The Topaz Embrace
The Oracle Standard

The last echoes of Danar’s orgasm rocked through him as he stood behind the landscaping above the cove. He lowered his tunic and took a moment to collect himself. His duty to guard the Oracle gave him an excuse for his voyeurism, but jealousy and possessiveness also guided his actions. He wanted Ankhet all to himself, yet now Tallon had also passed the test of worthiness.  According to Oracle law, he’d earned the right to be Co-Consort. Unless, Tallon declined the honor, he must share her with a stranger for life, and he found the adjustment difficult.

He turned to walk back up the path toward the temple, pondering this development as he strolled amongst the gardens.

He’d meant only to keep an eye on her for safety’s sake. He hadn’t counted on the sheer eroticism of her response to the other man, or his response to watching the pleasure she found with the trader. As their encounter escalated, so had the pressure in his ballocks. A burning need for release, unlike any he’d ever known, had commandeered his good sense. He’d had his cock in his hand, pumping away as the couple below strained together, before rational thought and decorum could stop him. As Ankhet cried aloud at her second orgasm, he’d shot his seed onto the Oracle’s prized tropical flowers, gritting his teeth to avoid making a sound.

In an odd way, his anticipation of sharing her in the same bed with Tallon Sinclair, as custom dictated, filled him with shame. Duty and pleasure need not be mutually exclusive, but what of Sinclair? He knew nothing about him. Ankhet, and the Oracle Standard, now lay exposed and vulnerable to this man. Experience, or instinct—something—warned him that his new Co-Consort had not been completely honest with them. Yet the man gave his beloved such intense delight, he couldn’t wait to see what the two of them could accomplish together. He strode rapidly now, as concern weighed upon him. As he reached the temple, the crunch of a footstep on the crushed shell path alerted him to another presence.

He looked up into the mocking eyes of his former rival, now partner. “I saw you watching us, guard.” Looking with pointed interest at the lower portion of Danar’s tunic, he quirked a brow. “It seemed you enjoyed our performance.”

A red haze obscured Danar’s vision. Some combination of embarrassment, jealousy and mistrust brewed a potent rage within him. He slammed Tallon against the rough stone outer wall of the temple. “If you hurt her, I’ll gut you from throat to cock.”

“Calm yourself.” The newcomer met Danar’s eyes with steady intensity, all trace of mockery gone. “I swear by all I hold dear, from now on, I will devote myself to my Oracle’s pleasure and well-being above all else. I would defend her with my life.”

“Your Oracle?” Danar’s fierce brows narrowed as his fists clenched in rage.

“As you saw, I passed the test, too.”

“You cannot truly want to claim your right to become her Consort.”

“I do.”

“You don’t belong here, trader. When the acolytes return they will take you to your home port. You can return to your original life. To freedom.”

“Everything has changed. I will not relinquish my rights, guardian. Why don’t you get on that ship and disappear? Wouldn’t you like to be free?”

“Never. I’d never leave her.”

“Then you must face the fact that she will have two Consorts. We’ll have to find a way to share the lovely Ankhet.”

ADULT EXCERPT

“What is it you wish, my temptress?”

“Ah, Tallon. You know.”

He moved to stand between her legs. “I wish for you to tell me.”

Despite her disciplined nature, born of her station, she still struggled with persistent moments of shyness, but her lovers would have none of it. They required absolute abandon to their sensual dominion and to her sexual and emotional fulfillment, a goal she achieved only in giving utter fulfillment to both of them. “I want to touch you. I want to please you in any way you desire. I want you to touch me.”

His loving chuckle answered her. She would have her wish, but she must earn her reward.

“Greedy woman. Do you trust me, sweeting?”

“Yes, you know that I do.”

“Then, let me watch you pleasure yourself right here. I want to see what brings you fulfillment.”

She started to protest. “Oh, Tallon—”

“To please me, Ankhet.”

Just the right combination of question and order, his words sent her spiraling upward into passion’s embrace. Of course, she’d do whatever he asked. Already her heart pounded in anticipation, a faint sheen of perspiration covered her body, and want coiled deep in her belly.

“Touch yourself.”

As another frothy wave swept over her exposed cunny, sending shivers of delight all the way to her toes, she pressed her fingers to the aching button at her woman’s opening and massaged with slow concentration. Instead of assuaging, her touch only intensified her need. She closed her eyes and arched her back, longing for Tallon’s talented fingers, his lips, his tongue… She moaned aloud, imagining his attentions, yet sweet oblivion eluded her.

“That’s it, my love. Show me more. Slide three fingers of your other hand inside you.”

Thick with desire, Tallon’s voice wove through her consciousness, sweet and enticing like warm honey, yet frustrating her. She needed his touch.

Her need so great, she disregarded the slight embarrassment, and complied. Her fingers mimicked, yet provided a poor substitute for, the intimate touch of one of her men. As she worked toward her goal that which Tallon desired, she closed her eyes and pictured him naked, cock rampant and just about to mount her. He would slide into her, stretching her to accommodate his width, and Danar would be there, too… Another wave washed against her and she soared free, crying out to her lovers. The spasms shook her as she lay upon the sand, shuddering in the ecstasy of her peak.

“Beautiful.”

The rough voice reached through her dimmed senses to curl about her in hot, smoky waves. Danar. Her eyes flew open, to see him standing beside her, shedding his kilt. How much had he seen?

He chuckled as he took his engorged cock in his hand. “Yes, love, I saw and enjoyed the entire experience. I’m pleased that you obeyed Tallon in my absence.” He exchanged a glance with his Co-Consort. “Roll over onto your hands and knees, my Oracle.”