Winds of Change Chapter 26
Title: Winds of Change (26/?)
Chapter 26
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don’t own Jane or Maura or their counterparts from the TV show or books…I only wish. I am going to be adding a few of my own characters however.
Summary: After Jane establishes herself as a great warrior and Maura has flexed her healer muscles it is time to be on their way to King’s Place once more. Again italics denotes mind speaking in the body of the story. I had no beta reader for this chapter so all mistakes are all on me.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. I am sorry it has been so long since my last update. I have been busy and been having a little bit of a problem with writer’s block, the story was just not flowing for me. I hope you all enjoy this long awaited chapter. I would like to thank all of you who gave me name suggestions for the three remaining Royal birds. It was hard to choose and even if I didn’t use a name you suggested now, I might use it in the future. I might name a few more birds in some other distant chapter, we will just have to see. I used names suggested by TIGGAIN, smooche, and Knightofangst. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
Previously… Maura had tears running down her face as she approached her wife, the Queen totally ignored all the blood and filth covering her warrior and clung to her wife. She had never been as scared in her entire life as when the three jackals had attacked together and Jane disappeared under them. “You deserve a spanking for scaring me like that.”
“Kinky, I may just like it.” Jane held her shaking wife tight. “I told you I would always do my best to come back to you and I meant it. I honestly didn’t think I would face death challenges so soon, but I did what I had to do.”
“I know Jane and your enemies deserved what they got. I just hate to see you hurt or have to do those things.” Maura pulled back looking over her wife with her healer’s eyes. “You have closed your wounds, but you still have many injuries that need a healers touch and you seriously need a bath.”
Jane chuckled. “So do you after hugging me so close.” She turned to the warriors around her. “I would like to thank all of you who helped to protect my wife and fought to make sure I didn’t face any more than three jackals in that circle. You have done me and my Queen a great service this day.” Her voice was picked up for all to hear since they stood so close to the stage and the crowd cheered for the warriors who fought for the King and Queen.
“Come my King, let me get you back to our suite so I can get you cleaned up and take care of your wounds.” Maura stated as she moved to walk beside her King still clinging to the tall warrior.
The crowd parted and bowed as the couple walked by. The Lycan King and Queen had fully returned and soon all in Hecation would know of it and before the year was up the whole of Undrehiel would know as well.
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CHAPTER 26
Maura clung tightly to her love all the way back to their bedchamber. The last hour had been a whirlwind of emotions for her. Joy at her mates accomplishments. Worry over the challenge that turned to terror when it became a death match against three enemies. Elation when Jane won and sadness for the dark deeds her mate had to perform. Once in the chamber Maura directed her courageous warrior to the bathroom where she worked with heft hands disarming and disrobing said warrior. Everything was placed in a laundry bag as it was removed. No words were spoken during all of this until the smaller woman turned on the shower and began adjusting the temperature. “I want you to just stand under the spray and let the water rinse you off. I will be in to wash you myself as soon as I have given your things to Jeremy. He is sure to be waiting outside the door already.”
The dark haired woman nodded and stepped into the large shower.
When the Queen opened the door she did in fact find Jeremy escorted by Ashley waiting in the corridor. The boy placed fist over heart tipping forwards slightly. “Milady, I have come for my King’s gear.”
Smiling Queen Snow handed the bag and weapons over to the boy who had become so dear to her heart. “Thank you Jeremy. You have done a tremendous job taking care of my warrior for me.”
The boy beamed as he took the offering. Ashley handed Maura Jane’s rapier and dagger. “Laird Raven will not want to be without a weapon nearby while her main sword and small blades are being cleaned.”
“That is true. Thank you.” She took the weapons as Mistress Pineheart joined them.
“Your Grace, if you would, I can deliver your dress to one of my laundry girls and they will be able to save that lovely outfit for you. If we get it to her now it will be much easier to clean.”
Maura nodded and quickly ducked back into the room stripping out of the stained gown and donning her robe. She quickly handed the gown to the elder woman thanking her.
“While you bathe I will have food and drink brought up to your room and left on the table. Have a good night Lady Snow.” Mistress Pineheart announced before leaving with the stained gown.
Maura was shortly back in the bathroom and joining her love in the shower.
Meanwhile, Jane found her mind calm after all she had gone through. She had done it. She won the tournament in a sweeping victory proving herself as a warrior. She had then came out victorious in a true challenge to the death by not one, but three enemies. There had been no hesitation within her once she knew without a doubt that they all three wanted her dead, even the youngest of the jackals. Jane felt absolutely no remorse with what she had done. Her wolf was in total agreement. Jane and her wolfself had truly bonded as one in a way they never had before as they fought in wolfwoman form. The connection between the two parts of herself was now stronger than it had ever been. Now more than ever before the dark haired woman felt like she truly was the Alpha of all Lycans. Jane had proved it to herself and to others. The worry the situation had caused her mate was the only thing she was sorry for, but the Laird would reassure her wife she was okay.
Something very near a purr sounded from Jane as her lovely mate joined her under the warm spray pressing into her back and wrapping loving arms around a bruised body.
The two women simply stood pressed together for long moments absorbing the love and strength of their bond.
“I am sorry I worried you tonight, baby.” Jane rubbed a hand along the arms around her middle.
“I will get used to seeing you fight true challenges. Though I freely admit that this first one did scare me, especially when it became a death match of three against one.” The shorter woman’s arms tightened around the taller woman. “However, seeing you destroy your enemy and come out victorious was amazing. You are a tremendous warrior, my love.” With a quick kiss on a strong shoulder she stepped back. “Now let’s get you cleaned up so I can go over all of your injuries. The shift stopped the bleeding and eased them, but you need true healing.”
Jane soon found herself squeaky clean wearing her robe eating a large meal with an equally clean Maura sitting across from her putting away her fair share of the meal. It seemed all the healing her wife had done that day had made her almost as hungry as Jane.
Once the food was gone Maura shooed Jane back into the bathroom to brush her teeth and prepare for bed. Maura was going to give her woman a massage and heal her at the same time and didn’t want Jane out of bed again until morning.
Just before the warrior closed the bathroom door Maura called to her. “Here!” The smaller woman tossed something to her. “Put that on when you are done.”
The dark haired women smirked. “Yes ma’am.” Closing the door she laid the miniscule harness on the countertop by the sink. As she brushed her teeth her only thought was that she was about to receive the best massage of her life.
After Jane disappeared into the bathroom Maura opened the door and asked Evie to help her set the empty trays in the hall. Evie and Marcus were currently on guard duty outside their door. The General and Zion stepped out of their rooms and Marcus took the tray that Maura was holding.
“Marcus and I will take these to the kitchen and Zion and the General can stand guard. Please feel free to sleep in tomorrow. It is the last day of the festival and is one of feasting, socializing, and children’s games. You will both also want the rest since we head out the following day.” Evie stepped back for Marcus to maneuver away from Maura with the other tray.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. You all have a good night.” Lady Snow smiled at them before closing and locking the door. The soundproofing spell on the room engaged when the door locked.
Jane was finishing up tightening the harness when Maura joined her.
“Let me set this up for you.” The lusty smile on the smaller woman’s face made her warrior instantly wet and aroused. The fullness within Jane instantly absorbed the wetness while Maura ran her fingers over the spell symbols of the harness.
Jane’s Ladykock was set to enlarge with her arousal and was beginning to grow to a nice semi by the time Maura was done.
Maura leaned in kissing her wife. “Now take your sexy self to bed and lay on your stomach in the middle of it.”
Smiling Jane happily did so, but groaned as her semi-aroused ladykock was pressed between her body and the bed. The thing was very sensitive.
She groaned again when her sexy naked wife started at her feet and began working her way up massaging and healing as she went. Some of the injuries stung as they healed, but her love’s magic hands soothed any pain away afterwards. Her mate truly was an Angel.
When Jane turned over her ladykock was a little more relaxed, however it began to instantly grow as her eyes took in the lovely vision of her naked mate as Maura’s magic hands once more went to work. Her ginger woman rubbed her down well, but avoided her kock and breasts. Jane was shaking with need and wetness was shining from the tip of her kock by the time Maura was done healing her. It was taking everything she had not to take control and plunge into her wife. Jane sensed Maura needed to be in charge and reassure herself that Jane was really okay.
Maura sat back and admired her handy work. Her mate was now healed and her massage had garnered the exact results she wanted. Jane’s breasts were full, her nipples stiff and hard, and her ladykock was fully erect with arousal seeping from it. She smiled as her lover whispered “Please.” The smaller woman believed now would be the perfect opportunity to test out her theory that her wife’s breasts were sensitive enough that under the right circumstances she could achieve orgasm from them alone being pleasured.
“Ah, yes! That feels so good.” Jane hissed out as Maura’s hands began caressing her breasts. Her nipples were still left begging however. Maura loved Jane’s breasts with hands and mouth for long moments, yet still avoiding darkened nipples. The warrior’s hands came up to tangle in her wife’s hair.
“Put your hands back on the bed dear. However, if you must hold on to something grab the headboard. I need you to be all mine tonight.” Maura rose up pulling her lover’s hands from her hair and placing them on the bed above the dark head.
Without losing eye contact Jane stretched out her arms and took ahold of the head board. “Anything for you sweetheart.” Her voice husky.
“Good.” Smiling Maura kissed her mate long and deep before going back to making love to her sensitive breasts, now lifted up in a new angle.
Jane thought she was going to go out of her mind. Her grip firmed on the headboard and her body was ridged with sexual tension. The tension only increased as a soft tongue finally flicked across one aching nipple. “Oh God, Maura.” Was now being repeated over and over from the dark haired woman’s lips and her love gently caressed her aching buds. Her body was on the brink, but wasn’t getting what it needed to fully turn over.
Maura knew how close her lover was. It was amazing she was able to do this to her wife without genital stimulation. She also knew exactly what was needed to take Jane over the edge. Sitting up so she could watch as Jane exploded for her, she firmly took the erect points of mate’s nipple between finger and thumb and pinched firmly, but not too hard.
“Maura!” The warrior screamed as her body erupted shooting her wetness across her stomach, chest, and her wife’s hands.
Maura loved it and looked forward to doing it again many times in the future. She was also pleased to see that the kock she had set to rise and fall with Jane’s arousal was still fully erect even after the powerful orgasm. “That was sexy, love.”
The dark haired woman opened her eyes in time to see her wife lick her juiced from her hands and shuttered. That was fucking hot. The shuddering grew as Maura began cleaning her breasts and stomach with her tongue.
“Christ! You are so hot baby.” Jane’s back arched when her sexy mate took her kock into her hot mouth, but only for a moment.
The now more ginger haired woman rose up straddling her powerful wife rubbing her wet sex along the ridged length of Jane’s kock, both women groaning at the pleasurable sensation. Slowly Maura lowered herself onto the shaft loving the feel of being filled by her wife and the fine tremors running through the body below her.
“So fucking good, so absofucking good, Maura!” Jane wanted so badly to touch Maura, but they both knew if she did she would take control of the lovemaking. Her grip grew even tighter on the head board.
Once fully seated Maura began to slowly ride her woman building the tension back up in Jane as she fought not to go over herself to soon. But she couldn’t hold it for long and her pace soon increased and she was taking long, fast, and hard strokes onto her wife. Jane’s feet dug into the bed and her hips pistoned up as much as they could meeting her lover with loud slaps as their bodies came together. It was not long until they were both on the brink.
“Jane let your coiled energy go when you come like you did last night only this time not through your hand, but where our bodies are joined. I will do the same.” Maura was way past having the ability to speak coherently aloud.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Less than a minute later they screamed in ecstasy together and released the energy that spooled within and their voices rose together even more until darkness began to claim them both. Jane only seconds after Maura, but with enough thought to catch her wife as she fell down upon her and hold her close as she surrendered to the darkness of pure bliss.
They did not visit the Gods and Goddesses that night. Fenrir and Vivienne thought the couple could use a good night of rest.
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Jane awoke first smiling when she found her wife still lying across the front of her body. Maura’s legs were now stretched out atop hers and during the night her ladykock had relaxed and slipped from her mate. However, now it was rapidly growing as her hands began to caress the soft warm curves of the woman atop her. Maura had a really great ass and it was very responsive. Maura began to stir as Jane massaged her backside.
Jane eased them over to where Maura was beneath her and whispered in her ear. “Mornin’ babe.”
Arms came up around the Laird pulling her close. “Good morning, love.” Shifting Maura smiled as her wife groaned as she pressed up against her excited kock. “I believe it is about it get even better.”
Jane chuckled and groaned again as her loving wife shifted so the tip of her shaft was resting at the entrance of her baby’s hot body. Not able to fight that blatant invitation the warrior flexed her hips and slowly entered heaven. Their lovemaking was slow and sensual with lots of touching and caressing with both hands and mouths. The couple spent nearly two hours enjoying one another before their stomachs began to protest from lack of food.
“Let’s shower and then go find us something to eat at the festival. There is supposed to be an abundance of it about today and I look forward to trying some more new things as well as enjoying some things I have found that I really like.” King Raven scooped up her Queen carrying her to the bathroom.
“It should be a relaxing and fun day. I believe we will be giving out the ribbons for the contests that have been going on all week for food, crafts, and livestock. I am looking forward to it.” Once her feet touched the floor Maura gave her love a quick kiss before they got down to business.
A whistle escaped the taller woman when Maura stepped out of the bathroom with her hair pulled up off of her face wearing a pretty flowered sundress that hugged her body and thick heeled sandals. She looked fun loving, carefree, and elegant all at the same time. “You look lovely, sweetheart. I look forward to spending the day with you. I learned a trick from Fenrir a few nights ago that I think you will like.” She gave Maura her elegant rapier to put on. Her wife made a face as she delicately hung the weapon from her waist.
“Do I really have to wear this if I am by your side all the time or with our guards? It really doesn’t go with this outfit.”
Laughing Jane reached up placing her hand on the hilt of the rapier and muttered a few words under her breath and the weapon seemed to disappear and only a small mother of pearl button appeared. The taller woman adjusted it so it lay in the middle of one of the flowers on Maura’s hip blending in with the pattern.
“That is amazing. You will have to teach me how to do that. How do I get it to reappear?” Her fingers traced the button.
“Simply lay your fingers on it and think about it reappearing.”
Trying it the smaller woman laughed with glee when it returned and again when it disappeared once more when Jane taught her the spell to hide it. “That will be one handy spell. It is often difficult to find dresses that I can wear my rapier with. Also it will be very handy when we return to the realm of man.”
“Yes it will.” Sliding the one dagger she currently had into the sheath in her boot Jane stood up. She was wearing black pants that hugged her figure and a deep purple vest with black vine like patterns embroidered into it in black thread, her dark mane of hair was left to fall wildly around her shoulders and back. The tall woman guessed she looked alright if the look her mate was giving her was any indication. “I hope my sword and other small blades have been delivered to the guards outside. I much prefer them over my rapier.”
Laird Raven opened the door greeting Zion and Alexi who stood outside. She was very pleased when she saw her preferred weapons on a hall table nearby. She quickly strapped them in place. “Is everyone ready to head out? I don’t know about you guys but Maura and I are famished. I am thinking maybe making our first stop that little bakery on the edge of this side of the village. Wonderful smells are always coming from there.”
The others laughed as Evie, Marcus, and the General joined them all in the corridor. “We are ready to go anytime you two are.” Zion assured.
Jane offered her arm to her wife as the General took the lead followed by Evie and Alexi then Jane and Maura with Marcus and Zion bringing up the rear. Once outside Evie and Alexi moved to walk beside them and their four little feathered companions flew down. Phantom landed on the Generals shoulder, one landed on Evie, Alexi, and Marcus. The couple felt well looked after. None of them trusted those left of the dead jackals’ people
The day was very pleasant, they started out at the bakery and visited many other vendors throughout the day. They watched the children’s events that were now going on at the tournament field. They handed out ribbons to the children for playing in the games as well as some for those who did well in the games. They also gave out ribbons to those who won the food events, the craft events, and the many livestock events. The end of the day culminated in a huge feast and bonfire. The Royal couple spent much time getting to know the people attending the festival. They along with the members of their party had an enjoyable time. The King’s only rule was that none of her party imbibe too much. Everyone was going to need to be at full alert when they left the village the next day. The women got a chance to spend some enjoyable time with Jeremy and Emily as well as the Miller family. The fun relaxing day was exactly what everyone needed before they got back on the road to King’s Place. They had another four or five days in the saddle before they reached their destination.
The couple was pleasantly tired when they reached their rooms that night and spent a few enjoyable hours loving each other before falling asleep in one another’s arms. They spent another peaceful night without visiting the heavenly plain.
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The following morning once they were dressed and had their breakfast maids arrived to help them pack up their room. The road out of town was lined with people and beings to see their caravan off.
Everyone was ready to go and in line to head out of town, the only ones not mounted up were Jane and Maura.
The Pinehearts stood with them near their horses. “We thank you for your hospitality and for opening your home for us. Staying in your living tree home was a very original experience for us.” Maura smiled at the elder couple.
“You were both a pleasure to have as guests and we were honored to have you in our home. We hope you stop back by our village again soon.” Mistress Pineheart offered.
“I am sure we will be seeing you again in the not too distant future.” Laird Raven shook hands with Mistress Pineheart and then Master Pineheart.
“You are a great warrior Laird and it was an amazing honor to watch you fight. It is a memory I will treasure and share with my many future grandchildren. We wish you all a safe journey.” The Elder couple stood back as Laird Raven lifted her Lady into her saddle before mounting her own horse.
Jane looked to Maura getting a nod that she was ready and signaled Marcus at the head of the procession that they were ready to head out. They waved to the crowds gathered along the road. It wasn’t long until they were once again in the quiet of the forest with only the murmurings of conversation, and the clipping and wickering of the horses.
“It is nice to be on our way again. I enjoyed the tournament and festival, but I am eager to see our new home.” Maura sent privately.
“I totally agree. I am glad I was able to prove myself as a warrior and you got to do the same as a healer, but I am ready to settle down for a while even if we are going to be going through lots of lessons and training.” Their private link was certainly a blessing, Jane once more thought.
A few hours later after remounting from a short lunch break Maura chuckled as the two females of the birds called Royals began once again working on twining several strands of her horses mane together.
Looking over Jane smiled at the happy look on her wife’s face as she watched the birds, even assisting them sometimes. “You should name them. I named the lead bird and I have been thinking about a name for the other male bird. They seem more drawn to me as those two ladies seem drawn to you.”
“I have been thinking about names for these two.” Maura stroked one’s feathers. “You see how this one has lighter feathers on its back, medium feathers on it belly, and much deeper ones on its wings?”
“Yes.”
“Well it reminds me of some very pretty purple flower arrangements I once saw in Hawaii when I was a teenager. It was one of the very rare vacations I had with my parents. Usually it was with a chaperone or just one of my parents, but that time they were both there. I had them to myself for almost two whole weeks. The housekeeper always had the most beautiful purple arrangements set up in the foyer of the house we were staying in. They were of all different shades of purple, like the feathers of this little lady.” She laughed again as the bird in question hopped up onto her finger like it knew she was talking about it. “I learned that summer that the word for purple in Native Hawaiian is poni. So little one I shall name you Poni.” She kissed the so named bird on it soft head and the bird chirped in acceptance. Poni fluttered off of her Mistress’s finger and back into the mane of the horse.
“That is a nice story and a fitting name for such a pretty lady.” Poni preened at the Lairds words. “What do you plan to name the other one?”
“Well she is also unique with her deep coloring all over her body and with a few light grey feathers among the dark purple ones on her wings. She also perches on my shoulder when I am healing and seems to send me support and comfort to me as I work. Did you know that medieval European warriors used to wear special amulets of protection into battle?”
“No, I didn’t know that.” Not a day went by the dark haired woman didn’t learn something from her wife.
“The amulets were made of quartz. Amethyst to be precise. The purple quartz was believed to help heal people and to help them keep a level head under pressure, some even believed it could help prevent intoxication when the imbibed too much. I think Amethyst would be a fine name for this dark feathered beauty.” Again the bird in question hopped up onto Lady Snow’s finger. “What do you think of me naming you Amethyst?” She asked the bird. A nod of its little head and several chirps were her enthusiastic happy answer.
“I do believe she likes it, dear.” Laird Raven laughed at the birds antics.
“I think so too. Then Amethyst it is.” Phantom who was Amethyst’s mate flew over to her rubbing his head against hers showing how happy he was that she had been named as well and that he liked her name. “Aww, that is so sweet.”
Jane was startled when the remaining Royal flew up to hoover chirping about her head. It seemed he wanted to be named as well.
“Sweetheart, I believe you better give that little warrior a name, too.” Maura laughed at the scene.
“Hey! Calm down. I already have a name for you. I shall call you Zev. It means wolf in Hebrew. You may be a small bird, but you have a fighting spirit and heart as strong as a mighty wolf.”
Zev landed on her pommel preening showing his pleasure in his new name as his mate Poni flew over to join him, loving him as the other two love birds were doing.
“That is a wonderful name, sweetie. How do you know the word for wolf in Hebrew?” Her lady was very intelligent and though Jane didn’t share her knowledge near as often as she herself did, Maura knew her wife was just as smart as she was. It made the stunning woman even more attractive and judging from the blush on her loves face it was an interesting story.
“Well, when I was twelve I was still a stocky kid and boys weren’t really that interested in me which was starting to worry Ma until one day she found a poem in my book bag that a boy had given me. I didn’t know it was there. She was so happy and was calling him my first admirer. She found a few more poems on other days that he had snuck in my bag and one day he left his name and an invitation to study together. We were both in honors math class together.” Jane sighed not liking sharing the story. “Ma was so happy she made me call him and set up a study date and she did call it a date. You see I was at least a year younger than most everyone in my class and several younger than those in honors math. I was also still taller than many of the boys my age. Well the boy was just the opposite physically. He was a year older than me, but he was a lot shorter than I was and very skinny. He was really small for his age and had huge coke bottle glasses. He was very polite to Ma and she loved him. Even was his name and although I told him I wasn’t really interested in boys yet he still wrote me poems, he also started drawing me pictures. I have to say Even was very talented at drawing. He would always hug me before he left my house after our study sessions. Ma thought it was cute and called him my boyfriend and Frankie and Tommy teased me relentlessly. One picture he gave me I really loved and I hung it up on my wall. It was a beautiful wolf standing out on a cliff looking down upon a village below. It looked so life like. He titled it Zev. I asked him what it meant. Even was also not Catholic, his family was Jewish and his father was very adamant about him learning Hebrew. He is the one who taught me that Zev meant wolf in Hebrew.”
“That is a really cute story and I can picture Angela acting just that way. What ever became of your whirlwind romance with the talented little Even?” Maura gently teased.
“We continued to study together for the rest of the school year which was only a few months. His father got transferred to upstate New York and they moved when school was over. He came to see me before he left and said that he was sad to be leaving such a good friend and that he was going to miss me, but he had my address and phone number and we would keep in touch.” She chuckled at the memory. “We were standing on the walkway in front of my house and he stepped up onto the bottom step of the porch and grabbed my arms. I thought he was going to hug my bye like he always did and he did, but before he let me go he mashed his lips to mine totally catching me by surprise. He stepped back before I got over my shock and said he just had to do that before he left because he might not ever get the chance again. He then ran off down the sidewalk calling over his shoulder that he would miss me and would contact me soon.”
Laughing Maura stretched out her hand to squeeze her wife’s shoulder. “That is a precious story. Did you ever see or hear from him again?”
Taking the hand on her shoulder in hers she kissed it and they rode on for a while holding hands. “I never saw him again in person. We talked on the phone a few times and we wrote each other fairly often. He never failed to send me a birthday or Christmas card and it always had an updated picture of him in it. Ma made sure I did the same with him. We actually still keep in touch over email and Facebook even today.”
“Really? That is so special. Did you ever feel like going and seeing him or maybe have real romantic feeling for him?”
“No, I only ever saw him as a good friend. We shared things with each other what we couldn’t with anyone that lived close to us because it was safer that way. He is now happily married and he and his husband have twins, a boy and a girl that a surrogate carried for them.”
Both women laughed together, talked, and enjoyed the rest of the quiet afternoon as they rode through the sparsely populated landscape.
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Two days later the Royal caravan rode into a lovely valley that looked like a patchwork quilt with the different sections of fruits and vegetable planted across it. A large yellow farmhouse with white trim and several red barns and various white outbuildings sat on the opposite end of the valley near the trees. There were about ten workers tending the crops.
Laird Raven’s senses jangled with signs of trouble similar to when Jeremy and Emily had been in danger. She had already kicked her horse into a full gallop when screams rent the air, all of her warriors followed except for ten who had been ordered to stay and protect the wagons and the people on them.
The workers in the fields also began running towards the farmhouse when the screams began. Jane followed her senses knowing that the trouble was in the house and not the barns. Upon entering the home she saw two small children coming down the stairs with large frightened eyes holding the hand of a teenage girl. Silencing them with a finger to her lips while sending feelings of reassurance she sent two of the General’s men up the stairs to protect the children and to look for anyone else who might be on the upper floor. The pain and danger came from the back of the house. Using hand signals the warriors spread out in groups searching the lower floor as others were outside surrounding the house and checking the barns and out buildings as well. Maura was outside soothing and organizing the workers from the fields as they arrived at the home as well as those who had ran over from the barns.
In the back of the house they found the kitchen with blood sprayed across the walls, ceiling, and floor. A tiger lay on the floor ripped to pieces, an elder woman lay near the table with long gashes covering much of her torso, but was still alive for the moment. A pregnant woman was curled up in a ball under the kitchen table protecting her pregnant belly, she had some gashes on her legs and a few on her back. A man with a sword knelt beside the elder woman, he had blood on his hands and his pants from kneeling down trying to hold the worst of the wounds closed.
The General stepped around Jane. “Move away from the woman! We will not let you finish what you started!”
Laird Raven lashed out with her will directing it at the General alone dragging him back behind her. “Stay and use your brain look around you with all of your senses before you act. Look around the room and see how clean the man before you is and how clean his sword is. Also note the resemblance between him and the woman on the floor and her total lack of fear of him.” She growled low.
“Maura I need you in the kitchen immediately, bring your medical kit and glove up. I smell a danger in some of the blood in this room.”
“I am on my way.”
Her focus turned to the kneeling man. “Continue to put pressure on her wounds. Where did their attacker go?”
The man pointed to the large bay window that was completely smashed out. “The creature that did this broke through there and went back out the same way. I saw it as it reached the house from an upstairs window and grabbed my sword and ran down here to try and help, but I didn’t make it in time.” He pointed to the tiger parts. “My Uncle was in the kitchen with the women, but the creature was too fast and strong for him. It grabbed our two oldest girls after it took out my Uncle and attacked my mother and wife. I only got a few quick swipes at one of its heads before it grabbed them and was gone. It disappeared quickly into the woods. You showed up before I could follow it.”
“Do you know what the creature was?”
“No, I have never seen anything like it. It had five monstrous heads on long serpent like necks with a body like a crab and a long tail with a large section of blade like barbs on the end.”
The elder woman on the floor began to whisper as Maura reached the room. She immediately knelt by the woman. “It burns.” The injured woman gasped.
Maura immediately began inspecting her injuries with all of her abilities. She too smelt the danger in some of the blood in the room. “The creature has some kind of acidic poison in its mouth and barbs, maybe even their claws. I will clean it out of her wounds and heal them enough so that a shift should assure her to live and to heal completely in only a few weeks.”
Turning to the others Jane began giving orders. She sent two riders back out to retrieve the rest of their party and others to help the farmers gather the nearby animals up and put them in the barns. “I want ten warriors guarding the barn and the farmers that will be staying there to take care of the livestock. Put our wagons into another barn out of harm’s way. This creature only eats living flesh. It will eat animals, however it prefers that of humanoid creatures. They are drawn to those with magical gifts over those who have none. I want everyone else in this house. Put the children and others who are not trained with weapons in the parlor we went through. It is in the center of the home and has no windows and will be easier to protect. I want five guards in the house and another ten surrounding it. I will take the remaining twenty warriors along with the stolen girls’ father and we will track the creature. I hope we can save the girls, but I do know we must kill the creature. Everyone gear up. Make sure to bring plenty of long range weapons like bows and crossbows as well as spears. We also need nets to help subdue the creature’s heads and tail.”
“My Laird do you know what the creature is? I have never heard of it before.” A more subdued General Poledio asked.
“It is called a Zunuluth. Someone in the area has been practicing very black magic and allowed this being to slip through from the dark realm. A Zunuluth is drawn to certain areas of the dark realm when they feel someone from another realm performing powerful dark magic. If the spell is strong enough it will very briefly open a portal in which one can slip through. Fortunately, it is very rare that the portal is opened long enough for more than one of the creatures to escape their realm. Unfortunately, for the black magic wielder, the creature usually kills and eats them before they have the time to put up any kind of defense against them.” Jane knew this because Lord Fenrir had slipped the knowledge to her and Maura when the man had described the creature.
“Ethan!” Laird Raven called out to the Magi. “Once everyone is in the barn and house I want you to put up a protective barrier around the barn and the house. I want arrows to be able to be shoot from within the barrier, but nothing to be able to get in, just in case the Zunuluth doubles back on us. You will stay and assist Lady Snow with her healing and be her personal bodyguard.”
“I will protect her with my life, Your Grace.” Ethan put his fist to his heart and bowed as he made his pledge.
Jane nodded before squatting next to Maura. “I don’t know how long this will take. Once you have taken care of these women as much as you can you may want to set up one of the other rooms with minimal windows as an infirmary. If we find others injured or have injuries that we cannot take care of we will send them back here.” She kissed Maura on her temple before she rose. “Take care of yourself, Maur. I will be back as soon as I can and I will do everything in my power to come back to you safe and sound. If that creature comes back I want you to go into the parlor and take the injured who can be moved with you. You can help defend those there.”
Maura glanced up at her mate briefly giving her a slight nod. “I will set everything up.” She wanted to get up and kiss her brave wife, but she had to keep battling the poison in the elder woman’s system. “I love you Jane and you better come back to me or I will never forgive you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart and I will do my absolute best to return to your loving arms.” She mentally sent the kiss that they could not physically share at that moment before turning and leaving the room. Amethyst settled on Maura’s shoulder and Poni on the broken windowsill to protect the Queen as Jane left the room.
Outside the farmhouse was a hive of activity. The horses of the warriors who were not going were taken to the large barn along with some of the cattle and other farm animals. A few of the horses were being loaded up with supplies that would be needed for the hunt if it took overnight or longer as well as medical supplies.
“Cookie, I want you to assist Maura. There are two injured women inside. Maura is currently working on the one in the worst shape. The other woman may not be as extensively injured, however she is several months pregnant and the creature who did this has poison barbs and her injuries need tending as soon as possible to help draw out the poison before it can get to the baby. Use whatever poultices and healing magic you have that draws out poison and I am sure if your poultices are not strong enough Lady Snow can tell you how to make ones that are. She has a lot of work to do on the elder woman before she can turn to the pregnant one. Please make sure Maura eats, she will need to keep her energy up with the amount of long healing she is going to have to do.” The Laird said after pulling Cookie aside.
“I will take care of Lady Snow and assist her in any way I can, Your Majesty.” At that moment, that was who Cookie was speaking with, not the relaxed Laird Jane, but the commanding King of the Lycans.
“I know you will.” Stepping away from the woman she turned to find Jeremy standing before her with Emily by his side.
“Your Majesty we have a mail shirt and some of your weapons for you to put on. Others are seeing to the loading and preparing of your horse.” The boy held out the shirt made of black chain links of a very tight weave and of an extremely light weight. It was surprisingly easy to put on. Jeremy swung Jane’s double sword rig from his back and helped Jane into it. Emily held the loaded sheaths of daggers, blades, and bolts passing them over for Jeremy to help outfit the King. Next Jane strapped on a throwing axe and a holster with her small crossbow and hunting bolts. Lastly Jane slid on new wrist gauntlets with throwing blades sheathed around them.
“Thank you both for your help. Now go with Millie to the parlor of the house. There are some other children there and they are scared and have lost a few family members. Do what you can to soothe them and ease their fear and take care of yourselves.” Both children bowed to her before quickly hugging her legs and running into the house following Millie and Maddie.
Walking to her horse that was held in place by Warren, Jane mounted up. She had a bundle on the back of her saddle with a bedroll, blanket, and an extra set of clothes. Her saddlebags were full with medical supplies, food, and extra weapons, such as throwing daggers and extra crossbow bolts. Her bow and two quivers of arrows were also attached as was a rope. Between herself and her horse she was well equipped for the hunt. “Warren you are in command answering only to the Queen while we are away. Once everyone is settled in the barn and house use Ethan and get the wards up as soon as possible. If anyone shows up needing help only open a space large enough for them to enter. Do not drop the whole ward and do not let them in until you have tested them for black magic and used a truth spell on them. Ethan is the most powerful Magi here besides Maura and can perform the wards. You can use some of the less powerful Magi or the Elves and Fairies to test those seeking aid. Good luck and take care of our Queen.”
“With my life, Your Majesty.” Warren saluted as Ethan had earlier. “Good hunting.”
Turning in her saddle Jane motioned the farmer, now mounted on a strong horse, forward. “You will ride beside me. You know these woods better than any of us. What is your name?”
“Thomas, Your Majesty.” The man could hardly believe he was speaking to the fabled King of the Lycans.
“Laird or Laird Raven will do for now. No need for all the pomp and formalities at this time, Thomas. Two skilled trackers rode out minutes ago to scout for us.” She lifted her arm and silence fell in the yard. “We will head out after the scouts. Keep all your senses open and stay alert. The only way to kill this creature is to pierce the small black patch on its underbelly. And beware its blood is just as acidic as its saliva and the poison from its tails and claws.” She dropped her harm calling “Move out!” and she with Phantom and Zev perched on her saddle along with the hunting party moved off into the forest following the scouts and the Zunuluth’s tracks.
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Again sorry it has been so long. School ended, summer activities began, I coached softball again this year and am glad the season is now over. I went on vacation for the first time in at least four years. Spent about two weeks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I had never been there before. It was a fun trip except for the enormous amount of mosquitos. On the way home we went to a relatives wedding and my son danced with a girl for the first time. It was sweet. I got pictures! He is 14. Also stopped a few days in Chicago after that and saw a few sights and visited the Museum of Science and Industry, both my kids liked it and of course we had to have some of the best Chicago style deep dish pizza I have ever eaten. It was a long trip, but a fun one. I hope I can keep this story flowing now. I attempted working on it a few times before, but I was forcing it and boring myself, so I trashed those attempts until it felt right. Don’t worry that I will abandon this story, because I won’t. I may have to pause sometimes, but I am determined to finish the story and the other one I am writing. So let me know what you think and I will try not to make you wait too long for the next chapter. Until Next Time…
Chapter 26
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I don’t own Jane or Maura or their counterparts from the TV show or books…I only wish. I am going to be adding a few of my own characters however.
Summary: After Jane establishes herself as a great warrior and Maura has flexed her healer muscles it is time to be on their way to King’s Place once more. Again italics denotes mind speaking in the body of the story. I had no beta reader for this chapter so all mistakes are all on me.
Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. I am sorry it has been so long since my last update. I have been busy and been having a little bit of a problem with writer’s block, the story was just not flowing for me. I hope you all enjoy this long awaited chapter. I would like to thank all of you who gave me name suggestions for the three remaining Royal birds. It was hard to choose and even if I didn’t use a name you suggested now, I might use it in the future. I might name a few more birds in some other distant chapter, we will just have to see. I used names suggested by TIGGAIN, smooche, and Knightofangst. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
Previously… Maura had tears running down her face as she approached her wife, the Queen totally ignored all the blood and filth covering her warrior and clung to her wife. She had never been as scared in her entire life as when the three jackals had attacked together and Jane disappeared under them. “You deserve a spanking for scaring me like that.”
“Kinky, I may just like it.” Jane held her shaking wife tight. “I told you I would always do my best to come back to you and I meant it. I honestly didn’t think I would face death challenges so soon, but I did what I had to do.”
“I know Jane and your enemies deserved what they got. I just hate to see you hurt or have to do those things.” Maura pulled back looking over her wife with her healer’s eyes. “You have closed your wounds, but you still have many injuries that need a healers touch and you seriously need a bath.”
Jane chuckled. “So do you after hugging me so close.” She turned to the warriors around her. “I would like to thank all of you who helped to protect my wife and fought to make sure I didn’t face any more than three jackals in that circle. You have done me and my Queen a great service this day.” Her voice was picked up for all to hear since they stood so close to the stage and the crowd cheered for the warriors who fought for the King and Queen.
“Come my King, let me get you back to our suite so I can get you cleaned up and take care of your wounds.” Maura stated as she moved to walk beside her King still clinging to the tall warrior.
The crowd parted and bowed as the couple walked by. The Lycan King and Queen had fully returned and soon all in Hecation would know of it and before the year was up the whole of Undrehiel would know as well.
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CHAPTER 26
Maura clung tightly to her love all the way back to their bedchamber. The last hour had been a whirlwind of emotions for her. Joy at her mates accomplishments. Worry over the challenge that turned to terror when it became a death match against three enemies. Elation when Jane won and sadness for the dark deeds her mate had to perform. Once in the chamber Maura directed her courageous warrior to the bathroom where she worked with heft hands disarming and disrobing said warrior. Everything was placed in a laundry bag as it was removed. No words were spoken during all of this until the smaller woman turned on the shower and began adjusting the temperature. “I want you to just stand under the spray and let the water rinse you off. I will be in to wash you myself as soon as I have given your things to Jeremy. He is sure to be waiting outside the door already.”
The dark haired woman nodded and stepped into the large shower.
When the Queen opened the door she did in fact find Jeremy escorted by Ashley waiting in the corridor. The boy placed fist over heart tipping forwards slightly. “Milady, I have come for my King’s gear.”
Smiling Queen Snow handed the bag and weapons over to the boy who had become so dear to her heart. “Thank you Jeremy. You have done a tremendous job taking care of my warrior for me.”
The boy beamed as he took the offering. Ashley handed Maura Jane’s rapier and dagger. “Laird Raven will not want to be without a weapon nearby while her main sword and small blades are being cleaned.”
“That is true. Thank you.” She took the weapons as Mistress Pineheart joined them.
“Your Grace, if you would, I can deliver your dress to one of my laundry girls and they will be able to save that lovely outfit for you. If we get it to her now it will be much easier to clean.”
Maura nodded and quickly ducked back into the room stripping out of the stained gown and donning her robe. She quickly handed the gown to the elder woman thanking her.
“While you bathe I will have food and drink brought up to your room and left on the table. Have a good night Lady Snow.” Mistress Pineheart announced before leaving with the stained gown.
Maura was shortly back in the bathroom and joining her love in the shower.
Meanwhile, Jane found her mind calm after all she had gone through. She had done it. She won the tournament in a sweeping victory proving herself as a warrior. She had then came out victorious in a true challenge to the death by not one, but three enemies. There had been no hesitation within her once she knew without a doubt that they all three wanted her dead, even the youngest of the jackals. Jane felt absolutely no remorse with what she had done. Her wolf was in total agreement. Jane and her wolfself had truly bonded as one in a way they never had before as they fought in wolfwoman form. The connection between the two parts of herself was now stronger than it had ever been. Now more than ever before the dark haired woman felt like she truly was the Alpha of all Lycans. Jane had proved it to herself and to others. The worry the situation had caused her mate was the only thing she was sorry for, but the Laird would reassure her wife she was okay.
Something very near a purr sounded from Jane as her lovely mate joined her under the warm spray pressing into her back and wrapping loving arms around a bruised body.
The two women simply stood pressed together for long moments absorbing the love and strength of their bond.
“I am sorry I worried you tonight, baby.” Jane rubbed a hand along the arms around her middle.
“I will get used to seeing you fight true challenges. Though I freely admit that this first one did scare me, especially when it became a death match of three against one.” The shorter woman’s arms tightened around the taller woman. “However, seeing you destroy your enemy and come out victorious was amazing. You are a tremendous warrior, my love.” With a quick kiss on a strong shoulder she stepped back. “Now let’s get you cleaned up so I can go over all of your injuries. The shift stopped the bleeding and eased them, but you need true healing.”
Jane soon found herself squeaky clean wearing her robe eating a large meal with an equally clean Maura sitting across from her putting away her fair share of the meal. It seemed all the healing her wife had done that day had made her almost as hungry as Jane.
Once the food was gone Maura shooed Jane back into the bathroom to brush her teeth and prepare for bed. Maura was going to give her woman a massage and heal her at the same time and didn’t want Jane out of bed again until morning.
Just before the warrior closed the bathroom door Maura called to her. “Here!” The smaller woman tossed something to her. “Put that on when you are done.”
The dark haired women smirked. “Yes ma’am.” Closing the door she laid the miniscule harness on the countertop by the sink. As she brushed her teeth her only thought was that she was about to receive the best massage of her life.
After Jane disappeared into the bathroom Maura opened the door and asked Evie to help her set the empty trays in the hall. Evie and Marcus were currently on guard duty outside their door. The General and Zion stepped out of their rooms and Marcus took the tray that Maura was holding.
“Marcus and I will take these to the kitchen and Zion and the General can stand guard. Please feel free to sleep in tomorrow. It is the last day of the festival and is one of feasting, socializing, and children’s games. You will both also want the rest since we head out the following day.” Evie stepped back for Marcus to maneuver away from Maura with the other tray.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea. You all have a good night.” Lady Snow smiled at them before closing and locking the door. The soundproofing spell on the room engaged when the door locked.
Jane was finishing up tightening the harness when Maura joined her.
“Let me set this up for you.” The lusty smile on the smaller woman’s face made her warrior instantly wet and aroused. The fullness within Jane instantly absorbed the wetness while Maura ran her fingers over the spell symbols of the harness.
Jane’s Ladykock was set to enlarge with her arousal and was beginning to grow to a nice semi by the time Maura was done.
Maura leaned in kissing her wife. “Now take your sexy self to bed and lay on your stomach in the middle of it.”
Smiling Jane happily did so, but groaned as her semi-aroused ladykock was pressed between her body and the bed. The thing was very sensitive.
She groaned again when her sexy naked wife started at her feet and began working her way up massaging and healing as she went. Some of the injuries stung as they healed, but her love’s magic hands soothed any pain away afterwards. Her mate truly was an Angel.
When Jane turned over her ladykock was a little more relaxed, however it began to instantly grow as her eyes took in the lovely vision of her naked mate as Maura’s magic hands once more went to work. Her ginger woman rubbed her down well, but avoided her kock and breasts. Jane was shaking with need and wetness was shining from the tip of her kock by the time Maura was done healing her. It was taking everything she had not to take control and plunge into her wife. Jane sensed Maura needed to be in charge and reassure herself that Jane was really okay.
Maura sat back and admired her handy work. Her mate was now healed and her massage had garnered the exact results she wanted. Jane’s breasts were full, her nipples stiff and hard, and her ladykock was fully erect with arousal seeping from it. She smiled as her lover whispered “Please.” The smaller woman believed now would be the perfect opportunity to test out her theory that her wife’s breasts were sensitive enough that under the right circumstances she could achieve orgasm from them alone being pleasured.
“Ah, yes! That feels so good.” Jane hissed out as Maura’s hands began caressing her breasts. Her nipples were still left begging however. Maura loved Jane’s breasts with hands and mouth for long moments, yet still avoiding darkened nipples. The warrior’s hands came up to tangle in her wife’s hair.
“Put your hands back on the bed dear. However, if you must hold on to something grab the headboard. I need you to be all mine tonight.” Maura rose up pulling her lover’s hands from her hair and placing them on the bed above the dark head.
Without losing eye contact Jane stretched out her arms and took ahold of the head board. “Anything for you sweetheart.” Her voice husky.
“Good.” Smiling Maura kissed her mate long and deep before going back to making love to her sensitive breasts, now lifted up in a new angle.
Jane thought she was going to go out of her mind. Her grip firmed on the headboard and her body was ridged with sexual tension. The tension only increased as a soft tongue finally flicked across one aching nipple. “Oh God, Maura.” Was now being repeated over and over from the dark haired woman’s lips and her love gently caressed her aching buds. Her body was on the brink, but wasn’t getting what it needed to fully turn over.
Maura knew how close her lover was. It was amazing she was able to do this to her wife without genital stimulation. She also knew exactly what was needed to take Jane over the edge. Sitting up so she could watch as Jane exploded for her, she firmly took the erect points of mate’s nipple between finger and thumb and pinched firmly, but not too hard.
“Maura!” The warrior screamed as her body erupted shooting her wetness across her stomach, chest, and her wife’s hands.
Maura loved it and looked forward to doing it again many times in the future. She was also pleased to see that the kock she had set to rise and fall with Jane’s arousal was still fully erect even after the powerful orgasm. “That was sexy, love.”
The dark haired woman opened her eyes in time to see her wife lick her juiced from her hands and shuttered. That was fucking hot. The shuddering grew as Maura began cleaning her breasts and stomach with her tongue.
“Christ! You are so hot baby.” Jane’s back arched when her sexy mate took her kock into her hot mouth, but only for a moment.
The now more ginger haired woman rose up straddling her powerful wife rubbing her wet sex along the ridged length of Jane’s kock, both women groaning at the pleasurable sensation. Slowly Maura lowered herself onto the shaft loving the feel of being filled by her wife and the fine tremors running through the body below her.
“So fucking good, so absofucking good, Maura!” Jane wanted so badly to touch Maura, but they both knew if she did she would take control of the lovemaking. Her grip grew even tighter on the head board.
Once fully seated Maura began to slowly ride her woman building the tension back up in Jane as she fought not to go over herself to soon. But she couldn’t hold it for long and her pace soon increased and she was taking long, fast, and hard strokes onto her wife. Jane’s feet dug into the bed and her hips pistoned up as much as they could meeting her lover with loud slaps as their bodies came together. It was not long until they were both on the brink.
“Jane let your coiled energy go when you come like you did last night only this time not through your hand, but where our bodies are joined. I will do the same.” Maura was way past having the ability to speak coherently aloud.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Less than a minute later they screamed in ecstasy together and released the energy that spooled within and their voices rose together even more until darkness began to claim them both. Jane only seconds after Maura, but with enough thought to catch her wife as she fell down upon her and hold her close as she surrendered to the darkness of pure bliss.
They did not visit the Gods and Goddesses that night. Fenrir and Vivienne thought the couple could use a good night of rest.
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Jane awoke first smiling when she found her wife still lying across the front of her body. Maura’s legs were now stretched out atop hers and during the night her ladykock had relaxed and slipped from her mate. However, now it was rapidly growing as her hands began to caress the soft warm curves of the woman atop her. Maura had a really great ass and it was very responsive. Maura began to stir as Jane massaged her backside.
Jane eased them over to where Maura was beneath her and whispered in her ear. “Mornin’ babe.”
Arms came up around the Laird pulling her close. “Good morning, love.” Shifting Maura smiled as her wife groaned as she pressed up against her excited kock. “I believe it is about it get even better.”
Jane chuckled and groaned again as her loving wife shifted so the tip of her shaft was resting at the entrance of her baby’s hot body. Not able to fight that blatant invitation the warrior flexed her hips and slowly entered heaven. Their lovemaking was slow and sensual with lots of touching and caressing with both hands and mouths. The couple spent nearly two hours enjoying one another before their stomachs began to protest from lack of food.
“Let’s shower and then go find us something to eat at the festival. There is supposed to be an abundance of it about today and I look forward to trying some more new things as well as enjoying some things I have found that I really like.” King Raven scooped up her Queen carrying her to the bathroom.
“It should be a relaxing and fun day. I believe we will be giving out the ribbons for the contests that have been going on all week for food, crafts, and livestock. I am looking forward to it.” Once her feet touched the floor Maura gave her love a quick kiss before they got down to business.
A whistle escaped the taller woman when Maura stepped out of the bathroom with her hair pulled up off of her face wearing a pretty flowered sundress that hugged her body and thick heeled sandals. She looked fun loving, carefree, and elegant all at the same time. “You look lovely, sweetheart. I look forward to spending the day with you. I learned a trick from Fenrir a few nights ago that I think you will like.” She gave Maura her elegant rapier to put on. Her wife made a face as she delicately hung the weapon from her waist.
“Do I really have to wear this if I am by your side all the time or with our guards? It really doesn’t go with this outfit.”
Laughing Jane reached up placing her hand on the hilt of the rapier and muttered a few words under her breath and the weapon seemed to disappear and only a small mother of pearl button appeared. The taller woman adjusted it so it lay in the middle of one of the flowers on Maura’s hip blending in with the pattern.
“That is amazing. You will have to teach me how to do that. How do I get it to reappear?” Her fingers traced the button.
“Simply lay your fingers on it and think about it reappearing.”
Trying it the smaller woman laughed with glee when it returned and again when it disappeared once more when Jane taught her the spell to hide it. “That will be one handy spell. It is often difficult to find dresses that I can wear my rapier with. Also it will be very handy when we return to the realm of man.”
“Yes it will.” Sliding the one dagger she currently had into the sheath in her boot Jane stood up. She was wearing black pants that hugged her figure and a deep purple vest with black vine like patterns embroidered into it in black thread, her dark mane of hair was left to fall wildly around her shoulders and back. The tall woman guessed she looked alright if the look her mate was giving her was any indication. “I hope my sword and other small blades have been delivered to the guards outside. I much prefer them over my rapier.”
Laird Raven opened the door greeting Zion and Alexi who stood outside. She was very pleased when she saw her preferred weapons on a hall table nearby. She quickly strapped them in place. “Is everyone ready to head out? I don’t know about you guys but Maura and I are famished. I am thinking maybe making our first stop that little bakery on the edge of this side of the village. Wonderful smells are always coming from there.”
The others laughed as Evie, Marcus, and the General joined them all in the corridor. “We are ready to go anytime you two are.” Zion assured.
Jane offered her arm to her wife as the General took the lead followed by Evie and Alexi then Jane and Maura with Marcus and Zion bringing up the rear. Once outside Evie and Alexi moved to walk beside them and their four little feathered companions flew down. Phantom landed on the Generals shoulder, one landed on Evie, Alexi, and Marcus. The couple felt well looked after. None of them trusted those left of the dead jackals’ people
The day was very pleasant, they started out at the bakery and visited many other vendors throughout the day. They watched the children’s events that were now going on at the tournament field. They handed out ribbons to the children for playing in the games as well as some for those who did well in the games. They also gave out ribbons to those who won the food events, the craft events, and the many livestock events. The end of the day culminated in a huge feast and bonfire. The Royal couple spent much time getting to know the people attending the festival. They along with the members of their party had an enjoyable time. The King’s only rule was that none of her party imbibe too much. Everyone was going to need to be at full alert when they left the village the next day. The women got a chance to spend some enjoyable time with Jeremy and Emily as well as the Miller family. The fun relaxing day was exactly what everyone needed before they got back on the road to King’s Place. They had another four or five days in the saddle before they reached their destination.
The couple was pleasantly tired when they reached their rooms that night and spent a few enjoyable hours loving each other before falling asleep in one another’s arms. They spent another peaceful night without visiting the heavenly plain.
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The following morning once they were dressed and had their breakfast maids arrived to help them pack up their room. The road out of town was lined with people and beings to see their caravan off.
Everyone was ready to go and in line to head out of town, the only ones not mounted up were Jane and Maura.
The Pinehearts stood with them near their horses. “We thank you for your hospitality and for opening your home for us. Staying in your living tree home was a very original experience for us.” Maura smiled at the elder couple.
“You were both a pleasure to have as guests and we were honored to have you in our home. We hope you stop back by our village again soon.” Mistress Pineheart offered.
“I am sure we will be seeing you again in the not too distant future.” Laird Raven shook hands with Mistress Pineheart and then Master Pineheart.
“You are a great warrior Laird and it was an amazing honor to watch you fight. It is a memory I will treasure and share with my many future grandchildren. We wish you all a safe journey.” The Elder couple stood back as Laird Raven lifted her Lady into her saddle before mounting her own horse.
Jane looked to Maura getting a nod that she was ready and signaled Marcus at the head of the procession that they were ready to head out. They waved to the crowds gathered along the road. It wasn’t long until they were once again in the quiet of the forest with only the murmurings of conversation, and the clipping and wickering of the horses.
“It is nice to be on our way again. I enjoyed the tournament and festival, but I am eager to see our new home.” Maura sent privately.
“I totally agree. I am glad I was able to prove myself as a warrior and you got to do the same as a healer, but I am ready to settle down for a while even if we are going to be going through lots of lessons and training.” Their private link was certainly a blessing, Jane once more thought.
A few hours later after remounting from a short lunch break Maura chuckled as the two females of the birds called Royals began once again working on twining several strands of her horses mane together.
Looking over Jane smiled at the happy look on her wife’s face as she watched the birds, even assisting them sometimes. “You should name them. I named the lead bird and I have been thinking about a name for the other male bird. They seem more drawn to me as those two ladies seem drawn to you.”
“I have been thinking about names for these two.” Maura stroked one’s feathers. “You see how this one has lighter feathers on its back, medium feathers on it belly, and much deeper ones on its wings?”
“Yes.”
“Well it reminds me of some very pretty purple flower arrangements I once saw in Hawaii when I was a teenager. It was one of the very rare vacations I had with my parents. Usually it was with a chaperone or just one of my parents, but that time they were both there. I had them to myself for almost two whole weeks. The housekeeper always had the most beautiful purple arrangements set up in the foyer of the house we were staying in. They were of all different shades of purple, like the feathers of this little lady.” She laughed again as the bird in question hopped up onto her finger like it knew she was talking about it. “I learned that summer that the word for purple in Native Hawaiian is poni. So little one I shall name you Poni.” She kissed the so named bird on it soft head and the bird chirped in acceptance. Poni fluttered off of her Mistress’s finger and back into the mane of the horse.
“That is a nice story and a fitting name for such a pretty lady.” Poni preened at the Lairds words. “What do you plan to name the other one?”
“Well she is also unique with her deep coloring all over her body and with a few light grey feathers among the dark purple ones on her wings. She also perches on my shoulder when I am healing and seems to send me support and comfort to me as I work. Did you know that medieval European warriors used to wear special amulets of protection into battle?”
“No, I didn’t know that.” Not a day went by the dark haired woman didn’t learn something from her wife.
“The amulets were made of quartz. Amethyst to be precise. The purple quartz was believed to help heal people and to help them keep a level head under pressure, some even believed it could help prevent intoxication when the imbibed too much. I think Amethyst would be a fine name for this dark feathered beauty.” Again the bird in question hopped up onto Lady Snow’s finger. “What do you think of me naming you Amethyst?” She asked the bird. A nod of its little head and several chirps were her enthusiastic happy answer.
“I do believe she likes it, dear.” Laird Raven laughed at the birds antics.
“I think so too. Then Amethyst it is.” Phantom who was Amethyst’s mate flew over to her rubbing his head against hers showing how happy he was that she had been named as well and that he liked her name. “Aww, that is so sweet.”
Jane was startled when the remaining Royal flew up to hoover chirping about her head. It seemed he wanted to be named as well.
“Sweetheart, I believe you better give that little warrior a name, too.” Maura laughed at the scene.
“Hey! Calm down. I already have a name for you. I shall call you Zev. It means wolf in Hebrew. You may be a small bird, but you have a fighting spirit and heart as strong as a mighty wolf.”
Zev landed on her pommel preening showing his pleasure in his new name as his mate Poni flew over to join him, loving him as the other two love birds were doing.
“That is a wonderful name, sweetie. How do you know the word for wolf in Hebrew?” Her lady was very intelligent and though Jane didn’t share her knowledge near as often as she herself did, Maura knew her wife was just as smart as she was. It made the stunning woman even more attractive and judging from the blush on her loves face it was an interesting story.
“Well, when I was twelve I was still a stocky kid and boys weren’t really that interested in me which was starting to worry Ma until one day she found a poem in my book bag that a boy had given me. I didn’t know it was there. She was so happy and was calling him my first admirer. She found a few more poems on other days that he had snuck in my bag and one day he left his name and an invitation to study together. We were both in honors math class together.” Jane sighed not liking sharing the story. “Ma was so happy she made me call him and set up a study date and she did call it a date. You see I was at least a year younger than most everyone in my class and several younger than those in honors math. I was also still taller than many of the boys my age. Well the boy was just the opposite physically. He was a year older than me, but he was a lot shorter than I was and very skinny. He was really small for his age and had huge coke bottle glasses. He was very polite to Ma and she loved him. Even was his name and although I told him I wasn’t really interested in boys yet he still wrote me poems, he also started drawing me pictures. I have to say Even was very talented at drawing. He would always hug me before he left my house after our study sessions. Ma thought it was cute and called him my boyfriend and Frankie and Tommy teased me relentlessly. One picture he gave me I really loved and I hung it up on my wall. It was a beautiful wolf standing out on a cliff looking down upon a village below. It looked so life like. He titled it Zev. I asked him what it meant. Even was also not Catholic, his family was Jewish and his father was very adamant about him learning Hebrew. He is the one who taught me that Zev meant wolf in Hebrew.”
“That is a really cute story and I can picture Angela acting just that way. What ever became of your whirlwind romance with the talented little Even?” Maura gently teased.
“We continued to study together for the rest of the school year which was only a few months. His father got transferred to upstate New York and they moved when school was over. He came to see me before he left and said that he was sad to be leaving such a good friend and that he was going to miss me, but he had my address and phone number and we would keep in touch.” She chuckled at the memory. “We were standing on the walkway in front of my house and he stepped up onto the bottom step of the porch and grabbed my arms. I thought he was going to hug my bye like he always did and he did, but before he let me go he mashed his lips to mine totally catching me by surprise. He stepped back before I got over my shock and said he just had to do that before he left because he might not ever get the chance again. He then ran off down the sidewalk calling over his shoulder that he would miss me and would contact me soon.”
Laughing Maura stretched out her hand to squeeze her wife’s shoulder. “That is a precious story. Did you ever see or hear from him again?”
Taking the hand on her shoulder in hers she kissed it and they rode on for a while holding hands. “I never saw him again in person. We talked on the phone a few times and we wrote each other fairly often. He never failed to send me a birthday or Christmas card and it always had an updated picture of him in it. Ma made sure I did the same with him. We actually still keep in touch over email and Facebook even today.”
“Really? That is so special. Did you ever feel like going and seeing him or maybe have real romantic feeling for him?”
“No, I only ever saw him as a good friend. We shared things with each other what we couldn’t with anyone that lived close to us because it was safer that way. He is now happily married and he and his husband have twins, a boy and a girl that a surrogate carried for them.”
Both women laughed together, talked, and enjoyed the rest of the quiet afternoon as they rode through the sparsely populated landscape.
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Two days later the Royal caravan rode into a lovely valley that looked like a patchwork quilt with the different sections of fruits and vegetable planted across it. A large yellow farmhouse with white trim and several red barns and various white outbuildings sat on the opposite end of the valley near the trees. There were about ten workers tending the crops.
Laird Raven’s senses jangled with signs of trouble similar to when Jeremy and Emily had been in danger. She had already kicked her horse into a full gallop when screams rent the air, all of her warriors followed except for ten who had been ordered to stay and protect the wagons and the people on them.
The workers in the fields also began running towards the farmhouse when the screams began. Jane followed her senses knowing that the trouble was in the house and not the barns. Upon entering the home she saw two small children coming down the stairs with large frightened eyes holding the hand of a teenage girl. Silencing them with a finger to her lips while sending feelings of reassurance she sent two of the General’s men up the stairs to protect the children and to look for anyone else who might be on the upper floor. The pain and danger came from the back of the house. Using hand signals the warriors spread out in groups searching the lower floor as others were outside surrounding the house and checking the barns and out buildings as well. Maura was outside soothing and organizing the workers from the fields as they arrived at the home as well as those who had ran over from the barns.
In the back of the house they found the kitchen with blood sprayed across the walls, ceiling, and floor. A tiger lay on the floor ripped to pieces, an elder woman lay near the table with long gashes covering much of her torso, but was still alive for the moment. A pregnant woman was curled up in a ball under the kitchen table protecting her pregnant belly, she had some gashes on her legs and a few on her back. A man with a sword knelt beside the elder woman, he had blood on his hands and his pants from kneeling down trying to hold the worst of the wounds closed.
The General stepped around Jane. “Move away from the woman! We will not let you finish what you started!”
Laird Raven lashed out with her will directing it at the General alone dragging him back behind her. “Stay and use your brain look around you with all of your senses before you act. Look around the room and see how clean the man before you is and how clean his sword is. Also note the resemblance between him and the woman on the floor and her total lack of fear of him.” She growled low.
“Maura I need you in the kitchen immediately, bring your medical kit and glove up. I smell a danger in some of the blood in this room.”
“I am on my way.”
Her focus turned to the kneeling man. “Continue to put pressure on her wounds. Where did their attacker go?”
The man pointed to the large bay window that was completely smashed out. “The creature that did this broke through there and went back out the same way. I saw it as it reached the house from an upstairs window and grabbed my sword and ran down here to try and help, but I didn’t make it in time.” He pointed to the tiger parts. “My Uncle was in the kitchen with the women, but the creature was too fast and strong for him. It grabbed our two oldest girls after it took out my Uncle and attacked my mother and wife. I only got a few quick swipes at one of its heads before it grabbed them and was gone. It disappeared quickly into the woods. You showed up before I could follow it.”
“Do you know what the creature was?”
“No, I have never seen anything like it. It had five monstrous heads on long serpent like necks with a body like a crab and a long tail with a large section of blade like barbs on the end.”
The elder woman on the floor began to whisper as Maura reached the room. She immediately knelt by the woman. “It burns.” The injured woman gasped.
Maura immediately began inspecting her injuries with all of her abilities. She too smelt the danger in some of the blood in the room. “The creature has some kind of acidic poison in its mouth and barbs, maybe even their claws. I will clean it out of her wounds and heal them enough so that a shift should assure her to live and to heal completely in only a few weeks.”
Turning to the others Jane began giving orders. She sent two riders back out to retrieve the rest of their party and others to help the farmers gather the nearby animals up and put them in the barns. “I want ten warriors guarding the barn and the farmers that will be staying there to take care of the livestock. Put our wagons into another barn out of harm’s way. This creature only eats living flesh. It will eat animals, however it prefers that of humanoid creatures. They are drawn to those with magical gifts over those who have none. I want everyone else in this house. Put the children and others who are not trained with weapons in the parlor we went through. It is in the center of the home and has no windows and will be easier to protect. I want five guards in the house and another ten surrounding it. I will take the remaining twenty warriors along with the stolen girls’ father and we will track the creature. I hope we can save the girls, but I do know we must kill the creature. Everyone gear up. Make sure to bring plenty of long range weapons like bows and crossbows as well as spears. We also need nets to help subdue the creature’s heads and tail.”
“My Laird do you know what the creature is? I have never heard of it before.” A more subdued General Poledio asked.
“It is called a Zunuluth. Someone in the area has been practicing very black magic and allowed this being to slip through from the dark realm. A Zunuluth is drawn to certain areas of the dark realm when they feel someone from another realm performing powerful dark magic. If the spell is strong enough it will very briefly open a portal in which one can slip through. Fortunately, it is very rare that the portal is opened long enough for more than one of the creatures to escape their realm. Unfortunately, for the black magic wielder, the creature usually kills and eats them before they have the time to put up any kind of defense against them.” Jane knew this because Lord Fenrir had slipped the knowledge to her and Maura when the man had described the creature.
“Ethan!” Laird Raven called out to the Magi. “Once everyone is in the barn and house I want you to put up a protective barrier around the barn and the house. I want arrows to be able to be shoot from within the barrier, but nothing to be able to get in, just in case the Zunuluth doubles back on us. You will stay and assist Lady Snow with her healing and be her personal bodyguard.”
“I will protect her with my life, Your Grace.” Ethan put his fist to his heart and bowed as he made his pledge.
Jane nodded before squatting next to Maura. “I don’t know how long this will take. Once you have taken care of these women as much as you can you may want to set up one of the other rooms with minimal windows as an infirmary. If we find others injured or have injuries that we cannot take care of we will send them back here.” She kissed Maura on her temple before she rose. “Take care of yourself, Maur. I will be back as soon as I can and I will do everything in my power to come back to you safe and sound. If that creature comes back I want you to go into the parlor and take the injured who can be moved with you. You can help defend those there.”
Maura glanced up at her mate briefly giving her a slight nod. “I will set everything up.” She wanted to get up and kiss her brave wife, but she had to keep battling the poison in the elder woman’s system. “I love you Jane and you better come back to me or I will never forgive you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart and I will do my absolute best to return to your loving arms.” She mentally sent the kiss that they could not physically share at that moment before turning and leaving the room. Amethyst settled on Maura’s shoulder and Poni on the broken windowsill to protect the Queen as Jane left the room.
Outside the farmhouse was a hive of activity. The horses of the warriors who were not going were taken to the large barn along with some of the cattle and other farm animals. A few of the horses were being loaded up with supplies that would be needed for the hunt if it took overnight or longer as well as medical supplies.
“Cookie, I want you to assist Maura. There are two injured women inside. Maura is currently working on the one in the worst shape. The other woman may not be as extensively injured, however she is several months pregnant and the creature who did this has poison barbs and her injuries need tending as soon as possible to help draw out the poison before it can get to the baby. Use whatever poultices and healing magic you have that draws out poison and I am sure if your poultices are not strong enough Lady Snow can tell you how to make ones that are. She has a lot of work to do on the elder woman before she can turn to the pregnant one. Please make sure Maura eats, she will need to keep her energy up with the amount of long healing she is going to have to do.” The Laird said after pulling Cookie aside.
“I will take care of Lady Snow and assist her in any way I can, Your Majesty.” At that moment, that was who Cookie was speaking with, not the relaxed Laird Jane, but the commanding King of the Lycans.
“I know you will.” Stepping away from the woman she turned to find Jeremy standing before her with Emily by his side.
“Your Majesty we have a mail shirt and some of your weapons for you to put on. Others are seeing to the loading and preparing of your horse.” The boy held out the shirt made of black chain links of a very tight weave and of an extremely light weight. It was surprisingly easy to put on. Jeremy swung Jane’s double sword rig from his back and helped Jane into it. Emily held the loaded sheaths of daggers, blades, and bolts passing them over for Jeremy to help outfit the King. Next Jane strapped on a throwing axe and a holster with her small crossbow and hunting bolts. Lastly Jane slid on new wrist gauntlets with throwing blades sheathed around them.
“Thank you both for your help. Now go with Millie to the parlor of the house. There are some other children there and they are scared and have lost a few family members. Do what you can to soothe them and ease their fear and take care of yourselves.” Both children bowed to her before quickly hugging her legs and running into the house following Millie and Maddie.
Walking to her horse that was held in place by Warren, Jane mounted up. She had a bundle on the back of her saddle with a bedroll, blanket, and an extra set of clothes. Her saddlebags were full with medical supplies, food, and extra weapons, such as throwing daggers and extra crossbow bolts. Her bow and two quivers of arrows were also attached as was a rope. Between herself and her horse she was well equipped for the hunt. “Warren you are in command answering only to the Queen while we are away. Once everyone is settled in the barn and house use Ethan and get the wards up as soon as possible. If anyone shows up needing help only open a space large enough for them to enter. Do not drop the whole ward and do not let them in until you have tested them for black magic and used a truth spell on them. Ethan is the most powerful Magi here besides Maura and can perform the wards. You can use some of the less powerful Magi or the Elves and Fairies to test those seeking aid. Good luck and take care of our Queen.”
“With my life, Your Majesty.” Warren saluted as Ethan had earlier. “Good hunting.”
Turning in her saddle Jane motioned the farmer, now mounted on a strong horse, forward. “You will ride beside me. You know these woods better than any of us. What is your name?”
“Thomas, Your Majesty.” The man could hardly believe he was speaking to the fabled King of the Lycans.
“Laird or Laird Raven will do for now. No need for all the pomp and formalities at this time, Thomas. Two skilled trackers rode out minutes ago to scout for us.” She lifted her arm and silence fell in the yard. “We will head out after the scouts. Keep all your senses open and stay alert. The only way to kill this creature is to pierce the small black patch on its underbelly. And beware its blood is just as acidic as its saliva and the poison from its tails and claws.” She dropped her harm calling “Move out!” and she with Phantom and Zev perched on her saddle along with the hunting party moved off into the forest following the scouts and the Zunuluth’s tracks.
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Again sorry it has been so long. School ended, summer activities began, I coached softball again this year and am glad the season is now over. I went on vacation for the first time in at least four years. Spent about two weeks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I had never been there before. It was a fun trip except for the enormous amount of mosquitos. On the way home we went to a relatives wedding and my son danced with a girl for the first time. It was sweet. I got pictures! He is 14. Also stopped a few days in Chicago after that and saw a few sights and visited the Museum of Science and Industry, both my kids liked it and of course we had to have some of the best Chicago style deep dish pizza I have ever eaten. It was a long trip, but a fun one. I hope I can keep this story flowing now. I attempted working on it a few times before, but I was forcing it and boring myself, so I trashed those attempts until it felt right. Don’t worry that I will abandon this story, because I won’t. I may have to pause sometimes, but I am determined to finish the story and the other one I am writing. So let me know what you think and I will try not to make you wait too long for the next chapter. Until Next Time…