Bedtime Stories_ A Collection of Erotic Fairy Tales Part 9

Nodding, she began unfastening his shirt. "Yes, I see you're right. I also understand that the best research environment-or at least the most comfortable-is a bed. Do you have a preference for which one?"

Lifting his fingers to the b.u.t.tons of her own dress, Victor started removing it. "I think the nearest one will do."

She looked up at that. "I read that a sofa also works, if you really want the nearest comfortable surface."

"I think we should stick to traditional comforts the first few times," Victor countered wryly, amused by her pragmatic approach to pa.s.sion. Sweet scientist-lady, you have a lot to learn, don't you? Sweet scientist-lady, you have a lot to learn, don't you?

She was staring at his chest with a bemused look. "Victor . . . if I may ask, why do you have all these muscles? Surely you don't use primitive, brute force to haul around all those cargos you carry?"

"No, my cousin and I use exosuits and hydrolifters, just like any other crew. But we fly an in-system ship, so we can literally go days and weeks between destinations-Please move your arms like . . . that, yes, thank you," he murmured, navigating her shoulders and elbows out of the constraints of her garment. "As a result, hauling cargo gets rather boring at times. There are only so many hours one can spend watching netshows, so I bought some fitness equipment a couple of years ago and have used it ever since."

"You must get bored quite a lot, to have developed all of this," Evanna observed, shoving his shirt off his shoulders so that it joined her dress on the floor. She skimmed her palms over his chest until her fingers reached his waist and began figuring out the intricacies of his trousers. Then she stopped and shook her head. "I almost forgot a step. We have to remove our shoes, then I can take off your pants and you can remove my underthings. After that, I have to give you a 'blow' or whatever it's called, and then . . . what?"

Wincing, Victor shook his head. "You do not have have to give me one, Evanna." to give me one, Evanna."

She frowned at that. "Why not? Admittedly I didn't research the topic of s.e.x exhaustively, but the preliminary research I did suggested it's best to satisfy the man first, so that he'll last longer the second time. It also suggested that a male should take extra time preparing a virgin female so that the pain is minimized and the experience overall is as enjoyable as possible. Logic suggests that if men are so quick on the first round as all that, then the man should should be satisfied first. And the best way to satisfy a man the first time around is to blow him." be satisfied first. And the best way to satisfy a man the first time around is to blow him."

He stared at her a moment, then rubbed his palm over his face. "I can't believe you're turning me on with a dry, clinical recital of what we should should do . . . Regardless, I'm afraid your research is incomplete." do . . . Regardless, I'm afraid your research is incomplete."

"It is? But I read seventeen articles and watched twenty-three vids," Evanna pointed out. "That should be a sufficiently large enough sampling for preliminary instruction, at the very least."

"Pa.s.sion is not not meant to be treated like mixing up a batch of chemicals, even if it's been compared with chemistry for centuries," Victor corrected her, amused. meant to be treated like mixing up a batch of chemicals, even if it's been compared with chemistry for centuries," Victor corrected her, amused. She really does throw herself into her research projects, doesn't she? She really does throw herself into her research projects, doesn't she? "And I don't "And I don't need need to be satisfied immediately. Such things are more for men who haven't bothered to put in a lot of research on self-control, which I have done. Besides, until you know what real pa.s.sion is, how will you know if you're giving it adequately?" to be satisfied immediately. Such things are more for men who haven't bothered to put in a lot of research on self-control, which I have done. Besides, until you know what real pa.s.sion is, how will you know if you're giving it adequately?"

Evanna tilted her head, thinking about that. "You mean I have to empirically experience pa.s.sion in a practical application before I can grasp the theory correctly for future usage?"

"Exactly. Real life isn't a hologram, or a set of formulas on a screen," he agreed. Before she could react, Victor scooped her off her feet, hefting her into his arms. She was average in height and average in weight, and not too difficult to carry the few meters across the sitting room of their cabin to the nearest of the bedrooms. Once there, he laid her on the bed, knelt beside it, removed her shoes and socks, and pulled her undergarments down her legs.

Squirming up onto her elbows, Evanna watched him toss her clothing aside and remove his own shoes, though he left his silver trousers on.

His eyes, which she had heard his cousin call "fox eyes" during their brief meeting on the trip from the Moon to the Earth, flicked from her face to her pelvis. She could see why his cousin had said that, for while the rest of the man kneeling before her parted legs was controlled and methodical, those light brown eyes were as free as a wild animal, roving all over her. The mixture of control and freedom fascinated her; Evanna realized that the dichotomy between the two made her want to make his body just as free as his eyes. I wonder what he'd be like if he unleashed some of that physical control . . . I wonder what he'd be like if he unleashed some of that physical control . . .

Curiosity prompted to her to ask, "Now what?"

"Now I kiss you."

Evanna watched avidly as he shifted to match actions to words. He didn't start with the obvious, though. Instead of going straight for her mouth or her loins, he lifted her right leg and pressed his lips to her ankle. Pressed slow, succulent kisses up the inside of her calf. Lingered at her knee and licked her inner thigh. Just as she started to squirm in antic.i.p.ation, he retreated and caught her other ankle, beginning his salutations all over again.

By the time he finally claimed her lower lips, Evanna wondered why the h.e.l.l she'd ever thought anyone at the logical, pa.s.sionless, work-only Lunar Intelligence Trust was a genius. Particularly for throwing pa.s.sion out of life. Yes, it disrupted her concentration. Yes, it destroyed her ability to think. But this this was worthwhile, even if it never spared a single ship in combat. Her colleagues and so-called superiors were all idiots. Every last one of them. was worthwhile, even if it never spared a single ship in combat. Her colleagues and so-called superiors were all idiots. Every last one of them.

More than that, this man was the right man with which to research all the things she'd missed so far in life. Evanna was sure of it. He was just like her: dedicated, methodical, and thorough. Knowledgeable, skillful-a veritable genius. Particularly as he gently inserted his finger, working it into her in a way that taught her hips-or perhaps just reminded them-a movement she instinctively knew was as old as life. Every touch of his hands, his tongue, and his lips drew her deeper into the mysteries of her own body, and she wanted more of it.

He was certainly good enough to turn that twisting feeling of pleasure inside of her into an explosion of bliss. Particularly when he eased a second finger inside, curled both of them up, and fluttered against something something that sent her mind reeling with explosions of pleasure. Nor did he seem to mind when she grabbed at his head, alternately tugging and pushing and pulling, encouraging the swirling flicks of his tongue. A tiny, somewhat still rational corner of her mind worried that the shouts and cries he evoked from her were going to disrupt the other vacationers, but the rest of her did not care. In fact, part of her hoped they could hear her all the way back on the Moon, enjoying her freedom to its fullest and then some. that sent her mind reeling with explosions of pleasure. Nor did he seem to mind when she grabbed at his head, alternately tugging and pushing and pulling, encouraging the swirling flicks of his tongue. A tiny, somewhat still rational corner of her mind worried that the shouts and cries he evoked from her were going to disrupt the other vacationers, but the rest of her did not care. In fact, part of her hoped they could hear her all the way back on the Moon, enjoying her freedom to its fullest and then some.

It helped that Victor kept at it until her belly was a cramped, trembling knot. Only when she was panting and flushed, soaked with her own sweat, did he climb onto the bed and stretch out beside her. Smiling, he soothed her flesh with gentle strokes of his left hand. The other, she noted when she pried open her eyes, propped up his dark-haired head. As her panting eased, she could hear the pattering of the rain outside and the slow, steady breathing of the man lounging smugly at her side. Once again, he looked controlled and calm, save for the wild life visible in those golden brown eyes . . . and the lump in his pants now prodding at the side of her hip.

Her mind, briefly quieted by pa.s.sion, leaped into action. By the time her breathing had calmed and her abdomen no longer spasmed, she had picked through several possible choices. Evanna drew in a deep breath and let it out as a deep sigh.

Victor quirked one of his brows. "Well? Do you like being kissed that way?"

Evanna snorted. "Even an idiot would like that, and I'm no idiot."

"No, you're not," Victor agreed. His left hand stroked up from her stomach to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, gently cupping one, then the other.

As pleasant as that was, Evanna focused on a more rational thought than pa.s.sion. It wasn't easy with his thumb circling her nipple, but it was necessary. "But . . . I do need to know something."

"Ask," he prompted, wondering what she had on her mind. And wondering if his touch was effective enough if she could still think so much while he was caressing her.

"How much time are you willing to spare toward researching pa.s.sion with me?" she asked. His smile broadened, making her frown defensively. "I'm serious, Victor! I'm asking you because I tried kissing your cousin yesterday, while he was showing me where the restroom facilities were on board your ship."

Victor stilled. He did not not like the sound of that, and wondered at the strength of his reaction. like the sound of that, and wondered at the strength of his reaction.

"As obliging and skillful as he was, I didn't like kissing him," Evanna stated. She watched him relax slightly, glad she had made the attempt, since it had helped secure preliminary confirmation of a hypothesis she was currently pondering. "It was much much more enjoyable with you. I therefore see no reason to search farther afield when it's clear you and I interact very well. Which leads me to wonder if you feel the same way." more enjoyable with you. I therefore see no reason to search farther afield when it's clear you and I interact very well. Which leads me to wonder if you feel the same way."

"I do." He flushed a little at the words, recognizing their significance, but otherwise didn't let himself react to the idea forming in his mind.

"Good. So, if we're both agreeable . . . would you be willing to extend our research a.s.sociation? I mean, beyond this visit in the woods?" she asked.

"Of course." He didn't have to think about it. He already knew that he wanted to spend more time with her. Giving the future a moment of thought, he shrugged. "I suppose I could let my cousin buy out my share of the ship and maybe find a job ferrying supplies locally to and from the inst.i.tute . . . presuming they'll forgive me for helping you escape."

Evanna blinked. "The inst.i.tute? I was going to ask if I could have one of the spare crew cabins on your ship converted into a hologram lab."

That made him blink and stop his gentle caresses on her abdomen. "A hologram lab?"

"Yes, a hologram lab," she repeated. "Most of my work is done in the hologram lab."

"But . . . what about the bis.m.u.th isotope?" Victor asked.

"Well, I do do follow up holographic theory with hands-on applications, since even the best of computers can synthesize chemical reactions only so far. Real chemical interactions have an element of unpredictability . . . for all that that particular element isn't found on the periodic table," she quipped, pleased when his mouth curled up, enjoying her joke. "But that only happens for a few days a month, and usually it consists of me handing off projects to various lab workers, and overseeing a repeat of the occasional promising result. follow up holographic theory with hands-on applications, since even the best of computers can synthesize chemical reactions only so far. Real chemical interactions have an element of unpredictability . . . for all that that particular element isn't found on the periodic table," she quipped, pleased when his mouth curled up, enjoying her joke. "But that only happens for a few days a month, and usually it consists of me handing off projects to various lab workers, and overseeing a repeat of the occasional promising result.

"I'd need one or two crew quarters on board the inchiriat inchiriat to install the processors and projectors into-and of course a mini hydro-generator to power them, to keep from draining the ship's energy needs-but you do have four empty crew quarters, and your cousin said it was rare for you to take on pa.s.sengers, so it's not like you actually to install the processors and projectors into-and of course a mini hydro-generator to power them, to keep from draining the ship's energy needs-but you do have four empty crew quarters, and your cousin said it was rare for you to take on pa.s.sengers, so it's not like you actually need need them." She paused as he thought about it, then asked, "Or am I presuming too much about our future interactions?" them." She paused as he thought about it, then asked, "Or am I presuming too much about our future interactions?"

"No, no," he rea.s.sured her. "You're not presuming too much. I wouldn't object to that plan in the least. Particularly since I know you'd get to have a real life outside of your work that way. I'd guarantee it personally . . . though I think I'd have to change the name of the ship if you joined me on it." He slid his hand back down to her stomach, teasing her navel with the edge of his thumb. "No, I'm just wondering what your employers would think of you moving all that industry-sensitive information out of their control."

"They can stuff it down the nearest black hole if they do have a problem with it," Evanna told him bluntly. "I am not not going back to living my life on a gla.s.s hill. You've ridden up its slopes to rescue me, and I am suitably thankful . . . and I'll thank you even more if you'll continue to help me learn all the things I've missed out on. But I'm not going back to a prison. If they want my genius to give them their technological advances, they'll have to deal with going back to living my life on a gla.s.s hill. You've ridden up its slopes to rescue me, and I am suitably thankful . . . and I'll thank you even more if you'll continue to help me learn all the things I've missed out on. But I'm not going back to a prison. If they want my genius to give them their technological advances, they'll have to deal with my my terms from now on. Those depositions you gave me will ensure it, one way or another." terms from now on. Those depositions you gave me will ensure it, one way or another."

Pleased his princess was determined to retain and enjoy her freedom, Victor leaned down and kissed her. To his surprise, she pushed him back. At his puzzled look, Evanna smiled and switched from pressing on his chest to caressing it with her palm.

"My turn. And I must point out that you are inappropriately attired for our little research endeavor." Sliding her hand down, she explored the placket of his silver pants. The corner of her mouth quirked up. "As a lifelong, dedicated scientist, I must insist on following the established procedures and protocols. At least, for the initial experiments. Which means the last of your silver armor must go."

Grinning, Victor complied. I see I'll have to teach her how to speak s.e.xily instead of scientifically, but the way she's approaching this so far is enthusiastic enough to be amusing. I see I'll have to teach her how to speak s.e.xily instead of scientifically, but the way she's approaching this so far is enthusiastic enough to be amusing.

No sooner had he shucked his pants and undergarments than she tugged him down onto the bed on his back. Pleased by his compliance, Evanna leaned over him and kissed his chest. Some of the vids she had watched hadn't covered this, but some of the literature had. He also smelled too good not to wonder what he tasted like.

Mmm, salty, and musky . . . and warm. I like it. Lapping her tongue across his pectoral muscles, she blinked as he shuddered and sighed. Lapping her tongue across his pectoral muscles, she blinked as he shuddered and sighed. What was . . . ? Ah, the nipple. If he liked that, would he like . . . this? What was . . . ? Ah, the nipple. If he liked that, would he like . . . this?

Flicking her tongue across the tiny little bud made him groan and bury his hands in her upswept hair. Somewhere between him cupping her head and her sucking on his flesh, circling each nipple with her tongue, he managed to pluck out her hairpins, scattering her locks across his chest. Victor stroked her hair back from her face, allowing her to switch to his other areola. His moans faded, until all she could hear was the sound of the rain pattering on the roof of their rented cabin.

A glance upward showed why he was now so quiet. His lower lip was caught between his teeth, his face taut with silent strain. She peppered kisses down to his ribs, then licked those. His lip popped free with a chuckle, then with a squirm. The hands cupping her scalp pushed gently away, silent warning that he wouldn't tolerate being tickled for much longer. Grinning, Evanna kissed lower, enjoying the way his stomach tightened, defining each muscle group.

His muscles weren't the only firm thing about him. Up close, she saw that his shaft wasn't particularly long, but it was thick, and it had a slight curve. Wrapping her fingers around it proved it was warm and satin-soft on the surface, with a firmness that belied its earlier, softer state. She knew she would have to look into the physiological reasons for the change-out of pure curiosity-but that would happen later. For now, empirical research, the hands-on, direct sort of exploration, was her main goal.

Except she hadn't ever done this before. Seeking rea.s.surance, Evanna glanced up. Most of his face showed signs she was pleasing him, in the flush of his cheeks, the curve of his lips, but it was his eyes that really glowed. Not quite wild, but definitely alive. Rippling her fingers, she experimented until he groaned and bit his lower lip again, head dropping back onto the bedding.

I wonder . . . Bracing herself on her side, she cupped his shaft in her hand and leaned down over his chest. A swirling lick of her tongue made him growl and shudder. One of the hands caressing her hair flopped down onto the mattress, fingers clenching and crumpling the covers. Bracing herself on her side, she cupped his shaft in her hand and leaned down over his chest. A swirling lick of her tongue made him growl and shudder. One of the hands caressing her hair flopped down onto the mattress, fingers clenching and crumpling the covers.

That was interesting. Ever the researcher at heart, Evanna decided to switch position. Squirming on the bed, she shifted her head to his groin and her other hand to his chest. Except the dusting of dark hairs on his legs demanded to be explored, so she slipped her fingertips down onto his thighs and played with the different textures, soft skin, crisp curls, and warm flesh. Very warm, in certain places.

Her explorations made him shift and part his legs, made him moan softly and caress her own thighs, until he shifted onto his side and lifted her knee, making room for his head between her thighs. Confronted with the change in their positions, and the shaft prominently, conveniently placed, Evanna tentatively licked him. He groaned louder and kissed her fervently, encouraging her to do more.

Giving in to this new hunger, Evanna gave and received as much pleasure as instinct could provide, with scent and sound, taste and touch combining until she was rendered helpless with bliss. Shuddering, she slumped on the bed. She tried to return the pleasure but wasn't sure if she was doing it right, until he cupped her hand in his and showed her the best ways to rub and stroke. It was close to what she had done, but she knew she had a lot more to learn.

With her lower body freed from his distracting attentions, Evanna shifted position so that he could lie back and she could watch their combined hands manipulating his shaft. When she dipped down and kissed the tip of him again, he growled and arched his back. Barely warned in time, she pulled back, watching him climax, from the trembling tension in his muscles to the wetness spilling over her fingers, to the way his hips bucked up into her touch. His fingers coaxed hers into gentling their grip, until with a last, mutual stroke, he tugged her palm free.

Bringing her damp knuckles up to his lips, Victor saluted them with a kiss. His breathing was still deep and unsteady, but the gleam in his eyes was both lively and calm. "Absolutely brilliant. You did that very well. I think you have a natural apt.i.tude for pa.s.sion."

"You have a natural apt.i.tude for teaching it," Evanna replied. Squirming again, she righted herself in relation to him and eyed her damp hand. He grinned and helped her wipe it on his chest.

"Don't worry about it," he said dismissively as she started to protest. "In fact, if you do it right, lovemaking can be quite quite messy." messy."

"I'll defer to the expert," she conceded. "You're quite talented, you know. And brilliant yourself. I wouldn't settle for anything less in a research partner. I, um . . . hope you're willing to help me research all manner of things," she added. "Not just pa.s.sion, but other aspects of social interaction. Like how do men and women live together, and which side of the bed do we each sleep on, and things like that."

He grinned. She was definitely enjoying her freedom and definitely enjoying it with him. "I'd be honored. I do have one request, though."

"Oh?" Evanna asked, curious.

"Yes. Could you . . . well, dare me to love you?" he asked, flushing as he did so, but forging on anyway. "I can't resist a good dare when it involves a beautiful, fascinating, compelling woman."

Blushing herself, Evanna grinned. "All right . . . but I won't dare you to love me. I'll dare you to love me forever forever. If it'll help, I'll take that dare, too, regarding you. Or at least give it a try."

Victor grinned. Moving the hand resting on her stomach, he slid it up to her small b.r.e.a.s.t.s, cupping the far one. "I'll take that bet with you. But first . . . we still have a lot more to research in the realm of hands-on pa.s.sion. Quite a lot more. These things must progress in their proper order, after all."

"I'll defer the progression of these particular lab experiments to the expert," she granted airily. Then she glanced down his chest to his legs and the flesh she had enjoyed. "I do have one question, though."

"Only one?" Victor teased.

She rolled her eyes. "Only one for now for now, if you insist on my being accurate. No, sorry, two two questions." questions."

"A good researcher always strives for accuracy. So, what are your questions?" Victor prompted as she twisted onto her side, propping her own head on her hand, mirroring his pose.

"The first one is, if that was how you kissed my lips while you were wearing copper, and this is how you kiss my loins when wearing silver, what kind of a kiss will you give me when you're wearing your suit of gold?"

He smiled slowly. Wickedly and yet warmly, too. "I think I'll save that that particular kiss for our wedding day." particular kiss for our wedding day."

Her breath caught and her heart felt like it stopped, if only for a moment. Leaning in close, he kissed her, restarting it. Wrapping her free arm around his ribs, Evanna kissed him back with everything she had. Not until she was flat on her back, panting with re-aroused pa.s.sion and squirming with desire for more, did he release her lips.

"And the other question?" Victor asked, barely remembering it in time. What he wanted to do was part her thighs with his own and finish introducing her to all the delights of researching pa.s.sion. But her question was important to her, which made it important to him.

"Hmm? Oh! Yes. The other question. You said if I joined you to live on board the inchiriat inchiriat, you'd have to change its name. Why, and what to?" she asked, curious.

"Well, inchiriat inchiriat means means Rented Rented in Romanian," he explained. "I own the ship sixty-forty with my cousin Ston. I'm the one who picks which cargos we will carry around the system, and I have the right to name it. But with you on board, you would own in Romanian," he explained. "I own the ship sixty-forty with my cousin Ston. I'm the one who picks which cargos we will carry around the system, and I have the right to name it. But with you on board, you would own me me, as well as being my most precious cargo on board . . . and that means it should be renamed Vandute Vandute."

Hands straying down to his b.u.t.tocks, Evanna prompted, "And that word means . . . ?"

He leaned down and kissed her lips in a soft, brief salute. "Sold." "Sold."

Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Author's Note: Okay, I did it. I apologize, but yes, I deliberately lied to my readers and withheld information. I told everyone that I didn't have any plans to revisit the Isle of Nightfall and its eight famous brothers; I did it to avoid people pestering me for "sneak peeks" at what I was writing next. But as you can see, I did have plans, muahahahaa! All right, technically this isn't the Isle of Nightfall . . . but it does take place about half a year after the events at the end of the Sons of Destiny series. Don't go looking for a lot of action from the Corvis boys and their wives, though; their story is done, and we have tales of new heroes and heroines to focus upon and explore. (I just wish I'd had more room than this to explore the city of Menomon and its culture!) Okay, I did it. I apologize, but yes, I deliberately lied to my readers and withheld information. I told everyone that I didn't have any plans to revisit the Isle of Nightfall and its eight famous brothers; I did it to avoid people pestering me for "sneak peeks" at what I was writing next. But as you can see, I did have plans, muahahahaa! All right, technically this isn't the Isle of Nightfall . . . but it does take place about half a year after the events at the end of the Sons of Destiny series. Don't go looking for a lot of action from the Corvis boys and their wives, though; their story is done, and we have tales of new heroes and heroines to focus upon and explore. (I just wish I'd had more room than this to explore the city of Menomon and its culture!) THEY were at it again. Being unabashedly frothy frothy. She could hear them through the balcony doors.

Well, not all of them, Nevada acknowledged with a sigh. Nevada acknowledged with a sigh. Dar-shem is asleep in the back bedroom because he's on the night shift, and Rogen is late getting back from his work on the day shift at the desalinator site . . . but there go Cotter and Baubin . . . No, wait, those are Kristh and Talladen. Talladen always does that little wail thing whenever he realizes he's getting loud. Mainly because it embarra.s.ses him to think of anyone overhearing them . . . Dar-shem is asleep in the back bedroom because he's on the night shift, and Rogen is late getting back from his work on the day shift at the desalinator site . . . but there go Cotter and Baubin . . . No, wait, those are Kristh and Talladen. Talladen always does that little wail thing whenever he realizes he's getting loud. Mainly because it embarra.s.ses him to think of anyone overhearing them . . .

She grinned, thinking of her sixth husband. He was rather cute when he blushed. Actually, they were all reasonably good-looking. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, she sighed, looking out over the stained gla.s.s waters of the city, she sighed, looking out over the stained gla.s.s waters of the city, they're all besotted with each other. Not with me. The only man I know who I'm pretty sure likes me in that way . . . doesn't even live in this city. they're all besotted with each other. Not with me. The only man I know who I'm pretty sure likes me in that way . . . doesn't even live in this city.

Other women might give her arch, knowing looks and sly little winks whenever she went out from the house, but Nevada was envious of them them. They had husbands who loved their wives. Nevada-on the advice of her "co-father" Sierran-had taken husbands who were only interested in one another.

Because, "It wouldn't do for the heir-presumptive of Althinac to marry for the wrong reasons, or to the wrong persons," she thought, silently mocking her mentor. she thought, silently mocking her mentor. Even though I Even though I had had to get married. to get married.

Unlike the four lovebirds, paired off in two of the tenement's handful of bedrooms, the author of that piece of advice was sound asleep in the overstuffed chair by the radiant block prominently placed in the center of the parlor. Life under the ocean meant living with perpetual dampness, and her mentor's aging joints needed frequent doses of soothing heat.

Nevada loved him all the same; Sierran had literally rescued her from death at the hands of the insurgents. His His hands, for he had been the one a.s.signed to kill her and bring her family's rule to a resolute, final end. Instead of killing her, he had fled with her, escaping across the vast, treacherous waters in a stolen under-wave ship. He had told her that he couldn't bring himself to kill an innocent young girl just because she had been born a Naccaran. hands, for he had been the one a.s.signed to kill her and bring her family's rule to a resolute, final end. Instead of killing her, he had fled with her, escaping across the vast, treacherous waters in a stolen under-wave ship. He had told her that he couldn't bring himself to kill an innocent young girl just because she had been born a Naccaran.

He had also told her the facts of her family, how her next-mother's greed and influence on her father had caused the city regent to impose increasingly harsh taxes on the people. Other laws had gradually oppressed their rights, and building projects to "beautify" the city had instead spoiled formerly pristine views. Particularly as some of the land for those building projects had been seized on the flimsiest of excuses, infuriating their rightful owners to the point of fomenting a rebellion.

Moving from the partially underwater city of Althinac to the fully underwater city of Menomon had been a calculated move on his part, or so Sierran had explained. Nevada needed to know what life in an oceanic city was like, since at the time they had left, loyalists were fighting back against the rebels . . . and in the twelve years she had been gone, there were still reports of fighting going on. Until Althinac was politically stable, she had to remain in a safe place. But on the off chance that the loyalists won, she had to remain capable of returning to the city, which meant maintaining no permanent ties to Menomon. And on the off chance that the rebels won, but wanted to make peace with the loyalists, she had to remain politically available for negotiations of one sort or another.

But in the meantime, she had to live in Menomon, under Menomonite customs and traditions. Since she had no magical or medical reason to counter the local customs, the City Council decreed that Nevada still had to get married after she turned eighteen and have three husbands by the time she turned twenty-five, the same as any other woman.

. . . Aaand there goes Baubin. He does that growling thing whenever he and Cotter go at it. Then again, Cotter's a good lover; he certainly made Rogen happy, at least for a while. She smiled again. First she had picked Cotter for her husband, then Rogen, because she had been best friends with Cotter, and he and Rogen had been lovers. Since she wasn't interested in Cotter s.e.xually, it made sense to pick a second husband who would keep Cotter happy. She smiled again. First she had picked Cotter for her husband, then Rogen, because she had been best friends with Cotter, and he and Rogen had been lovers. Since she wasn't interested in Cotter s.e.xually, it made sense to pick a second husband who would keep Cotter happy.

But then Rogen had met the handsome Dar-shem and fallen in love, which meant Nevada had ended up marrying him, too, and cheerful, easygoing Cotter had hooked up with Kristh, who had become husband number four. Only Cotter had met Baubin a year later and decided he was much better off with the short, blond land-butcher than with the tall, redheaded leatherworker. The two were still silly over each other, though it had been two years since they had fallen in love. It was cute. Kristh had wanted to get a divorce after being dropped by Cotter for someone else, but had met Dar-shem's friend Talladen, who had secretly fallen for him back when he was still with Cotter . . . and there went another heart caught up in the maelstrom of masculine romances filling Nevada's life.

Dar-shem used to have a thing for Talladen, which makes Rogen irritable from jealousy, she thought, counting out the pairings on her fingers. As their wife, it was her legal responsibility to keep abreast of potential family tensions, so she made a point of reminding herself each day of her marriage's dynamics. she thought, counting out the pairings on her fingers. As their wife, it was her legal responsibility to keep abreast of potential family tensions, so she made a point of reminding herself each day of her marriage's dynamics. Particularly since they're on split shifts over at the desalinator and don't get to see each other as much as they used to. I really should talk to the Aquamancy Guild about getting them rea.s.signed to the same shift. Even if they are really good coral masons, and really good coral masons are rare, they'll be happier and thus work better if they're paired together. Particularly since they're on split shifts over at the desalinator and don't get to see each other as much as they used to. I really should talk to the Aquamancy Guild about getting them rea.s.signed to the same shift. Even if they are really good coral masons, and really good coral masons are rare, they'll be happier and thus work better if they're paired together.

Three explosive sneezes made her grin. And there goes Kristh, with his allergies. I always know when And there goes Kristh, with his allergies. I always know when he's he's having fun . . . having fun . . .

Her smile slipped a little. She She didn't know if she had any little quirks during lovemaking, like Talladen with his shy wailing, or Kristh with his sneezing, or Baubin with his growling. Cotter had gladly shared all manner of secrets with her about the mysteries of what men liked and wanted; they had met in primary school, being the same age, and had made friends with each other as they grew. Cotter worked in the Mage Guild as a generalist enchanter like her, albeit a few ranks lower. But being told what men liked wasn't the same as being shown what didn't know if she had any little quirks during lovemaking, like Talladen with his shy wailing, or Kristh with his sneezing, or Baubin with his growling. Cotter had gladly shared all manner of secrets with her about the mysteries of what men liked and wanted; they had met in primary school, being the same age, and had made friends with each other as they grew. Cotter worked in the Mage Guild as a generalist enchanter like her, albeit a few ranks lower. But being told what men liked wasn't the same as being shown what she she liked. In that much, Nevada envied her husbands. liked. In that much, Nevada envied her husbands.

A shadow loomed on the horizon, distracting her. Not a figurative one, either; a large ship had drifted into view while she had leaned on the railing of her tenement balcony and listened to four of her six husbands making love back in their bedrooms. It took her a few moments to realize why it looked so strange and yet so vaguely familiar; it wasn't an oblong, fish-shaped udrejhong udrejhong, the kind with the raisable fin-sails preferred by the Menomonites around her. No, the long, triangular-hulled ship was starkly Althinac in its design.

Alarmed, Nevada peered through the rippling green-gla.s.s light of the ocean, beyond the layers of hydrostatic barriers separating the city from the sea. The sight of several smaller, fish-shaped vessels surrounding the foreign ship rea.s.sured her a little. Good . . . the Wavescouts are up there, giving it escort. And . . . yes, they're docking it at the new Flame Tower. Sheren's apprentices will be the first ones to examine the newcomers for any potential threat to the city. Good . . . the Wavescouts are up there, giving it escort. And . . . yes, they're docking it at the new Flame Tower. Sheren's apprentices will be the first ones to examine the newcomers for any potential threat to the city.

Craning her neck, she looked back at the white-haired figure sleeping peacefully in his overstuffed chair. Sierran had negotiated asylum for the two of them twelve years ago; the final word on whether or not their request was accepted had come from the lips of the Guardian of Menomon herself. Even after having studied with the redoubtable woman, Nevada was still a little in awe of the elderly but imposing, formidable Guardian Sheren. She also respected the guardian's new, official apprentices, but she was more in envy of them than in awe.

Sometimes it seems like all the world is happily married, except for me . . . Talladen wailed a second time and Kristh sneezed twice, then twice again. She smiled wistfully. Talladen wailed a second time and Kristh sneezed twice, then twice again. She smiled wistfully. Even if some of them are supposed to be married to me. If the boys haven't woken up Dar-shem yet with their fun, I should go wake him up anyway. He'll have to eat and get ready to go to work soon. Which means I'll have to start getting dinner ready, since it's my turn to cook. Even if some of them are supposed to be married to me. If the boys haven't woken up Dar-shem yet with their fun, I should go wake him up anyway. He'll have to eat and get ready to go to work soon. Which means I'll have to start getting dinner ready, since it's my turn to cook.