I stood at the top, looking out over the cliff, my palm pressed firmly against the cold, reassuring granite that anchored me to this moment. Stars twinkled overhead, and a light breeze blew my hair back. The view, even under starlight, was astonishing. My excellent night vision, a family trait, made the forest below seem especially vivid. The seventeen-mile hike had been worth it. I spent most of the day climbing the Yose...

We walked to the door. I turned the knob and opened it. “You don’t lock the door at night?” Sydney asked in surprise. I shook my head. “Nope. Nobody wants to walk through that yard in the dark.” “No. I suppose not,” she said softly. The house was an old two-story wood cabin. It had been well-maintained over the years. From the outside, it looked like something from an old Western movie. The inside had been modernized, tho...

I leaned back into the couch, feeling the soft fabric envelop me. Sydney sat beside me, her head gently resting on my shoulder. Two cups of hot chocolate sat untouched on the coffee table, sending tendrils of steam into the tense air, drifting lazily as if reluctant to dissolve. A few feet away, Akasha watched from the loveseat. She held her coffee, took a sip, set it down, and leaned forward, her eyes fixed on Sydney. “Y...

I turned to Akasha. Her grin grew even wider, hungry and intense, making my pulse race. As I met her eyes, a strange sensation rippled through me—a fleeting warmth seeping into my bones, like embers of a lingering fire. There was an inexplicable weight to the moment, as though the shadows of ancient dragons were stirring just beneath the surface. I shivered under her gaze, feeling like prey. I nodded, my voice coming out...

Akasha grinned evilly. She spread her legs wide and patted her thighs. “Slide your knees under my thighs. Yes. Right there. Now take your right hand and guide the head of your cock through my folds. Run it against my clitoris. Oh, yes. Right there. Now, guide it into the opening. Not in yet. Just past. Around. Yes. Oh. That is nice. Now, slide the head into the opening. Wait. Don’t push in yet. Wait right there.” Akasha s...

I awoke to the rich, savory smells of bacon and sausage, their sizzling drifting up from downstairs. The bed cocooned us in warmth, the sheets soft against bare skin. I lay on my side with Sydney cuddled in my arms, her back pressed against my chest, fitting perfectly into the shape of my body. Her heart beat a slow, unwavering rhythm underneath my open palm. The musky fragrance of sex lingered on her skin, combining with...

“Did I miss out on all the fun?” I heard Sydney say as she came into the bedroom. I heard her walk across the room. Akasha’s sublime laughter rolled through the room, shivering along my back. “Did you save any for me?” “Sorry, dear,” I heard Akasha answer, “Next time.” “Can I taste it?” I heard Akasha sweep over to Sydney and wrap her arms around her. I heard them kiss, the soft, wet sound making my pulse quicken, followe...

We walked three abreast. I held Akasha’s hand to my left and Sydney’s to my right. Standing between them, I was struck by just how lucky I was. Sydney was radiant on my right, her dress a deep green silk, embroidered with golden dragons that twisted around her waist and along her arms. The designs shimmered in the sunlight as she moved, mesmerizing and mysterious, the dragons seeming alive as they wound along the fabric....

Akasha and Sydney turned to watch us catch up, soft smiles and giggles on their lips. “Decided to join us?” Akasha said with a teasing smile. She reached out and grabbed my belt, pulling me against her. She slid her arms around my waist and grabbed my ass, pulling my body flush with hers. I blushed and kissed her forehead softly. “Miss me?” I asked with my lips on her skin. I could feel her soft nod while Sydney giggled....

Akasha and I stood in the grove, wrapped in a warm embrace as we listened to the ATVs pull away from us. Akasha turned her head so that her ear rested against my chest, listening to my heart thump against her. Akasha’s arms tightened around my waist as she turned and looked up at me, her firm breasts pressing against my chest. “You were amazing,” she whispered, her eyes softly glowing in the gloom. “So were you,” I said,...

I sat up in the dirt on my knees. Akasha was still lying on her back, dirt clinging to her sweaty body. She lounged on her back, her chest heaving. The moonlight made her skin glow. I looked over at Anton and Amika and laughed. “Well, look at us. Covered in dirt.” Anton laughed. Amika smiled. I heard Sydney come walking over. “The Court of the Amber Stars?” Amika asked, her voice low and soft. She looked at Anton, then ov...

I stood and watched Anton and Amika dress each other for a moment. Then headed out of the room, up the ramp, and up the stairs back into the central portion of the house. I could hear Akasha and Sydney talking in the bedroom. “I missed the orgy in the creek?” I heard Sydney say, her voice touched with disappointment. Sydney was sitting on the bed, already dressed. Sweatpants, t-shirt under a partially zipped sweatshirt. S...

I woke up in the early morning hours as the first rays of dawn crested into the valley and slipped in our window. We had left the curtains open; the light spilled across the bed. Sheets of gold illuminated the tangled bodies across my own. I felt their warmth against my skin. Their breath against my body. Both Sydney and Akasha were still asleep. My mind was alert. Something had woken me. I lay still and listened. I heard...

I stood in the parking lot outside the Ranger station in Yosemite Valley, looking at Akasha. Her words were still ringing in my ears. “An Emissary?” I asked. Anton had told me stories of when he was an emissary for the High Court. Why would we be receiving an emissary? I thought it was too soon for the High Court to have taken notice of us. I turned and looked at Anton. “My Lord,” Anton looked at me, “It is not uncommon f...

The wind roared in my ears as those wings flapped hard, lifting me higher above Yosemite Valley. The lights below dwindled. I could hear Akasha and Anton nearby, ascending with me. We continued flying to the northeast, following the river and climbing above the ridge line. Far below, we could see the Rangers' search lights making their way up the trail. I closed my eyes and felt the map of the land laid out before me. I s...

The cold air stung my skin as we soared through the sky. The wind rushed through my hair, roaring in my ears while the chill enveloped my face. We were only twenty feet above the tree line. Then we cleared the trees and dipped into the canyon. Sheer cliff walls towered over us as we dove down towards the creek below. Soaring through the valley was amazing. I could not fathom being restricted from this kind of activity. Th...

I took Akasha’s hand, feeling the warmth of her palm, and walked out the front door. Amika followed a step behind us. Akasha threaded her fingers through mine as we walked through the yard and towards the creek. The air was cool and damp, and as we reached the edge of the creek, the faint scent of wet earth and the gentle babble of the water surrounded us. As we stepped out onto the small beach along the creek, I turned t...

An involuntary shudder ran down my back. Amika removed her hand but followed close behind as I descended the stairs. Akasha was a step behind her. The basement felt more like a dungeon. Cold stone walls. Stone floor. Sconces along the walls with LED bulbs that flickered like candles. The man stood at the bottom of the stairs, waiting, with that predatory smile on his face. He watched us descend, taking a step back to make...