We scattered to find the others. Yamazaki went with Caesar to search the backyard. Aodh went inside to try and find Perce, Beatrix, and Gaetano. I searched the front yard. I jumped when someone dropped down from a tree next to me. My dirk from my wrist sheath already mid-swing, only to be blocked by another and I felt the prick of sharp metal at my throat as another dark form came into view in my peripheral. All three of us stood stock still for awhile. Then...
"Cat, please don't 'drop in' on any more mercenaries in the near future." Pyrrhos said, sheathing his short sword that had previously been at my neck.
Christine shrugged with a sly smile, "I just wanted to greet him."
Pyrrhos heaved a deep sigh. "You're just asking for trouble." I quickly sheathed my blade, Christine lowering hers with the tight grace of the feline she was nicknamed after. Her body still balanced and ready for a fight.
"Sorry." I apologized. Christine shrugged again, sheathing her blade almost faster than I could see.
"Don't worry about it. You're fast. That was exhilarating." She beamed. Pyrrhos next to me shook his head.
"It was also dangerous." I said, frowning.
"Give up now. I've tried to explain that to her countless times. It only ends in utter failure."
Christine smiled. "I am a spy you know. Danger is everywhere." Both Pyrrhos and I shook our heads this time. "Anyway, what's up?" She said, bouncing on the balls of her feet, clasping her hands behind her lithe body. "You looked like you were looking for something."
"Yeah." I said, clearing my throat and resisting the urge to rub it where Pyrrhos' sword had been resting. "Griffon wants to talk to everyone about our plans moving forward." Pyrrhos' lips twitched into a frown and he turned toward the fire-pit. Me and Christine followed and we settled down around it. Christine jumped back into a nearby tree. Pyrrhos leaned against the trunk, arms crossed and not looking pleased. I sat on a log around the fire in a position to see them both. Ruggiero and Sultan joined us, then Aodh returned with Perce, Beatrix, and Gaetano in tow. Aodh's light blue eyes lit up when he saw me, and there was almost a skip to his step as he came to sit beside me. I tried not to blush...but really, how do you do such a thing? No one commented if they noticed...besides Perce smiling. Caesar and Yamazaki returned and Perce, Beatrix, and Gaetano all greeted her. They knew her. Well that was a good sign.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEmpZMBMNqT
"This is Yamazaki Aimi. Or Vixen. She is a healer who wants to join us. In light of that fact, I wish to change the groups going to Slegary and Vramore. I wish to have Vixen's skills with Leo in case of an emergency. Because of this, I want to move Wolf, Vixen, and Jag to the Slegary Team and take Fox, Foxy, and Mutt with to Vramore. What do you all think?" Personally, my heart sank. That meant women and children would be around me...which I was proving that was more and more dangerous.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCaNpqbGpO
"It's a sound, strategic move. I have no objections accepting a healer on this trip." Pyrrhos said from his position leaning against the tree.
Beatrix smiled, "And we don't mind going to Vramore."
"Vramore Dynasty... I've never traveled to another country before..." Gaetano seemed to be daydreaming about it and I couldn't help but smile.
"Then you're in for a treat. The Vramore Dynasty has a rich, diverse culture."
Gaetano beamed. "Let's go, what are we waiting for?" That brought out several chuckles.
"First we need mounts." Aodh said. That caught my attention. It had been awhile since my last horse had perished in battle. It would feel good to be in the saddle once more.
Caesar nodded. "My friend is ready to see us today."
"Good, let's go see his stock." Aodh, Sultan, and Ruggiero led their horses with us to the stable Caesar's friend owned.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaNt6i48Wd
A short man with long, graying red hair, came out to greet us when we arrived. "My, you are a large group." The man waved for us to enter the large stable panted in white and green, probably the barn's signature colors. "Welcome, welcome, to Meadowgrove Stables. I'm the owner, Raza Ostrowski. Feel free to roam around, I will tell you about any horse you choose and can make suggestions based on your level of horsemanship. I guarantee we have a horse for everyone." The man rubbed his hands together. "So, who's going first?" Slowly, each person found a mount. A bey with a white star named Picasso for Merlin. An ugly, but sound dark bey horse named Charles for Pyrrhos. Then it was my turn. "Hmm." Raza said thoughtfully, studying me. "A fighter huh? I have the perfect horse for you, but he is my prized stallion and will not part easily with him." He shrugged. "Of course if you wish for a cheaper route, I have horses to suggest as well."
"No, let me see him." Nodding, Raza led me to a pasture. The black stallion frolicking there took my breath away. A Frisian. Quite an elegant breed. I slipped into the pasture, eyeing the horse's legs and movement as he trotted up to me, shaking his head. Once to me, he let me check his teeth docily. I pet his shoulder. The horse had good confirmation.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudUrsR9cYY
"This is Quest."
"I'll take him." The owner rattled off a price, which I thought was fair for this fine specimen, and I paid it, adding a good black leather saddle, bridal, and a black saddle pad to the mix, then also grooming supplies. As I was getting acquainted with my new mount, Christine found a feisty little black mare with a blaze called Bubbly. Barq, a gentle bey gelding with a large star for Perce. Josie, a bey mare with a blaze and three short white socks for Beatrix and a chestnut gelding with a blaze and two short white socks named Jo for Gaetano. Ludwig, a chestnut gelding for Caesar and Riptide, a dun gelding for Yamazaki. The barn had significantly less stock when we were finally able to leave. After we arrived back at Beatrix and Perce's home, we packed the supplies Sultan and Ruggiero had bought and then...set out. It was odd traveling in such a large group and too soon, we reached the fork in the road where we had to part. Slegary was mostly west of here...and Vramore north.376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfe4dPOTmnw
Merlin guided Pacasso over to me. "I want to thank you again. If not for you, non of this would be possible." I thought about simply telling him it was okay, he didn't have to be thankful, but my jaw clamped shut on the words. Instead, I nodded, my hand tightening on the reins. "Stay safe."
"And you Leo. Travel safe, travel well, and may our paths cross again." Merlin bit his lip, then nodded and headed back to his group while the others said their goodbyes. My heart worried for the little prince...but he was in good company. He would be fine. Everyone was feeling the loss as we headed north. Otherwise it was a peaceful ride. We stopped for lunch, which Perce prepared an amazing mixture of lettuce, nuts, and chicken in a light sauce. And then we stopped again for dinner which was rice and chicken in another, heavier sauce this time. It had a little kick to it but wasn't too overpowering. After we were done eating, we started setting up tents. I looked up at the sky. It still wasn't too cold to actually need a tent, so I left the tent rolled and buckled to the saddle and instead unhooked the blankets. That's all I'll need. But Aodh grabbed my arm and guided me to his tent. "Griffon?"
"Sleep here?" A smile tugged my lips despite myself and I nodded, giving in easily.
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