My head reeled. I could no longer tell what was real and what was illusion. Her eyes focused on me, sparkling amethyst this time, and to my surprise, her voice softened.
“And last is the rogue. He is charming, intelligent, wickedly handsome…” The eyes changed color again, becoming dark as midnight, and her tone grew harsh. “He is also a liar and a thief. He lives by his wits and, to him, truth is but a tool he’ll use, twisting and bending it to serve his purpose. Beware – for he will try to steal your heart.”
A cocky, self-assured figure, younger than all the others, strolled down the stairs and stopped beside the oracle. He wore a sleeveless vest, open to show off a sleek, well-muscled body with impressive abs. He had short, wavy hair, brilliant green eyes, and the devilish grin of a choir boy caught sneaking a bottle of holy wine out of the temple under his robes. He bowed his head to the oracle then raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.
“As you have stolen mine, beautiful lady.”
To my astonishment, the oracle gave a tinkling laugh, like a coquettish young girl.
He glanced my way and winked, as though we shared a special secret. Then he and the oracle headed back up the stairs, hand in hand. When they reached the top of the dais, he disappeared, drifting away into formless mist as had all the others.
When I first heard it, part of my brain wanted to dismiss the Prophecy as superstitious drivel. But I didn’t doubt it any longer. I’d watched Drayke turn from a man into a fearsome beast. I flew through the skies on the back of a creature I thought lived only in myths. United with him to snatch the first sacred source, the Flask of Fire, from the hands of the Dark Lord’s followers then destroyed it so my enemy could not draw strength from its power. Tonight I’d met Magnus, the second of the champions shown to me by the Oracle.
Four more Quests remained. Four more sources of unlimited power hidden somewhere in my kingdom. But unlike my first night in this temple, I wasn’t consumed by doubt and fear. For the first time since my father died, I wasn’t facing my terrible destiny alone anymore. I had two valiant heroes swearing to fight by my side. But Goddess help me, how could I bear the shame of what I’d done with them? Was my submission too high a price to pay for their loyalty?
My shirt and trousers still lay in a heap on the floor in front of the dais. I gathered them up then climbed the steps where I’d knelt before my Masters. I gave a fleeting thought to getting dressed, but somehow it seemed fitting to face my inner demons as naked as I’d been when I behaved in a manner so unlike myself. I bundled my clothes together and sat down.
The makeshift cushion didn’t provide much protection, and I gasped as my bottom met the cold stone floor. Though the chill soothed the sting from my spankings, it did nothing to take away the memory of shocking pain that had led to pleasure more intense than any I’d ever known. My pussy clenched, and I felt the hunger building inside me again as I relived the last few hours. I’d loved every minute. Maybe that’s where the shame came from.
Perhaps the voice of my conscience was right. Maybe I was a slut, with wicked, depraved desires I’d never recognized because I never had an opportunity to indulge them before. For years, my life had been one of duty and responsibility. I was not much more than a child when I took over the burden of ruling the kingdom after my father’s death. I put my own wants and needs aside, including my need for love and affection.
And sex, the disapproving voice reminded me. Yes, sex. I’d been a virgin in every sense of the word – naïve, inexperienced, with no idea of the power a seductive lover could wield over my body and my mind.
I thought of them as my lovers. Both of them. But was that truly what they were? During the few short days we’d spent together, I had fallen in love with Drayke. At least I thought I had. I had nothing to compare it with, since I’d never been in love before. He was funny and charming and caring and intelligent – and wildly sexy. He awakened my body, introduced me to the joys of lovemaking in a gentle, caring way. Even when we did things I considered naughty, it was with a sense of playfulness.
Having sex with Magnus tonight stirred dark desires in me, desires I never knew existed. His stern domination enthralled me. When he ordered me to perform wicked acts, especially those I couldn’t bring myself to do until he punished me, the embarrassment I felt added another thrilling layer to my submission and made the vicious climax he brought me to even more intense.
And the two of them together? They took me to a place where I was mindless and frantic. I obeyed every command, gave my body to them to torment and tease, drowning in the savage sensations they evoked in me.
Oooh! You’ve been a bad girl. Maybe you need to be punished again. By Drayke, this time. He’ll make you suck Magnus’s cock while he spanks you and finger fucks your ass, just like he said he would.
The very thought made my clit throb. Dear heaven, Iwasa slut. I even fancied I heard the drums starting up once more, their seductive beat taking over my body. Making me want to do even more shameless, immoral things.
Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw movement. As I peered into the dim light, a figure appeared at the far end of the temple. Shadowy and indistinct at first, taking on form and substance as it drew nearer to me.
It was a woman.
A woman in her prime, walking naked and proud. I couldn’t see her face at first, but her hair gave away her identity. A river of color, flowing from the top of her head over her firm white breasts, reaching to her waist. Though I hadn’t seen those glowing strands in six years, I would never forget them.
I fumbled to cover myself. Her air of complete confidence despite her nudity made my efforts at modesty seem petty and childish. She stopped at the base of the dais. Stood there, silhouetted in the starlight. I still wasn’t sure if she was real or if I’d conjured her image out of my imagination.
“Oracle? What are you doing here?”
“The Goddess sent me. You beseeched her for help.” Her voice was low and soft. Comforting.
I started to disagree then remembered.
“She heard my thoughts?”
“The Goddess knows all things, sees all things.”
“I didn’t actually mean…”
The oracle shook her head abruptly. Shimmering strands of color whirled around her in a dizzying display. “Stop. Don’t deny it. If you want help, if you want peace in your soul, you must speak. Tell me what is troubling you.”
“I…I slept with both of them. Drayke and Magnus. At the same time. I did wicked things. I touched them – and let them touch me. Everywhere. With their hands and their lips and their tongues. I sucked their cocks. It was wrong, and I’m ashamed of myself. How can I ever face them?”
“Did you harm them in any way?”