The Fantasy Trove

 [tags: Seduction, blowjob]

 

Bobby tries to come to terms with the truth of his upbringing.

 

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Chapter 05

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Throuple Date

 

Dinner was a unique experience for me. Growing up, we never ordered out. No matter how tired my mom was after working, she always cooked a meal or prepped one. She told me it saved money, and saving money was important.

 

Now I knew that was bullshit. Okay, saving money is important, but that wasn’t her reasoning. As we dined on Mexican takeout, she explained that she wanted to set a hard-working example for me. And after a day of getting humiliated by rude customers, she needed to work off some frustrations. I didn’t want to think more about what she meant, considering the recent news that she’s a masochist.

 

She also explained that she had quite the nest egg saved up and planned to retire with my father once I graduated. After a lifetime of hating my father, I struggled to imagine him as a decent man. I also couldn’t understand how the woman who always sung his praises barely seemed bothered by his death. She wasn’t precisely chipper, but nor did she seem to be in mourning. I didn’t care to bring it up and ask her. No matter what she may claim, I had more than enough bad memories of him.

 

I felt awful after the meal. Not because of the company or the news, but I wasn’t used to eating such foods. Even after moving out, I scrimped and saved and only went out when someone else was buying. I couldn’t judge the quality of the food due to inexperience, but it tasted great, and I overate.

 

“Since Nikky is using your old room, do you want to sleep in my bed tonight?” Susan asked me as I pushed back from the worn and scratched dining table.

 

“No,” I shook my head, uncomfortable with that idea. I didn’t think she was trying anything, just to be clear. I saw her offer as a mother looking out for her child and nothing more. “I’ll sleep on the c—um, in front of the couch. I’ll just grab a couple blankets and watch some television.”

 

She looked at me like I was nuts but shrugged. “Suit yourself. Just don’t come crawling in during the middle of the night and scaring me half-to-death or whine about your back in the morning.”

 

“Hey, Mom?” I got her attention before she headed back to her room. “If you have all that money, why did you rent out my room?”

 

She cocked half a smile and placed her hand on her hip before answering. “It got lonely here by myself. Of course, I’d never cheat on your dad, but women weren’t off-limits. And Nikky can be a lot of fun. She’s very friendly.”

 

“Okay,” I shook my head. “I’m sorry I asked. Good night, Mom.” Friendly? She wasn’t too friendly when I arrived. I had to admit to myself that could have been partly my fault, though.

 

“Good night, Honey,” she gave me a warm smile. “I know you have a lot to think about, and I’m sorry everything turned out the way it did. That wasn’t the life your father or I wanted for you, but we thought it was for the best. Unfortunately, I guess we can’t change the past. You know where everything is, so help yourself. Sleep well, Son.”

 

“Good night, Mom,” I told her, then went to the closet with the spare blankets and prepared a bed on the floor. My mom kept the house immaculate, which was nice, and with enough blankets under me, the floor was almost soft.

 

If it seems like I’m rushing through the events of the evening, it’s because I am. Don’t judge me, but the whole event was uncomfortable. I didn’t learn anything new and didn’t know how to talk to my mother, who apparently lied to me my entire life.

 

I flipped on her ancient television. We never had the newer holographic displays in the house. The news and old reruns were all that were watchable on the LED display. I almost turned it back off but realized that I should probably keep up-to-date with everything going on globally, especially now that I’m a Knight.

 

Mom didn’t have cable, so I had to make do with the over-the-air channels. But, according to my history professor, they were less biased anyway. Since Wednesday night, efforts had continued to find survivors of a massive tidal wave that wiped out countless homes and cities around the Gulf Coast. Most of Florida was still underwater. Bermuda and the Bahamas were wiped off the map. The Gulf states, Mexico, and Central America were all reeling from the damage. Complicating rescue efforts, all satellites in the area above the Gulf of Mexico were offline. Communications, GPS, and the internet were all down.

 

The cause of the tidal wave was the new U-shaped island that appeared in the center of the gulf. Reports were uncertain about why the freaks—not the term the news used—decided to bring their world crashing into ours. Even though that was two days ago, attempts to communicate with them failed.

 

Some governments were pushing or threatening to nuke the large island. The U.S. government was in shambles as no one knew where the president was. The Vice President was killed during riots after President Louise admitted to sexual relations with Lyden Snow’s son.

 

The news discussing that damned bastard and how he screwed over the nation infuriated me. If I ever got the chance to meet him again, I wouldn’t feel guilty about putting him down for good. Not only was he screwing the president, and apparently Shlee Olsen—who it turns out was a freaking werewolf all along—but he got Megan killed.

 

Investigations into the bombs that went off in Wyoming were also hampered by the Gulf Coast tragedy. Satellites still functioned there, but resources were being funneled to the more significant attack.

 

Disgusted, I turned off the T.V. and decided to get some sleep. It was still reasonably early, but the sun was down, and I wanted to be sure I was rested when I went back to talk to my wives. But, damn, it feels weird just writing that!

 

Even though I had a lot on my mind, I was emotionally wrung out. Once I found an almost comfortable position to sleep in, I passed out.

 

My sleep was fitful, and I had a weird dream about flying on a forklift. I’m sure my psychologist would have something to say about that, but that’s all I remember of it.

 

You know how when something starts out, it’s uncomfortable at first, but eventually, you get used to it? Like awkward parties, an odd smell, background noise, or a new way of math? But after some time passes, you don’t notice it anymore. Well, as I woke up, that’s how I felt. The blankets were comfortable, and I was plenty warm.

 

Then I felt the blankets shift and heard a grunt behind me.

 

My eyes snapped open, and it took me a moment to figure out where I was. The decorations were different, but this was my old room. And I was in a bed.

 

I rolled over as slow and careful as I could manage, but it was for naught. Blue eyes met mine as I heard, “Morning, sleepyhead. Sleep well?”

 

As careful and dignified as I could muster—my ass cheek is not sore from falling out of the bed and landing on it—I slipped from the covers. Despite my agile movements, I ended up pulling the covers down, revealing that she was topless. My mom’s words from the previous night about her being more than a handful flashed through my thoughts, and I stamped them down. Even so, it took me a moment too long admiring her perky nips before I looked back at her laughing gaze.

 

Since she made no move to cover up, I didn’t turn away. Was I embarrassed? Yes. Could I feel my cheeks burning? Well, that’s also a yes. But was I going to act like a virgin who accidentally got caught peeping on their hot neighbor? Nope.

 

“How…” I trailed off, trying to figure out why I was in there. Only then did I realize I was also completely naked and afflicted with the usual morning male problem. I don’t remember drinking any alcohol last night, and while I was tired, I wasn’t hungover. “Did we hook up?”

 

Her laughing blue eyes smoldered for a moment as they dropped to my engorged cock. “Do you mean you don’t remember pinning my legs behind my head and cramming that thick beast deep inside me, again and again, making me scream and moan?” Nikky asked when she looked back up at me. I felt like a piece of meat, but I wasn’t going to cover up. The damage was already done, anyway. “I mean, your mother had to come in and make sure you weren’t murdering me. I don’t think I’ll be walking without a limp for at least a week.” She sat upright, and I could just see the hem of her panties as the blanket fell. She tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear and nibbled her bottom lip as she met my eyes. It took all of my willpower not to admire her full breasts as they rose and fell with her gentle breathing.

 

Something in her voice tipped me to her game. “Hardy, har, har,” I pretended to laugh. I broke eye contact with her—not because I was intimidated!—to look around for my clothes. I don’t sleep in the nude, so my underwear had to be close by. Well, unless you count the other night with Elly and Shayna, but that was different. “I seriously don’t know how I ended up in here. Sorry to have intruded.”

 

Not finding my underwear, I turned to leave. “Okay, so maybe you didn’t rearrange my insides with that third leg of yours,” Nikky said as my hand reached for the door. “But now that I’ve seen what you’re packing… Don’t give me that look. I tried to be quiet when I came home this morning, but I must have disturbed you. Shortly after I crawled into bed, you walked in half-asleep. Then, you got under the covers and started snoring. I may have asked you to stay out, but it was nice sleeping next to a warm body for once.”

 

The way she said that hinted that she was still hoping for more. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted. Two things stopped me. Primarily, I was a married man, and until I talked with my wives—will I ever get used to writing that?—I wasn’t going to step out on them. And, while she was undeniably hot, she was also a redhead. I couldn’t look at her without, in some way, remembering Megan.

 

“I don’t know why I sleep-walked,” I told her, turning to face her once more. “But I’m a married man and shouldn’t have come in here. Even if it was an accident.”

 

The hungry gaze in her eyes as they dropped below the belt, coupled with the delicious way her tits jiggled as she chuckled, made me curse my morals. “Wouldn’t be my first married man,” she laughed as she laid back down, pulling the blanket back over herself. “You know where to find me when you change your mind.”

 

When? Not if? I wondered as I walked out of her room.

 

And bumped right into my mother.

 

She raised one eyebrow as she took in my nakedness. My attention-getter slapped my stomach then wobbled as I stopped in my tracks. “Now I see why you didn’t want to lay in my bed last night,” she chided me with a smirk. Instead of trying to think up any excuse, I bolted for the front room. “I see you got more than your good looks from your father,” she called after me as I wanted to die of embarrassment.

 

Why could I stand with ease in front of Nikky, only to lose my composure in front of my mom?

 

It took me a moment to find my underwear mixed up in the blankets, and I rushed to get dressed. Meanwhile, my mom walked into the kitchen and started making coffee. Other than her knowing smirk, she appeared to be willing to drop the fiasco.

 

I shared a quiet and very awkward cup of morning Joe with my mother before saying my goodbyes and heading back.

 

Once again, I played music from my phone, though I was in no mood for techno. It took me a bit before I settled on oldies rock. Upbeat enough to ensure I wouldn’t fall asleep, but not enough to get my heart hammering.

 

Lost in thought and trying to figure out what I would tell the women, the trip passed too fast. Before I was ready, I parked outside my dorm and headed up.

 

I knew that it wasn’t my dorm anymore but hoped the movers had left an address or something. I vaguely recalled my new place’s address but wasn’t confident enough that I’d find it. If not, I could always go back to the hotel and talk to Consul Willmont. Apparently, that place doubled as a Paladonic Knight headquarters.

 

Turning the corner for my hallway, I froze and moved back. I was just in time to see Adam pull something off my door, read it, then shove it in his pocket.

 

What’s he doing here? I wondered, also remembering that he could be the freak that tainted my blood a couple of days ago. That thought made me feel all sorts of filthy inside.

 

I decided my best bet was to confront him. Acting like I’d just arrived, I turned the corner and walked to my old room. “Hey, Adam. What’s up?” I asked, pretending to be happy to see the douche-canoe.

 

He jumped in the process of turning away from me, then looked back. “Oh, Bobby! Hi. I was just looking for you.”

 

I noticed his hand hovering over the item he’d stuffed in his pocket. I plastered a fake grin full of teeth on my face as I said, “Well, I’m right here.”

 

Oh, what I would have given to hear the thoughts in his head. His eyes shifted from me to past my chest and back before he answered. “I wanted to apologize for the other day,” he said and almost sounded sincere. “I said and acted in a way that’s not me. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

 

“Sure, sure,” I said, not believing a word of it. “And what was that you pulled off my door?”

 

He stiffened, then sighed as he pulled a crumpled envelope from his pocket. “I figured since I was looking for you, I’d bring it to you,” he said in a rush. “It has an address, and I thought you might be there.”

 

I snatched it from his hands, then pulled a paper from the envelope. I also noted what felt like a key. Reading over the paper, I saw that it had my new address and was signed by Elly and Shayna. It also mentioned the “key to our home and our hearts.”

 

After the rough start to my day, it took every ounce of decency in my being not to lay Adam out. He fidgeted as I read, and I suspected why. Either he’d hoped to tell the women about my one-night-stand with Charlotte, or he was planning something else for them.

 

I shoved the letter and key into my own pocket, then cracked my neck as I kept the false smile on my lips and met his gaze.

 

“Well, I apologized,” he said, trying to step past me. “I should be getting back to—”

 

I moved to cut him off as a wicked idea popped into my head. I struggled not to laugh as his worried eyes shot everywhere but looking up into my smiling face. “Apology accepted,” I lied. That made him stop fidgeting. “In fact, you were right about one thing. You didn’t get the chance to properly celebrate your birthday. I’d like to make that up to you.”

 

He finally looked up at me, careful optimism replacing the worry. “Yeah? You’re not going to trick me, somehow, are you? Take me out and leave me in the middle of nowhere? I’ve heard how some of you jocks can be.”

 

I ground my teeth at his comment but kept my smile. “I’ve never participated in any of those,” I assured him. “Look, give me your number, and as soon as I have all the details, I’ll let you know. If you don’t want to come, I’ll understand. But, since we still have next week off from classes, I’ve heard of a spot that’s filled with hot honeys. I’ll even pay!” I didn’t know how I’d do it, but hopefully, the Knights would cover this expense. They wanted me to investigate the location anyway, and Adam would make the perfect cover.

 

I just had to stomach his presence long enough.

 

“How hot?” he asked, warming to the idea.

 

“Well, I haven’t been there yet myself, but it was Charlotte that told me about it,” I half-lied. “She said this place will fulfill any fantasy, and only the most beautiful women know about it. I guess you also need an invitation to get in, and I just happen to have that invitation.”

 

I could almost see the drool pooling in his mouth as the gears turned in his one-track brain. It was almost enough to make me feel bad for him.

 

Almost. Even if most of what I’d said was a complete lie. It wasn’t Charlotte but Consul Willmont that told me about the place and it fulfilling fantasies. Also, you didn’t need an invitation, but just the location. But I wanted Adam to need me and not look for it himself.

 

“Yeah, hold out your phone,” he told me, his wary look turning hungry. I did so, and he sent his contact info to me. I saved him under Adumb, then let him past me. He actually smiled and waved before turning the corner.

 

I knocked on my old door in case my roommate was in. I was still dreading my next stop. He didn’t answer as my luck would have it, and I slowly walked back down to my car.

 

I was not looking forward to this conversation and had no idea how it would turn out.

 

The drive was too short before I pulled up to a gated community. A well-dressed guard stepped out of the security shack and approached me. He made a California Golden Bears linebacker look small. I manually rolled down my window as he gave my beat-up old car a disdainful look.

 

“Do you have business with a resident, Sir?” he asked with a British accent and deep voice.

 

“I think I am a resident, now,” I said, holding up the key. The gate blocking the road was solid, and I couldn’t see past it. But if the massive rock walls were any indication, this place was fancy. Was I even in the right place?

 

“Your address, Sir?” he asked me, his tone not quite condescending. I’d chalk it up to his accent if not for the curl of his lips.

 

I pulled the paper out and read it off to him. He went back to the shack, typed something on a computer, then returned, this time with a friendly smile.

 

“Welcome to your new neighborhood, Mr. Brody. Go through the gate, turn right, and you should see your home on the left.” He took a step back, then looked at my car again. “I’d suggest you park this car in the garage until you see fit to get something a little more presentable.”

 

How can the British take something that should be an insult and somehow make it sound entirely reasonable? It must be their accent.

 

The solid gate rolled to the left, and I was not prepared for what I saw. On the other side of the entryway and wall weren’t mansions, but for a kid who grew up in a single-story, two-bedroom home, they might as well be. There were tall, two-story homes with lush lawns—how do they afford the water in California?—and three-car garages. I wasn’t sure if the rock siding was real or faux. I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much each one cost. What few vehicles I saw on the road might not be the latest model or the flashiest, but they all looked well taken care of and expensive. Kids played in front of one house, running around and laughing while an older woman smiled and watched.

 

The security guard cleared his throat, and I realized I was still sitting there like a doofus. Putting my car in gear, I followed the instructions and soon found a home with the correct address above the three-car garage. The driveway consisted of flattened stones, arranged so that lighter stones formed a large shield’s shape, with darker stones around it. I didn’t dare pull onto it, afraid my slight oil leak would ruin it. Instead, I parked on the street, turned off my car, and took long, even breaths.

 

When I finally stepped out, I wasn’t prepared to see Elly and Shayna standing in the entryway, watching me. They looked stunning, despite being opposites. Elleanor was almost as tall as me, wearing a black shirt and tight jeans. Shayna was short and petite, wearing a white shirt that popped next to her dark skin.

 

I’m ashamed to say that for a fleeting moment, I debated on getting back in my car and driving away. However, the weakness was short-lived as I saw the trepidation on their faces and knew I couldn’t abandon them.

 

“Welcome to your new home,” Elly offered me a warm smile, but I could see the uncertainty behind it. Both women stepped aside as I approached. The inside looked well decorated, but I hesitated before taking that first step.

 

“I…” I trailed off, trying to find the right words. I felt like shit as my mind churned over what I wanted to say versus what I needed to say. “I didn’t know what was happening the other night. I understand most of it now, but, um, well, I owe you both an apology.”

 

“You don’t have to apologize,” Shayna spoke up and gripped my left arm in her slender hands.

 

“Willmont explained it to us,” Elly added. “Your pendant stopped the spell from affecting you.” She gripped my right arm, and I hung my head.

 

“No, you both deserved better,” I told them. “I didn’t understand then, but I have a better idea now. So, going forward, I promise to be better.”

 

I sensed that both were about to argue further, but I pulled my arms from their grasps, cutting them short. They waited for me to speak as I put my thoughts in order. “There is a tradition for newlyweds, and even though I’m a bit late—” I decided to act rather than speak.

 

Squatting down, I slipped my arms behind both women’s thighs and pulled them to me. They gasped in stereo above me as I lifted them up. Both women held onto me and each other as I carried them across the threshold.

 

I might not love them, but I understood that they’d given up a lot to be with me. And they were carrying my children. No matter what, I would be a better father to them than my father was to me. Maybe Bernard Brody had good intentions when it came to how he raised me, but my childhood was still shit.

 

I paused in the front room, taking in the sports posters on the wall and what looked to be a top-of-the-line gaming rig running in the corner. I couldn’t tell what the specs were from there, but it looked flashy and fast. I did recognize the case, though, and knew how much it cost. The system would cost close to eight grand if the internals were of the same caliber, combined with the four giant holographic monitors arranged in a grid. The posters were of various athletes from the California Golden Bears or the L.A. Lakers.

 

“Please put us down,” Elly asked on my right as I took in the room.

 

“Not yet,” I told her. “Where’s the kitchen?”

 

“Kitchen?” Shayna asked. “Not the bedroom?”

 

I felt my heart sink at the hope I heard in her voice. “Perhaps later,” I told them. “Right now, I’m hungry, and I want to have a serious conversation with you before we go further.”

 

I felt my soul being weighed in Elly’s eyes before she tilted her head to go deeper. Following their guidance, I carried the two lovely women into a kitchen that seemed too large. Light filtered in from a yellow curtained window, splashing across a deep sink and marble counters. A large square island sat in the middle, with plenty of space to move around. In the corner sat a tall fridge with a holographic display and an ice dispenser. I never had one of those growing up. (The ice dispenser part. Our fridge usually worked.) A double-stacked oven and gas range took up some of the ample counter and cupboard space, with a large microwave above. I couldn’t believe how much room there was or even how many cupboards. I couldn’t imagine needing this much space!

 

“Okay, we’re here,” Elly said on my right. “Please put us down?”

 

The dining room was part of the kitchen, with a large metal and glass table. The whole area was well decorated with yellows and oranges. It felt bright and welcoming, and I set the women down near the table.

 

Both women took a step back as soon as they were free, though Shayna hesitated a moment before doing so. The short black woman regarded me with uncertain hope, while Elly just looked at me and waited. The taller woman didn’t fold her arms or look upset, but I could tell she kept herself reserved.

 

“Now, I know we have a lot to discuss, but I’d like to get some food in me, pronto,” I said, glancing to the kitchen. “Do you mind if I grab something to eat?”

 

The women exchanged glances before looking back at me. “This is your house,” Shayna said after a moment. “I’d be happy to cook for you.”

 

I saw the desire to please me in her blue eyes and almost lost my appetite. Was it the magic making her want to do that, or was that who she really was? I almost told her I’d be happy to just make myself a sandwich, but Elly cut in before I could.

 

“We’ll both cook for you,” the taller woman said, then grabbed Shayna and walked into the kitchen. “What are you in the mood for?”

 

“You don’t have to cook for me,” I told them. I could see the arguments building in their faces and went on, “I just want a PB&J. I don’t even care what kind of bread you…er, we have. Thank you.” The last came out as both women rushed to the pantry. I decided I should get over being shocked when I saw how large the pantry was—it was fully stocked and not with the generic brands!

 

While they worked together, I went to the fridge and was surprised they had lemonade. I poured a glass and went to the table, feeling like a heel. I know they wanted to do this, but I also felt like I was taking advantage of them. When they finished and placed the plate in front of me, I felt my mouth water, despite the simple fare. Red jam oozed from the sides, and I suspected it was strawberry—my favorite.

 

“Aren’t you going to eat?” I asked when they both sat across from me without plates.

 

“We ate a little before you came home,” Elly told me. She watched me with an unreadable expression, but I could see something in her light brown eyes.

 

I wanted nothing more than to dig into and devour that sandwich, but my conscience got the better of me.

 

“I can see you have something to say,” I told Elly as I thought about how she’d behaved since I arrived. She wasn’t cold, but she wasn’t as hopeful or warm as Shayna either. “I want us to be completely honest with one another. So please don’t hesitate to tell me what’s on your mind or how you’re feeling.”

 

I knew I was opening a can of worms with that statement, but it’s how I felt. If we were to have any kind of relationship, it needed to be built on honesty.

 

“That’s a dangerous thing to ask,” Elly told me, her voice serious. “Most people don’t want to know what’s really on a person’s mind or how they’re feeling. They want simple platitudes and reassurances. People get uncomfortable when the truth comes out.”

 

I knew she was right. When you ask someone how they’re doing, it gets awkward if they suddenly unload on you. I met her gaze and reached my hand out to hers, taking it. I then looked to Shayna and did the same.

 

“Then let’s get uncomfortable,” I told them. “I want to make this relationship work, and I feel that honesty is always best. If I make a mistake or do something that upsets you, I want you to tell me. I want to get to know you both better, no matter how trivial it may seem. If you don’t want me to hug you because you’re afraid you might fart, let me know. I don’t care how uncomfortable you think you’ll make me. I want you to be comfortable enough around me to let your hair down.”

 

Neither woman spoke for a long moment, but neither did they pull their hands from mine. I got the impression that Elly appreciated my joke, even if she didn’t show it. Just as I debated how rude it would be to let go of them and start eating, Shayna spoke up.

 

“Consul Willmont told us about what went wrong on First Knight.” She placed her other hand over mine as I looked at her. “We know you don’t feel the same connection to us that we do to you or each other.”

 

I probably should have figured it out, but finding out that they also felt for each other caught me by surprise.

 

I squeezed her hand and offered a smile but turned back to Elly. “What is it you’re worried about telling me?”

 

My stomach grumbled, and I saw her brown eyes fall to my plate, then rise back to my face before she answered.

 

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do here,” she squeezed my hand, then placed her other hand on top of Shayna’s. “But you’re sending us mixed signals. First, you seem distant and hesitant, then suddenly carry us through the front door. I can see that you want to form a relationship, but I can also tell you’re scared. You want us to be completely open and honest with you, but you’re also holding back.”

 

I took in her words and mulled them over. My first instinct was to get defensive, but I swallowed that. I didn’t like it, but she was right.

 

“What did Willmont explain to you?” I asked Shayna, not changing the subject but gathering where I needed to start.

 

I saw the petite woman swallow her emotions before answering. “He said that you had protection against the magic that allowed us to fully be a throuple. While we love and are devoted to you, you don’t feel the same for us.”

 

That was a lot blunter than I expected, but I offered them an apologetic smile as I nodded. I still held both their hands and gave them another squeeze. The smell of my sandwich was really getting to me, but I focused on the women across from me as I formulated my response.

 

“You’re right,” I said and watched as both women deflated. It was as though they’d held out hope that Consul Willmont was wrong, only to have me burst that bubble. I felt terrible, even though it wasn’t my fault, and rushed on. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to work towards it. I know you read my file and know a lot about me, but I know very little about you. I want to know more.”

 

“Because we’re two hot women?” Shayna asked and pulled her hand free from mine, though she still held Elly’s hand. “What man wouldn’t want to get in on this?”

 

I admit I was taken aback by her sudden accusation. It’s not that I was ignorant of the possibilities, but that wasn’t the most significant reason on my list to make this work.

 

“I asked for your honesty, and so I’ll give you all of mine,” I said, meeting her cold blue eyes. “That is in my head, but not why I want to make this work.”

 

“It’s because of your father,” Elly cut in, understanding filling her face. “Your file said you hated him. You want to be better than he was.”

 

“How detailed was that file?” I muttered. If the Knights knew I hated my father, why did they ask me all those questions? And why did they let me pretend that I liked him? They should have shown me the door right away. Unless I was missing something.

 

“Detailed,” Shayna said, losing some of the heat in her voice. “We know your favorite colors, your study habits, what foods you like, your porn preferences—Elly and I share them, by the way—your future potential growth, and a whole lot more.”

 

“Shayna and I know almost everything there is to know about you,” Elly added. “But we didn’t know about your protection. We know that you were unaware of it until yesterday, also.”

 

I let that sink in. I worried these women were being taken advantage of, but if anything, I felt like a tiny amoeba under a microscope before them. “And you still picked me?” I blurted out before I could stop my mouth.

 

The women shared a small smile before Shayna answered. “Elly and I have been friends for years. She’s a few years older than me, but she was always so kind when I assisted my father at the orphanage. We often talked about the type of man we wanted and usually agreed. I haven’t been to as many First Knights as her, but we discussed sharing a man when I started. We rarely picked one from the new candidates, though there were many more to choose from this time. We agreed if that man entered our room, we’d try for them.”

 

“But I came up to you,” I cut in, then shook my head. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have interrupted.”

 

Elly actually smiled. “That made it even better,” she told me. “We’d watched you walk in with Al, and he all but dive-bombed Jolene. We’d just started talking about how we were going to get your attention when you walked up to us. It seemed so perfect until….”

 

“Until the spell didn’t work on me,” I finished for her. “I’m not entirely clear on what the spell does? I mean, I know you love each other, and I guess me also, but Willmont made it seem more than that.”

 

My stomach gave that moment to announce just how angry it was at being empty. Elly released my hand and pointed to my plate.

 

“Eat, and we’ll explain,” the taller woman said. I didn’t hesitate and took my first bite. The bread was just beginning to harden, but that didn’t stop me from moaning in delight as jelly exploded into my mouth. The women smiled at me, but I didn’t care. It was the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter and too much jelly. “We’re told everything from the beginning. From the time the Knights take us in. In payment for them educating us, sheltering, and feeding us, we have to start attending First Knight parties once we’re nineteen until we’re twenty-five.”

 

“My dad explained it all to me,” Shayna interjected. “I wasn’t kicked out of my home or a runaway as many of the other women are. My dad is a lawyer for the Knights, so I wasn’t required to attend the parties. But, I still chose to as soon as I could.”

 

I remembered Consul Willmont telling me that Shayna’s father was Peter Lancel, one of the lawyers I’d talked to before swearing-in. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but I wondered what he thought about his daughter being married to Elly and me?

 

Elly nodded to Shayna and gave her a warm smile. I don’t know what their friendship was like before, but I could see the love the two shared in the warmth and fondness of their looks.

 

“But we’re telling you more than you asked for,” Elly went on. I didn’t mind hearing this, and it told me more about them, but I was also curious to listen to the rest. “In exchange for taking care of and educating us, if we decide to choose a new Knight, then the spell that was in our belly piercings would do multiple things. Upon losing our virginity to the man, we would fall in love with them. Completely and utterly. We would also feel an overwhelming desire to get pregnant. At the same time, it would cause that man to care for and love us.”

 

“That’s it?” I asked, thinking there had to be more.

 

“Well, after you left yesterday, Consul Willmont called us up into his office,” Shayna said, her voice carrying concern in it. “He explained what happened and gave us the choice of not signing the marriage documents.”

 

“He said that my debt was paid, and I could finish my degrees, whether I signed or not,” Elly added. I could see a tear forming in her eyes, and once again, I felt like shit. They still loved me, regardless of any offer given to them. But I didn’t know them. How could I love them? If not for the magic, how could they love me? Even if my file held every juicy detail about my life—which was creepy on a whole other level!—they didn’t really know me.

 

“What did you choose?” I asked. Even now, as I write this down, I have no idea how I wanted them to answer. My emotions were split on the entire debacle. On the one hand, I could be married to two scorching hot women devoted to me. It was apparent that they loved me unconditionally.

 

But could my conscience handle that? Would I be taking advantage of them? Sure, they chose to go through with everything, knowing that their love would be magically induced. But they’d expected me to reciprocate, and I couldn’t at that moment. Even if I could ignore that they were likely carrying my children, I hadn’t asked for this. Sure, most men would think this was a dream—a wet dream full of unfulfilled fantasies—but I was raised to respect and honor women. Not take advantage of them.

 

“We haven’t signed,” Shayna said. My stomach dropped at hearing that, despite however else I felt.

 

“Yet,” Elly added.

 

I looked up to meet their eyes and waited for them to explain as I took my next bite. It really was the perfect PB&J. I wondered if that was in my file also.

 

“Elly and I discussed it, and we wanted to see if you’d come back,” Shayna said as I tried not to moan at how delicious the sandwich was.

 

“I argued that from what your file said, you’d return and talk to us,” Elly added. From how Shayna’s lips dipped into the tiniest frown, I knew what she’d thought I’d do.

 

“So, where do we go from here?” I asked after swallowing, deciding that I wanted to get to know them better no matter what else happened. “I don’t know as much about you as you do about me, but I’m willing to work on that. If you’ll give me the chance.”

 

I don’t know what response I expected my question to evoke, but it wasn’t what I got. Tears pooled in their eyes, and I saw their lips tremble as they struggled to hold back their emotions. Had I read them wrong? Had they hoped I would reject them, freeing them of their obligations and burdens?

 

Like two graceful cats in perfect sync, both women crawled onto the table and lunged for me. I’ve been hit by three-hundred-pound linebackers, but that tackle knocked the breath from my lungs as the chair tipped back, and we collapsed on the floor. I was lucky my head didn’t hit the hard tiles as Elly and Shayna hugged me, sobbing into my neck.

 

“We’d like that,” Elly told me. The thick emotion in her voice let me know just how much they held their feelings in check during our conversation.

 

I hated myself for doing it, but I disentangled from their arms and took a deep breath. Some days I hated being me, and I didn’t want to bring up the next subject, but it was necessary.

 

“There’s something else I should tell you,” I said, forcing myself to meet their curious stares. “Consul Willmont gave me a mission, and—what’s so funny?” I knew they were in a better mood, but I couldn’t understand why the women were now laughing through their tears.

 

“Pay up,” Elly said to Shayna, holding her hand out.

 

Even though she also laughed, Shayna stood and walked from the room as I stared in confusion.

 

“What’s going on?” I asked.

 

Shayna answered as she walked back, holding a crisp hundred-dollar bill. “Elly said that you would tell us about your mission. I didn’t believe her. I guess I’m too used to the other jocks and men not being completely honest.”

 

“I told you he would make a great husband,” Elly snatched the bill and tucked it into her pocket. “His file said he was honest and honorable.”

 

There was my file again! I wish I knew everything that was in it…

 

“There’s honest,” Shayna shook her head, “then there’s admitting that he’s going to a brothel to the two women carrying his children!” Shayna placed her hand over her stomach with a rueful smile.

 

“Aren’t you glad you listened to me when I said he was the one?” Elly walked over to the shorter woman, pulling her into a hug and kissing the top of her head.

 

“Other than the obvious issue that we couldn’t have predicted?” Shayna chuckled, then returned the hug. “That’s what I get for debating a genius psychology major.

 

“Umm…” I interrupted their touching moment. “So you already knew about my mission?”

 

“That you’re going to investigate a possible succubus whorehouse? One that no one else can check because the evil creatures can read minds, but you have protection?” Elly smiled at me. “Yes, we know. And before you ask, we also know what you may have to do to verify if there are really demonic creatures there.”

 

I stood there, stunned. Was it the spell that made them okay with it or something else? What rational woman would be okay with their man screwing another woman, much less a succubus?

 

“I think you broke him,” Shayna laughed before pulling from Elly’s arms and coming up to me. She reached up to my face, cupping my cheeks and staring me in the eyes. “We know that Knights have a tough job; there will be times when you’ll be away. You have your needs, and we won’t begrudge you taking care of them. While we’d prefer that you stick to humans, it is for the greater good in this case. If they’re soul-sucking demons, you’ll be protected, and the other Knights can take them out. If they’re just really good at fucking, then we expect you to come back and show us a thing or two.”

 

Somehow, despite her calm words and assurances, that didn’t alleviate the confusion. But I wasn’t dumb enough to argue, either.

 

“Will do,” I agreed slowly, still trying to figure out how I’d ended up in this amazing home with these incredible women.

 

Elly came over, and we all hugged after I lifted my hand to her. “I think the best way for me to get to know you both is to go on a date,” I said after a moment. “What do you ladies like to do?”

 

“You mean, besides the obvious?” Shayna asked and pinched my bum. Both women giggled as I jumped and took a step back from them. “You don’t have to take us out to get into our panties.”

 

“Maybe not,” I gave her a rueful smile. “But I’d still like to get to know you both better. If you’d prefer, I can take you out one at a time.”

 

They looked at each other before Elly said, “We’d prefer to be together. But, I won’t lie and say I’m a little relieved you’re willing to wait. The other night was incredible, but I’m still a little sore after losing my virginity to such a massive cock.”

 

“Agreed,” Shayna nodded. “Our cherries were popped a long time ago, and we were trained with toys on how to please our future husband. But none of those compared to you. So I’m happy, even if it means a little soreness afterward.”

 

Her statement raised a ton of questions. They were trained? They were still virgins until the other night, so images of all-women orgies filled my head. I wondered if they still had some of those toys and if they’d let me use them on the women. I debated skipping the whole date idea and learning all I could about what their training entailed for a brief second. But I dismissed that indecent thought. I really did want to know their personalities.

 

“So, what would you ladies like to go out and do?” I asked, then hurried and added, “That we can do in public?”

 

“Oh, that’s no fun,” Shayna fake pouted. She had a reputation as an ice queen on campus, but I could see a feisty streak in her. Was that because she no longer had to keep herself a virgin? Was it part of her training? Or was it some other aspect of the spell that compelled them? I didn’t know how to feel about any of that. “I know you’re a jock, but how are you at bowling?”

 

I chuffed before answering. “Bowling isn’t a sport any more than golf is,” I teased. “Sports require physical endurance as well as skill. But I still know how to curl the ball and knock down some ivories.”

 

“I’m not the best at bowling,” Elly sighed, then got a twinkle in her brown eyes. “Will you teach me how to handle those big balls?”

 

And there was a side of Eleanor Macnamara that I didn’t expect. Her reputation was of a shy introvert who wore the most unflattering clothes. Now she acted flirtatiously, and her grin was infectious.

 

I worried about money for a bit, but it wasn’t a problem, as the women handed me a debit card before leaving the house.

 

“You forgot to take this from Consul Willmont before you left,” Elly informed me. “As long as you don’t go on a massive spending spree, you’re free to use it for whatever you need. That includes your mission when you go.”

 

I didn’t want to think about what I had to do soon, and we ordered an Uber.

 

We went bowling, and I won’t bother writing the entire conversation here. Both women seemed to enjoy my attempts at getting to know them, but they didn’t have any questions when I offered to answer any. But, once again, I wanted to get my hands on that file the Knights had on me.

 

I noted that there were similarities between their personalities, though also stark differences. Shayna, with her petite build and dark skin, was bubbly and happy. She was quick to tease either Elly or me and took getting teased quite well. She was only twenty but well on her way to becoming a surgeon.

 

Elly stood at almost six feet and almost always had a smile ready. She was more reserved than Shayna, but that was only by comparison. She took a gleeful part in joking around and flirting, but there was also a powerful intelligence behind her eyes. I think I wrote this down earlier, but she was working on her second doctorate at only twenty-three. In fact, it was at her suggestion that I start writing this journal. I refuse to call it a diary.

 

So, there you go, Elly. If I ever let you read this, I’m doing as you suggested. Even if I didn’t start it until well after that bowling date.

 

Shayna gave me a run for my money on all ten sets before pulling off a turkey in the tenth frame and beating me. I could see that she was competitive, but she did it in a way that wasn’t insulting to Elly and me. In fact, she cheered when we got a strike or a spare and helped me teach Elly how to put English into the ball to get it to curve just right.

 

It was also lovely to help Elly, and I may have taken slight advantage of the situation. I held her slender body from behind; my left arm slipped around her waist, hand flat on her stomach as I corrected her posture. Yes, I know it was cheesy, but from the way Elly wriggled her behind against my groin and giggled, I’m pretty sure she didn’t mind. She rewarded me with an almost-chaste kiss when she managed to bowl a spare in the tenth frame. No tongue, but she nibbled on my bottom lip before pulling back.

 

We had a few beers from the bar as we bowled, but not enough to get drunk. Elly and I hadn’t experienced bowling alley grub, so we ordered a greasy pizza and nachos. Shayna complained about all those calories going to her hips, but Elly assured her that she’d help work them off. She had that twinkle in her eyes again, and I had a few naughty ideas on how they’d do it.

 

Between the teasing from Shayna and the physical contact with Elly, I was pretty hard for most of the afternoon. I wasn’t ready for the throuple date to end after our second game and suggested a movie. I let them pick, with the excuse that it would tell me more about them.

 

“We know you want to see the latest Marvel flick, or what was that movie about alien vampires?” Elly said as she clasped my left hand in hers.

 

“Yes, I’d like to see those, but I want to know what you want to watch,” I told her. “What do you enjoy watching?”

 

“I don’t watch a lot of movies or television,” Elly grimaced. “I’m just enjoying spending time with you.”

 

“What about Ameranth’s Wandering?” Shayna piped in and slipped herself under my right arm. I’d noticed a few jealous stares from other bowlers aimed at the women and me but ignored them. “It’s a dramedy about a woman trying to choose between a wealthy incubus and his lover or a farmer’s daughter. I’ve heard it’s funny and has some hot scenes in it.”

 

Considering my upcoming mission, I didn’t care to watch anything about the freaks, but I’d given the choice to them. Elly thought it sounded interesting, and we walked over to the nearby theater.

 

Growing up, seeing a movie in the theater was a rare experience. Tickets were always too expensive, and we never bought snacks there. With my card from the Knights, that wasn’t an issue. We purchased the most oversized tub of popcorn and sodas before going into the cinema room.

 

Even though it was Saturday, there weren’t many people there as the lights dimmed and the trailers started. The movie started out okay, with the woman introduced as a big shot New York Lawyer hired by the incubus to collect debts from the farmer. The incubus wasn’t cruel and was played by a well-known actor, but I can’t remember his name. I thought it was far-fetched that the monster wasn’t trying to molest every woman around him but decided to Let Hollywood have its creative license.

 

The farmer turned out to be an old family friend, and the lawyer knew the daughter from—you know what? Until the first steamy kiss between the lawyer and the farmer’s daughter, I wasn’t much interested in the movie. The incubus wasn’t evil, and the comedy was so-so.

 

About halfway through the first lesbian scene, I felt hands on my thighs move in unison. I’d sat between Elly and Shayna, holding the popcorn tub, but as the scene progressed and the hands moved higher, I set it on the floor. An outsider looking at us would think we were engrossed in the flick as our eyes were locked on the two women making out.

 

When the hands met at my crotch, they stopped and pulled back. I heard both women titter softly before they leaned forward and looked at each other. I wasn’t sure if they spoke telepathically, but they nodded to one another. Shayna moved her lips close to my ear while Elly started unzipping my pants.

 

“Ever have two hot women blow your mind in a movie theater?” Shayna whispered, then nibbled my earlobe. I shook my head when my ear was safe from her teeth. “Well, you’re about to. Consider this as a down payment in thanks for coming back to us and being such a gentleman.”

 

Elly finished with my zipper, and Shayna fished my already rigid member out as she trailed kisses down to my neck. The theater was slightly cool, but Shayna’s warm hand stroked my length until Elly swallowed the head.

 

I let out a soft moan as Elly worked her tongue around the sensitive rim.

 

“You need to be quiet,” Shayna admonished me before claiming my lips with her own. The petite woman continued to stroke my length while Elly sucked and licked the tip. My left hand fell on Elly’s back, and I moved it around to fondle her breast over her shirt. I dropped my hand to Shayna’s inner thigh, but she squeezed her legs together, stopping me from moving higher.

 

“Nope,” Shayna panted, breaking the kiss. “Maybe later tonight you can play with my kitty—I know you’ll have the stamina for it—but if you start now, I won’t be able to resist climbing on top of you, and then we’d surely get caught.”

 

Her words lit a fire in me. Thinking back on it now, she likely knew the effect her statement would have. It’s a bit of a fetish of mine when a woman loses all self-restraint and takes what she wants. Just thinking that Shayna could lose her self-control for me was a major turn-on.

 

I pulled my hand from Shayna’s legs, gripped the back of her head, and pulled her thick lips to mine. Our tongues met and swirled around one another. Thankfully there was a good seal with our lips, as Elly chose that moment to swallow more of my length. I felt myself hit the back of her throat, then continue.

 

I gasped, breaking the kiss as her tight throat compressed my cock. I knew I wasn’t small, but I was impressed that she could take me so deeply. Shayna pulled her hand from my rod and pressed her finger to my lips, reminding me to be quiet. Then she made that all but impossible as she slipped from her seat, leaned in, and started licking the length that Elly hadn’t swallowed.

 

I wasn’t going to last long after all the flirting during bowling and then these incredible women using their talented mouths on me. I needed to distract myself, but I saw the busty lawyer suckling on the farmer’s daughter’s pink nipple when I looked at the screen.

 

Thankfully, Elly chose to pull off my member with a muted gasp for air. Unfortunately, Shayna replaced her. Instead of taking me into the back of her mouth, Shayna used a combination of head bobs and twists, masterful use of her tongue, and both hands sliding along my saliva-slickened length.

 

“I was hoping to get you to shoot deep into my throat,” Elly seductively whispered into my ear. “But you’re just too big, and I had to breathe. Do you know what I’d do to you if we were home right now? My pussy is so wet. I’ll have to peel my panties off later. Maybe I’ll give them to you as a present. Would you like that? Knowing how wet just having your big, thick cock in my mouth made me?”

 

That was it. I was done. Shayna’s technique combined with Elly’s dirty talk sent me over the edge. I turned my head and pulled Elly into a powerful kiss as I let out a deep moan and unloaded into Shayna’s devouring mouth. Bliss coursed through my body as she made sure to get every drop, even licking the tiny slit, before pulling off me with an audible pop.

 

I collapsed back into my chair, trying to catch my breath. “That was…” I searched for the right word, but my mind was still blown from the god-tier blowjob. “…incredible. Sorry I didn’t warn you,” I added to Shayna as she stood up.

 

I thought she was angry with me as she didn’t reply and went to sit next to Elly. Then I saw the two making out and understood.

 

“Thank you for sharing that with me, my love,” Elly cooed as they broke apart. Shayna didn’t come back to sit next to me but instead rested her head on Elly’s shoulder. I saw the two clasping hands, and for the briefest moment, I felt left out.

 

I dismissed it and instead found that I was happy they had each other no matter what.

 

I placed my hand on Elly’s thigh and went back to watching the movie as the women cuddled. The flick ended with the lawyer choosing the farmer’s daughter, but in a way that those sappy movies always ensured everyone was happy. The lawyer figured out a way to increase the farmer’s yield, thereby paying back the incubus. There were several glaring plot holes, but I suspected they may have been filled in by the parts I missed.

 

We picked up dinner on the way home. Once inside, I turned to the women and said, “Thank you for a wonderful day. I’d be happy to repay the favor from earlier.”

 

Elly and Shayna shared a looked before walking up to me, and each placed a hand on my chest.

 

“We appreciate the offer,” Shayna said. “However, we didn’t do that expecting anything in return.” She hopped up and gave me a peck on my left cheek, then took a step back.

 

“Bobby,” Elly added, turning my eyes to meet hers. “I can’t tell you how much it means to us that you’re willing to do that. I know a lot of guys only care about themselves, and the fact that you want to do that, even though you don’t feel the same about us, says a lot about your character. Today was a lot of fun, but if you get us off, I don’t think we’ll be able to resist going further. And you’ll need your strength and stamina for your mission.”

 

She gave me a peck on my right cheek, though she didn’t have to hop to reach it, and then stepped back to take Shayna’s hand.

 

I stood there, looking at the two beautiful women, unsure of what to do. Part of me felt rejected, but all of me was confused. They didn’t want to risk having full-blown sex because they wanted me capable of getting it on in an alleged succubus brothel? Did I enter the Twilight Zone?

 

“You can sleep in the master suite tonight,” Shayna said. “We’ll take the guest room.”

 

“Wait,” I tried wrapping my head around everything. “We’re not sleeping together?”

 

Shayna bit her bottom lip as though she really wanted that, but it was Elly that answered. “You wanted to get to know us better, and while we don’t want to spend the night apart, it might be for the best. You want to be at a hundred percent tomorrow.”

 

“I…” I trailed off, at a loss for what to say. I could see that Shayna wanted me to argue and take charge, but I could also see her reticence. I suspected Elly would be okay with whatever my decision was, and I was sorely tempted to sleep with these women tonight. Then the gentleman in me reasserted itself. “I’ll sleep in the guest room. I’m not going to kick you out of the master suite just because I’m here.”

 

For the first time, I think I may have surprised Elly. Not sure if it was her psychology schooling or my file, but she’d read me like a book since the party. Yet, now, she looked at me as though I was something unexpected, but in a good way.

 

“I knew you were a gentleman, Bobby, but I didn’t expect that,” Elly told me.

 

Shayna’s blue eyes met mine as she told Elly, “I’m so glad we agreed on him. Even with the hiccup of our marriage, he’s a better man than I would have guessed.”

 

“Something tells me that you’re both worth being the best man I can be,” I told her, giving her a smirk and a wink. I actually saw her dark cheeks blush in response.

 

“If you two are done eye-fucking each other,” Elly said without a hint of anger, “then we’d best get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a big day for you, Bobby Brody.”

 

“Sweet dreams, ladies,” I said. “I know mine will be.” I gave them both a wink.

 

Elly shook her head and my over-the-top flirting, but I saw her smile. Shayna bit her bottom lip again, then ran and jumped into my arms. Her full lips pressed hard against mine, tongue seeking entrance into my mouth. Just as I opened to let her in, she pulled back and slipped from my embrace.

 

“You’re a hard man to resist,” Shayna panted as she looked up at me. “And I’m not sure I want to resist. Maybe…” She trailed off, then shook her head and moved back to Elly. “The guest room is on the left down that hallway. I’ll be having sweet dreams tonight, also.”

 

I watched Elly drag Shayna away, and what a wondrous sight that was. I have no doubt that both women knew I was watching and added a little extra sway in their steps. It must have hypnotized me a bit, as I took a step after them before stopping. Again, I knew I could follow and have my way with them. They would welcome me, and we’d all enjoy it. But I didn’t know if that permission was due to the spell or if they genuinely liked me that much. I’d never take advantage of a drunk woman, and I felt this was a little similar. Or had I already done that in the theater?

 

I found the room in question, and once again, I was reminded of my impoverished childhood. Not because it was similar, but because of how different it was. The spare bedroom was twice the size of my dorm room, which was already larger than the room that Nikky now rented from my mom. The bed was queen-sized and actually had a bed frame and headboard instead of being a mattress on the floor.

 

I couldn’t believe that I actually lived here now. If this was the spare room, I wondered what the master suite looked like.

 

As I got ready for bed, I thought about the next day. First, I needed to go and talk to Consul Willmont and get all the details of the mission. And then I had to figure out how to determine if the brothel was run by a succubus or not. I didn’t want to think about facing one of those freaks, but I was determined to do whatever it took to keep this lifestyle.

 

Even if I didn’t understand everything about it, the house, the women, and the money were a dream come true.

 

 

*    *    *    *

 

1071 A.D.

 

“The fire’s gone out,” Venita whispered from within Ardin’s arms.

 

Ardin groaned as he slipped from the blankets and moved to the small hearth. His breath misted the air before him as he worked to stoke the coals back to flame with a couple pieces of wood. This winter was colder than most, and they were going through firewood faster than he liked. If Spring didn’t start soon, he’d have to make yet another trek into the forest for food and wood.

 

Once he was confident the soft glow would turn into flame, he glanced back over at his slumbering wife. His brows turned down into concern, not only for her but for their future. Even after two years, and nearly daily lovemaking, she’d yet to get pregnant. What was wrong with him, that he couldn’t put a child in her, despite countless attempts?

 

“I can feel you worrying all the way over here,” Venita mumbled. “We’ll make it through the winter. Spring can’t be that far off.”

 

“Don’t talk like that,” he growled back at her. “Sensing other people’s emotions and predicting the future is the work of the devil.”

 

He watched her beautiful face scowl in turn as she opened her eyes. “I didn’t mean it like that. I have faith that the Lord will guide and protect us. That’s all. And it’s not hard to know when you’re worrying. I can see it on your face.” Despite her words’ piety, her tone always carried an odd note when she mentioned their Lord and Savior. He chalked it up to her being raised in a pagan society, though he still wasn’t sure where that was. Somewhere to the North was all she’d ever say.

 

“I wasn’t worried about the winter,” he half-lied, his voice softening as he moved back to their small bed. She rolled away from him as he pulled the blanket back over himself and pressed his body to her back. His hand rested on her smooth stomach and pulled her tighter to him, enjoying the extra warmth she provided.

 

Her hand joined his, fingers interlacing. “I know,” Ardin heard her whisper as she squeezed his hand. They lay in silence for a bit before Venita spoke again. “I know we already tried once tonight, but do you want to try again?” She wriggled her rear against his crotch, making him moan and bringing him to instant hardness.

 

Even after over two years, she could still entice him with ease. He knew from talking with the other men in the village that none of their wives had a sexual appetite as big as hers, and many of them were jealous of how often his wife wanted to mate. Of course, his own drive matched hers, as he was always ready to go when she was.

 

A short time later, sweating and no longer cold, he lay next to her. Venita’s hair spread across his chest as she listened to his thundering heartbeat. He cursed himself for giving in so easily but also knew he couldn’t resist her. She was everything he could ever hope for and so much more.

 

Except he couldn’t get her pregnant.

 

“You’re doing it again,” she chided him. “I’m sure the Lord has a plan for us.” There was that tone again, but he couldn’t argue with her words.

 

“I have faith,” he told her. “I also hear the muttered words of the other villagers. They say that you’re cursed, and I hate that. The priest commented on it during last week’s sermon.”

 

“He did?” Venita asked, lifting her head to look at him with wide eyes. “You didn’t tell me that.”

 

“You were sick,” he reminded her. “I didn’t want to worry you, and when the priest spoke, I didn’t immediately think of you. Karcher was the one who pointed it out, after.”

 

“What did the priest say?” Venita asked, her fingers drawing circles on his broad chest.

 

“He talked about how those who followed the devil’s path would be cursed in this life,” he told her, trying to recall the sermon. “That even if their labors bore fruit, they would be as barren as Lucifer’s promises.”

 

“And what else did Karcher say?” Venita pressed, her tone growing concerned.

 

“He didn’t get much of a chance,” Ardin sighed, slipping his arms around his wife and trying to offer comfort. “His wife called for him to help with their newborn. He’s already given his wife two children since they married, and I can’t even give you one.”

 

“I wish you’d quit saying stuff like that,” she lightly bit his chest in warning, though her arms held him just as tight. “How do you know the priest isn’t right and that I’m not cursed?”

 

“Because you’re perfect in every way,” he answered without having to think. “It has to be me that is the problem.”

 

They lay in silence for a time before her soft voice spoke again. “There is a way to verify.”

 

“No.” Ardin shut the conversation down with that single word. He didn’t want to discuss this again.

 

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, but there’s precedence in the holy scriptures,” she pressed, despite his desire to avoid the topic. He pushed her away, trying to end the conversation, but she refused to drop it. “Rachel gave her servant to Jacob so that they may have children. And afterward, Leah did the same for him so that they may have more children.”

 

He felt her hand on his arm, urging Ardin to turn and face her. He knew if he did, though, he’d fall back under the spell of her beauty and remained facing the hearth. “Your argument is flawed,” he growled. “We don’t have any servants, and Jacob married two sisters. Those sisters were competing with each other, more than trying to follow God’s plan. And I have not been found worthy enough by the priests to have another wife. Nor do I want one when I have you.”

 

“Ardin, please, look at me,” she pleaded, but if she would ignore his desire to not have this conversation, then he would ignore her wishes. “I don’t want to share you, but I am not enough for you despite what you say. You want children, and I can’t give that to you. Maybe I am cursed.”

 

He felt her fall back to the bed behind him. Her words and tone tore at his heart, but he remained firm. He didn’t want another woman. Not just because he was wholly devoted to Venita, but it wouldn’t be fair to any other woman. No one was even close to attractive to him. No one held his heart the way Venita did, and he didn’t think another woman ever could. Even if he convinced the priests to allow him to marry another, she would always be second to Venita. What kind of a life would that be for her? To compound the issue, he struggled to feed and care for just the two of them during the worst of the cold season. Babies didn’t need much, and once the kid was old enough, they could help. Venita didn’t need help sewing clothes or caring for their tiny home. He didn’t need another wife, nor did he think he could care for one.

 

He was confident that the problem lay with him, anyway. Despite his best efforts, there were times when his mind or heart questioned the priests’ words. He couldn’t read and had wondered if the priests were accurately presenting what the holy scriptures read or if they were interpreting it for their own benefit. More than once, when a different priest arrived to deliver a sermon, they would contradict or alter what another priest had said. He understood that they were only human, but they were also supposed to represent God’s words and will. Such questions often led him down dark paths, and he only found salvation in praying.

 

Closing his eyes, Ardin offered up a prayer, asking that he be forgiven his wicked thoughts, and allowing him to get his wife pregnant. He would face any challenge and follow any path the Lord wished for him, but he wanted to have children to carry on his legacy.

 

“Ardin?” Venita’s voice reached into his thoughts, but he ignored her. Over and over again, he prayed for forgiveness and to give him this one boon. He would do anything to have a child with his wife.

 

“Ardin, I think….”

 

He prayed, and as the sun crested the horizon, he finally turned and faced his wife. Tears streamed from her red-rimmed eyes. He could see that while he’d prayed for forgiveness and clarity, she’d wept for his failings. He loved her with every bit of his soul and knew that she wanted for his happiness. Venita was willing to share him, to give him what she thought was her failing. She thought it was her, but he knew that deep down, the inability to sire a child with her rested on his shoulders.

 

He prepared to offer her his love and ask for forgiveness once again for his shortcomings when she spoke first.

 

“I’m sorry for what I tried to push onto you, my beloved husband,” her voice came out cracked from her sobbing but managed to convey a firm conviction. “I’ll not speak of it again. Not because I don’t wish for us to conceive, but I received a feeling that if we try one more time tonight—” her eyes shot to the sunlight streaming in, and she amended what she said. “One more time today, that we will be blessed with a child.”

 

Despite the emotional turmoil of the night, her words still managed to arouse him. Warmth filled his chest as he nodded, knowing her words were correct. His prayers would be answered. He just needed to have faith.

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From the Author

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Shayna

Elly

Ardin

Venita