The Path to Peace Read online

  “Helping Fluff?” Alburet asked, trying to shake off the remnants of his dream—a playback of Stacia, Karen and him having sex for the first time. The feeling of Karen’s mouth lingered in his mind, when he came to realize that it wasn’t the dream anymore. “Err…”

  “Aye, ya know who be doin’ what, but ya can nay embarrass anyone since ya can nay see them, nor can ya move,” Stacia continued to stroke his hair. “Ya trust me, do ya nay?”

  “Of course,” Alburet managed as his toes curled, due to Karen’s continued assault on him.

  “Try nay to speak then, just let us help her and know tha’ we all love ya,” Stacia murmured before her lips found his. Her kiss was soft and full of love, not the demanding, passionate ones she normally sought from him.

  His breath caught in his throat as a moist, slightly rough tongue licked his left nipple. He knew instantly who it was, and his mind gave him a pretty good image of who was where and doing what. Grabbing the ropes that bound his wrists, Alburet tried to stay as calm as he could. This was for Fluff. He wanted to help her; he needed to stay calm and let her know he would do whatever she needed.

  His emotions were all over the map as the three women gently played with him. The love, lust, and uncertainty from them was like a fine wine that he savored. Slowly, the timidness that Fluff felt began to fade ever so slightly. When she moved away from him, Alburet’s breath hitched in disappointment, but he stayed silent, knowing they could feel his deep longing.

  “See? It be as we was tellin’ ya, Fluff,” Stacia murmured from close by. “He yearns for ya as much as he does us. We be equal in tha’ regard.”

  Finally letting him out of her mouth, Karen agreed with Stacia, “She’s right. You enjoyed last night, when Stacia and I were with you, right?”

  “Yes,” Fluff’s voice was barely a whisper, as she moaned the word. “You were both so good to me.”

  The sounds of kissing filled Alburet’s ears as his mind tried to match who was kissing who for him. He shuddered in place, teeth clenched. He wanted to speak, but knew Stacia was right about him staying quiet.

  “You know he won’t hurt you,” Karen’s voice moved away from him. “He literally can’t right now. This is your chance to explore him, as much or as little as you want. We’ll be right here to help you if you want us to, or to let you find your own way. We’ll be paying attention to your needs, too.” A purring moan came from nearby and Alburet’s breath caught again at the sound of Fluff being pleasured.

  “Even the sound of you being pleasured makes him strain,” Stacia giggled. “Did ya feel that spike of yearning when ya moaned, Fluff? He wants to do tha’ with ya, but ya can feel him still temperin’ his lustful wishes with his concern for ya.”

  Breathlessly, Fluff asked, “Al, is this okay? I don’t want you to feel—”

  “Yes,” he cut her off in his haste to reassure her, feeling her uncertainty begin to rise. “I love you, Fluff. This is both the best and worst torture ever. It will help you, so I’ll deal with it. I’ll handle it, as little or as often as you need it, until you feel comfortable with me.”

  Fluff’s lips met his, and Alburet strained against the ropes as their tongues danced. His hips bucked as he fought to control himself; she deserved better than him acting like an overeager teen. Two sets of hands gently caressed them both as the kiss went on and on. Alburet wasn’t sure when the kiss ended, but he finally caught up as Fluff began to kiss her way slowly down his body. His heart sped up, though he tried to think of anything to distract himself from what was coming.

  Minutes later, Alburet was deeply ashamed of himself for his lack of willpower, and fearful that he’d ruined the moment for Fluff. Luckily, Stacia warned Fluff just before he could no longer contain himself, allowing her to move away. Fluff had barely begun to explore him and he had failed. Tears began to spill from his eyes as his anger and self-loathing built inside of him.

  Karen slapped his chest, “Stop it. Can you not feel her emotions because you think you popped off too soon?”

  “Ya see how he reacts because he thinks he failed ya?” Stacia was telling Fluff. “He wanted it to be so good for ya, and he feels like he failed.”

  “Al?” Fluff asked, her voice timid. “Did I do okay?”

  Straining against the ropes, wanting to hold her, he could only nod for a moment before he found his voice. “I’m so sorry, Fluff. You were fine, good, great even. It was my fault. I ruined this moment because—”

  “Shh,” Stacia said, putting a finger over his lips.

  “You really enjoyed it?” Fluff asked again, her voice brittle and her emotions surging chaotically.

  “Gods, yes,” he told her sincerely.

  She covered him, molding her body to his as she snuggled him tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” She sniffled as she held him, tears of happiness falling onto his chest.

  “You two are so adorable,” Karen said from beside him, rubbing Fluff’s back. “Both so afraid of hurting each other, yet wanting to be closer.”

  “Aye,” Stacia said as she pulled the blindfold off Alburet.

  Blinking against the light, he met Fluff’s eyes. More than anything else, each of them wanted to make sure the other was okay. The moment of realization when they connected in their concern for the other finally sank in. Leaning forward, Fluff’s lips met Alburet’s as the love that the duo felt for each other expanded like a supernova, catching the other two and bringing their love into the mix.

  An unknown amount of time later, Stacia finally spoke again, “Mayhap we should untie him now.”

  “I’ll do it,” Fluff said, reaching up to untie the ropes, her body still pressed against him. “I think…I think I’ll be better with him now.”

  “Then you both need to shower,” Karen chuckled as she got out of bed. “You’re both liberally coated.”

  Fluff’s hands faltered on the second rope as she realized what Karen was saying. Her face heated as she peeled herself a few inches away from Alburet and glanced down at their abdomens. Stacia giggled as she rubbed Fluff’s ears, “Aye, tha’ be what happens when ya pull away at tha’ point.”

  “Fluff,” Alburet said, laying his one free hand on her side gently, as if afraid she might bolt. “I’ll clean you if you’ll clean me. Deal?”

  Meeting his eyes again and seeing only love, rather than the revulsion or anger she’d expected at the mess she had made of them both, her lips met his again. Karen untied Alburet’s other hand and Stacia worked on his legs as Fluff and Alburet lost themselves in the moment again. When his other hand came free, he held Fluff to him as the kiss lingered. With smiles, the other two left Alburet and Fluff on the bed, going to get breakfast started.

  Once they finally broke the kiss and they found themselves alone, both of them felt awkward for a moment, until Alburet mentioned the bath again. They spent the next twenty minutes cleaning each other slowly, but not erotically. The happiness Fluff felt permeated the entire house, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.

  Once they’d dressed, Fluff and Alburet came out to find Stacia and Karen setting out food. They were motioned to seats and served plates stacked high with pancakes. “We hope ya both feel better now,” Stacia smirked, kissing the top of Alburet’s head.

  “I’m sure Fluff does,” Karen said, stealing a quick kiss from her. “Don’tcha?”

  Fluff smiled broadly as she nodded. “All thanks to you two. I need to thank you, Karen. You’ve been so patient with me.”

  “Shh,” Karen said, giving her another quick kiss, “no thanks are needed. Being with you is the best thanks ever.”

  Lips trembling, Fluff grabbed Karen for another deeper, longer kiss, trying to express her love. Stacia set Karen’s plate on the table and took a seat. Alburet and Stacia looked at them with loving smiles as they began to slather their breakfast with butter and syrup.

  “We still be havin’ a few hours before ya meetin’ with Jones,” Stacia said, licking a few drops of syrup from her finger
s. “Are we goin’ to drop off the quests and sell the loot from yesterday before then?”

  With a wry smile, knowing she was teasing him, Alburet nodded. “That’s still the plan, though we might need to delay things a bit…” he trailed off as he glanced back at Fluff and Karen, who broke their kiss to look back at him.

  “Fine, I’ll have the fourth tastiest thing at the table,” Karen said as she took her seat.

  “What’s the first?” Alburet asked without thinking, immediately regretting playing into her hand.

  “It’s a three-way tie,” Karen winked at him, getting a giggle from Fluff and a throaty laugh from Stacia.

  “I walked square into that one,” Alburet conceded with a smile and sigh, then took a bite of his pancakes. Once he swallowed, he complimented both of the cooks.

  Silence fell as they all focused on their food. The deep happiness resonating between them was enough to keep smiles on their faces during the meal. When everyone had finished eating, Stacia and Karen excused themselves to get ready while Al and Fluff did the dishes. Afterwards, they were cuddling on the sofa and exchanging soft kisses, both of them thrilled that their relationship was progressing.

  “Sorry for the delay… though I see you didn’t mind,” Karen chuckled.

  “We’re good,” Alburet grinned as he set Fluff on her feet, before standing himself. “I had a pleasant companion to while away the time.”

  “It feels so warm,” Fluff said, her eyes sparkling, “all the love that surrounds us.”

  “Aye it does,” Stacia said, strolling out of the bedroom. “We have thin’s tha’ need doin’ before our meetin’. Let’s nay delay further.”

  “First up, dropping off quests, then selling off stuff,” Alburet said as he opened the door, “Ladies first.”

  “Tha’ be our husband, always willin’ to open the doors for us,” Stacia said, kissing him on the way past.

  “He just wants to stare at our butts,” Karen chuckled, collecting her own kiss as she went by.

  “I think he just wants to be a gentleman when he can,” Fluff said, following suit and kissing Alburet as she went by.

  “You’re all correct,” Alburet laughed, locking up before following them. “Now off to the Portal Guild.”

  Chapter Three

  The sounds and smells of the Swamp of Misery welcomed them as they appeared before Misery Keep. The guards gave them nods of recognition as they went through the gate into the courtyard. The smithy, general store, and inn all seemed to be doing a brisk business.

  “Even the officers are out today,” Violet said in greeting as she left the inn. “Have you already been through here?”

  “We’re turning in quests,” Karen told her.

  “Any words of wisdom for us?” Violet asked as the rest of her group filed out of the inn behind her.

  “The Champions are Paladins, and a real pain in the ass with their Lay on Hands Ability,” Karen snorted.

  “Do ya have a Trapsmith with ya?” Stacia asked.

  “No,” the guy in plate armor behind Violet said.

  “The temple is littered with traps. We used Tiny and his Copy, TJ, to brute force our way through the place,” Alburet told them. “I think that should be enough warning, while still keeping it vague enough for you to enjoy the sense of discovery.”

  “It’s interesting,” another of Violet’s group spoke up. “Not being able to just alt-tab over to a browser with the all the game info right there.”

  “That’s the best part,” Fluff said. “The discovering and problem solving for each new location or encounter. I’m sure the people not testing are jumping on the net to see what’s been said, but for us, nothing can be spoiled easily. It feels like Christmas every time we get to a new area.”

  Violet smiled broadly. “I can see why they like you so much, Fluffball. That kind of attitude is a wonderful thing.” Turning her head to look at the rest of her group, she laughed, “Let’s go open some presents!”

  “Hell yeah!” the guy in soft leathers said, slinging his staff over his shoulder. “I’ll make sure you stay alive long enough to get me all that sweet, sweet XP.”

  As Violet’s group trundled by, their tank shook his head. “Healers— making everyone else do the heavy lifting since the dawn of time.”

  Karen snorted as she watched them go. “I always thought healers had the most important job, even if I’d rather never play one. I don’t think any raid could be completed without healers.”

  “Aye, healers have a tough job, balancin’ all our lives so we can hold the mob and kill it,” Stacia agreed.

  “True enough,” Alburet said, then glanced at Tiny and Bob. “Of course, some of us have a pocket army.”

  “I will be the master’s shield,” Tiny rumbled with a toothy grin.

  “And I the flame,” Bob chuckled, bouncing in place.

  “Isn’t that supposed to be blade?” Fluff asked.

  “Nope. I like flames better,” Bob grinned as his hands sprouted fire.

  “I can kiss ya wounds better afterwards, iffin need be,” Kitten purred from behind them all.

  Stacia giggled, “She learns fast, does she nay?”

  “Let’s get these quests turned in so we can sell and head back to the city,” Alburet laughed. Alburet gave the guards on the doors a friendly nod as he led his team into the Keep proper. The two sergeants and the quartermaster each had groups of people gathered around them. Blinking in surprise—he hadn’t expected it to be so busy—Alburet waited for a sergeant to be free.

  As one group turned to leave, one of them paused to take stock of Alburet and his group. “Another set of Alpha Company. Not too surprising, since your Guild took the second Keep,” the leader of the group said.

  “Delvers,” Alburet said, eyeing their emblem, “I see you guys enjoyed that series.”

  “Pretty much,” the man replied with a chuckle. “It was a close-run thing on the Keep. It took us a lot of effort to make it to ours, much less clear it.”

  “How far into the zone did you guys go?” Karen asked intently.

  “A day and a half. Any more than that would have been impossible. The rumor is your Keep is days into the Dead Lands. Any truth to that?”

  “It be about a week into the sands,” Stacia smiled proudly. “Our leader had a vision.”

  Jaws dropping, the Delvers group exchanged glances. “That’s hard to believe.”

  “You took your Keep without help?” Alburet asked, getting nods in return. “Let me introduce us. I’m Alburet. Behind me are Stacia, Karen, Fluff, Kitten, Tiny, Bob, and TJ,” he said, pointing to each in turn as he introduced them. “Can I ask who you all are?”

  “I’m Blaze. These are Maree, Ulula, Booth, and Sato,” Blaze said with a large grin.

  “Wow, fanboys much?” Alburet laughed. “Not that I blame you. It was a really good series, though I was always more partial to his Secrets series.”

  “Fair enough,” Blaze said. “We did it alone, though we did get to grind some levels before Mindblown nerfed that.”

  “Used mercs to help get your levels up?” Karen asked.

  “It was the best thing to do at the time. Looks like you did the same,” Booth said.

  “We didn’t know about the insane experience until we were into the Dead Lands,” Alburet shrugged. “We did have help getting to our Keep, though.”

  “Hire a merc company? Ours cost us most of the loot and a big chunk of the Guild account,” Blaze asked, moving off to the side when the sergeants started frowning at the two groups chatting in the middle of the busy room.

  “No, we’d worked out a few deals with a couple of the noble houses, then called in the debts for their help,” Alburet shrugged. “It was something that just worked out. Our first day out was the day they cut the experience gains down.”

  “I can see that,” Blaze said, rubbing his chin. “We’ve just started making inroads with the Elven nobility. Any words of advice?”

  “Choose which houses
you back carefully,” Alburet snorted. “Some of them are real assholes.”

  “Isn’t that true of any group of people?” Sato asked sardonically.

  “He’s got you there,” Karen laughed.

  “Fair enough,” Alburet chuckled. “You all headed into the swamp?”

  “For the first part of today, at least,” Blaze shrugged. “Ulula wants to hit another of the Elf zones after the swamp.”

  “I dislike the water heavy zones,” Ulula sniffed.

  “Any pointers for the zone?” Booth asked with a roguish grin, “You all seem like you know something.”