Author's Notes:
This story is erotic fantasy, set in a world of magic. I reserve the right to be listed as the author of this work wherever it is posted. If found anywhere except Literotica.com with this note attached, this story is posted without my permission. © Darkniciad 2011
The villains in this story are truly evil, and their actions prove it. Some scenes may be disturbing for some readers.
I make use of modern weights and measures quite often in my work, because those are the weights and measures of my fantasy world. I know many fantasy readers prefer more archaic terms, and I hope those readers can overlook my use of miles, feet, and other such measures.
Please note that the form of witchcraft in my world is not meant to be true Wicca. Nor is it supposed to follow "Charmed" exactly. No offence or confusion is intended.
You should read the preceding chapters of this story in order to know the characters and what is going on. You will find that reading Book I of this story,
Danica
, will give you a lot of insight into the characters and the continuing storyline.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
He emerged from the long shadows of the trees, his black-robed form darker than the moonlit night.
He crossed the graves at a determined pace, thoughtless of the peace of those who rested beneath the earth. His eyes that glowed red with the fires of hell fixated upon a mausoleum ahead — his goal.
A few gestures and words in the spidery language of magic dissolved the wards protecting the crypt as he approached. The lock on the door snapped as if a twig from a single twist of Thanatos' wrist. The demon cast aside the lock, chipping a nearby tombstone, and pulled open the heavy iron-bound door.
Stale air tinged with the perfume of death rushed from inside, and light violated the dark resting place of the dead for the first time in many years. Twin stone sarcophagi nearly filled the small space, the fine lines and detailed carvings bespeaking great wealth.
Thanatos approached and swept aside the dry, brittle remnants of flowers that decorated the lid of one sarcophagus, revealing the inscription, and confirming what the demon already knew.
The runes of warding were no match for his magic, their angry red glow impotent to prevent the desecration to come. Nor was the weight of the great stone lid any impediment, though it had taken six men to set it in place. Thanatos grasped one of the handles at the base of the arched stone cover in a long-fingered hand and lifted. The lead seals broke free and the lip slipped from its groove, allowing the demon to push the lid over the edge, where it hit with a resounding crack upon the polished stone floor.
The stained wood of the coffin within looked as if it might have been placed there only days before, rather than years. Only a thin layer of dust marred the beauty of its surface, which the demon completely ignored as his nails elongated into claws, giving him purchase into the thin seam of the coffin lid.
The body of the woman had not endured the years so well. Dull, dry blonde hair formed a halo around the darkened, desiccated flesh clinging to her skull. A voluminous gown of now yellowed white could not hide the bony protrusions of the body it shrouded. A single deadly touch of the demon's claw caused the garment to dissolve, completing the work of decades in seconds, while leaving the body untouched.
Thanatos laid his hand upon the body's shriveled breasts, and once again called upon his hellish powers. Even as his touch could cause corruption and death, so too could it reverse the ravages of decay and give a semblance of life to the shell of a mortal's remains.
The woman's skin lightened and plumped, the flesh undulating as it regained elasticity. Features emerged in her face, replacing the horrifying visage of a leering skull. Eyelids grew to cover the empty eye cavities, sprouting long, luxurious lashes. The breasts beneath his hands swelled many times over, rising firm and proud.
The demon lifted his hand and admired his handiwork. The woman within the coffin little resembled the husk that had resided there only moments before. Instead, a blonde woman of stunning beauty and ample curves appeared to sleep within.
Thanatos reached into a pocket of his robes, seeking the tools of the Art. The mere semblance of life was not enough to complete the task given him. He would have to reach into the very realm of death and the echoes of the past with necromantic magic to finish his masterpiece.
Then, he would have his reward.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
Andrea let out a little moan as her lips parted from Turner's. "Hope to see you soon."
"Kronk'll see ya out," The big half-orc standing nearby declared, and then gestured toward the stairs.
Turner said, "Really soon, I hope."
"Me too," Andrea responded, color rising in her cheeks.
She watched him walking with Kronk toward the stairs, and her heart soared when he turned around for one last look at her before descending.
Kronk paused as well and said, "Bath's all ready."
The door to the Ducal chambers opened just as the pair vanished into the stairwell, and Christi emerged wearing nothing but a light shift and a satisfied smile. Right behind her came Ashley, similarly dressed, sleepy-looking, and with her hair completely disheveled.
Andrea bit her lip to hold back a giggle when she noticed the streak of dried cum that decorated her sister witch's leg from the shift down to her knee.
"Have a good..." The Duchess paused and twitched her eyebrows before finishing, "Night?"
"Mmm hmm," Andrea answered. "Guess you did too."
Ashley laughed and rubbed her eyes. "Oh, I need a bath."
"Fun making the mess though, wasn't it?" the sultry Duchess teased. "Kronk will have the bath ready. He's good about that when things get loud at night around here."
Christi started toward the door to the bath, and the two witches fell into step with her. Just before they reached their destination, Marlena emerged with Brandon from her room, caught his hand before he could walk away, and kissed him.
The Duchess gestured toward the door, and led the two witches inside. Marlena and Brandon were still kissing the whole while. As soon as they were all within the room, Christi tugged on the sleeve of Andrea's robe and said, "I hope you can sew bridesmaid's dresses, because I think you'll be needing them before long."
"I think so too," Andrea agreed as she untied the belt of her robe.
Marlena finally walked in as the other three women settled into the bath. She looked absolutely radiant and greeted everyone with a cheerful, "Good morning," as she untied her robe and let it fall to the floor.
Everyone greeted her as she ascended the steps and then sat down with a relieved sigh in the warm water. "How's everything at home?" She asked after leaning back to wet her hair.
"Going well," Ashley answered while she washed. "Danica told us that you both finished your spells."
The illusionist nodded. "I'm excited about going and putting them to use, but I think that I could use another day to relax."
"Brandon probably wouldn't be worth a damn for a week, after another day of
relaxing
with you," Christi suggested with a sly smile.
"I'm not sure that I would be either," Marlena responded with laughter in her voice.
"You know that you're all welcome any time," The Duchess said. "Hate to be rude, but I've got to get washed up, dressed up, and go be Duchess. Cerebus was stuck with it yesterday, so it's my turn."
Ashley shrugged and sighed. "We probably shouldn't linger either. We still have a lot to do."
Andrea and Marlena made small sounds of grudging agreement and turned to the task of washing away the evidence of the previous night's bliss.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
Danica was still tingling from a wonderful morning orgasm on Celes' fingers in the bath when she walked toward the kitchen at the witch's side. She grabbed her friend's bottom, offered a sexy growl, and then laughed when Celes twitched her eyebrows in response.
The pair put aside their playful antics upon entering the kitchen, as the last thing that the girls needed was any encouragement in that direction. Two of the copies of Danica — Danila and Denise — stood at the sinks washing dishes, and said hello upon noticing that they weren't alone.
Denise said, "Breakfast is over there on the stove," while scrubbing an iron skillet with a wire brush.
"Thank you, Denise," Danica responded, and then asked the other clone, "Still doing okay?"
Zoraster had manipulated the clone through both an aborted pregnancy and magic to lactate in abundance. Edna had fortunately discovered a spell in her book that helped to counter the magic. It had taken some time to convince the other girls that suckling their clone sister was making her uncomfortable by keeping the milk flowing, no matter how much she enjoyed it at the time. That part of the magic still lingered, making Danila experience powerful orgasms whenever anyone was drinking from her springs of mother's milk.
"Okay," Danila answered. "They only leak when I..." Her cheeks turned bright red, and she finished in a rush, "When I get really excited."
"Just remember how heavy they were and how much they ached. That should help avoid temptation," Danica suggested.
Still embarrassed, the auburn-haired clone nodded her head and returned to the dishwashing.
"Come along, now," Celes said. She already stood in the doorway, holding the two plates left for them. "I'm famished, and you still need to give me my copy of your new spell."
Her stomach rumbling, Danica walked over and took her plate.
A quiet mental chime and a flash of light from within the room alerted the pair that someone had teleported into the manor. Since the numerous wards and runic defenses hadn't activated, they were fairly confident about who had just popped in.
"Welcome home," Celes said upon seeing Andrea, Marlena, and Ashley reorienting their senses after the translocation. "Not sure if the girls saved any more of breakfast."
"I'll just have some fruit later," Andrea said, and pointed toward the center of the manor. "I want to go check on the Dragon Tongue."
