I forced myself to look away. My heart thundered faster than ever. I was aroused. How could I be turned on by this blatant display of debauchery? Though my body was immersed deep in the cold Lembanyu water, I was burning to cinders.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ashanie’s voice brought me back to reality.
I didn’t know what to say.
In Trelshik, a maiden must keep herself pure in body and mind. I had been told to spread myself on my wedding bed where my husband would penetrate my cunt. I should keep quiet during the course until my husband was satisfied, and withdraw in silence after my husband was sated. I wasn’t taught that a woman could be pleasured until she bawled from the top of her lungs, or being ravished in both orifices could bring a woman to the ultimate ecstasy.
“Does she have her peak continuously until both her men are fully sated?”
“Why, of course.”
“And she seemed to be having the last one very well.”
“When both men reach their peak at the same time, she feels their impact as well. It’s Khimerian magic,” Ashanie answered knowingly. A smile blossomed. “Why don’t you accept Ronen and Callarn’s claim and find out yourself?”
I flinched. “Does it hurt?”
“Did Serina look hurt to you?”
“She seemed to be in Paradise.”
“Exactly.” She gave me the bar of soap. “Finish washing your body. We have chores to do.”
*
Ashanie took me to the cookery and gave me my chores. I met the other women in the village. They were all nice to me and welcomed me with warmth. While the warriors hunted for food, the wives prepared a lavish evening feast. Every night was a feast night in Aesterneum. Some women were in charge of the nursery, taking care of the foals while the adults indulged in wine, roasted meats, and carnal pleasure. And some were responsible for feeding the whole village. Since the weather in Aesterneum was forever summer, game and fruits were abundant. The life in Aesterneum was relaxing, filled with laughter and joy. Before long, I fell in love with the way they lived. Unlike in my homeland with strict rules and backstabbing political games in the Elven court.
I was given a chore to bring water for the warriors who were training in the field. Lord Veredi rotated his warriors between hunting and patrolling the borders. They who were off duty were expected to keep their fighting skills sharp.
I hauled a bucket of fresh water onto the training ground. There were a dozen warriors currently honing their skills. Some warriors practiced archery. Some practiced sword-fighting. Some trained the foals. Ronen and Callarn were among the swordsmen They smiled at me but didn’t stop their practice. They each had a sword in their hand and both tried to hack each other to pieces. I put the bucket down and sat to watch.
Under the high sun, Ronen’s golden hair shone like spun gold. And Callarn, he looked breathtakingly ethereal with his pale hair. They were stripped to their loincloths when their practiced. I entertained myself with the display of hard muscles and perfectly sculpted bodies. Their skin glistened from sweat, shimmering like tempered honey under the sunlight. Ronen and Callarn moved with the grace of wind dancers, the swords flashing with deadly precision. They parried, cut, jabbed, dodged, attacked. Steel against steel.
Watching them practice made heat rushed to my head. There were two men who desired me and pledged to protect me to their last blood. Any woman would be a fool to refuse their claim. That fool was me. I was raised with iron rules and proper manners. Ronen and Callarn were so carefree and joyous. I envied them. At heart, I wanted to be like them, living life to the fullest, free from social bondage.
Callarn and Ronen stopped their practice. Callarn wiped his brows and stalked toward me. His gait was predatory and his smile melted my heart. He was a stunning man just as Ronen was heartbreakingly handsome. We Elven folks pride ourselves as a beautiful race. Humans adored us while others worshipped us. But these Khimerian put us to shame. They possessed a natural beauty and raw animal magnetism that drew others to them like moths to a fire.
“Can I have some water, Elyra?” Callarn asked.
For a moment, I just froze watching him. I imagined myself touching his gorgeous body and licking his naked skin. Would he taste as good as he looked? My mouth suddenly watered.
“Elyra?”
“Sorry.” I cleared my throat and dipped the ladle into the bucket. I handed the ladle to Callarn. He drank thirstily. My thoughts skittered to the night when he marked me. Was he the one who put his mouth on me? Fluttering aches throbbed in my sex. “Would you like some more?”
“Please.”
I dipped the ladle into the bucket and gave him more water. He drank. Ronen and others also came for a drink. I served them all. Some of the foals thought my elongated ears were interesting and asked my permission to touch them. But Ronen’s stern glare scared them away. My bucket was empty when they went back to their training. Callarn and Ronen stayed. My heart beat faster. Ronen eyed me in such a way I felt heat burn within me.