The Fantasy Trove

 [tags: Blowjob, shower, threesome, rough, domination]

 

Bobby returns to his new home, only to learn that things weren’t as he left them.

 

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Chapter 08

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Homecomings

 

“Your ride’s here,” Protector Joey informed me with a sneer. I was still learning the rank structure for the Paladonic Knights, but I knew he was two ranks above me. He made sure I knew that. He’d also made his thoughts clear about me. “You’re lucky they’re letting you keep that body. Maybe it’s defective, and that’s why? Your face still looks a little off from your file, but maybe it was a bad picture, and you always looked that ugly. I told Guardian Johnson they should recycle you. Meh, I don’t believe for a minute that a low-rank peon like you would be able to return when more worthy Knights died over the last couple of weeks.”

 

I didn’t even bother looking at the man. He acted like I’d eaten his favorite candy since I woke up this morning, though I didn’t know what his real beef with me was. I was on my way out the door and hopefully wouldn’t ever have to see him again.

 

Apparently, it took leadership a day to decide what to do with me. I don’t know what they had to discuss or determine, but Protector Joey’s attitude gave me hints. They reached out to Consul Willmont, who was sending someone out to retrieve me. I felt like a piece of errant property, but at least I was alive.

 

I learned that the woman I’d screwed that raised such a ruckus after being brought back to life wasn’t even human. Or rather, not fully human. She was half oni, some type of Japanese demon. They told me she was over eighty years old, and she’d behaved for more than five decades. Her job was to train women to please their future husbands and take the edge off newly resurrected Knights. She was allowed to use her hands, mouth, and feet. No other penetration was allowed, as she would lose control and potentially kill whomever she mated with after completion.

 

Once again, I was lucky to be alive.

 

“Come on, hurry up!” Protector Joey snapped as I grabbed the small toiletries bag they gave me like some parting gift. At least I also had a set of clothes, instead of just the boxers I woke up in. I scratched an annoying itch at the back of my neck as I looked forward to leaving this place.

 

Following the skinny Knight out, I entertained ideas of picking him up by his scrawny neck. He was so slight, and I’d learned that this body was more potent than my previous one. It’d be so easy to pick him up and toss him through the glass doors we were headed towards.

 

“I’m sure they’ll figure out their mistake soon enough,” Joey continued, taking my silence as either cowardice or being cowed.

 

I noticed my hand lifting to follow my dark thoughts and forced it back to my side with a snap. Joey turned to look at me, and I smiled, showing all my teeth. I may be a head taller than him, stronger than him, bigger and broader, better looking, faster, and I forgot where I was going with this… Oh yeah! I’d learned a long time ago to control myself or risk putting people in hospitals. The last time I lost my temper was when I found Megan making out with my doppelganger, which turned out to be that bastard, Sheldon Lance. But before that… Well, I chose not to remember how that went down. I was only a kid back then.

 

“All that time and effort wasted,” I heard the man mutter. He was loud enough that I knew he intended for me to hear. “Now, we’ll have to find someone else to train the new sluts. And millions of dollars wasted on that body.”

 

I wondered if he was more upset about the half-demon or that I now inhabited some kind of cutting-edge body. Unfortunately, I wasn’t privileged enough to know what made my new body so special.

 

Joey’s voice dropped as he added, “Now, who am I going to skull-fuck when Abby is in one of her moods?”

 

I tried not to chuckle, almost feeling bad for the freak oni. Sure, I’d had fun seducing her, but I hadn’t known what she was. I also didn’t understand why she’d succumbed to my charms. Sure, it boosted my ego, but she was a freak!

 

“Holy shit, Bobby!” a familiar voice shouted as we stepped outside. The air was a little cool, but I took a deep breath, enjoying it. This was the first I was let out of my room, and I enjoyed what I saw was crisp, clean, morning mountain air.

 

Looking at the person who shouted, I couldn’t help but smile. “Al! Man, are you a sight for sore eyes,” I walked over and tried to greet my redheaded friend with a handshake, but he pulled me into a tight bro-hug. I awkwardly returned it, then pulled back. “I’ve had to deal with that sourpuss all day and am ready to blow this joint.”

 

“That’s Protector Joey to you, Carpenter Brody,” the skinny man complained.

 

I glanced over my shoulder as I said, “Well, you’re done protecting my ass. So long, and thanks for all the fish.”

 

I didn’t wait for his spluttering response before jumping into Al’s vehicle. It looked like a brand new Jeep, and I guessed that he bought it on the Knight’s checkbook.

 

“Dude, did you see his face?” Al asked as he jumped in and pulled out of the driveway. “He was redder than my hair. You know, you really shouldn’t insult those who outrank us, but that was funny to watch.”

 

“I can’t help myself, sometimes,” I said as I looked at the large house I’d just left. It looked like a log cabin but for the rich and famous. I was happy to put it behind me.

 

Al shook his head as he pulled out onto a two-lane street. “I don’t know how the hell you ended all the way out here in Utah, much less the middle of B.F.E. I mean, how unoriginal do you have to be to name a lake, Fish Lake? Admittedly, it looks more like a whale than a fish on the map, but come on!”

 

“Utah?” I asked, shocked. I figured I was in the Sierra Nevada range. Why did I end up in Utah, of all places? Part of me wondered if my old roommate, Joshua Binns, knew of this place? He was a Mormon from this state.

 

“Yeah,” Al grunted. “Took me ten hours to get here. I’ll probably need you to drive for a bit if you want to get home before classes start back up tomorrow.”

 

“Wait, it’s Sunday?” I demanded. It was Friday when I was resurrected, which meant those bastards had kept me unconscious for over twenty-four hours.

 

“Yeah,” Al gave me a worried look as the road started to twist and turn. “I guess you were more injured than you thought? Look, I know I’m not supposed to ask too many questions. And I won’t, I promise. But, um… Did they have to do reconstructive surgery on you? I mean, you look almost like yourself. Not that you look bad, just… I don’t know. Different?”

 

“Something like that,” I said, confused. I’d thought Protector Joey’s comments were designed to get under my skin. I dropped the visor on my side and used the vanity mirror. There wasn’t a mirror in my room, and this was the first opportunity I’d had to look at myself. I saw right away what Al and Joey were talking about. I looked like myself but slightly different. My eyes were still blue, and my hair was still brown. Hell, now that I thought about it, I hadn’t done anything with my hair when I got up, but it looked perfectly done. I’d once heard a woman say that I was ruggedly handsome, but now some of that ruggedness was softened. The angles of my face weren’t as sharp. I didn’t know if it was an improvement or not, and I worried about what Shayna and Elly would think.

 

“Can I borrow your phone?” I asked. The Knights hadn’t let me call them, and I could only imagine the worry they must be going through.

 

“Sure,” Al said as he handed it over. I realized that I didn’t have my wives’ numbers memorized and was only slightly annoyed when I found their contact info on his phone. They would have stayed faithful, even if they thought I was dead, right?

 

I tried Elly first, and she picked up after the first ring. “Hey, Al!” Her chipper voice sent a spike through my chest, but the excitement of her following words soothed it. “Did you get our husband? Are you on your way back with him?”

 

“Is that Al?” I heard Shayna in the background. “Does he have Bobby? Is he okay?”

 

“Elly, it’s me,” I said, feeling my chest warm at hearing them. I hadn’t realized until that point how important they’d become to me. “I’m heading back with Al now, and we’ll be there as fast as possible. I can’t wait to see you both!”

 

“I missed you,” Elly said in a soft voice. Then, Shayna said something I didn’t catch, and Elly continued, “Shayna missed you too. So, hurry home, but be careful. We’ll be waiting for you.”

 

Before I had a chance to respond, she hung up. I stared at the phone, confused. Shouldn’t she have wanted to talk to me more? I pondered as I handed Al’s phone back.

 

“What’s wrong?” Al asked, but I shook my head. “Wait, I think I can guess. You think they should have been more worried or excited for you, right?”

 

“I… well, yeah,” I confessed, feeling a pit forming in my stomach. “I mean, I was blown up and brought back, uh, to health. I’d have thought they’d be a bit more concerned.” I stumbled over my words, remembering that I wasn’t supposed to go into detail about being resurrected. The Knights warned me that spilling the beans to anyone not authorized wouldn’t end well. I got the impression they meant something far worse than getting demoted.

 

Al let out a conciliatory chuckle before answering. “Don’t be upset with them. They still love you, but it’s a protection mechanism. I’m sure they missed you a lot. However, we tend to have a dangerous occupation. Knights are killed in action all the time. The spell that makes us fall in love on First Knight also blunts grief if we die.”

 

“You mean their emotions are controlled to that level?” I demanded, feeling sick. I finally came to terms with the spell forcing love on them since the women chose that of their own free will. But I thought that was a one-time thing. If that spell remained active, what other emotions did it blunt or create in them?

 

“No big deal,” Al waved away my concerns. “Think about it this way. It’d be a shitty ordeal for them to fall madly in love with us and then suffer unimaginable grief if we died on a mission. They’re still sad—and I can confirm your women missed you—but they’re able to function.”

 

I recalled wondering why my mom was so calm after my father’s death, and now I had my answer. I’d seen she was sad but was surprised during my visit at how put-together she was.

 

I know this makes me selfish, but knowing the women who professed to love me were barely bothered by my death, hurt.

 

“I’m going to take a nap,” I told my friend, more bothered than I wanted to admit. “Wake me up when you want me to drive.”

 

“Oh, um… Okay,” Al said, giving me a concerned look. “I guess I can drive for a few more hours.”

 

Realizing that he’d already driven most of the night to come and get me, I sat back up and said, “Sorry, man. Pull over, and I’ll drive. I didn’t even think.”

 

“Oh, no!” Al tried to protest, but I could see the bags under his eye as I looked at him. “I’m good for a few more hours at least.”

 

I shook my head and gave him a wry smile. “That wasn’t a question, bud. Pull over.” I could see that he wanted to argue, but a yawn cracked his jaw before he could. When he could close his mouth, he gave me a sheepish look and nodded.

 

I took over driving and used his in-dash GPS to head back to California.

 

*    *    *    *

 

 

The sun was just setting as we pulled into our neighborhood. Al was back behind the wheel, claiming he didn’t like my driving. I’m sure he just didn’t like someone else driving his vehicle. I could appreciate that.

 

I got over my hurt feelings from earlier and called Shayna to let them know I was almost home.

 

“Um, hey, babe,” she answered quietly. “I can’t wait to see you. The front door is unlocked. Be quiet when you come in. I think you’ll get a kick out of this. Love ya, bye!” Once again, I was hung up on before I could speak.

 

I took a few seconds to calm myself before handing the phone back to Al. He gave me a sympathetic look but thankfully didn’t say anything about their weird behavior.

 

I’d heard that people had different love languages, and they expressed that emotion differently and thus needed it expressed to them in the same language. So perhaps Shayna’s and Elly’s were keeping phone calls short?

 

“I live just around the block, so let me know if you need anything,” Al told me after pulling through the security gate. “Let me know if you need anything, even if it’s just a couch to sleep on.”

 

“Gee, thanks,” I grumbled.

 

“Ah, don’t worry, man,” Al grinned at me. “I’m only razzing you. Your wives love you unconditionally. I’m sure they’re waiting to surprise you right behind your front door.”

 

But then why did she want me to be quiet when I enter? I wondered but kept my thoughts to myself.

 

Sure enough, as I slowly opened the front door after Al dropped me off, no one was there to greet me. I set my toiletries bag on a small table in the entryway and slowly walked to the kitchen, where I could hear talking.

 

I froze as I recognized the third voice.

 

“I tried telling him that going to a whorehouse was a terrible idea,” the man said with enough sincerity that I could almost believe him. But Adam hadn’t said any such thing. “He told me he had a girlfriend, but I think his exact words were, ‘I need to find some strange.’”

 

What the hell is he doing here? I screamed in my head as I ground my teeth. And what is Shayna playing at? Despite the near rage coursing through my veins, I recognized that Shayna wanted me to walk in on this conversation.

 

“I don’t mean to talk ill of the dead, though,” Adam went on, unaware of my presence. “Bobby was a good man, and he’ll be missed.”

 

I realized what Adam was doing now… He was trying to play on their sympathies, tug at their heartstrings, and get into their panties. What kind of a no-moral douchebag would do that? My concerns about Elly and Shayna vanished as I recalled Al’s words. Adam would have an easier time sticking his dick into his own ass than getting with my women.

 

“I had no idea you and our Bobby were so close,” Elly’s voice reached me, and I had to fight myself from rushing in there. I wanted to see where this was going.

 

“Your Bobby?” Adam asked, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. “As in, both of you?”

 

“Yes, we weren’t married very long,” Shayna piped in, “but I keep thinking he’ll walk around the corner any second.”

 

I figured that was my queue to walk in, but I held back. I really wanted to see how far they’d take it.

 

“M-married?” Adam spluttered.

 

“Surely, if you were as close as you said, he would have told you about both of us.” I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination, but I thought I detected a hint of sarcasm in Elly’s tone.

 

“I guess he underplayed it,” Adam said, appearing to have recovered from his shock.

 

“He was always a humble man,” Shayna said, a hint of sadness in her voice.

 

I almost burst out laughing when I heard Adam choke. Then, after a moment, he said, “I’m sure he just wanted to keep two such beautiful women to himself. Some men like to hide away beautiful things instead of letting them shine.”

 

I shook my head, wondering if he actually thought such lines would work. I was about to walk out and see if Adam would have a heart attack, but Elly’s next question stopped me.

 

“I’m sure you didn’t come all the way here to flatter us. What can we do for you?”

 

“Well, um, I thought you should know how he died,” Adam said, starting to sound uncertain. I heard him swallow before continuing in a tone that sounded rehearsed. “Like I told you before, I told him we shouldn’t be going to a whorehouse, especially since he had you, um, both. But he insisted and promised to pay for me as well. I didn’t need his charity, of course.”

 

“Of course,” Shayna and Elly agreed at the same time. I almost burst out laughing. I wondered if Adam was too tone-deaf to hear the dry tone they used.

 

“Anyway, I told him I didn’t need to pay for that kind of thing, nor did I want him paying for me,” Adam claimed with even more confidence. “I prefer to make a genuine connection to my partners and not just have meaningless flings.”

 

“I’m sure,” Shayna said with enough sincerity that she should win an Oscar.

 

“Yeah, so I told him I would wait for him outside and make sure he safely made it back to you. He was in there for a long time, and I—”

 

“Bobby does have a lot of stamina,” Shayna sighed. I wondered if Adam would catch that she wasn’t speaking in the past tense.

 

“Right… Um, anyway, I was just thinking about calling Bobby and telling him to come out when someone else ran into that wicked place.” Adam’s voice suddenly rose as though he were going into an exciting part of his story. “Next thing I knew, there was a flash of light, and rocks were raining down around the truck.”

 

“My truck is still in the shop being repaired,” Shayna complained, as though that were the most essential part of the story.

 

“Uh, yes, um, your truck….” Adam stumbled over his words before recalling his story. I grew interested and wondered what would happen next, even if I knew the whole thing was a lie. “Anyway, headless of any danger, I ran to the building to find my dearest friend. I didn’t care about the fire, only finding Bobby. Thankfully, he must have been coming out because I found him near where the front of the building used to be.”

 

“That must be why your hands aren’t cut up or burned,” Elly noted.

 

“My hands? Oh, yeah, I used this cream that’s supposed to help them heal super fast. Here, feel how soft they are.”

 

“That’s okay,” Shayna declined the offer. “What happened next? Was he still alive?”

 

“What? Oh, yes,” Adam hurried on with his harrowing tale. “When I found him, I knew it was too late. I won’t stress your tender hearts with his condition, but I knew I couldn’t save him. I think he knew he was dying because he told me to find you and make sure you were okay. But, then, I’ll never forget the look in his eyes as he died in my arms.”

 

“Thank you.” I couldn’t quite read Elly’s tone. I knew she couldn’t believe that load of shit, but she wasn’t as good an actor as Shayna. “Why did it take you so long to come?”

 

“Well, I didn’t know where he lived after moving out of his dorm,” Adam replied quickly. “But now that I do, I want you both to know that I’m here for you if you need me. And it would be nice to have someone close who knew him if you want to talk.”

 

“It’s just so hard, you know,” Shayna said, tears filling her sweet voice. “I just wish he’d walk in right now and end our suffering.”

 

This time I took the hint and walked into the dining room. “Sorry that took me so long,” I said as I walked up behind my wives. I was in the perfect spot to see Adam’s face turn pale. His eyebrows rose as his jaw fell against his chest, and he pushed back from the table hard enough to fall over. He was sitting across the table from Shayna and Elly, and I wish I had a camera to capture that look of surprise, terror, and shock as he fell backward. “But you wouldn’t believe what I had to do to—Oh, hey, Adam. What are you doing here?”

 

Shayna and Elly jumped up from the table and rushed into my arms as I grinned wickedly at Adam.

 

“We missed you!” Shayna cried against my chest.

 

“Please don’t ever leave us like that again,” Elly’s voice was slightly muffled as she nuzzled into my neck.

 

“But… but—I saw—You…but….” Adam couldn’t figure out what he wanted to say.

 

“I think I broke him,” I told the women, holding them tight and feeling their warmth and love soak into me.

 

“They said you were dead!” Adam finally managed to spit out.

 

“Rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated,” I paraphrased Mark Twain, unable to break the grin splitting my cheeks. This was too much fun. “Who told you I was dead? I thought you said I died in your arms….”

 

“I… Yes, but… I mean…” Adam tried to collect his thoughts as he got up from the floor. “How are you still alive?”

 

“I met some spiritual monks who took me into the mountains and used magic to heal me,” I lied, still unable to soften my predatory grin. “It’s incredible what you can do with a bit of cream to soften the skin, right? I mean, your hands don’t even show a blemish from digging through that hot, jagged rubble. How’s Mana, by the way?”

 

“Mana? She was distraught after losing her boss like….” Adam’s eyes grew wide as he realized his mistake. Then anger and rage filled them. “You mother-fucker. Who do you think you are? What right do you have coming in here and—”

 

“Returning to my home and family?” I cut him off and finished for him. I pulled the women closer to me as I stepped to the side, giving him a clear path to leave. “I think you should leave. Now.” I made sure to leave a note of warning in my voice.

 

“How dare you,” Adam muttered as he gathered what remained of his dignity and came around the table to leave. I had no idea what he was blaming me for, and I didn’t care. He stopped in front of me, eyes blazing with hatred. “I don’t know how you’re still alive, but you’ll pay for humiliating me.” I saw what he was planning before he even moved.

 

With a quick movement, I pulled Elly and Shayna behind me and set my jaw. Adam’s fist crashed into the side of my face with a sickening crunch as I took the hit. Adam was strong, but I was learning just how much stronger this new body of mine was.

 

Adam pulled away with a screech as he cradled his broken hand, the rage in his eyes turning to pain and terror as he looked at me.

 

“Get. Out.” Whether it was my tone or the maniacal grin on my face, Adam turned and fled.

 

“That was a little mean, wasn’t it?” Shayna asked as we heard the front door slam. We listened to his tires squealing as Adam pulled away in a surprisingly short time.

 

“You know he was trying to use our grief to fuck us, right?” Elly answered for me. “He’s lucky our man isn’t the violent type, though even I’m impressed with him taking that punch.”

 

“I know,” Shayna shrugged as she came back to my side and grinned up at me. “But sometimes a woman wants her man to fight for her.”

 

Elly chuckled as she came to my left side and hugged me. “A weak man fights to prove himself. A strong man fights only when he has to. Besides, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone lose a fight as poorly as Adam did.”

 

Shayna giggled, pressing her cheek into my chest. “So true! Our awesome hubby didn’t even have to throw a punch. But I hope he didn’t piss his pants on the way out. I’m not cleaning piss off the floor.”

 

“If he did, we’ll get the cleaning service to take care of it,” Elly said as she nuzzled my neck. Then she sniffed and pulled away from me. “Don’t take this the wrong way, and I’m so glad to have you home, but you need a shower, love.”

 

I tried to chuckle at her words, but Shayna hugged me tighter while taking in a deep breath. “I don’t mind the way he smells, but I’m not averse to getting him naked and in the shower, either.”

 

“What, a ten-hour ride after being asleep for so long and no chance to get clean doesn’t agree with you?” I teased Elly. I saw her eyes widen with worry and quickly added. “Relax, I’m not offended. I’d really like to get cleaned up as well. I literally haven’t had the opportunity to wash up in a week. Kind of surprised Al didn’t complain.”

 

“A week?” Shayna said and buried her nose against my chest again. “It took the healers that long to help you recover?”

 

I hated lying to them, but I remembered my warning about revealing what actually happened. “Yeah, I don’t remember much. I was kept unconscious for most of it. They woke me up on Friday to make sure I was good, then before I could call either of you, they knocked me back out to finish whatever they had to do. I’m so sorry if I worried you.”

 

I saw tears threaten to leak from Elly’s eyes as Shayna’s arms tightened around me. “When they told us about the bombing, we feared the worst,” the taller woman said as a tremulous smile played along her lips. “But we knew that many Paladonic Knights return from the cusp of death and waited to hear. Your mom comforted us as well. So when Al told us he was going to pick you up—I can’t describe what a relief that was.”

 

“I’m glad to be back home with you both,” I said, pulling Elly back into a three-way hug.

 

“Ugh, I’ll show more gratitude for you being back after you shower,” Elly groaned after only a couple of seconds.

 

I laughed as I turned to go towards where I remembered the guest bathroom. “Okay, okay. I’ll get washed up, and then we can talk some more.”

 

“But I like the way you smell,” Shayna complained as she clung to me. I remembered how she’d acted after our workout, and I was all sweaty. It seemed that Shayna liked me a little dirty.

 

“Why are you going to that bathroom?” Elly asked as I reached the door. “Come on. You’re our husband, and you’ll be sleeping with us tonight. Besides, there’s no way all three of us will fit in the guest shower.”

 

“Oh, I like that idea, babe,” Shayna said with glee. “We can get extra dirty before we clean up.”

 

As I smiled, I felt the stress of the last little bit slip away. Sure, I had died, but I was resurrected. Sure, I was married to two women I barely knew, but being there felt right to me in that situation. For the first time in a very long time, I was happy. I wasn’t worried about school, relationships, or money. My life was finally looking great!

 

And it was about to get better.

 

Shayna dragged me into the master bedroom, then the master bathroom. I wasn’t allowed to undress as Shayna took that task upon herself. She made sure to breathe in my scent from every article she removed, taking a little extra time with my underwear. Personally, I found it a little weird, and it wasn’t my thing, but if it made her happy—and horny—who was I to complain?

 

Elly wasn’t idle as my clothing was ripped from me. She stepped into a large walk-in shower that could fit six people comfortably. I thought those things only existed within porn, with its glass walls and multiple showerheads. After turning on three of the faucets, she undressed, keeping eye contact with me the whole while.

 

Needless to say that once my boxers were lowered, there was no doubt that I was enjoying this experience.

 

“Wow,” Elly breathed a deep sigh as she gazed at me. “I’d forgotten how big you are.”

 

Shayna pulled my boxers away from her face and grinned as she spoke. “I didn’t! My little kitty was still sore on Tuesday.” Her eyes flicked to mine and then back down as her grin grew hungry. She lunged forward, taking a quarter of my length between her lips in one swift movement. I felt her tongue swirl around my tip as she moaned most erotically.

 

“I’ll just wait for you two in the shower,” Elly said and blew me a kiss. I admired the sway of her slim hips and ass as she stepped into the shower.

 

“Mmm, I love the way you taste,” Shayna cooed before licking from the base of my shaft to the tip. “But I want us all to be together. We’ve been apart for too long.” Getting to her feet, the dark-skinned woman stripped off her clothes before gripping my cock to pull me towards the shower. She didn’t have to fight, as I grew more and more eager by the second.

 

I remembered the Knights at the resurrection facility saying that my libido would be increased, but it took all of my self-control not to throw Shayna against the wall and ravish her. My cock pulsed in her hand, thrumming with the desire to plunge into her again and again. She wouldn’t stop me, I knew. In fact, I’m sure she would enjoy it. The way her thicker hips swayed, almost as if she was daring me to take her.

 

My hand lifted, ready to press her against the wall, just as she let go and faced me. Water splashed against her back as she met my eyes. I saw uncertainty fill them and came back to myself.

 

“What’s wrong?” Shayna asked, prompting Elly to wipe soap from her eyes and look at me. “You look like you’re in pain.”

 

My eyes roamed her body, taking in her modest breasts, slim waist, smooth stomach, and the black landing strip that gave the lie to her dirty blonde hair. Instead of answering her, I closed the distance between us, pulled her close, and bent to claim her lips with mine. My rod was sandwiched between us, the tip resting just below her breasts. Her hands slid around me, reaching down to cup my buttocks as she moaned into the kiss.

 

“Slow down, you two,” Elly mocked us. “We have plenty of time to fool around after you get clean.”

 

“I just can’t resist him,” Shayna groaned. “I’m so wet right now. There’s something different about him—something wilder—and I don’t want to hold back.”

 

I knew she was talking about a different kind of wetness than the water coming out of the faucet. I bent down with a hungry growl, claiming her lips again as I gripped her firm ass. Being on the cheerleading squad ensured her legs and glutes were very well-toned. If she had the ability to talk, then I wasn’t doing enough. Lifting her up, I let my prick poke at her entrance, then impaled her.

 

“Oh, fuck!” Shayna threw her head back and screamed. Her voice echoed within the large shower as I lifted her up and dropped her again. “Slow down, Bobby! I wasn’t… ready for—fuuuck!”

 

I continued to use my strength to lift and drop her, stretching her out as my lusts took over. Her fingernails dug into my back as I ravaged her sopping cunt. I didn’t slow, ignoring her grunts and pleas to be gentle. I knew she was enjoying every second of this. Her slippery but tight pussy felt incredible as I guided her up and down.

 

Despite my increased strength, I couldn’t move her as fast as I wanted. Turning, I pressed her against the wall, eliciting a shriek as she complained about the cold surface. I ignored that complaint also, hooking my elbows below her knees and using my hips to thrust into her. This worked better, allowing me to give her quick but powerful thrusts deep into her dripping twat.

 

Shayna’s fingernails dug into my back as her heels drummed against my hips. Her head thrashed back and forth as incoherent sounds and gasps escaped her. I thrust in deep, sandwiching her between myself and the wall, when her orgasm struck. Her inner muscles were strong enough that I feared for the life of my member should I move. Even so, I felt mighty in that moment as Shayna shuddered, her eyes fluttered, and I felt her warm fluids run down my thighs. This was the way I wanted my lovers to react to my attention!

 

As great as I felt, it was torture to hold back. I wanted to keep going, to drive Shayna’s passions higher and higher until she passed out from the bliss. But some inner voice warned caution, and I had enough willpower to heed it. So instead, I tightened my own inner muscles, making myself twitch inside her vise-like grip.

 

“S-s-s-stop,” Shayna gasped as she used her powerful leg muscles and arms to push me away. I gently laid her on the wet floor, where she curled up into the fetal position. Aftershocks still coursed through her body as she lay under a warm stream of water.

 

“Wow,” I heard Elly gasp behind me. In my passion, I admit I’d forgotten about her. But as I turned to the beautiful woman, I found my lusts return in force. Elly’s brown hair was slicked back and plastered to the wall. Her back arched, shoulders against that same wall as her larger tits jiggled on her chest. Her breast movements were because both her hands worked between her legs, one working her clit while the other shoved a single finger inside. “I don’t know what it was, but seeing you take her like that is such a turn-on!”

 

“Good, because you’re next,” I growled as I moved in front of her. She had enough time to squeak before I dropped into a squat, placed my arms between her slick thighs, and lifted her to my shoulders. Thankfully the ceiling was also high—seriously! What is the purpose of such a massive shower, besides sex and orgies?—and let her wet coochy rest against my mouth.

 

Elly’s fingers threaded through my hair as I slurped, licked, and devoured her. It didn’t take long before she ground her lower lips against mine, moaning and filling my mouth with her delicious taste.

 

I couldn’t believe how rough I was with them, nor the ease with which I manhandled them. I was able to see Shayna still on the floor out of the corner of my eye and worried that I may have broken her. That is until I saw her hungrily looking at me, licking her lips.

 

“Oh, Bobby,” Elly moaned as I returned my attention to her. “Yes, right there! Fuck, lick my clit! Yes, yes!”

 

I had to use my hands to steady her against the wall, as she was wriggling too much, so all I could use was my mouth. She didn’t seem to mind, though, as my tongue, teeth, and lips knew exactly what to do to bring her to climax.

 

Just as her thighs threatened to crush my skull, I felt something warm slip over my cock. I couldn’t look down, but I assumed Shayna was rejoining the fun, using her mouth this time.

 

“You destroyed me, Bobby, but I couldn’t stay away,” I heard Shayna mock-complain. “My little kitty to too sensitive to even masturbate, but I have other ways to please our powerful husband.”

 

Hearing her words sent a jolt through my libido. I’ve said it before, but having a woman succumb to her desires is a powerful aphrodisiac.

 

I continued to eat Elly out as Shayna slobbered and swallowed my stiff tool. My short wife’s talent was impeccable, and she would have had me blowing my load if I hadn’t pulled away. I wondered if that oni had trained my wives or if it was someone else? As I pulled from her warm mouth, I also let Elly down on shaky legs.

 

Elly’s feet barely touched the wet floor before she pressed her body against me, claiming my lips in a voracious kiss. Knowing that she could taste herself and feeling her grind against my shaft let me know she was ready for her turn on my pole.

 

I turned her around in one swift motion, reached between her legs, and slipped into her dripping vagina from behind. Elly’s back arched as her shoulders pressed into my chest. Her arm snaked around my neck as her lips turned, seeking mine again. I indulged her as I started thrusting my hips against her pert ass. My hands found her breasts as I took up an unsteady rhythm. I relished the moans that escaped her as my cock rubbed against her front wall and my fingers tweaked her nipples.

 

“That’s it,” Shayna encouraged us as she sat on the floor between Elly’s and my legs. “Fuck her as hard as you did me. Damn, you’re stretching her out so much! No wonder I’m so sensitive.”

 

I had to block Shayna’s words out, or I would blow too soon. These women certainly knew how to entice me! Despite my efforts, though, when I felt Shayna’s tongue alternating between licking my balls and Elly’s clit, and Elly breaking the kiss so she could gasp and moan through another orgasm, I was done.

 

Using my grip on her ample bust, I pulled Elly tighter to me, thrust my hips hard, and came. Our bodies shook together as I filled my tall wife and Shayna licked up most of what squelched out of our conjoining. And Shayna had plenty to slurp up. Despite the vice-like grip of Elly’s cunt, it felt like I’d emptied a gallon of semen into her. I don’t care what anime or some erotic stories may claim; Elly’s stomach didn’t distend from my load. Instead, it slipped from her in spurts and squirts as Shayna tried her best to get it all.

 

A fresh load gushed from her when I stepped back, but Shayna sealed her lips against the stretched orifice.

 

“Whoa, slow down, love,” Elly complained, hunching over and shuddering. ‘That’s… too—too sensitive. Wait… Oh, shit!”

 

Despite having just cum, I felt ready to go again. In fact, I hadn’t even softened! Seeing Elly bent over, I couldn’t help but admire her ass. I saw Shayna’s tongue lapping at her slit, but my attention was drawn to the puckered hole above it.

 

I marveled at this new body's stamina as I stepped forward and gripped Elly’s pale hips.

 

“Whoa!” Elly moved like lightning, stepping aside, holding one hand to her heart, and the other over her crotch. “I’m sorry, babe, but I have to tap out. I can barely stand as it is. Please forgive me!”

 

“We can use our mouths,” Shayna spoke up, her voice shook with hope.

 

“Please let us take care of you!” Elly joined her voice to the request.

 

Hell yeah! I thought, eager to get a double blowjob from these incredible women.

 

Stop. Look. Listen.

 

I don’t know where those thoughts came from, but I shoved them down. These women were my wives, and they were obviously eager to let me ravish them. Why should I stop?

 

I took a step forward and saw Elly move next to Shayna. Her lips trembled with anticipation. I couldn’t believe how hard I was and couldn’t wait to enjoy these women again.

 

No, look!

 

I wanted to scream at the voice that I was looking! How could I not look at two naked women before me, ready to do anything to please me?

 

Despite my desire, I found myself looking closer at the two women. With her light brown hair and eyes, pale skin, ample bosom, and flat stomach, Elly gazed up at me with anticipation. In fact, she was so eager that tears streamed down her face, mixing with the water from the shower still beading her body.

 

In contrast, Shayna’s dark brown skin, blue eyes, modest chest, and almost six-pack stomach, bit her thick bottom lip with desire.

 

Look!

 

Something shifted in my perception. I can’t tell you what it was, but one moment I saw two wanton vixens ready to take care of my every need, and the next, I saw something that scared me.

 

Those weren’t tears of eagerness in Elly’s eyes but fear. And Shayna wasn’t biting her lips with desire but worry. These remarkable women were willing to take care of me, but not with the hope and lust I saw a moment ago.

 

“Is everything okay?” Shayna asked. That quiver in her voice was fear, not hope. How had I ever made that mistake?

 

“We’re ready for you, husband,” Elly added her voice.

 

Despite what they said, neither one reached for me. I recalled how Shayna was always so forward before, but now I sensed her hesitance. How many of their cries of passion were pleas for help earlier?

 

My stomach threatened to rise as I continued to stare at my wives. I wanted to vomit. What kind of spell made them so willing to sacrifice their dignity and health for my desires? I didn’t feel right about that at all.

 

“Bobby?” Shayna asked, and there was no mistaking her tone for anything other than concern.

 

“I’m…” I trailed off, not even sure how to begin apologizing. Hell, I was still stiff as a board. My second brain demanded that I ignore their feelings and take what they offered. But that wasn’t the man I was. “I’m so sorry,” I said and fled from the bathroom.

 

Naked and dripping water, I ran to the guest bedroom and locked the door. “What the hell is wrong with me?” I muttered as I sat on the floor at the foot of my bed. “I practically raped them.” Memories of Shayna begging me to slow down replayed in my head. This time, instead of encouraging me, I imagined tears in her eyes as the man who was supposed to care for and cherish her, instead took advantage of her body.

 

“Bobby?” one of their voices came through my door as they knocked. In my anguish, I didn’t know who. Every pound on the door sounded like a hammer driving a stake through my heart. “Bobby, will you let us in?”

 

I didn’t answer, wishing they’d let me wallow. I deserved to be alone after what I did. I’d hated my father for how he treated my mom, and now I found out I was no better. I remember lying there at night, hearing him abuse her—though she claimed she enjoyed it. I remembered hearing her beg him to stop, though now I wonder if my memories were false. I had too many questions after my mother’s revelations.

 

But that didn’t excuse what I’d done to Shayna and Elly.

 

I heard noises at my door but continued to ignore them. They’d go away once they realized what a monster I was.

 

I’d made Elly cry. Elly, with her beautiful smile and quick wit. Had I damaged her brilliant mind?

 

“What’s wrong with him?”

 

That was Shayna. She must be shouting for me to hear her so clearly. I’d treated her the roughest. How much damage had I done to her?

 

“Bobby? Bobby, can you hear me?”

 

Wow, Elly must be yelling at—a sharp sting across my cheek made me open my eyes and look up. Elly stood before me, rubbing her hand. I closed my eyes again, unwilling to look see her accusing stare. I couldn’t handle it.

 

“No, Bobby, look at me,” she commanded, and I felt her grip my chin.

 

I owed her this much. First, I would face her condemnation and then start looking for a new place to live. Then, maybe I could get my old room back in the dorms.

 

“That’s better.” Elly’s light brown eyes searched mine, and I forced myself to meet her gaze. “We’re okay, Bobby. We’re not angry.”

 

I tore my head from her hand and scoffed. “Of course, you aren’t! The spell that made you fall in love with me won’t let you be mad at me. I could murder your cat, and the spell would make you accept it.”

 

My cheek stung before I even registered that I’d been slapped again. Shocked, I stared at the woman who was now glaring at me. “Tell me, are you okay with me slapping you?” Elly demanded. “Nothing in your file said you were into being demeaned or humiliated, but I guess it could have missed something.”

 

“No, no!” I held up my hands in protest and spoke fast. “I’m definitely not into that, nor am I into humiliating someone. But I remember the way you both looked in the shower. You were worried. I might not be able to read people as well as you, but you can’t deny it.”

 

Elly and Shayna exchanged glances, then grimaced. After a second, Shayna shrugged, and Elly nodded. I had no idea what they just communicated with nothing but a look. Still, her expression was determined when Elly turned back to face me.

 

“Get dressed and meet us in the kitchen.” Elly’s words almost carried a note of command. Without waiting for a response, she stood up, took Shayna’s hand, and walked from my room, closing the door behind them.

 

I stared at the closed door for several long seconds before shaking my head. I knew what I saw in the shower, but the conclusions I’d drawn went against what happened in my room.

 

Deciding that if I were to get answers, I’d need to do as told. I found a set of my old clothes in the dresser. That let me know the women might not be ready to let me sleep in their room, even if they were willing to do everything they had in the shower.

 

I left my room with uncertain steps and found them fully dressed and standing in the kitchen.

 

“About time,” Shayna said with a half-smile that let me know she was only teasing. “I was afraid I would have to send Elly back in to knock more sense into you.”

 

“Don’t ride him too hard,” Elly admonished her.”He’s already confused enough as it is.”

 

“He’s the one who rode me too hard,” Shayna muttered. I didn’t think I was supposed to hear it.

 

“We want to show you something,” Elly said enigmatically. “Will you please come with us?”

 

I nodded, unsure of what else to do. I didn’t speak as Elly turned towards the pantry and walked in. I knew it was large, but what was she going to show me in there? When Shayna indicated I should go first, I shrugged again and stepped inside. As I said, the pantry is rather big. Big enough that it could fit five people looking for food without them having to bump each other. Perhaps I’d get used to living in such a grand house one day, but it wasn't today. It was fully stocked, and there was even a door with a window in the back.

 

When Elly caught me trying to look through the dark window, she said, “That’s the wine room right now.”

 

“Right now?” I asked, wondering what they planned to remodel it to be.

 

Shayna closed the pantry door, then nodded to Elly. I got some strong covert vibes from them as they moved to opposing shelves. Elly grabbed a box of off-brand cereal and handed it to Shayna, who gave her a box of mac and cheese. They placed their objects on the shelves. The mac went with the other cereals, while Shayna put her cereal box with the rest of the pasta.

 

“What the—” I started to ask, but Shayna giggled, and Elly just held up her hand. I felt a thrum travel through the floor for a few seconds, then my knees suddenly felt weak, and my ears popped. It wasn’t enough for me to fall, but enough that I gripped a shelf to steady myself.

 

“Come on,” Elly said and went for the wine closet door.

 

All of this cloak and dagger shit was starting to get on my nerves. But instead of saying anything, knowing that they’d just tell me to wait, I followed the taller woman again.

 

On the other side of the door was not a wine cellar. It took Shayna pushing me to get me out of the doorway. I knew what I was looking at, but it didn’t make sense. Then, looking back into the pantry, I saw that it was just as I’d left it, but we were no longer in our house.

 

 We were standing in my mom’s kitchen.

 

“Hey, Mom!” Shayna called out, making me jump for some reason. “We came to visit.”

 

“Oh, you just missed Nikky,” my mother came from the family room with a nervous smile. “Is everything okay?” Then her eyes landed on me, and she broke down into tears as she ran to hug me.

 

Stunned and a little more than confused, I hugged her back as she wet my shirt with her sobs.

 

“Hey, mom…” I trailed off, trying to figure out what to say or even think. “Um, I guess you worried about me, but I was only hurt a little bit.”

 

She pushed me away, her eyes turning angry despite the tears still leaking from them. “Only hurt a little bit? Don’t you dare lie to me, Bobby Brody! I know damned well that you were dead. Don’t you dare think for a moment that just because you no longer live under my roof, I won’t know when you’re lying.”

 

“I… but…” I tried to protest, but admonishments against revealing what really happened to me made me stop. I didn’t know what the Knights would do if I admitted it, but it was clear that it wouldn’t be good.

 

“He doesn’t know that we know,” Shayna said, making me stare at her in shock.

 

“What do you know?” I asked, uncertain if they really knew or just thought they did.

 

“Is it safe to talk, Susan?” Elly asked instead of answering my question.

 

“One moment,” my mother said. Then she went and made me wonder if she really was my mother. I’d lived with her for over eighteen years. While I’d learned a few things about her during my last visit that I still didn’t understand, what she did next went exponentially beyond all that.

 

My dear mother, the woman who pretended to be impoverished as she raised me, was hiding an even bigger secret. She gave a sharp whistle, and a wooden spoon flew from a self-opening drawer and into her hand. She waved it around like a magic wand, and I would have laughed if the damned thing hadn’t glowed while she did it.

 

“It is now, dears,” Susan Brody said. I stared at her, trying to figure out what had happened to my mother. How many other secrets was she keeping from me? “Oh, it looks like you need to sit down,” she added when she looked at me with an impish smile.

 

I backed away from them, my head spinning and my world crumbling. “No! Who are you? I’m not budging or moving an inch until I get some answers. How did we get here? Why are we here? Why did you bring me here? What the hell is going on?” My questions tumbled one after the other as I tried to get some grip on reality.

 

“Well, at least he’s no longer pouting in his room,” Shayna said with a shake of her head.

 

Elly grimaced and took a step toward me. I held up a hand and shook my head, not wanting to be closer to anyone than I had to be until I knew what was happening. I ignored the hurt in her eyes and waited.

 

“Most of those questions can be answered easily,” my mother said and waved her magic wooden spoon at me. It lit up again, and before I could react, a chair bumped into the back of my knees, and I found myself sitting, looking up at the three women. “You got here by going through a portal I set up after your wives came to tell me about your death. I told them about the resurrection program, and before you ask, I knew about it because your father went through it. It’s why you don’t have any siblings. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you met the requirements, though I’m also disappointed that you didn’t live a better life.”

 

That was almost too much to take in at once. I remembered the Knights telling me during in-processing that my father was sterile due to an accident. Still, I never thought it was because he’d died and returned like I had. And my mother made a portal? Until a few seconds ago, I’d never even imagined that she knew magic.

 

“We know you can’t tell us about it,” Elly said, stepping close to me before I could stop her. “However, while your mom has the spell up, we can talk freely without anyone hearing.”

 

“How did you know?” I managed to ask my mom. “They were pretty clear that I wasn’t allowed to talk about it, even with my wives.”

 

“That’s a long story, which isn’t important right now.” She looked to my wives as though asking them something.

 

“He deserves to know it all,” Shayna said. However, I got the impression she wasn’t referring to my father’s history.

 

“I’ll tell him,” Elly said, a hint of sadness in her voice. “I think he likes you more, anyway, Shayna.”

 

I shook my head, unsure of where that sentiment came from. “No, I like you both equally,” I told her.

 

“It’s okay,” she told me, her tone indicating she didn’t believe me. “I don’t mind. But I want you to listen to me. When we heard that you were killed in that bombing, we came to tell your mom. She told us about the resurrection program and to hold out hope that you’d come back. She also removed all of the magic affecting us.” That last sentence sounded as though she had to force it out.

 

“Magic?” I asked, my overwhelmed brain taking a moment to think that through. “So, the magic forcing you to love me is gone?”

 

“It didn’t force us,” Shayna quickly assured me. “We chose you. But yes, that spell no longer drives us.”

 

“So, you see,” Elly added with a red-cheeked glance at my mom, “we weren’t being forced to do those things in the shower.”

 

“Then why would you suffer that?” I demanded, moving to stand up, but Elly quickly pushed me back down. “Why did you even welcome me back into the house, much less… Um, keep acting like you love me?” I wanted to ask about what they did for me in the shower, but my mother’s presence changed my wording.

 

“That’s complicated,” Elly admitted, unable to meet my eyes. “Let me start by saying that Shayna and I really do like you. You’re a great guy, strong, intelligent, and outgoing. Even when the spell was lifted, we both found that we cared about you. Despite how short our time together was, we are very attracted to you and your personality.”

 

“That doesn’t sound too complicated,” I interrupted her.

 

“That’s because that’s not all of it,” Shayna broke in. “We had to be careful not to let the Knights know that the spell was no longer in effect. It’s not common knowledge, and I wouldn’t know if I hadn’t looked at some of my father’s case files, but…. There are only a few cases of the spell being lifted from a wife, and most of them didn’t end so well for the women. In the best case, the magic was reapplied with her freedom being limited. I won’t go into the worst-case scenarios.”

 

“And yet you went along with that?” I demanded. “If you knew the consequences, why would you ever agree to do that? You didn’t have to since you were a daughter of a Knight, right?”

 

Shayna grimaced before answering. “No, I didn’t have to. However, I didn’t see a circumstance in which I would ever let it happen to me. I planned on picking my husband well. The cases of the women not accepting the magic again were those where the Knight abused them. I wasn’t going to find a man who would ever do that to me.”

 

“Not that I’m condoning it,” I had to ask, despite not wanting the answer, “but why didn’t you have the spell cast on you again?”

 

“Because of me,” Elly said. She met my eyes as she spoke, and I could see the truth in her statements. “I didn’t want to have it reapplied. Not because I don’t like you or want to be with you. I felt like I had to go through that ceremony because of everything the Knights did for me. But when your mom lifted it, I decided I want to fall in love with you for real. So we talked and decided to fake it, not letting you know. You’ve proven to be a man worthy of our love, and we know almost everything about you already. But we wanted to give us time to grow as a family.”

 

“Elly and I have been best friends for years,” Shayna interjected. “I couldn’t fault her logic—she was always smarter than me—and as long as my father or any of the other Knights never find out, what would be the harm? Although, I admit, I kind of like the idea as well.”

 

I placed my head in my hand as I absorbed that. So they were no longer ensorcelled to love me, but they wanted to fall in love with me naturally?

 

“This is so screwed up,” I said after a few uncomfortable seconds. I was very aware of my mom as I spoke and chose my words carefully. “You’re both carrying my children and are risking so much. What would happen if you decided I wasn’t worth it?”

 

“Son, for a man who gets almost straight A’s, you can be incredibly dense, sometimes.” My mother smacked that magic spoon against her other hand. “The fact that you’re even asking that question shows that I raised you right, and you’re worth it.”

 

Shayna and Elly were quick to agree.

 

Still, I couldn’t believe it. “But what I did in the shower.… Neither of you deserved that. And why were you willing to continue? I saw the looks in your eyes. Those weren’t the looks of women wanting to go on.”

 

Shayna and Elly glanced at each other, then embarrassed to my mom, before the dark-skinned woman offered an answer. “You were a little rough, and neither of us is accustomed to your size yet.” I heard a snicker from my mother and chose to ignore it. “However, you did get me off multiple times, so I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it. And we were warned by your mother that you might be a little randier for a while.”

 

“She’s right,” Elly agreed. “But, to answer the fundamental question that is why we were driven here, we have to keep up pretenses at home. We would have acted like that if we were under the love spell. We can’t be sure, but we are likely watched closer than we were aware. After talking with your mom and examining a few things in more detail, we think the A.I. in our house is also a surveillance system.”

 

“They were right to be careful,” Susan added in. I looked at my mom, having almost forgotten she was there. “It’s one more reason your father and I lived here. I’m sure there are still some cameras or mics hidden somewhere about this place, but I know how to hide us from them. Right now, anyone paying attention will hear me having a conversation on the phone with your wives. And don’t even stress about the rough sex. Your father knew how to do it without causing me more pain than I enjoyed.”

 

“Mom!” I screeched, feeling my cheeks burn as I scratched that itch in the back of my neck. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how open my mother has become since my father’s death. Choosing to ignore her, I turned back to Shayna and Elly. “How do you want me to react to what you’ve told me? You’re okay with me treating you like a plaything because you have to act like you’re in love with me? I abused both of you, and I don’t understand why!”

 

“I think I can shed some light on that.”

 

All three women stared at me, and I would have done the same if I could. Those words came out of my mouth, but not with my voice.

 

Elly backed away from me in shock, and I stood, knocking the chair back as I stared all around me, trying to understand. My hands moved to cover my treasonous mouth, only to drop back to my side of their own volition.

 

“I know that voice,” Susan said, giving me a strange look. I shook my head, only for my mouth to betray me again.

 

“Hey, Susan. Yeah, it’s me.” My head turned to face Elly and Shayna. My wives were staring at me as though I’d grown a second head. “I know we didn’t always get along, but I have done everything in my power to keep your son safe.”

 

“So, you’re pretending to be my son?!” The sudden rage and pain I saw in my mother’s eyes scared me. The intensified glow of the raised magic spoon had me back away with my hands raised.

 

“No, Mom! It’s me!” I tried to say at the same time the other voice cried, “That’s not what happened!” My throat hurt producing both voices, and I swear my tongue actually split in two to do it.

 

I covered my mouth again, forcing my hands to stay when the other entity tried to push them down. Then, pleading with my eyes, I implored my mother not to vaporize me or whatever she was going to do.

 

“You didn’t mention anything like this could happen,” Shayna said as she stood next to Elly in a stance that meant she was ready to fight. Neither woman looked scared but were prepared to defend themselves.

 

A flash of light brought my attention back to my mom in time to feel her spell hit me square in the chest, shoving me back and up. As Susan's eyes grew wide in shock, I felt something yank from my back. I looked around, unable to make sense of what I was seeing. In front of me were my mother and wives, mouths agape as they looked just as confused as I felt. But also in front of me was my own body, my hands gripping my shoulders, holding on for dear life. Both visions overlaid each other, but I was able to comprehend both.

 

My hands weren’t the only ones holding onto my shoulders from behind. Black talon-tipped fingers overlaid mine. Red-skinned arms led back to an equally red and very naked woman. Her demonic visage was complete with two sets of horns on her head, bat-like wings, a prehensile tail, and cloven hooves.

 

“Begone, demon!” Susan commanded, and the force pressing me back increased.

 

My hands slackened on my shoulders, and I felt weightless and free for a split second as I slipped away. Then the demon reached out and caught me before I could fly into oblivion. I felt those talons dig into my forearm, though I felt nothing from her grip on my true body.

 

“Susan!” The demon’s voice came from my physical body, not from the visage holding onto me. “Don’t be a fool! You’re going to kill your son!”

 

Mom’s spoon lowered as she shook her head in disbelief as the pressure of shoving my second self back suddenly relented. Then, like an elastic band, I shot forward into my body with enough force that I stumbled into the chair I’d knocked over earlier. I barely had enough strength to stop myself from faceplanting on the floor, but I heard my wrist pop as pain lanced up my arm.

 

Rolling onto my stomach, I cradled my injured arm—the same one the demon had gripped me by—and groaned.

 

“Who are you, demon, and how do you know my son or me? Why do you possess him?” My mother leaned over me, concern and anger warring on her face. However, my eyes were drawn to the glowing spoon in her hand, which was once again pointed at me.

 

Once more, my mouth moved on its own, but I was too tired to fight it this time. My memories of being in purgatory flooded back into me as it spoke. “Susan, it’s me, Charlotte. I died with your son and was able to guide him back to be resurrected. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a mixup, and we both ended up in this body. It seems the other side isn’t happy with the Paladonic Knights resurrecting their heroes, and they’re shutting down the whole operation. We barely made it out of there.”

 

“Charlotte?” My mother asked, confused, but she didn’t change the aim of her wand. “I don’t know a… Wait, Jules? I think Bernard mentioned you’d updated your name. So you really were watching out for him. Then why’d you let him die in that explosion?”

 

“I tried to shield him with my body,” Charlotte said. Charlotte, the goth MILF, the prostitute, the succubus… The woman who’d seduced me when we thought the world was ending and who ended up owning the brothel where my first mission occurred. She also helped me get resurrected and hitched a ride in my body at the same time. “But the blast was too strong and killed us both. I tried, I really did! You know what Bernard meant to me, and his son means even more.”

 

I watched as my mom hesitated, then lowered her magic spoon. “I never liked you, nor that Bernard worked with you at times. But I respected him and his decisions, especially when he had you watch over our son.”

 

“What’s going on?” Shayna asked, but Elly shushed her and shook her head. I felt just as bewildered.

 

“I knew he gave me that task to appease you,” Charlotte continued to speak through my mouth. “I want you to know that I’ve never had any hard feelings towards you for that. You’ve raised a great young man, and it’s been my honor to protect him.”

 

“Protect me?” I spat, finally breaking into the conversation, though I ruined my outrage with a groan. My right wrist was in agony! “What did I need protection from?”

 

My mother glanced at my wives and shook her head. “We can discuss that later. But, for now, let me fix that wrist. I can make all your hurts go away.”

 

“I’m not a little kid,” I grit my teeth, then sighed after she waved her spoon, and my wrist stopped hurting. I gave it a few experimental twists, then looked back at her as though seeing her for the first time. Sure, I’d already seen her use magic, but somehow it was only now sinking in. My mother was a witch.

 

“Do you want me to give it a kiss better?” She teased me, but I wasn’t in the mood for it.

 

Getting to my feet, I got ready to tell her I was leaving, but my stowaway spoke first, and everything else seemed inconsequential afterward.

 

“I hope you’re not too tired from the spells you already cast. We have a bomb in our neck, ready to kill us if we step out of line, and I think going off the grid counts.”

 

“Fuuuuccckkkkk…” I groaned, wondering if my mother’s spell to hide our conversation counted as ‘going off the grid.’

 

 

*    *    *    *

 

1072 A.D.

 

Ardin walked with his head held high. Even as the sun beat down on him and the others guarding the caravan complained of the heat, Ardin knew God was on his side. How else could he explain waking up on a beach eight days ago and finding a merchant willing to take him to the pagan temple?

 

At least, he thought that was the direction they were headed. Unfortunately, none of them spoke his language. He had to communicate via gestures and the few key words Venita taught him. Negotiations hadn’t gone well until the merchant saw his pendant. Then the older man was all smiles while indicating he keep the seashell.

 

Ardin wondered what the seashell meant here but accepted his good fortune. He didn’t know how to use the sword swinging in its hilt at his side, but from what he could understand from these lighter-skinned people, his presence, more than his skill, allowed him to accompany the merchant as a guard.

 

Despite the language barrier, he knew they were God-fearing Christians. They prayed when he prayed. Though some of their customs were a little different, he figured that was due to cultural and language differences. Besides, God wouldn’t put him with a bunch of pagans after saving him from the sea.

 

The other guards gave him his own space at the end of the day, which suited Ardin fine. It allowed him to pray in his own language, and they didn’t see the tears that stained his cheeks. He missed Venita more than he’d ever thought possible. She was the other half of his soul. In her abdomen grew two of his children. He didn’t know who from this land wanted to hurt her or the children, but he would move Heaven and Earth to protect them.

 

Nights were the toughest for him. Venita’s sexual appetite was voracious, even after conceiving. Perhaps more so. He’d become accustomed to satisfying her once or twice a day. However, he’d ended each day on the ship too exhausted to do more than collapse in his shared hammock.

 

Out here, walking the hilly roads, his mind wandered. He missed the way Venita smiled at him early in the morning as they awoke. The memory of how sweet her smooth skin smelled after she bathed caused him to stumble over a rock in the ground.

 

Something impacted the hard ground next to him with an audible, “skink!”

 

Another guard walking on the opposite side of the wagon screamed and bent over, clutching his thigh. With a jolt of panic, Ardin glanced back and saw an arrow sticking out of the ground. If he hadn’t stumbled…

 

For precious seconds, his mind locked on that one fact. He’d almost died. Again. Once more, he’d come very close to failing his wife and unborn child. If that rock hadn’t made him stumble, the arrow would have struck him in the gut. That was a slow death sentence.

 

Loud yelling pulled him from his spiraling thoughts, and he looked up to see more men than he could count running at him, swords raised high. Just because he couldn’t count that high didn’t mean he remained unaware of how much trouble he was in. Even counting the merchant, they were severely outnumbered.

 

Ardin debated for the briefest moment on running away. He didn’t stand a chance, and staying meant certain death. Sure, he’d agreed to protect this merchant, but he had a more important obligation to his family. He couldn’t save them if he died. Moreover, he didn’t know how to use the sword at his hip. He would happily face death if it meant saving his loved ones, but this would be a meaningless death.

 

That moment of debate cost him. As he turned his back, pain speared through his left shoulder and knocked him to the ground. Something snapped when he tried to roll, and the pain caused him to black out.

====================

From the Author

====================

Oowee, it's been a while! Sorry about that. I'd love to say that things will be faster, but I'm not known for being a good liar. The truth is, work has become rather hectic as things transition away from teleworking and towards returning to the office. I will promise, however, that this story isn't dead. Just like Bobby, it'll keep rising until the epilogue. 

Okay, but seriously, thank you to everyone who continues to read my works. I appreciate you, and when you leave comments. (No, not those spam comments that I immediately remove!)

Elly

Shayna

Bobby

Female Slave

Ardin