Dragon Riders of Etrea 2—Chapter 30

Figuring out a sleeping arrangement proved to be rather difficult, and not just because Henrik had to split his attention three ways. Anslie’s cottage simply wasn’t large enough. Rasud and Shel went outside and slept beneath an apple tree, cuddled on their layered bedrolls. Meriel didn’t put up much of a fight, as she didn’t know Henrik yet. 

Isobel, however, straight-up refused to be away from him. She was possessive and needy in a way that Henrik loved. She wanted his hands on her at all times. And so ultimately, Anslie and Meriel slept in the cottage, sharing Anslie’s bed. Henrik and Isobel cuddled outside and slept beneath the stars.

After the sun had gone down and the valley turned dark, they made love. At least, they started to; Isobel stopped suddenly and buried her face in Henrik’s neck.

“Are you alright?” he asked, lifting her face to his.

“I’m just scared about tomorrow,” Isobel said. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

“Everything is going to be fine,” Henrik said. “I’ve done this before. Try not to worry so much.”

She remained on top of him, but laid her head back on his shoulder. They eventually fell asleep that way. Once her breathing slowed, Henrik grabbed their blanket and did his best to arrange it on top of her so she wouldn’t get cold.

It always surprised Henrik just how well he slept with the weight of a woman on his chest. He never felt suffocated or smothered; not at all. He simply felt happy. Perhaps this was something of love; Anslie had promised him she would teach him the meaning of love. Well, she and Isobel were doing a great job so far. He could get used to this.

Morning finally came, and when Henrik woke he remained in place. Isobel was curled up on his chest, her head to one side. He wanted to run his fingers through her red hair, but he didn’t want to risk waking her. And so he simply laid there, happy. He tried to send those feelings to Calduin through their bond. The young dragon responded with curiosity.

“What did you tell him?” Isobel murmured.

Henrik gently wrapped his arms around her and brushed her hair back from her face. “I was just trying to send him this moment, and how I felt.”

“And how do you feel?” she asked.

Henrik thought for a moment about how to answer. “I think I’m beginning to truly understand what love is.”

Isobel smiled and snuggled against him for a moment. “You make a good pillow,” she said. “I’m glad you’re so damn big.”

“It comes in handy sometimes,” Henrik said. He took a deep breath. “I suppose we should get up.”

“Stop it. I’m trying to avoid thinking about what’s going to happen later today.” Isobel moved around, ensuring she was comfortable. She made it clear she didn’t want to move.

Henrik bent forward and kissed the top of her head with a smile. He could lie there all day with her and be happy.

“Oh, alright,” Isobel grumbled. She finally moved off of him and pushed herself up to her hands and knees. She glanced over at him, her naked skin pebbled from the cool air. 

“Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?” Henrik asked.

“No, you haven’t,” Isobel said. “But I recommend you start soon, as I’m getting impatient.”

Henrik laughed as he reached over and grabbed onto Isobel. He pulled her back on top of him, bringing a yelp from her.

“Do we have to face the world today?” Isobel asked, her face pressed against his neck.

“Unfortunately, yes, my love,” Henrik replied. He squeezed her tightly, then finally released her.

They slowly sat up, and after several stretches and yawns, stood. Henrik handed Isobel a blanket and she smiled graciously. After wrapping the blankets around themselves, they slowly walked across the valley, all the way to the narrow waterfall and pond. Isobel dipped her toe in and made a horrified face.

“Oh, you have got to be fucking kidding me,” she said, looking over at Henrik.

Henrik just smiled at her as he dropped his blanket and jumped right into the pond.

Icy water immediately covered him. It felt like being buried in snow, perhaps even worse. Henrik allowed himself several curses underwater, where no one could hear. Once his head rose above the surface, he was all smiles again.

“Come clean yourself off,” Henrik said.

Isobel muttered several curses with Henrik’s name in them, then closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and jumped into the pond.

She landed in waist-deep water and let out a shriek that probably woke everyone else. From the look on her face, Henrik thought she might attack him, but she just dropped her head beneath the surface and tried to scrub herself off. She emerged a few seconds later, eyes wide, teeth chattering.

“Oh, you’re going to pay for that one,” Isobel said as she hurried out of the water. 

Henrik just smiled and kept his eyes on her ass and thighs. It was delightful how they moved when she ran like that.

With a laugh, he hopped out of the pond and grabbed his blanket. It wasn’t the best towel, but it was good enough. Isobel leaned against him and he put his arm around her, then together they walked across the valley.

“Did someone get murdered over there?” Rasud asked as they walked by. He noted Isobel’s chattering teeth. “Ahh, nevermind. Not looking forward to that myself.”

As they walked closer to the cottage, Anslie’s head emerged from the doorway. She saw them both, noting their wet hair, then laughed.

When they walked into the cottage, Anslie was arranging several pieces of wood on her hearth. After a moment with flint and steel, she had a small fire going, and gestured for Henrik and Isobel to come closer.

“Once Calduin gets his fire breath in, you should be able to create fire in your hands. That’ll come in handy for situations like that,” Anslie said. “Now get over here and warm up. It’s chilly this morning, so I know that water was cold.”

“I think it was the single most unpleasant experience of my life,” Isobel said. She opened her blanket in front of her, allowing some warmth to soak into her skin. 

Meriel rolled over on the bed and stretched. Even with her messy hair and groggy eyes, she was absolutely stunning. Henrik watched as Meriel pushed herself up to a seated position and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Her nightshirt was unlaced in the front, giving Henrik a peek at her small, perky breasts. Her legs were slender as well.

Meriel noticed him watching, but didn’t react. She simply watched him in return.

“This fire feels amazing,” Isobel said, turning so she could get some warmth on her backside.

Meriel reached up and gently pushed on the collar of her nightshirt until it hung off one shoulder, giving Henrik a clear view of one of her breasts. She reached both arms overhead and stretched, twisting one way then the other. She just watched him, waiting to see how he reacted.

Henrik found himself licking his lips like a hungry animal. Each of these women had very different bodies—the callimastian Anslie was tall and voluptuous, Isobel was athletic with that ridiculous bubble butt, and it looked like Meriel was petite and slender—yet they were each breathtaking.

“Alright, now my turn,” Meriel said. Her eyes flicked down to the blanket that Henrik held around himself.

Henrik realized she wanted to see him naked. There was something odd in her golden gaze and the way she looked at him. He felt like he was being coldly examined and measured.

“Oh, come on,” Isobel said. Before Henrik could say anything, she yanked his blanket away.

And so Henrik found himself standing there, fully naked in front of three women that were destined to love him. He was just glad he had taken a moment to warm himself in front of the fire first.

“How I missed that,” Anslie said, staring longingly at his body.

Meriel just eyed him up and down. She seemed to approve but it was hard to tell. Her face didn’t give much away.

“You two are terrible,” Isobel muttered.

Henrik opened his mouth to ask what she meant, but Isobel suddenly slapped him firmly on his bare ass. The moment he tried to move she stepped on his toes. Henrik toppled forward and stumbled straight for the bed.

Meriel’s eyes widened but she remained in place as Henrik crashed into her. While he was twice her size, he at least made sure not to accidentally hit her with anything hard, like his head or elbow. He did, however, smother her rather completely.

Henrik immediately rolled off the beautiful woman, and to his surprise she clung to him like a spider. He remained on his back, one leg hanging off the bed, with Meriel seated right on top of him. Whether by accident or on purpose, she had straddled his crotch. He could feel her warm wetness against his rapidly growing erection.

“Are you alright?” Henrik asked, checking her arms and face, making sure he hadn’t accidentally hit her.

“Wow, look at that thing,” Anslie said. From where she was standing, she could see everything.

“Yes, I am,” Meriel said. “And judging by this sudden swelling I feel coming from you, you’re alright as well.”

Isobel threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, that was great. You two look so cute together. I swear, if I wasn’t the jealous type I’d encourage you two to just do it right now and get it over with. He’s a lot of fun, Meriel.”

Meriel just kept her eyes on Henrik. Her face still showed little emotion, but he could feel it in other parts of her body.

“Yes, well I suppose we have more important things to worry ourselves about today,” Meriel said. She raised a leg and removed herself from Henrik, then calmly rearranged her nightshirt and got off the bed.

Henrik felt slightly awkward, lying there with an erection. Both Isobel and Anslie stared at him like they were going to tackle him. Instead, he grabbed some of his clothes and began pulling them on. Meriel did the same thing, although Henrik caught her stealing glances at him.

And their timing was excellent, for Rasud and Shel entered the cottage only a few moments later.

“Good morning, my dear friends!” Rasud said. Even Shel seemed in a good mood.

Rasud walked straight to the kitchen area and began preparing breakfast for everyone. That was a role he had fallen into recently, especially since meeting Shel. Rasud, the chef. Well, at least he was good at it.

“I just want to ask one last time,” Anslie said. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

Henrik gave her a smile. “The brave may not live forever, but cowards never live at all. I am not afraid, and everything will be fine.”

“Well, he’s nothing if not confident,” Meriel said.

“Yes, my friend Henrik has always been a well of confidence and iron will,” Rasud said. “I think he could teach a mule how to be stubborn, as well.”

“Well, let’s eat so we can go,” Anslie said. 

Together, the six of them enjoyed a nice breakfast. They kept their conversation light and Rasud made everyone laugh, as he often did. It was a great start to a day that would likely be stressful.