From that moment onward Iona sought out this Russ called Long Sword. The images he had spun created a need so great that she could physically feel the man she wanted most.
With Iona's exhaustive imagination, she could feel Kieren's resting on top of her. The press of his awe-inspiring body against the softness of hers felt real—skin on skin, moist from exertion. Behind her closed eyes, she could actually feel his hands squeeze her breasts with appreciation, his tongue flick one dark tip before the lips she yearned to kiss drew from it with need. His pull was strong and the feel of his teeth proved his hunger.
Her Kieren progressed upward after laying kisses between her bosom's warmth. Iona welcomed the pain of him marking her neck. Strong hands moved across her back, feeling more than just the surface of her skin but who she truly was. His cock, solid and promising, glided across the head of her clit-lubricated with her own quintessence. The push at her entrance made her gasp. The smoothness of his thrust made her exhale.
Every quiet moment became dedicated to these thoughts. As her fantasies claimed her body and mind, the ripeness of her breasts made her hardened nipples visible behind the face of anything she wore. In secret, Iona slid her hand between her thighs. She dipped her fingers past her pussy's lips and then brought those same fingers to her tongue to taste this sweetness her thoughts encouraged. She yearned for her lover's touch, to see him lick his lips in expectation. She wanted to see his response when she fed herself to him, to see his reaction to her delectable flavor.
Iona felt the heat of her own wanton desires. Her thoughts of him held power. She could smell the perfume of their lovemaking.
In Kieren's ear she whispered, "Please never leave me."
In hers he whispered, "I never left you Iona."
The smoothness of his voice caused shivers as his words echoed in her mind. Just as her imagination mounted, reality set in.
Kieren's other words replaced the imagined endearments.
"What would possess you to believe that I would bother myself with the thought of fully using something that has no use? How could something empty and broken hold anything for me? Of what satisfaction could you possibly give? When I need comfort or warmth I go where it exists."
Sadness would then grip Iona. The sudden shift of thought caused dizziness and the start of tears.
For all these feelings, Iona thanked Russ and cursed him. Her mind sought him to declare both.
Russ proved to be quite promiscuous and less committed to Iona's safety. As a show of great appreciation for his favors, women delivered honey coated breads, pies, and homemade sweets of various kinds to the Longhouse. The impression was that their innocent offerings were for all the men that dined. The so called gifts were never distributed equally. They found their way to Long Sword's table. If so inclined, he shared.
Besides finding him to be an enormous whore, Iona learned that he was a fierce warrior noted for his stealth. He was said to have a blade so swift that it was only detected after its purpose was completed. His aim with the bow was revered. Taught by Kieren from a young age, Long Sword was often compared to Kieren but fell short. This was the cause of many arguments and challenges between the two men; Kieren always triumphed. Russ' love and respect for his brother ran deep. The two were like one, yet always at battle. No one dared intercede; they were quick to join forces. To be the source of their focus could prove painful.
Iona often found Russ in the process of indulging his appetites. His preferences varied, some of the young women were quite fleshly and others could be easily blown by the wind. From their sounds, the women were more than grateful for his attentions.
Russ was never shocked or embarrassed by Iona's intrusions. While licking the smoothness of whoever's neck, he would wink as if Iona and he were in cohorts.
Iona would lick her tongue at him.
Russ warned her once. With a sly smile, he told her that he might put that tongue to use.
"You would fancy something so nauseating," Iona returned with a disgusted look on her face.
This brought nothing but laughter. "You would find the touch of my tongue more talented than the touch of your hand."
"So you would like to believe," she threw back at him.
"Remember little flower," he said, his face somewhat sober, "you are the one seeking me out, not the other way around."
"You can..."
"I know," Russ interceded with a grin, "kiss the curve of your brown ass."
Iona was suddenly paralyzed when he moved closer and lowered his head to whisper in her ear. She could feel the heat that was him.
"Unlike the others, your request for kisses only brings me nearer," he told her. "I would enjoy what you offer. Keep in mind, a kiss would not be enough for a man like me. I bite."
Iona attempted to slap him, which only brought more laughter. She stamped off in a huff.
Russ watched her walk away. He knew the truth of his words. The exploration of his thoughts caused his groin to tighten.
"Kieren needs to return for what is his," he whispered to himself.
Long Sword became Iona's new source of entertainment. She was certain of her hate for him, at least until she saw him next. Their exchanges resulted in an attempted slap and a frustrated Iona. She never failed to curse him while walking away, which of course he laughed at.
Russ had always found Iona entertaining. Her sultry lips could be sweet one second and salty the next. Her wit was quick. Her craftiness was endless. No one made him laugh as quickly as she did.
He saw the fire in her eyes, even as she sat freezing in the cage they found her in. The memory of her past situation still moved him. He would never find it amusing. His brother's interest in the girl was no mystery to him. Russ had immediately felt her pull as well. The day she stood gazing at the sea truly weakened him. He had seen no fire in her eyes as she passed. Despair emanated from her like the smoke of a dying flame. Russ had sent Gunner to distract her. It was not the orders of his brother he feared. He had feared her loss.
********************
One day the hunt for Long Sword held little interest for Iona. Like her he seemed distracted and Iona barely noticed when he disappeared. An incurable restlessness overwhelmed her. Something was there in her mind, but just beyond her reach. Her skin became overly sensitive. Every shift in the air could be felt by the slight hairs on her arms. But, there was no wind in the leaves of trees. In spite of the sun's heat, she would find herself shivering. There were moments when she felt the brush of water against her legs. Familiar things became strange. Grooves and smooth surfaces became more detailed. The need to touch and be touched plagued her. She feared that her mood was evident. Those around her seemed to sense it. Their interactions with her were odd. There was an unknown influence drifting. She was both elated by it and in fear of it.
Every minute passed slowly. At the end of the day she felt exhausted, but the rise of the moon brought no relief. Iona's dreams were disturbing; she tossed and turned. In her dreams, waves of water crashed against her as Kieren watched. She tried to tell him that she could not swim. Her words were lost. The touch of his hands soothed her. He tasted of salt. Her delights became nightmares as the sea filled her lungs.
His whisper was in her ear. It was soft and loving, but its intent broke her heart.
"Never forget what I say to you today, for I shall not."
Wrapped in sorrow, she rose in the earliest part of the morning. The need to watch the sun eventually rise settled upon her. Its birth always gave her hope.
Before entering the main hall, familiar sounds brought her to a halt. There was moaning of the most sensual kind. A woman purred with words of adoration. The man responded in harsh tones, low enough to be hushed by the slight crackling of the hearth. What came next was unmistakable. The man groaned with satisfaction as he obviously gave the woman what she begged for. She was immediately silenced.
The sound of his satisfaction made Iona long to be the cause. The erotic humming of the woman only increased that desire. This man had to be truly gifted. The woman was apparently gifted as well. She stopped to ask him if he missed what she was doing. A sound rose from him in confirmation to compliment her efforts. Iona wished to see the technique of this woman. Russ rarely responded in such a way. Not once did he tell the woman to quiet down. This was unique. If Iona wished to win Kieren's attentions, she would need to have such techniques.
Iona dropped to her knees so that her shadow would not reveal her presence, and crawled forward. She could see the bottom half of Russ's bare, muscular legs spread. Positioned between his legs was a woman on her knees. She had to be taking him in her mouth. She would grasp the cheeks of his firm ass and pull him into her.
Iona crawled out further and hid herself under one of the tables.
Their movements stopped. When the woman protested, Russ hushed her. He was obviously surveying the large hall.
Iona held her breath. Little passed Russ when it came to her trickery. Too, he had a certain sense about things. As if by magic he could appear and disappear without sound; but, no one could claim having done the same to him.
Iona was relieved when they continued. She was on the verge of passing out.
Damned Russ, she thought.
From her new position, Iona could see the other woman taking him deep within the cavern of her mouth. She could not completely devour him and her lips were stretched wide around him. Pulling back she then dipped her head to lick and suck his full sacks. The flat of her tongue also licked up the underside of his cock with care. It appeared to have the most rewarding of flavors. As she did that, one hand encircled and messaged his hardness.
Iona caught sight of him fully erect. For the first time she realized that Russ was quite capable of splitting a woman in two. In her shock, she mistakenly made a sound.
