Dragon Riders of Etrea 2—Chapter 7

Henrik woke the next morning with a bit of an ache behind his eyes. Anslie had stayed true to her word and they went a second time shortly after the first. They went to sleep after that, but she woke him two hours later for a third round.

He was careful not to bother her when he woke that morning, but her eyes snapped open as soon as he slid to the side.

Anslie stifled a yawn, then reached out and grabbed onto Henrik. She laid her head on his broad chest and traced a finger down his stomach. “Do we have to get up just yet?”

“Believe me, I could use another couple hours of sleep,” Henrik said, stifling a yawn of his own. “I have a long journey ahead of me, though. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can come back to you.”

“No,” Anslie said, and flopped on top of him, lying sideways across him with her cheek against his far shoulder.

Henrik laughed and slapped her on her round bottom. 

“Mmmm,” Anslie said, her eyes closed. She arched her back, pressing her ass against his hand. “Don’t tempt me with a good time.”

Henrik sighed happily and left his hand on her bare bottom. He gave it a good squeeze, drawing more happy sounds from her. Truth be told, that could have easily turned into a morning of passionate lovemaking, but he knew he had more important things to do. Although, glancing over at her perfectly round ass, he began to reconsider his priorities.

“Well, I guess I can let you get out of bed,” Anslie said. “Me first, though.”

She straightened up next to him, on her knees, and reached overhead with both arms. She smiled at him while she stretched, but Henrik just focused on her breasts, which was exactly what she wanted.

“By the gods, but you are beautiful,” he said.

“All of me?” she asked, lowering her arms. She shimmied her shoulders, making her breasts shake, then laughed. “I can’t believe you have me acting like this.”

“Trust me, I don’t mind,” Henrik said. “And to answer your question, yes, all of you. Every single bit.”

“Well, in that case,” Anslie said. She got on her hands and knees and crawled to him, giving him seductive glances while still blushing. She placed a hand on his chest, then two. Then, she brought one of her legs up and swung it over his head and sat on his upper chest, placing her ass right in front of his face.

“Even that?” Anslie asked. She wiggled her hips from side to side.

Henrik couldn’t help himself. Right as Anslie raised her hips off of him, he leaned forward and gave her a playful bite on the ass.

Anslie yelped and practically did a flip as she leaped off of him. She stood there, one hand on her ass, looking at Henrik wide-eyed. “You just bit me,” she said.

“Had to mark you as mine,” Henrik said with a grin.

Anslie turned so that her ass was facing him. “Kiss it and make it better.”

Henrik moved forward and placed a kiss right on her perfect ass, then blew a raspberry on it. Anslie yelped again. Henrik hurried out of bed and grabbed onto her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her in a circle. Anslie threw her head back and laughed in joy.

“Well, sounds like you two are awake,” Rasud called out from outside. “Can we come in?”

“Hold on,” Henrik shouted in return. He gently set Anslie down and gave her a kiss, then they both went to fetch their clothes.

Once they were dressed, Anslie pecked Henrik on the cheek, then walked to the door. She glanced at him over her shoulder and caught him watching her backside again, which made her smile.

Anslie pushed the door open and stuck her head out. “You can come in.”

She walked back to the small table and began preparing a few things. Rasud walked in, oddly happy considering it was first thing in the morning, with Shel only a few seconds behind him. Her hair was a bit of a mess.

“Oh dear, let me help you with that,” Anslie said. “Come here, Shel.” She took the orc woman by her hand and pulled her to a nearby chair, then sat her down. Shel looked confused for a moment, but Anslie grabbed a brush and began gently running it through Shel’s long black tresses. “You’ll have to do this for her every morning and night,” Anslie said with a glance at Rasud.

“With pleasure,” the witchman replied.

“Yeah, and—ow!” Shel pursed her lips and pointedly avoided looking back at Anslie.

“Sorry!” Anslie said. “You have a knot in your hair and I’m trying to get it out. Rasud, you should have been brushing her hair for days, now.”

“Yeah, Rasud,” Shel said, giving him a sharp look that quickly faded into a smile.

“I just can’t win,” Rasud said, tossing his hands up. He walked over to where Anslie stored her food and began preparing something for breakfast.

“Well, make sure you keep trying,” Anslie told him as she continued brushing Shel’s hair. “You have lovely hair, Shel. I’ve never seen hair so perfectly black before.”

“Thank you,” Shel said quietly. She was still unused to compliments about her appearance.

“Don’t forget about the rest of her,” Rasud said as he grabbed a loaf of crusty bread. “Every bit of her is lovely, from the top of her head down to her toes.” He stopped and turned to look at her. “To be honest I’m not sure exactly what her toes look like, but I’m sure they’re lovely.”

“Oh stop,” Shel said, blushing again.

“Are you excited for your trip, Henrik?” Rasud asked.

“I don’t know if that’s the right word for it,” Henrik replied. “Just preparing myself for it. With some blankets, Tobias’s bow and quiver, and something to cook with, I should be just fine.”

“I believe he had a small pot in one of his saddlebags,” Rasud said. “As well as flint and steel. Don’t forget those, now. You won’t have me around to set everything on fire.”

“How could I forget,” Henrik said dryly.

“Yes, I suppose it is hard to forget about me,” Rasud replied as he continued preparing their breakfast. “I don’t suppose you’d mind us taking some of these apples with us, would you Anslie dear?”

“Take all you wish,” she replied. “I’m sure the horses would love them as well.”

“Much better than dried meat every day,” Rasud muttered. Shel just shrugged.

Henrik still had plenty of hardtack in his saddlebag, wrapped in waxed cloth. By itself it wasn’t particularly tasty, but it went well as part of a stew. Plus, it was small and lightweight and lasted a good long time. Water was his primary concern.

“I can melt snow to get drinking water, right?” Henrik asked.

“Of course,” Anslie said, smiling as if the question was a silly one.

“Remember, I’ve never even seen the stuff,” Henrik said.

“Sometimes I forget,” Anslie said. “Yes, if you melt it, you get perfectly fine drinking water. Hopefully the dragons will guide you to streams or waterfalls as often as they can. The mountains north of us are fairly lush, so that shouldn’t be a problem. They want you to succeed, so they’ll take care of you.”

“The dragons?” Henrik asked.

“Yes,” Anslie replied. “Never underestimate the power of a determined dragon. And make sure to spend some time with Calduin today before you leave. You must imprint yourself strongly upon him as quickly as possible. I almost regret that you have to leave so soon after his birth, but getting the sword is important.”

“Be careful,” Shel said, giving him a quick smile.

Henrik nodded to her. “Do you know what I’ll face when I get there?” he asked Anslie.

She shook her head. “I don’t really know any more than you do. I believe you will be tested somehow, so stay focused. Concentrate on the task, and you’ll make it.”

“Who’s hungry?” Rasud asked as he began setting food on the table.

They all enjoyed a hearty breakfast, thanks to Rasud’s talents in the kitchen. Anslie provided cider, although she said she would need to brew some more soon. Shel toyed with her hair on occasion—she was used to wearing it in a single braid down her back, not hanging loose. 

Once their breakfast was done, Henrik helped Anslie clean up while Rasud and Shel prepared the horses.

“Thanks,” Anslie said, taking a plate from him. “I’ll wash these in the stream later.” She took a deep breath, then looked up at him. “I’m going to miss you. I barely know you, but I like you quite a bit so far.” She took a deep breath. “I love you, Henrik.”

Hearing words like that for the first time was strange to Henrik. It felt wonderful to hear her say them, of course, but this was a new path for him. Regardless, he had to try his hardest. Not only did the fate of the world depend on it, but he just liked Anslie. He truly wanted to love her.

“I love you,” she said again. “I suppose saying it a few times will make it easier, right?”

Henrik smiled. “Might as well get used to it. I love you too, Anslie,” he said, only faltering slightly over the words. “Wow, that felt strange to say.”

“I know,” she said. “It’s okay. We’ll grow closer every day. Although I suppose I’ll have to live without you for two weeks.” She poked him in the stomach. “You’d better hurry back.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry, I plan on it. From your description of snow, I don’t see myself enjoying it too much.”

She laughed. “Snow can be wonderful if you’re dressed for it. It’s beautiful when the morning sun shines across it.”

“Does it snow in here?” Henrik asked. “In this valley, that is.”

“No,” Anslie said. “The weather doesn’t change a lot. In the colder months I sometimes get cold air coming off the surrounding mountains, but that’s about it. We’ll have to cuddle up around a fire sometime,” she added with a smile.

“That sounds nice,” Henrik said.

“I think we’re ready!” Rasud shouted from outside.

Henrik held Anslie tightly for a moment, breathing in the scent of her hair. A strong woman, one that could fight by his side and warm his bed at night. He had found her.