Crown of Destiny (13 page)

The question remained which one of his three granddaughters Kolgrim would choose. Each was sixteen. Each beautiful in face and form. But the girls all had very different personalities. Divsha was a blue-eyed blonde with large perfect breasts, who was sweet and gentle. She was a perfect Hetarian female, and there had already been a number of offers for her hand in marriage that the family was considering. Yamka was petite with dark auburn hair and amber-gold eyes. She was a lively girl, perhaps a bit too daring and reckless, but then her mother had been so at that age, too, yet once married became obedient and amiable. Grugyn expected Yamka would, too, and they already had, as with Divsha, several offers of marriage to consider for her.

To marry into the House of Ahasferus was an incredible honor. The descendants of Ulla were considered to have the finest pedigree in all of Hetar. Any magnate seeking one of Grugyn Ahasferus's granddaughters for himself or his son had best have an impeccable Hetarian lineage, and an obscene amount of wealth. The daughters of the House of Ahasferus were used to the best of everything, and nothing any of them had ever sought had ever been denied them.

Grugyn now considered his third granddaughter, Nyura, a tall willowy girl with long golden-red hair, and gray-green eyes. The only daughter of his younger son, she had always been a puzzle to him, and to their family. She was certainly obedient, but she was also quiet and introspective. She spoke little, but when she did it was obvious that she was very intelligent which, of course, was not a good thing in a Hetarian female. No man wanted to be outshone by a woman. There had been no offers for Nyura's hand in marriage so far. She would end up being some elderly magnate's second or third wife. A pretty trophy to display at public events and dinner parties. But they would obtain an equally good bride price for Nyura as they would for her cousins, Divsha and Yamka.

As they were transported home in their lavish gold litter with its royal-blue velvet curtains, Grugyn Ahasferus told his wife, Camilla, of his conversations this evening with the Lord High Ruler and with the Twilight Lord. A plump woman with a still-pretty face, Camilla listened, the fat beringed fingers of one hand tapping gently on a pillow as he spoke, her light blue eyes thoughtful.

"He is not Hetarian," she finally said. "And what do we really know about the Dark Lands? They have been an inhospitable, mysterious part of our world for centuries. Now suddenly this man claiming to be its ruler comes to The City and says he wants one of our granddaughters to be his wife. I would know more before I entrust a member of our family to a virtual stranger."

"I believe he is who he says he is," Grugyn replied. "He has magic."

Camilla Ahasferus's face grew wary. "My lord," she began in a warning tone.

"He has magic,"
her husband repeated meaningly.

"That does not make him who he says he is," Camilla said.

"What possible proof could you require that would satisfy you, wife?" Grugyn Ahasferus looked irritated. "One of our granddaughters is going to be elevated to the rank of a queen. I am well pleased."

"Then I am well pleased, too, my lord," Camilla Ahasferus said softly, smiling as she saw the building anger drain from her husband's face. Of course she was not. And she would seek to learn what she needed to learn before she would allow one of her granddaughters to be given in marriage to a stranger.

"I have invited the Twilight Lord on the morrow to come meet the girls," Grugyn Ahasferus told his wife.

"Only present Divsha and Yamka," Camilla suggested. "Nyura is too somber, especially when the three are together."

"He knows there are three," Grugyn Ahasferus responded. "I will display all of them. Remember that the choice is his to make, not ours."

She shrugged. "You are right, my lord," she agreed. "How did he know of our granddaughters?" she asked her husband.

He told her, and Camilla listened carefully. If this fellow was who he said he was, and if he proved worthy, she considered, then perhaps a marriage alliance with him could turn out to be a very good thing. Yet how was she to learn what she needed to know? That would prove the difficult part.

B
UT THE NEXT MORNING
G
RUGYN
Ahasferus sent a message to Kolgrim asking him to visit on the following day. Then he sent for his two sons and his daughter, who was Yamka's mother. When they came later that day, he told them of the Twilight Lord's request. His daughter immediately began to cry. Grugyn ignored her.

"Mother is concerned he may not be who he says he is," his older son said.

"I believe he is," Grugyn Ahasferus replied. "Palben is far to canny a man to be taken by a fraud. But more importantly, I have seen the man's magic."

"We would be fortunate if he chose Nyura," his younger son said. "I don't know who we will get to marry such a serious girl."

"I don't want to lose my Yamka!" Grugyn Ahasferus's daughter wailed.

"Yamka and Divsha are my choices," Grugyn Ahasferus said. "He won't be able to resist either of them and will have a difficult time choosing. Nyura is lovely, I will grant you, but she is, as you have pointed out, my son, too serious. Now send my granddaughters to me by nightfall. I want them ready to greet our honored guest when he arrives tomorrow morning." And Grugyn Ahasferus dismissed his progeny.

His three granddaughters arrived at exactly sunset. Each came with her serving woman and a trunk. Divsha and Yamka giggled together while Nyura smiled at the pair indulgently. She was not at all like them, and she knew it. She did not want to be like them, for together they had fewer brains than a cobblestone in the street. But she was fond of them, as they were of her. They understood each other, having grown up together.

Their grandmother saw they were given a sleeping draught almost immediately. She did not want them up laughing and talking all night. They must be well rested, and their beauty at its peak come morning.

The Lady Camilla instructing them, the serving women woke their charges just before dawn. The girls were bathed, their hair washed and subtly perfumed. Divsha's scent was rose. Yamka favored honeysuckle. Nyura preferred the more sophisticated fragrance of the night-blooming lily. The girls were then garbed in identical simple sleeveless white silk robes with plain round necklines. Divsha's gown was belted with gold. Yamka's with copper. Nyura's with silver. Their hair was dressed in the same way, long and unfettered, so their beauty would be equally displayed to the Twilight Lord.

He arrived at the appointed hour garbed in a black-and-silver robe. His eyes lit with pleasure at the sight of the three maidens who stood with their grandfather waiting to greet him. "My lord Grugyn," he said, bowing politely.

"My lord Kolgrim, welcome to my home. And here are the three precious flowers of my house to greet you. This is Divsha. She is the oldest born in the first month of the Icy Season." He drew the blonde girl forward, pleased to see she kept her eyes lowered as she should. "And this is Yamka, born in the last month of the Icy Season." Yamka bounced forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement, but she quickly lowered them, seeing her grandfather's slight frown of disapproval. "And here is Nyura, who has only just turned sixteen this month." Nyura silently came forward and made her curtsy.

"Exquisite," Kolgrim said, smiling at Grugyn Ahasferus as they moved into the house. "I will interview each separately, of course, my lord. Have you a chamber in which I may do this?"

"Will you make your decision so quickly then?" Grugyn Ahasferus asked, surprised. "I thought a few days would be necessary."

"I can learn what I need to know today, and then the marriage date must be set. In a few months the mating season frenzy will be upon me. It is then I must impregnate my wife if I am to have a son within the year."

"Of course, of course," his companion replied. "Would you prefer an inner chamber, or one opening into the gardens?" he inquired politely.

"An inner chamber," Kolgrim replied. "And I shall speak with your granddaughters in order of their age."

Divsha smiled smugly at her two cousins. She had no doubt she would be chosen to be the Twilight Lord's wife and queen.

"Go to your grandmother, Yamka, Nyura," Grugyn Ahasferus said. Then he led his eldest granddaughter and Kolgrim to a small interior guest chamber, ushering them inside. There was a roll-armed upholstered couch in the room, and a table with a decanter and four goblets. "The frine is blackberry," he told Kolgrim, who nodded his thanks. "When shall I send the other girls to you, my lord?" he asked.

"When I have learned from Divsha what I need to learn, she will come to fetch Yamka next, and Yamka will fetch Nyura," the Twilight Lord said quietly.

Grugyn Ahasferus bowed politely. "It shall be as you require, my lord," he said, and then he backed from the chamber, hurrying off to join his wife.

When he had departed, Kolgrim walked to the door and turned the key in its lock. Then he turned back to Divsha, who smiled at him coyly.

"Would you like to see my breasts?" she asked him sweetly.

"Aye, I would," Kolgrim said, and pointing a finger at her, removed her gown.

Divsha squealed with surprise.

"I want to see all of you," he told her, seating himself on the couch. "Come here now, and sit upon my lap so I may inspect you more closely."

Obedient, she complied immediately. "You are a wicked man," she said to him.

"I am indeed," he agreed, a big hand slipping beneath her to feel up her bottom.

Divsha squealed again. "Ohhh!" she exclaimed.

His other hand began exploring her large round breasts. The skin was both soft and firm to his touch. He squeezed a breast, and her fair skin immediately bore the mark of his fingers. She was finely made. Bending, he kissed her nipple, licking it, then taking it into his mouth to first suck upon it, then to bite down on the tender flesh.

"Ohh, that hurt!" Divsha complained.

Raising her head, he kissed her, and her tongue immediately snaked its way into his mouth. She fell back into the curve of his arm, and almost at once he began to explore her nether regions. She was already wet with her lust, and so he pushed two fingers into her, moving them swiftly back and forth until she released her juices to him. She was not a virgin, but Kolgrim wasn't disappointed. He meant to have pleasures of the girl before he sent her back to her grandmother. Divsha's eyes were closed.

Kolgrim smiled. "Seat yourself upon me now, Divsha," he said. He had magicked his own robe away, and his manhood was already standing tall. He lifted the girl and sheathed himself within her.

Divsha's eyes opened and widened with his entry. "You are too big," she whimpered.

"Ride me!" he commanded her sharply. "You certainly have been taught how to please your lover, wench. Do so now!"

Divsha obeyed him, clamping him between her thighs as her body rose and fell with the rhythm of their shared lust. He grasped her big round breasts, squeezing them until she was gasping for mercy. He gave her none, only easing his hold on her as his juices filled her, and Divsha fell forward, clinging to him "Ohh, my lord," she murmured as she licked his ear. "You are so masterful. Never have I known such."

Kolgrim lifted her off him, restoring their garments with a snap of his fingers.

It had been a pleasant interlude, and she was a beautiful girl. But she had certainly not been a virgin, and the Book of Rule had said his bride would be a virgin. His fingers might have been mistaken, but his manhood had probed her deeply. Her maidenhood was long gone from her. "I have enjoyed your company, my lady Divsha," he told her, kissing her hand as he led her to the door, unlocked it and gently sent her on her way. "Go to your grandmother now. Have Yamka sent to me so I may conduct my interview with her next. I am sure we will meet again before I depart Hetar."

"Have I pleased you," she simpered coyly, certain she had.

"You have," he agreed, and closed the door on her.

When Divsha reached her grandmother's day room Yamka departed immediately. The blonde girl was disappointed she had no time to share her experience with her cousins, and gloat over how she had pleased him. Yamka almost ran from the chamber in her eagerness, Divsha noted.

"Enter!" Kolgrim called at the slight knock upon the door. Yamka stepped into the room, and Kolgrim again locked the door.

Yamka smiled slyly at him. "Did you fuck Divsha?" she asked, amused. "I am told she is rather dull when taking pleasures. We have shared several lovers."

"What a bad girl you are, Yamka, to speak so disparagingly of your cousin," the Twilight Lord chided her.

"Ohh, I am very bad, my lord," Yamka agreed. "Do you mean to spank me for it?" Her amber eyes glittered gold and danced with anticipation.

He snapped a finger at her and her gown dissolved away.

"Ohhh!" Yamka exclaimed, surprised, and in a half crouch tried to shield her breasts and mons from him with her hands.

"Aye, I can see you are a bad girl to deny me the sight of your luscious body," Kolgrim said. And Yamka was indeed luscious. Like Divsha her breasts were round, though not as large. Her hips were rounded as well, and he suspected her bottom would be plump and round, too. "Come here!" he commanded her in a hard tone, and when she quickly obeyed him he said, "Over my lap, wench. If you accept your punishment with good grace then I shall have a fine reward for you." His big hand descended upon her fat buttocks with a satisfying smack.

"Ohhh!" Yamka cried out. "Oh! Oh! Oh!" and she wiggled atop his knees.

Kolgrim continued spanking her bottom until it had turned a beautiful and burnished red sheen. Then standing, he yanked her to the rolled arm of the couch, put her over it and, grasping her hips in a firm grip, thrust his lustful rod as deep as he might go. She was not a virgin. But he was not disappointed. She was a most glorious fuck, and released her juices twice for him. Drawing his cock from her female sheath, he found her rear passage, and began to push himself in there.

"Ohhhh!" Yamka groaned. "I have only had one man there!"