The trail widened, became a narrow road, and then joined the highway leading to Vandoran. Every one of our wagons held an elven archer, and I practiced my spell casting, working on the speed and accuracy of my shields and ropes. On the third day after our raid on the Skaford, Mast and his group turned towards the east. He waited while our wagons passed the junction and we joined him on the verge.

  “Good to have you with us,” he said to Aelyn.

  “And you.”

  “You need more protection.” Mast glanced down towards the head of his caravan.

  “It’s on its way.”

  “Good.” Mast turned to me. “When do you present yourself to the Academy?”

  “I suppose…as soon as I’m settled in Vandoran. Tomorrow. The next day?”

  “You need a nominator. And a seconder.”

  “Oh.” I paused. “I had no idea. I have no one.”

  “I have a colleague—” he waved his hand, “—who might help. I’ll speak to him.”

  “Thank you. What will I owe you?”

  He snorted. “I think the safety of my caravan is a fair trade. Or have you forgotten the goblins?” He shook his head as I was about to speak. “Don’t want to hear it. Now—” his brows drew together, “—the Academy is a damned snake pit. Watch your back. And keep your Blade close.” He turned and left before I could answer.

  “That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard that man make,” said Aelyn. “People do warm up to you.”

  One trek after Mast left, I saw a line of grendaki approaching at a canter. I began to prepare a spell, but Aelyn caught my gaze and shook his head. As they slowed, I saw that the riders were elves, armoured, and bearing bows and blades. The leader peeled off and reined up next to us. The other riders swung into guard positions along the length of our caravan.

  “Cousin,” he said, “well met.”

  “And you, Durlan. How is your family?”

  Durlan grinned. “Allisa’s with child.”

  “Wonderful.” Aelyn looked delighted. He took my arm in his. “My Mage, Lady Circe.”

  A warmth surged through my chest, and I squeezed Aelyn’s hand.

  “Well met, Durlan. May the Goddess Hecate spread her blessing on your house.” The words came unbidden to my lips.

  He stared at me. “And be well met yourself, Lady Circe.” He looked back and forth between us. “Are you of the court as well?”

  “She is from the south,” interjected Aelyn.

  “Ah. Well, we are tasked with your escort until we reach the Residence,” I could hear the capitalization, “at which time the house guards will take over responsibility.”

  “Excellent.” Aelyn gestured at the caravan. “We will need lodging for all. My people are tired of their wagons.”

  “Already arranged.” Durlan looked around. “I’d like to speak further, but that can wait once you are safe and settled.” He gave me a short bow. “Milady, with your leave?”

  “I’m delighted to let someone else do the fighting for a change, Durlan. And thank you so much for watching over us.”

  He rode off, sitting his grendak with an ease that did not make me jealous. At all.

  We arrived at dusk. The Residence turned out to be a large walled compound with a metal-reinforced gate manned by guards. Other armed elves were spread over the grounds at irregular intervals, and I suspected there were additional sentries hidden from view.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Aelyn supervised the unloading of the wagons containing the sensal. When it was secured within the main building, he sighed in relief.

  “I’m glad to see the last of that,” he said.

  I nodded, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders.

  An elf who appeared to be in his middle age approached us. He bowed to Aelyn.

  “My Lord, I am Iolas, the Chamberlain of this house. May I show you to your rooms?” He glanced at me. “And if you wait here, young lady, I will see if we can find lodging for you.”

  Aelyn took my arm. “Lady Circe is my Mage. We share a bed.”

  I raised my chin, feeling delighted and embarrassed at the same time.

  “A Mage?” Iolas raised his eyebrows. He took in my stained dress and battered pack with a disdainful inspection.

  “Will you require a demonstration?” I asked.

  “By no means.” He paled. “If you would follow me?”

  The corner of Aelyn’s mouth twitched, and he walked me up the stairs through a set of large doors and into an atrium. Plants cascaded from boxes set along the walls and bannisters, and light from an unseen source sparkled off crystal and stone. A fountain in the centre of the hall burbled quietly. We climbed a staircase that curved around the side of the chamber and passed through a hallway to the rear of the building. Iolas opened a set of double doors into a suite. Chairs, tables, and a sofa were arranged to form a nook at one side; to the other sat a desk and chair. Windows looked out on the grounds, dimly lit by the last rays of the blue sun. Through another door to the left I could see a chamber with a large bed.

  “Is this adequate, my Lord?”

  Aelyn looked over at me.

  “It will do splendidly,” I said, “Thank you for your service.”

  He unbent slightly and bowed. “My pleasure, Lady Circe.” He left, closing the door behind him.

  I walked into the bedchamber and saw a large bathroom. In its centre was a large tub.

  “Bath.” I said, “Now.”

  Aelyn washed me from head to toe. By the time we had finished the bath I was trembling with need, and I practically dragged him to the bed. I pushed him on his back and bent my head over his hips. He was already semi-erect, and I laved his cock slowly. I held his gaze as my tongue swirled around the tip of his cock. He thrust up involuntarily, and I smiled to myself.

  “Circe,” he said, “you need—”

  “Shush.” I climbed over his abdomen, enjoying the sensation of his firm muscles. “I’m just preparing you.”

  I lifted my hips and took him inside me.

  “You feel wonderful,” I whispered into his ear. I began to rotate my pelvis in a slow circular motion. He reached up, but I forced his arms back to the bed and shook my head.

  “Not yet, lover.”

  I moved up until I was crouched over him and rode him. I concentrated as I slid up and down and began to contract my vagina as I descended. His eyes rolled back in his head.

  “Circe,” he moaned, “how can you do that?”

  I giggled with delight.

  “A gift from my Goddess,” I said.

  I increased my tempo and threw my head back as I drank in the sensation of squeezing and caressing his cock. My nipples were as hard as diamonds.

  “Aelyn,” I gasped, “you can touch me now.”

  His hands rose to stroke my breasts and play with my nipples. I started to quiver, and his right hand dropped and caressed my clit in a gentle circular motion. As I orgasmed, my cunt spasmed around Aelyn’s cock, and he came in a rush.

  He held me erect until my shuddering came to a halt, then pulled me down to lie on his chest. He brushed stray hairs away from my face and kissed the top of my head.

  “I’m a lot more relaxed,” I said after a long while.

  He chuckled and rolled on his side, bringing me with him so he could look at my face.

  “You were—” he reflected, “—quite passionate. Is it the accommodations?”

  I held his gaze. “No. It was because you introduced me as your Mage.” I studied him. “Who are you?”

  His eyes hooded slightly. “What do you mean?”

  “You were received with high regard by the Chamberlain. Who, if I’m not mistaken, is responsible for oversight of this entire property. Suddenly, everyone is calling you ‘Lord’. And—” I bit my lip, “—the fact that I accompany you is uncomfortable for some people.”

  He was silent for a moment.

  “I mentioned that my parents are involved in governance.”

  I nodded.

  “In fact,” he moved uncomfortably, “my mother is—ah—the Queen.”

  I stared at him, speechless.

  “And the Residence is our Embassy and the royal quarters when we visit the Empire.”

  “Aelyn,” I said finally, “how much trouble are you in?”

  “What do—”

  “Look,” I said, “I don’t know much about elven politics. But you’ve shown up in an official capacity with a commoner, who is not an elf, who you’ve only known for days, and who—”

  He placed a finger on my lips. “—who healed my people, fought to protect us, and rescued my house from financial catastrophe.” He pulled his hand away. “Have I forgotten anything?”

  “I picked a fight with a Crown Mage.”

  “Saving me the trouble.” He shook his head. “Circe, none will gainsay your right to be here. And I choose my partner, not—” he scowled, “—some officious bureaucrat.”

  My eyes were burning. I took a deep breath.

  “Aelyn,” I said, “I hear you. But listen, please: if you must end this, can I ask that you do it now? Because—” my voice caught in a sob, “—I think I’m falling in love with you.”

  He reached up and caught my face between his hands.

  “As I am with you,” he said.

  He wiped my tears with a corner of the sheet.

  “And” he said, “you still need a Blade.”

  “What about your quest? Or goal? Or whatever it is?”

  “Who can say if this is part of it?” He smiled at me, and I felt a warmth spread from chest throughout my body. “Now,” he said, “Where were we?”

  His head slid down between my thighs, and his tongue slipped into me.