Author's Notes: This is an erotic fantasy written by Lyssabyss. Huge thanks to KJB for editing for me, and to EricaW for being a fantastic beta-reader! As the story evolves, I may change categories occasionally to be consistent with the current chapter. I still truly appreciate the feedback, good or bad, so please rate it, and let me know what you think!
****
Before the sun had rose, we worked our way through Port Villesra's silent streets then boarded our merchant ship. Crew members were already laboring, preparing to depart by the first shine of the sun. Oro drew an arm around my waist and pulled me tighter against him, our hips bumping softly.
A slight movement ahead brought my attention to Jora, who looked exhausted as she sat on a barrel facing the boat ramp. I could now feel the possessiveness in Oro's gesture, and I shrugged out of his hold, walking towards Jora.
"You were out all night." She whispered, shoulders slumped and head tipped forward to look at her knees.
"You waited?" I asked softly.
Before she could answer Oro was behind me, placing his hands upon my shoulders. "Let us get some food, you are probably quite hungry."
I sighed heavily. "Oro, we need a moment." I tapped a hand softly on his, hoping he would go quietly and give me the time that I needed to talk with Jora.
"Okay." Oro said, and pressed forward to kiss my neck before leaving once more to forage for food.
Jora scoffed slightly before asking, "What happens to me, Zee?"
I knelt down at her feet, and placed my hands on her knees, peering up into her sad onyx eyes. "Nothing will happen to you, I swear it." Oro had given me his word, as long as I kept mine. I would not jeopardize Jora's safety on a fanciful whim.
Jora shook her head with a wry smirk, "That is not what I meant." She slipped her fingers into my hair, and bunched it up in her grasp, jerking me off my feet to face her. She kissed me deeply and whispered against my lips, "So, it is done then." She released my hair, and gently pushed me back as she stood, and said "Please tell Majohr Oro that I will be at rest, but I will resume guard at your doors when I wake."
With that Jora went below deck and I held the barrel she sat upon as my knees weakened, drawing me closer to the deck. I took a long breath to steady myself. It was not possible for me to care for two people at once, this tryst would have no happy outcome. And so, it was best to leave my passionate moment alone with Jora in memory.
Oro came up moments later and rubbed a hand against my back, "Are you okay?" He sat down a couple oranges, and when I did not reply he asked, "Are you still feeling ill?"
"No." I whispered. "The world around me is changing so fast, I feel like I am falling." I stood carefully and sat on the barrel. "I have hurt her."
"She is your champion, Esyld. If you treat her as more than that, you will hurt her." He said as calmly as he could. He held my chin, and pressed a thumb against my lips, drawing my eyes to look into his, "I do not like her lips upon you."
"And if I did?" I asked curtly, bringing my hands to grip at the one that held my head in place.
"I thought we made a bargain." The lines of his smile forming, "A woman's caress is wonderful, Esyld, but hers will always feel second to mine, because I have what you need...what you crave." He rubbed his thumb roughly over my lips before drawing his own down, slowly his tongue invaded and coaxed mine into relaxed submission.
My heart was once again racing, as I accepted his dominance, and opened myself to the fever of our joined auras. I really did crave him, in a way that left my mind addled and made me not trust my ability to resist him.
I drew back and whispered, "Jora said she would be off sleeping, when she wakes she will stand watch."
Oro nodded and looked off towards the rising sun. "Jora is your BekΓ§i, your guardian; it is a great honor to address her as such, it is also an expected custom when we arrive in Barbos."
"How do you say it again?" I asked while I tried to calm my nerves under all of the pressure.
"Beck-che." Oro annunciated. "BekΓ§i is a revered title."
"BekΓ§i." I said testing my pronunciation. "Better?"
"Perfect." Oro smiled. "You should really eat now, we will be off soon." He cajoled, handing me an orange. We peeled our oranges, watching the rising sun cast wondrous colors over the water, and relished in the succulent exotic juice that livened our taste buds.
The winds had picked up and carried us much further over the next week; it would not be long before we arrived at Barbos. Jora, though more distant, was still constantly at my side and resumed teaching me defensive techniques. I enjoyed our time together, even as it was typically supervised by Oro, something I did not entirely care for.
My chest heaved with exertion as Jora's arms wrapped around me, bringing me into a choking hold. I struggled to move as she had instructed previously, but could not find my proper footing or hand placement.
She released me with a heavy sigh, "You need to be thrusting your hips back. You cannot let them pull off your center of balance." She rubbed her hands through her unkempt hair and shook her head with frustration. "You will not be given the time to fumble, fight dirty if you must."
I huffed and rolled my eyes, "You are too strong."
"Strength has nothing to do with it, Z-Esyld." Jora admonished. "Majohr, if you would assist?"
Oro stepped forward from leaning against the mast. "Of course."
"Pay close attention." Jora said, wagging an eyebrow for my benefit. She stood with her back to Oro, so that he could grip her, as she had done to me. Oro wasted little time before wrapping his thick forearm around her neck, and locking it behind her head.
The hold was tight, I could tell by the way her face deepened in shade and struggled for breath. She made an exaggerated step back, thrusting her hips against his groin, and jamming her palm upwards against his elbow. The lock was temporarily broken and Jora took advantage of the moment, gripping his forearm and parrying underneath his grasping hands, sidestepping and bending his arm backward painfully.
I saw Oro's grimace, and Jora did not hold him longer than necessary to prove her point. "See?"
"You are nearly as tall as he is. I am weaker and smaller." I complained.
She gave me a stern glance for my petulance. "True, it may be harder for you to leverage his arm as I had. You can toss him over your shoulder though. Majohr." She gestured him to step forward.
She grabbed my wrists and put me in position in front of Oro, I felt his hesitation in grabbing me, his grip much looser than Jora's.
"You will do your EΕ no favors if you do not properly train her." Jora reprimanded. She had taken to calling me his "EΕ" in his presence, an acknowledgement that I was his mate, and that she was aware of my place.
I could feel his own angered exhale rustle my unruly hair, his arms tightened around me, and I felt a brief moment of panic.
"Hips back!" Jora growled.