Phantom of the Heart (29 page)

Sterling's eyes opened and they stared at each other. Orla complied when Sterling's hand crept behind her head and pulled her down for a kiss. When the kiss ended, Orla moved to Sterling's ripe breasts, licking and suckling the hardened nipples. She felt a soft tremor go through Sterling and the musky smell in the air became stronger. Her lips slowly trailed down, over Sterling's belly where she spent a few moments longer, already envisioning her child growing there, until she reached Sterling’s hot cavern.

She moaned as she touched the tip of her tongue to the wetness. It was as if someone had taken a torch to her, she was getting so hot. She placed her hands underneath her wife's hips and tilted them up, bringing her closer to her mouth. With the soft ecstatic sounds from Sterling ringing in her ears, Orla feasted with hungry kisses on Sterling's sex. She ran her tongue along the length of the wet slit only to repeat the same movement using her teeth and lips, nipping on the swollen bud. The action caused Sterling's whole body to jerk and had her clutching the bedding in a tight fist. Craving more, Orla brought the tip of her tongue to Sterling's opening and slowly inched her way inside.

“Ohhhh…” Sterling moaned, as her hands tangled in Orla's hair.

Orla grunted with pleasure when she felt the soles of Sterling's feet pressing down on her back. Her own body was on fire and in a very short time she had wrung two orgasms from her wife. Sterling's legs slid off her back after the second orgasm and she pulled Orla's body over hers. Careful not to squash the smaller woman, Orla kept the bulk of her weight on her knees and elbows. She pulled her head back to look into Sterling's face, glistening with sweat as she lay there with her eyes closed and her mouth half-open. The sight fueled Orla’s passion further and she pressed herself against Sterling. The silver eyes fluttered open.

“I will take care of you, but first we need to do something else. Lie on your back.”

Orla wanted to cry at the interruption. “Later,” she growled, as she leaned in to kiss Sterling.

“No, my love, we need to do this now. You will enjoy it, I promise.”

Reluctantly, Orla rolled away from Sterling. She watched through slitted eyes, as Sterling sat up and felt around on the bed. Orla enjoyed the image of her wife in all her nakedness. She sat up, her intention to draw the redhead back into her arms, but Sterling turned and held up a strange, cylindrical object. Orla stared at the object before her eyes found Sterling's.

“Is that what I think it is?”

Sterling grinned. “Yes. The Priestess brought it to me earlier.”

“It looks like…” Orla flushed. “It looks strange. How does it work?”

“Well,” Sterling crawled closer. “Lift your hips. I have to fasten it around your hips.”

“Sterling…” Orla whispered softly, apprehension in her voice.

“It will be fine, my love.” Sterling pressed a soft kiss on Orla's lips. “We have to use it if we want to have a child. Now, lift your hips.”

Orla lifted her hips and lay still, as Sterling fastened the strange object around her hips. She knew what the object represented; it felt strange. It was also too big. It would surely hurt Sterling. The thought of hurting Sterling made her shudder. Sterling looked up from where she was busy fastening the leather straps.

“Trust me, beloved. It will be fine.”

“Will it not hurt you? It…is really big.” Orla's eyes pleaded with Sterling. “I do not want to hurt you.”

“I will probably be a touch uncomfortable, but I swear it will not hurt.” She cupped Orla's cheek. “Trust me.”

Orla took a deep breath. “I trust you, but the moment it hurts you must tell me.”

“I will.” She looked down at the object which was now jutting out from between Orla's thighs. Orla followed her gaze and with a groan of embarrassment closed her eyes. Her hips jerked upward when she felt a soft vibration coming from the object. Her eyes snapped open to find Sterling still looking down at the phallus, blinking rapidly.

“What is happening, Sterling?” Orla hoisted herself onto an elbow.

“I believe it is beginning to work. How does it feel?”

“As if it wants to latch onto me.” Reaching out a hand, Orla touched the phallus. A deep groan escaped her lips, as her eyes rolled back in their sockets.

“Orla!” Sterling sounded frantic. “What is happening?”

Oral's eyes opened slowly and she licked over suddenly dry lips. “It is very sensitive. The…the pleasure…it…it is unbelievable.”

Sterling looked at the phallus, her expression skeptic. “You felt pleasure?”

Orla was looking at the phallus now. The spark of pleasure that shot through her at the mere touch of the object was indescribable. And she wanted more. Her eyes lifted to Sterling. She wondered what it would feel like to be inside Sterling. The pleasure would surely drive her mad.

“Come lie down, my love,” her voice sounded darkly sensual, even to her own ears. She ignored Sterling’s raised eyebrows. “I need you.” She sat up and reached out for Sterling. “I want to know how it will feel when I am inside you.”

Sterling's mouth fell open in soft gasp. Orla was pleased to see the silver eyes darkening with desire, as her wife's eyes darted lower to the phallus. Sterling came to lie next to her and Orla's breath caught when she saw Sterling's hand move down to the place between her own legs.

“What are you doing?” Orla asked with surprise, even as her heartbeat drummed in her ears at the erotic sight. With her head back and small, white teeth biting down on her lower lip, Sterling moved her hand almost frantically between her own legs. With her acute Ulv hearing, Orla could hear the soft sounds of pleasure Sterling made in the back of her throat. She ached to touch Sterling, but did not want to interrupt the beautiful image.

“Now, Orla,” Sterling said softly and Orla's gaze moved from the sight of Sterling's moving hand to her wife's face. The silver eyes were a dark, stormy grey as they looked at her. “I want you inside.”

Orla did not need a second invitation. She came onto her knees, spreading Sterling's legs wider. Her eyes touched Sterling's, before she brushed the redhead's hand away. Her head lowered and with a long swipe, she stole a taste from Sterling's wetness. Savoring the flavor and the soft cry of pleasure coming from Sterling at the unexpected action, Orla lowered herself onto her wife's body. She grabbed the phallus by the shaft and almost came at the sensation that shot through her. Clenching her jaw, she brought the tip of the phallus to Sterling's sex and slowly began to push into Sterling's hot cavern. Orla moaned at the sensation that coursed through her body, as she slid deeper into Sterling.

***

Sterling held her breath as Orla moved over her. At the touch of Orla's tongue brushing over her swollen nub, she grabbed the furs on the bed in tight fists. Nothing, however, prepared her for the sensation when Orla pressed the head of the phallus against her opening. The heat from the Spear called to her and she spread her legs even wider. The slow, tantalizing invasion into her body made her hands leave the furs and grab at Orla's shoulders. The feeling was incredible, almost as if a heated lance impaled her. She heard a soft grunt coming from Orla and eager to hear more, Sterling threw her legs around Orla's waist, pulling her deeper. The dark head lifted, and pale-blue orbs met Sterling's gaze.

“I am not sure I will hold long,” Orla said between soft pants.

“Me neither.”

Orla smiled tremulously, as her one large hand grabbed hold of Sterling's hip. With one powerful push, Orla was inside and a small cry burst from Sterling's lips. Orla slowly reared back to look into Sterling's eyes.

“I swear I will hurt you if you stop,” Sterling gasped, her arms tightening around Orla's neck. “Take me, my love.”

Orla slowly set a rhythm that made Sterling throw her head back as her body shuddered with pleasure. The pace increased suddenly, just as the dark woman's breathing sped up. Deep, long thrusts gently lifted Sterling's hips off the bed, as they both strived to reach the elusive summit of their desire.

Sterling's body began to shake, as a heat wave rushed through her body, scorching her insides. She threw her hands wide as she gasped loudly. A soft, almost indiscernible purr filled the room as Orla's thrusts accelerated even further, pushing the breath from Sterling's body. The moment her orgasm hit, Sterling cried out Orla's name, as she clung to her wife's heaving shoulders.

***

The sweat that ran into her eyes blinded Orla, but she cared less about seeing Sterling than feeling the sweet body bucking wildly into hers. With a shout of pleasure, Orla pulled Sterling's hips into her own, pounding briskly into the redhead's releasing body. Her hips began to slow until she could only manage a few sharp thrusts ending with a deep stroke that held Sterling's lower body suspended from the bed. Completely drained, Orla lowered her quaking body onto Sterling's smaller one.

They lay motionless, waiting for their breathing to even out. When she felt she could move again, Orla lifted herself on her powerful forearms as she looked down at Sterling. The princess' face was a mask of utter serenity as she lay there, chest heaving and mouth caught in a silent scream. Orla made a move to pull out of Sterling, but two strong arms shot out and held her in place. Coppery eyelids fluttered open to reveal gleaming, silver eyes.

“Not yet.”

Orla took Sterling's lips in a deep kiss. “You can have all the time you need.” She rolled onto her back, bringing Sterling with her and cradled her lover gently. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” murmured Sterling, as she drifted off to sleep.

An hour later after a short, invigorating rest, Orla woke Sterling to make love to her again. This time, she was more comfortable wielding the shaft and took her time as she brought them both to another earth-shattering climax. Spent and hungry, they dragged their bodies over to the table where food had been set out.

Orla fed Sterling a bite of tender fig, putting the other piece in her own mouth. Their eyes held as they chewed the sweet treat. They had not spoken much since their last lovemaking session, instead enjoying the quiet presence of each other. Sterling leaned close and kissed Orla.

“I enjoyed myself, my love. Thank you.”

“I thank you, too.” Orla reached for her wine goblet, took a sip, and held it out to Sterling. The silver eyes studied her over the rim of the goblet, a familiar look in her eyes.

“Shall we go back to bed again?”

Orla took the goblet from Sterling. “Your wish is my command.” She swung Sterling in her arms and carried her back to the rumpled bed.

Epilogue

Cybralle's eyes followed the agitated stride of the woman before her. She took a long drink from her wine. She could sympathize with Orla. She, too, had been a wreck on the night Sterling was born. Earlier, she had tried to calm the woman down by offering her a drink, but Orla had declined, choosing instead to pace the length of the hallway. Orla looked terrible. Her hair stood in all directions from all the times she had combed her fingers through it. Worry and exhaustion gave her face a haggard appearance and her hands shook so much that it was impossible for her to hold onto anything.

She dragged her eyes away from her observation of Orla to the closed door. It was quiet now; at least the screaming had stopped. She had struggled to keep Orla from bursting into the room every time Sterling let out an anguished scream.

“Why is it so quiet? Should it be like that?”

Cybralle looked up to find Orla towering over her. “She has the best people at her side, Orla. I believe they would have told us if something was amiss.”

Orla's eyes gleamed with unshed tears, as she looked at the door. “I need to be with her.”

“She will be fine. You will see her soon,” Cybralle said softly. “Come have a drink with me. It will steady your nerves.”

“I do not…”

“I insist, Orla,” Cybralle said firmly. “You look like you will fall apart any moment now and it will burden Sterling further when she sees you like this. Here…” She held out a carafe. “Drink.”

Taking the carafe, Orla looked at it long and hard before she lifted it to her lips. After a long drink she handed it back to Cybralle.

“Now, we just need to wait.”

They both surged to their feet when the door opened and a tired-looking Mesmeria stepped out. Orla was immediately at the queen's side.

“How is she?”

Mesmeria gave Orla a bright smile. “She asks for you.”

***

The room smelled dank and the scent of blood hung heavy in the air. Orla pushed past the three midwives to her wife's side. Sterling was pale and her hair hung in strings around her face. She was so still and Orla’s heart plummeted at the thoughts that crossed her mind. She was not going to lose Sterling. If the gods thought they could take Sterling away from her, they were greatly mistaken. She would brave the Underworld to return her wife.

“Beloved,” she called softly. When Sterling's eyes flickered open, Orla almost cried with relief. Sterling weakly lifted her hand and Orla grabbed it, kissing it. “How do you feel?”

“Torn up,” Sterling whispered, as she attempted to smile. Instead, her face pulled into a grimace. Orla shuddered and tightened her hold on Sterling's hand. “Have you seen our baby? He is perfect.”

The baby!
Orla had completely forgotten about the baby, her only concern at the moment was Sterling. She had heard too many stories of women succumbing, during and after childbirth. She would look at her son later, once she was sure Sterling was well on her way to recovery.

“I have not seen him yet. I wanted to make sure you were fine.”

Sterling's face pulled into a grimace again and Orla looked up at the midwives. “With the baby out already, should she still have pain?”

One of the women shook her head. “The pain should be gone.”

“Then why is she still hurting?” Orla threw a worried gaze at Sterling's face which, if possible, looked paler than before. Her heart hammered in her chest. “What is wrong with her?” When no answer was forthcoming, she left Sterling's side and advanced on the women. “If anything…ANYTHING…happens to her, I will tear you all apart.” Orla was surprised to find that she meant every word. If Sterling was to die, the world would be a very unsafe place for these midwives.

The door opened and Vernera entered the room. The grey-haired woman walked to the bed and lifted the sheet. Her eyes, so like Sterling's, blazed with fury when they came to rest on the midwives.

“Bring more water. There is another baby inside.”

The women, including Orla, were stunned at the revelation and not moving. Orla was the first to snap to attention.

“Do as she says,” Orla thundered, startling the dozing baby.

She looked around the room and saw a wrapped bundle in a bassinette. She walked over and looked down at the screaming baby's red face.
Her son!
She threw a quick glance at the bed. Vernera was softly talking to Sterling, their heads close to each other. She was grateful to have the woman here, since Sterling adored her great-grandmother. Orla returned her gaze to her crying son and gently lifted him out of the bassinette. He was big and clearly had strong lungs, judging from the loud cries. She carefully held him against her chest as she rocked him. He immediately fell silent and opened his eyes. Orla’s breath caught in her chest. His blue-grey eyes stared straight into hers. At that exact moment, Orla realized that the small human had stolen her heart. It was only when her eyesight became blurry that she realized she was crying. She was so absorbed in her son's gaze that she had cut off everything else happening around her. When she heard the frail cry of another baby, she turned to the bed. Vernera held up a small, wrinkled baby.

“It is a girl,” she said with pride in her voice and Sterling lifted her head a little to look at her daughter. Orla stepped closer to look at her daughter and smiled tenderly. She was small compared to her brother, but Orla's heart melted at the sight of the delicate ears and tiny fingers.

“We have another one coming,” Vernera said suddenly and, this time, even she sounded surprised. Orla went to kneel next to the bed. Sterling looked utterly exhausted, but her eyes were riveted on the bundle in Orla’s arms. “Give me one more push, Sterling,” Vernera called out.

Orla shifted her son to one arm so she could hold Sterling's hand. “You can do this, my love. Just try.”

“I am so tired,” Sterling whispered, as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I just want to sleep.”

Brushing away the tears, Orla gently kissed Sterling's sweaty brow. “Shortly, my love. Just give one final push. You want to see the other baby, too, do you not?” At Sterling's nod, Orla squeezed her hand. “Then give us one big push. Afterward you can sleep and I will take care of them while you rest.”

Sterling's hand squeezed Orla’s as she pushed, her torso lifting off the bed. A deep grunt came from Sterling and Orla had to bite her lip not to cry at the obvious pain her wife was experiencing. Another weak cry sounded and Orla's eyes shot full of tears again. She had never cried so much before in her life.

“Another girl,” Vernera said softly, her voice heavy with emotion. She carefully studied the crying baby. “This one bears the same mark as Cybralle. She is destined to be a great warrior.”

Orla gave Sterling a deep kiss. “They are all so beautiful, beloved.”

“Sleep…beautiful,” Sterling mumbled, as her eyes fluttered close.

Orla gave Vernera an anxious look.

“She is fine. Go help those hopeless women take care of my great-great-grand babies.”

Orla gave Sterling a final kiss and walked over to where the midwives were busy cleaning up her daughters. She handed the sleeping boy to one of them and accepted the smallest of the trio. The girl was quiet now and looked up at her with somber blue eyes.

“Hello, little princess,” she cooed, as she placed a small kiss on the baby's cheek. She cradled the tiny infant against her chest, feeling as if a part of her soul was seeping from her into the child. Would her heart ever be the same again? It felt so full, as if it was going to burst anytime now. The midwife took the baby from her and immediately her arms were filled with another. Her lastborn was bigger than her sister and, unlike the others, she was born with a tuft of black hair. Orla smiled, as she stroked a finger over the black fuzz. “Your grandmother Cybralle will be exceptionally happy to make your acquaintance, little warrior.” She kissed her daughter and held her out to the midwives. Vernera appeared next to her.

“Three babies, Your Majesty. I must say that not many triplets have been born to an Ulv in the last two thousand years. Congratulations.”

Orla grinned at the woman, so glad that Vernera had been there to save the lives of her wife and daughters.

“I will forever be indebted to you for being here tonight, Vernera.” Orla's eyes shot full of tears. “I could have lost them all if not for you.”

Vernera reached up and cupped Orla's cheek; her eyes, too, were shimmering with tears. “You owe me nothing, my Queen. You made my old heart very happy today with the gift of my great-great-grandchildren.”

They embraced and Vernera left the room. Orla walked over to the bed and pulled a chair closer. She was not going to leave Sterling's side until she woke again.

***

Sterling stretched languidly, as she rolled over onto her back to look up at the bright sky above. The seasons were changing, but there was still a slight chill to the day. She stifled a yawn and sat up. She was alone…again. It did not bother her much anymore. She knew they were nearby. They would never leave her alone in the woods. She pulled the large basket closer and rummaged through it. She pulled out chucks of cheese, bread, a leg of pork and a flask of sweet, apple cider. They were always hungry when they returned. She was concentrating on setting out the food when she heard a twig snap behind her. Her hands stilled for a moment, before she continued slicing up the bread and cheese.

Her sharp hearing picked up a soft footfall and she smiled. This was getting too easy. The next moment, she rolled to the side and shot to her feet, her sword in her hand. Three pairs of eyes looked up at her from furry faces.

“I am almost completely sure that it was Drusa who stepped on the twig,” she said, as she sheathed her sword. “Bion, you will have to learn to lighten your step.” She went to sit on the blanket, her back turned to the three wolf pups. “And Hlif, you will get yourself killed going hunting with these two. Your lunch is ready.”

She looked over her shoulder to see the cubs transform. They had entered their bedchamber one night, after a torrid lovemaking in the woods, to find three small pups curled up in the middle of their bed. Orla's face was a mixture of shock, regret, and immense pride. For a long while, they had stood there watching their children sleep. That was three summers ago, when the triplets were only four. Since then, Orla had taken them out to the woods regularly to go on runs and sometimes to hunt small prey. On the days that she was not needed in Senate meetings, Sterling accompanied them.

Today was such a day.

With the transformation complete. The three came over to her and each kissed her cheek. She cuddled each of them close and planted a kiss on their foreheads.

“Your clothes are over there. Then come and eat. You must be hungry.”

Bion rushed to grab his clothes and quickly shrugged into them. Amongst other Ulvs they seemed unruffled by their nakedness, but the moment an outsider was near, their human sense of modesty kicked in. Fully dressed, Bion came to sit next to her and Sterling put an arm around him, kissing his crown. He was big for his age. He would surely be taller than her in a few summers. She had a soft spot for her eldest and only boy, but what attracted her to him, even more, was the fact that he was an exact replica of Orla. Bion had the same pale-blue eyes and midnight-dark hair. It was obvious that he would be a very attractive man one day, just like his grandfather. He was the closest to her and they spent almost every chance they could get on the training field.

“May I have something to drink, Mother?” a soft voice asked.

“Of course, my love,” Sterling cooed and grinned when her daughter blushed. Drusa was Orla's favorite. Smaller in stature than her other siblings, the little redhead was more interested in reading and healing than sword fighting. If she was not dragging Orla around the woods to gather roots for medicine, or locked up in the blacksmith's hut with Orla, Drusa was reading with Mesmeria. The petite girl was even-tempered and not once had Sterling seen her temper around another person. Mesmeria was of the belief that little Drusa might just be the heir Karas needed.

Sterling handed the goblet to Drusa. “Do you want more cheese?”

The red locks bobbed as she nodded, a brilliant smile on her face. Sterling smiled back and added two extra slices of cheese on her daughter’s plate. “I would like some. Thank you, Mother.”

With her two eldest served and busy eating, Sterling's eyes swept the area looking for her lastborn. The child moved like a shadow and could disappear just as fast. Hlif was the wildest of all her offspring. Just like Bion, she was tall for her age and sturdy. Whereas Bion resembled his mother, Hlif was the spitting image of Cybralle, who doted on the little hellion. True to Vernera's prediction at her birth, Hlif lived for sword fighting. At seven summers, she already ranked high as one of Karas' best swordfighters. All that was thanks to her grandmother, who painstakingly imparted every little skill she had onto her granddaughter. Although still the Commander of the Royal Army, Sterling doubted she would hold that position for long. With only seven more summers to go, Hlif would be would surely start to challenge her for the post.

“Where did Hlif go?” she asked the other two.

“She probably went back to swim with mother.”