Michael's eyes opened slowly. The languorous pull of contented sleep not wanting to release its grip easily. Gray light spilled into the room from the open French doors beside the bed.
Morning had come, a bit later than the past few days.
The evening had held so much for all of them. It was an ending and a beginning. What ended was the tentative steps towards the edge of the abyss. The questioning wonder of finding new love. Finally releasing the worries and concerns of what may lay beyond the steady ledge of reason.
Together the three of them joined hands and leapt head long into the abyss. Michael had no question that the decision had been the right one. Having these two amazing women at his side was worth any risk, any price.
Looking down he found his bare chest covered in waves of auburn hair. It spilled over him as if a painter had tripped sending the bright hue twirling across him like a haphazard quilt.
Slipping his hand across the warm sheets he found the impression of where Tera had lain still held her warmth. Its signature now as recognizable to him as the cadence of his own heart.
Gently sliding from underneath Valerie's embrace, Michael sat at the edge of the bed. Last nights passions replaying in his head like a dream. Could anyone be this lucky, could anyone truly find two people so in tune, so in love, so right.
He smiled as he stood for he knew that the answer was a resounding yes. And he was the lucky bastard who had found it.
Tera was leaning against the balcony railing looking out over the rolling hills beyond the castle plateau. She wore a thin t-shirt and tight briefs that clung to the curves of her hips and ass.
Michael walked up behind her, arms slipping around her waist. She was still warm from the bed, even though the temperature had dropped outside since yesterday.
She sighed as his arms enfolded her. His lips placing a light kiss on the back of her neck before his chin landed softly on her shoulder.
"I love you."
His breath was warm as it passed her ear. She shivered from the desire that reared up at his simple statement.
"And I you. Good morning my love." Tera responded as she turned in his embrace. Her lips found his and they joined in a long sensuous kiss. It was obvious to Tera after a moment that the building desire she felt was mirrored in Michael.
"Didn't we tire you out last night," she said playfully as her hand gently passed over his arousal.
"There is no such thing as tired when you or Valerie are in my arms."
Tera swooned a bit at his overtly romantic and yet absolutely heartfelt response.
"Later, we need to get cleaned up and get going. We are running a bit late this morning," she laughed as she disengaged herself from his embrace and moved back into the room.
Michael turned and watched her go. He loved to watch Tera move, the thinly veiled strength of her. The way her toned body flexed as she walked. She carried herself in a manner that was simple, compact, precise. He also, of course just loved to watch her perfect ass.
Tera threw a pillow at Valerie as she passed on her way to the bathroom.
"Get up sleepy head, time to start the day, we're running late."
Valerie mumbled a response to Tera's words as she stretched under the covers. After a moment she was up, giving Michael a little wave and blowing him a kiss as she followed after Tera.
Michael turned back to the view before him with a contented smile.
Being with Valerie and Tera last night had been amazing. What amazed him the most was how...complete it had been. He had been satisfied not just physically by their union, but also mentally and emotionally.
Dark gray clouds formed mountains in the air as he watched them pass, blown by a strong north wind.
Last night, the three of them arm in arm, walked back to the castle. The moon lighting their way. They had laughed easy laughs, felt secure in the simple act of being together. This morning that feeling was only stronger. Michael wondered at it, and, taking a deep breath, allowed that it would simply continue.
A warm hand slid around his waist, grasping his cock.
"Your turn stud."
Michael turned and pulled Valerie into his arms. She was warm from the shower, hair still wet.
"Good morning Valerie, I love you." He said before kissing her.
Valerie sighed as the kiss broke.
"Good morning to you lover." She said as he let her slip from his arms to go dry her hair.
Michael watched as she towel dried her hair. Valerie was a lush vision, breasts swaying, hips rotating in an innocent but seductive oval as she moved the towel roughly over her hair.
'I better shower or none of us will leave the room,' he thought to himself as he walked past his other mate, now standing in the doorway of the bathroom, water still running in sensuous rivulets down her body.
"Hurry up, I'm hungry," Tera said, giving his ass a slap as he passed by her and entered the bathroom.
All of them were laughing as they went about getting ready for the day. ............
Nicholas knew that Ian had set up a very strong security web around the festival. It would require a bit of effort to slip among them unseen.
However, a good hunter always knew more about its prey than the prey usually did. This worked in Nicolas's favor as he donned the stupid praetorian armor and ornamental helm that would hide his features. He would be almost invisible, yet noticed by everyone.
The van door opened and he stepped out.
The wind had picked up over night, the clouds building from the north. It would be a gray day.
'All the better,' Nicholas thought as he walked quickly down the curving path towards Nogardshire and his destiny. ............
Ian and Nigel walked slowly from the castle proper. The final day of the festival held a few more tournaments, many of the vendors would be judged on their work and the final gathering would take place at the central bonfire this evening before the feast.
Yesterday had gone well, Ian didn't know if this was a good thing or not.
"Are all of the security patrols in place?"
Ian's voice carried a worried note.
Looking over at his friend, Nigel regarded him for a moment before answering. He looked tired, as if something were weighing on him that he could not escape.
"We are in good shape, the teams know what to do, what to look for. We have this place locked up tight. I don't think a field mouse could get in here without us knowing about."
Nigel tried to sound confident but was only partially successful. He knew that they were well covered for normal circumstances. However, who they were dealing with, trying to keep out, was anything but normal.
"It will be as it should, the path is set now, the future...comes."
Ian's cryptic response made Nigel turn and face his old friend.
Ian was looking at him, a small smile on his lips.
"Thank you Nigel for always being there, for fighting the good fight. I could not have asked for a better friend than you have been down through our long years. Your job today is to protect Michael, Nigel. I know you're worried about me and what may happen if Nicholas shows up. There really is no question for me that he will, however fate is always around and capricious. Just promise me that you'll watch out for Michael, Valerie and Millie. No matter what happens don't let harm find them my old friend."
Ian was looking at Nigel as he said this. But he really wasn't seeing him. The distant look in Ian's eyes chilled Nigel as they walked on towards the tournament grounds in silence.
Ian was resolute. Today would herald the beginning of a new future, unseen and untested. But a future filled with hope. Could anyone truly ask for anything more. ............
Sims watched from the darkened surveillance room as Elise slept.
Yesterday had been a whirlwind. Luckily he was trained to ride such things, not be engulfed by them.
