Sailmaster's Woman Read online

  Then again, what Ardani priests did and didn’t do—

  “We are not forbidden to have sex like our Earth counterparts.” Akad was smiling again. “Our society is far too old to believe in unnatural practices like celibacy.”

  Elise leaned forward to ask more about how Ardani priests lived, but something prickled at the back of her mind. What Akad had said earlier, about her concerns over the Council seeing her have an orgasm, kept replaying in her thoughts.

  She frowned. “Akad, what should trouble me about Gith’s stupid complaints?”

  The priest sighed again, and his silver tattoos seemed to dim. “Grace, the OrTan’s evidence is persuasive, and he is royalty. These things have great impact. I fear you should worry that Lord Gith will win his case.”

  “Oh.” Air left Elise in a rush. “And what would happen then?”

  “There would be war,” the priest said matter-of-factly. “Ki will never surrender you. His family and his people—all Ardani—we will protect you.”

  Elise felt heavy, as if she had just swallowed concrete. “Y-Your people would go to war over me?”

  “Without question.” Akad’s intense eyes burned a notch brighter. “Slavery is disgraceful and backward to us. We would never allow an Ardani citizen to be held against his or her will.”

  “But I’m not—”

  “Yes, you are. When you joined with Ki, you became an Ardani citizen with full rights, privileges, and protections. Your fate is intertwined with ours evermore, Elise Tul’Mar.”

  “Elise Tul’Mar.” Elise’s heart rapped against her ribs. “Ardani citizen, wife of Ki, and…and…what? Sailmistress? Queen?”

  “Queen is the closest equivalent.” The priest nodded. His silver markings twinkled. “To be Sailmistress, you would have to win the honor in battle over the male warriors—which has happened, though not in recent millennia. Only he—or she—who can command all the Fleet’s sails through force of will and mind may claim that title. And now, Grace, your lessons.”

  Elise stood. When she straightened her tunic, it swept around her knees but clung to every curve and dip. She felt self-conscious, but no matter how she tried to rearrange the garment, it stuck to her like glue. Or worse yet, a latex bodysuit.

  For a moment, Akad didn’t seem to notice her embarrassment. Then he stood, shook his head, and waved his hand.

  Elise’s tunic whipped over her head and landed on the bed, leaving her naked and dumbfounded in front of the priest. She tried to speak, but her words came out in coughs as her hands dropped to cover her breasts and the patch of hair easily visible to Akad.

  “Do you think I have seen no women before you?” The priest’s smile was patient, but his eyes were firm. “Lesson one. You are no longer on Earth. The shame and oppression of Earth’s women are no longer yours to bear. Uncover yourself.”

  “But I—I don’t really know you.” Elise kept her hands in place. Her cheeks burned with the shame she was supposed to discard, just like that. She couldn’t—and yet part of her wanted to believe this was all real, and no dream, and that it wouldn’t end. To believe that she could be free with her body and pleasures, without having to face sermons and recriminations.

  Akad folded his arms. “How well I know you—that matters not. I have no intention of offering you sexual attention, as you are not my mate, and neither you nor your husband has invited me into the marital bed.”

  “Now just a minute.” Elise straightened, modesty be damned. “What the hell are you talking about? Mates, inviting you to the marital bed—what does that mean?”

  The priest gestured to the table near the front of Ki’s quarters.

  Still acutely aware of her nakedness but resisting the urge to grab her tunic or a sheet, Elise followed him to the table and sat down in one of ten chairs. The wood felt smooth and cool against her ass, and her nipples brushed the table’s edge. She shuddered, then gripped her chair arms and glared at Akad.

  “When your body’s sensitive spots are touched, you will respond.” Once more, the priest sounded patient. “There is no shame in that.”

  “I don’t want to talk about shame,” Elise snapped. “I want to talk about other people in my bed.”

  Akad withdrew a silvery quill, a round inkwell, and a small piece of paper from his pockets. As he spoke, he lined them up in front of Elise. “On Arda, because we are telepaths, many relationships cross the boundaries you grew to accept as normal on Earth. The intimacy of thought-to-thought contact does away with false or useless modesties.”

  “Tell me about other people being welcome in my bed,” Elise repeated. Sitting naked in front of the priest, feeling the chair against her bare behind—it was hard to think. She was getting wet, and that irritated her.

  “Very well.” Akad sat back in his chair. His eyes brushed her breasts, but his expression wasn’t lewd or intrusive. Only appreciative, in a normal male way. “I will give you the abbreviated version, though I’m not certain you’re prepared to understand or accept it.”

  Elise squirmed in the chair, her pussy getting wetter by the second. “Try me.”

  “Ardani mate for life.” The priest met Elise’s gaze. “They find a soul’s mate. A shanna. Women call their soul’s mate sha. Each couple establishes their own rules of marriage, of course, but traditionally, once couples are bound, they do not have sex outside the marriage unless their sha or shanna is present.”

  Akad paused, and Elise knew he was giving her time to react. “So, you’re saying that Ki or I could fuck someone else, but only in—what, a threesome?”

  “Three-some.” The priest looked confused. “I do not know that word. You or your sha might choose to include others in your sex act. It is your choice and right as a couple.”

  “I see.” Elise moved again. Her nipples were getting hard from the conversation, even though she wanted to be furious. “Do many couples do this?”

  Akad shrugged. “All, that I’m aware of. The practice is common between brothers, sisters, and cousins—though never between parents and children, or other such generational crosses. It is natural to be attracted to the same-generation mates of your close relatives, as their tastes would be similar to your own. And it is natural for your mate’s close relatives to find you attractive for the same reason.”

  Elise wished her body would cooperate with her outrage, but it ignored her. Her skin heated up, and she knew her clit had to be the size of a strawberry. Every time she moved, it ached. “So, I’m expected to find Ki’s brother and sister attractive?”

  “Not expected, no.” Akad’s expression reflected his difficulty understanding Elise’s meaning. “It is just assumed, and permitted. Welcomed by most. Sex is about closeness and pleasure, and there is nothing wrong with being close to your chosen family.”

  Elise hooked her ankles together and squeezed her thighs to give herself some relief. Earlier in the morning, she had been wounded and enraged because Ki had wanted to share her. She still felt a little discomfort—but the thought that she had essentially married his knock-out of a brother, too, felt…exciting. Never mind the sister. She’d think about that later.

  The priest folded his hands in his lap. “Do you have any questions?”

  “You said the couple could invite ‘others.’ Does that mean anyone?”

  “Yes.” Akad’s expression never changed, but his eyes traveled to Elise’s breasts again. “Though physical intimacy is more typically kept between family members—yours, or your sha’s.”

  “I don’t have any family except my cousin Georgia.” Elise’s excitement drained out of her as if she had pulled some inner plug. “And she’s back on Earth.”

  Akad frowned. “That hurts you. I can see it, and feel it. A deep pain.”

  “Yes.” Sudden tears spilled down Elise’s cheeks. From horny to homesick in under five seconds. That had to be a record.

  “Grace, one of the reasons I removed your clothing was to free you. To free your mind and heart so that your psychic abilities
could manifest more fully.” The priest leaned forward. “I encourage you to experience and resolve this grief, as it will hold you back from fully enjoying your sha.”

  “Or his brother and sister.” Elise had nothing to wipe her tears, so she used the back of her hand. “Look, I won’t just get over Georgia. You need to know that.”

  The priest was silent for a time, and then he sighed. “Then I encourage you to let go of the pain as much as you can. If your mind is open enough, you might be able to form some communication with Georgia, even though she’s very far away.”

  That thought was too much for Elise, and she started crying harder.

  Akad produced a handkerchief and comforted her with his presence until she regained control. Wanting some distraction, she pointed to the quill, inkwell, and paper in front of her. “What are these for?”

  “To begin your psi training.” Akad nodded toward the quill. “I plan to work with you today until you can lift the quill and dip it in ink. Without your hands.”

  “Okay, look. Out of everything you’ve said today, that’s the craziest.” Elise shook her head. “No way I can do that. Not a chance.”

  Akad’s smile filled his whole face. “A disbeliever. Your excitement will be all the more great when you succeed.”

  * * * * *

  “She asked for both of you.” The priest spoke quietly to Ki and Fari.

  Ki felt immediately wary. “Is she armed?”

  “Only with more knowledge, Your Highness.” Akad smiled. “I think she wishes to make amends, and to understand more about our ways.”

  “It is a trap.” Fari clenched both fists. “If I enter that room with you, she will have a noose waiting beneath her pillow.”

  Akad shook his head. “You underestimate her. She is of great intelligence, and eager to learn and accept new things. As strong as Ardani females, and perhaps possessed of greater passion.”

  “And greater treachery,” Fari murmured.

  “How did she fare with the psi tasks?” Ki asked the priest as he patted his brother’s shoulder to reassure him.

  “Well.” Akad smiled anew. “She managed a lift and placement of the quill. We were able to work on initial shielding strategies as well, so perhaps she will no longer broadcast her rage and passions to the crew.”

  “The men will be sorely disappointed.” Ki laughed. “And she really wants to see us both?”

  The priest nodded.

  All the way to Ki’s cabin, Fari discussed how to restrain Elise if she attacked by surprise. “I would not want her harmed,” he emphasized, and seemed put out when Ki grinned.

  “You are too serious, brother.”

  “And you are not serious enough,” Fari retorted.

  Ki went first into the cabin, and the first thing he noticed were lighted candles. His shanna must have mastered simple flames, or asked the priest to light them before he left. The yellow glow on the silver floors was relaxing, as was the light scent of bayflowers and brandywine.

  Fari coughed, and Ki became aware of his brother’s growing arousal. In a flash, he followed Fari’s thoughts and gaze to the bed—where Elise reclined against the pillows. She was naked, and her hand was between her legs. Moving in slow circles.

  “Akad told me I have power.” Elise’s voice was husky. “I want to see if he’s right.”

  Her nipples seemed to swell under Ki’s very gaze, and he felt all moisture leave his throat, headed south.

  Fari groaned, and Ki knew his brother’s excitement matched his own. Ki’s pa-mark blazed in his skin, surging from his own feelings, multiplied by the emotions and thoughts of his shanna and his brother.

  His cock throbbed, already at full length and strength.

  Elise’s hand kept moving. “Come here,” she ordered. “Both of you. I don’t know how much longer I can wait.”

  Intoxicated with the scent of woman-sex floating through the candle fragrance, Ki stripped out of his clothing. Fari did the same, revealing his own pa mark. It was wing-shaped, as if a great bird had branded his chest.

  They approached the bed together, breathing almost as one.

  Ki entered the bed on the left, and Fari on the right. Elise turned and kissed Ki deeply, still moving her hand between her legs. He caught her wrist gently and pulled it up.

  “That is for us to do,” he whispered.

  Fari ran his lips across the back of Elise’s wet fingers, drinking in her smell, tasting the sweetness he had been denied.

  Ki saw that his brother’s eyes were hooded. He was already lost in Elise, and no longer thinking of nooses.

  Good.

  Elise moved against Ki’s body, pressing her breasts into is pa-mark and moaning as the silvery substance caressed her nipples.

  Ki lifted her up and fastened his mouth on her breast. Her nipple swelling even more in his mouth rewarded him. “Yes.” She groaned. “Please, yes.”

  He ran his tongue over the beaded flesh, and Fari’s thoughts joined his own, following Elise’s desires to the hot, wet slit between her legs.

  As Ki pleasured his shanna’s nipples and mouth, Fari dipped into her quim, finding her clit with his eager tongue.

  Thoughts and pleasure flowed between the brothers like water, with Elise’s mind joining and retreating, joining and retreating.

  “You wanted this,” Ki rasped between kisses. “Stay with us. Feel it. Feel it!”

  With a loud moan, Elise’s mind touched theirs and stayed. She was almost totally joined with them, but maddeningly, it wasn’t total. Ki knew this was likely because she was not Ardani, but he wished for the full bonding nonetheless—until Elise’s demanding need drove away all other considerations.

  She was very near climax. Fari gripped her hips and pulled her forward, drinking her, teasing and pressing, flicking his tongue through her slit in every way she imagined. Ki kept at her nipples and mouth, feeding her, pulling her to him and cradling her as she opened her legs wider and arched her hips.

  In seconds, her body shook with release.

  Ki felt her orgasm rattle through his own body. If he had not excellent self-control, he would have come when she did—but he held back. He wanted more. Much more.

  In sync with Ki’s intentions, Fari released Elise and sat back. Ki pressed Elise into the pillows, kissing her, settling himself between her legs. She moved against him, open and ready. Groaning, he slid into her quim. She rose to meet him.

  Ki pumped, hearing himself growl as his pace grew faster. Harder. His shanna’s arousal frenzied him, and Fari’s desire for satisfaction drove him just as hard.

  Once more, Ki slammed his cock into Elise. She shuddered and groaned, and both men felt the wash of her second orgasm.

  Still, Ki held himself back, though he nearly chewed through his own lip doing so.

  With quick deft motions, he pulled himself from Elise’s wet quim, turned her over, and drew her to all-fours facing Fari. She gasped when she saw his brother’s rod, but she didn’t seem frightened. Only more aroused.

  She was as lost in them as they were in her, and that simple knowledge nearly took Ki’s control. Somehow, he kept himself in check, and entered her soft, moist slit again—this time from behind.

  Elise groaned as he thrust into her, pulling her down against him. Her thoughts told Ki that her eyes were still on Fari, and that she wanted to touch him. She wanted to please him as they were being pleasured, and Ki quickly offered consent.

  This was as it should be. More excitement, more fulfillment for those he loved.

  His strokes intensified as Fari groaned. Ki could see Elise’s mouth closing over his brother’s swollen rod. Their connection allowed Ki to feel both at once—the joys of Elise’s quim and the talents of her mouth and tongue.

  His shanna’s thoughts were tied to his and to Fari’s, and she felt both men approaching climax.

  Do you understand your power now, beloved? Ki let his thoughts wrap around Elise like her wet slit wrapped around his driving cock.

 
Yes! As Elise rocked between them, giving herself fully to first one and then the other, she shouted her understanding. Yes. Yes!

  Ki roared as he came, only a second before his brother.

  Elise didn’t pull away from either man. She milked them to empty, drained them like wells until both Ki and Fari had no choice but to leave the warmth of her body and collapse on the bed, panting.

  As Ki drifted into an instant almost deadening sleep, he felt Elise running her fingers through his chest hair.

  “I’m not bored yet,” she whispered.

  Chapter 6

  Two stellar weeks later, Elise stood in front of Ki on Astoria’s sweeping bow. It was night, but Elise knew that only because she had glanced at the 26-section stellar clock before they left the Sailmaster’s cabin. Each clock section represented a little less than an hour, and Elise had drawn a sun on the right and a moon on the left. The pictures helped her stay oriented. Unlike the odd mural of the wild women she kept meaning to ask Ki about. They didn’t help her orientation at all, and in fact, they made her feel unsettled, somewhere deep inside.

  Were there creatures like that on Arda?

  Elise certainly hoped not.

  Before she could bring up the wall painting, Ki began massaging her shoulders, rumpling her tunic as he gently squeezed her muscles with his strong hands. He kissed the top of her head, pressing his cock against her back, and she wondered lazily when he would discover she had left her underwear below deck.

  The crew was about, but mostly amidship to stern. Elise had noticed that when she and Ki came on deck, the hands tended to give their Sailmaster and his woman a wide berth.

  Excellent.

  Tonight, she wanted Ki all to herself. Some stargazing, small talk, and then back to the cabin for more mind-altering sex.

  The last two evenings, Fari had been with them, but the three nights before, they had chosen to be alone, like now. Elise found that she enjoyed herself either way, but sometimes, she wanted only her husband’s touch. Ki seemed to feel the same way, though he left the decision of whether or not to include his brother completely up to Elise.