Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (8 page)

The women talked throughout the meal about strategies and techniques. Kara had asked a great many questions about when to use different techniques, and her interest caused Cassie to get revved up and ready to get back into training, since she was eager to learn more of the swordplay.
 

The majority of fighting in the world she found herself in was done with swords. Cassie’s experience was limited to the ceremonial use of a samurai sword, and these women used broadswords.
 

The more she worked with these warriors, the more she respected them. They were bright, resourceful, and downright fearless in combat. They also shared a strong camaraderie, and they never backed down from a challenge.
 

Cassie refused to learn their technique idly. She was in the thick of it with the rest of them—sharing techniques, seeking corrections for her weaknesses, and laughing with them, never realizing she was building their unwavering respect for her at the same time.
 

All she knew was how great she felt. It was fun and satisfying to talk, share, and sweat with them. Whatever anxiety the warriors originally felt at having an unknown foreigner leading them had been washed away by her dedication and innate friendliness. She knew her stuff, and it showed. They appreciated the fact that nothing was beneath her. She was willing to get in there with the lowest warrior to instruct her and/or to ask her opinions, and she answered all of their questions while accepting advice and criticism with an open mind.
 

The sun was sinking as the last sparring match ended, and she motioned for the women’s attention. “I am no speechmaker, but I wanted to tell you how deeply impressed I am with your work today. I am honored to work with each and every one of you, and I look forward to learning more tomorrow. Lady Kara and I will work out a schedule which incorporates training with both styles. I expect to see you all fighting effectively with thought to your own safety. Your lives are just as important to me as my own. Thank you again for your hard work!” Cassie took in a deep breath then; she really hated speech making.
 

“Warriors of Erla, I continue to be proud of you. Your steadfastness never fails!” said the Queen, who then gave a shout, which was echoed with cries of, “Hail Queen Nera! Hail Lady Cassandra!”
 

Once the cheering subsided, Kara stepped up and said, “You are dismissed!”
 

The women dispersed whilst talking and laughing amongst themselves. Many came by and thanked Cassie directly, and she spoke briefly to each woman who stopped.
 

“Lady Cassandra, I would like to work a bit on some of those advanced kicks if you have the time,” Kara said.
 

“Yes, Cassandra. I too would like to work a bit longer if you are not too fatigued,” Nera added.
 

“Sure. I would love it,” Cassie said, groaning inwardly. Her arm muscles were screaming from the sword fighting she had done, but she was trying to hide it.

The women worked for nearly an hour on some advanced techniques before they bid each other good evening and headed in different directions: Nera to the Palace and Kara to the village where the warriors had their homes.
 

Cassie stayed behind to stretch more, so she spent some time rotating her shoulders and loosening her spent muscles before she left the field. She stretched her legs for a moment, and then she walked back to the Palace, circling her arms as she walked. She quickly ascended the steps, entering the cool marble interior. It was an exquisite dwelling, and she was growing to love its serene beauty. Cassie picked up her pace, eager for a bath. She was once again aware of the eyes trained on her as she walked. She responded this time with a bright smile to each slave whose eye she caught. They were caught by surprise and were rendered red-faced and breathless by the attention. She felt the thrill of power again and found she liked it almost too much.
 

Entering her quarters, she found the room sparkling clean and smelling of the fresh flowers which adorned every table, but she was surprised to find no sign of her slaves anywhere. She walked about the rooms, curious as to where they might be. On that impulse, she opened several doors before she found them in the exercise room.
 

The room had a balcony with French-style doors which were open to allow in the breeze. Each of them was covered in sweat. Their muscles rippled, and their veins were sticking out on their hands, arms and legs. They had not noticed her yet, and she drank in the sight of so much beautiful male flesh glowing with health and vitality. Cassie sucked in her breath, feeling an electric charge of lust run through her.
 

Kai noticed her first and genuflected quickly. The others quickly followed his lead.
 

“Hello,” she purred. Desire was blatant in her eyes, and four perfect sets of lips parted as each man caught his breath. She really had no idea of the effect she had on them as she leaned casually against the door frame. She stood with one ankle crossed over the other, and the tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail curled about her face, flushed, dirty and sweaty herself, she was also sexy, strong, and compelling. Each man in the room felt his knees waver under her raw sex appeal. Mouths went dry, loins tightened, and hearts beat faster as she flashed them a lusty grin.
 

“Have you missed me?” she flirted shamelessly.
 

“Yes, Mistress,” they replied in unison.
 

Cassie had no idea she was the embodiment of every fantasy they had ever had . . . She was a beautiful Mistress who was powerful and dynamic, yet she was kind and gentle with them at the same time.
 

She strolled over, running her fingers across the moist bare flesh of each man, and, as one, they could hardly breathe when she touched them.

“Well, that pleases me to hear. Have you finished your workout yet?” she asked.

“Yes, Mistress,” they said.

“Then, let us bathe.”

The lusty grin showed itself again, and they rushed from the room, bowing and heading for the bathing room to ready her bath. Good God, she was beginning to love how they jumped to do her bidding. She went to her bed, removed her dirty clothes, and dropped them on the floor, knowing instinctively they would be picked up and laundered as soon as was humanly possible.

Naked, she walked towards the bathing room. When she entered, they raised their eyes to her, and she could swear she heard some stifled groans. She just knew this was going to be very fulfilling . . . Very, very fulfilling.

The water was still running into the tub when she stepped into the shallow depression in the adjacent floor. She pulled the lever, and water cascaded over her, rinsing away the dirt and grime from the day. The water was cold, and her nipples hardened. Glancing up, she was pleased to see the reaction of her slaves to this involuntary response. They were still wearing their loincloths, but she could see each man was in a state of arousal. Their desire was plain on their faces, and she reveled in her power over them.

Cassie stepped out of the makeshift shower and into the hot water of the tub, and she groaned . . . It felt
so
good. Her men quickly joined her, and while she stood, they washed her thoroughly. Each swipe of the cloth against her flesh heightened her desire and anticipation of the pleasure to come.

Once again, Aidan washed her hair, but this time, it aroused rather than relaxed her. She sat and watched them wash themselves and each other. Never in the history of time had there ever been a more arousing sight than the one they presented.

“Aidan, come to me.” Aidan’s eyes flew to her face, and he was stunned to be the first one chosen, but he hurriedly obeyed nevertheless. She sat him down on the marble seat in the tub and straddled him as she leaned down to kiss him. Her lips played over his face while her hands slid down his chest. Cassie was reveling in the golden flesh which was so responsive to her touch. Muscles rippled beneath her palms, and she drank in the beauty of his physique. His manhood was long and hard, and she ran her thumb over the tip, playing with his opening as Aidan moaned and raised his hips. He was so sexy with his thick russet hair hanging wetly past his shoulders and his emerald-green eyes heavily lidded and dark with wanting.

Slowly, she slid him into her, sliding down to fully impale herself upon him, and they both moaned. Cassie turned and caught the eyes of the others. She beckoned them, and they moved through the water towards her. She swept her hair over one shoulder, baring her neck. Kai moved up and began kissing her where her neck and shoulder met, and she reached back and ran one hand down his muscular thigh. Aidan’s mouth captured her nipple and drew deeply as Cassie rose up and down on his hardness. Cassie was moaning, and her breathing quickened as she rode him faster, loving the full feeling of having him buried so deeply inside of her. Her hands reached out and caressed Arn and Mika, and they moved in to kiss and caress her. Aidan began shaking and panting. He was nearing his climax, so Cassie picked up her pace, and within moments, he cried out in ecstasy.
 

After another moment, she rose and turned, laying back against Aidan, wrapping her long legs around Kai and drawing him into her, and he began moving.
 
His chocolate eyes were molten with lust, and Aidan’s hands came around and caressed her breasts, presenting them to the other two men to suckle and nip gently.

Kai, at her urging, thrust deeply, splashing water across the room as she grabbed his buttocks in her hands, her teeth sinking into his flesh, knowing she was going to come soon. Mika slipped his hand down to her clit and rubbed circles around it quickly, and the heat in her belly promptly spiraled out of control. The pressure of Mika’s fingers and the depth and force of Kai’s thrusts were taking her towards an amazing orgasm. Cassie gave a strangled scream as she came while looking into those hypnotic golden eyes. She felt Kai come shortly thereafter, but Mika kept up his ministrations until she climaxed again. Her hand reached down and gripped Mika’s, stopping his movements as she became almost painfully sensitive. She lifted his hand to her mouth and kissed his palm.

Cassie now had a problem. There had been four aroused men, and only two had received relief. She had the idea they did not expect completion as long as she was pleased, but even if that was the way of things here, she would not—could not—use them in such a way. She kissed Mika and then Arn, pulling Mika from the tub. Kai and Aidan lay in the tub, replete and watchful.

Cassie lay Mika down and got on top of him. She was so well-satisfied that she was not seeking her pleasure, but his alone. Mika looked up at her with love in his eyes as she began kissing him. He had not thought she would take him tonight after her pleasure was reached, but he was thrilled she wanted him after all. It never crossed his mind she was doing this for him. All he knew was that his beloved Mistress wanted him still even after having had the others.

As Cassie mounted and rode him slowly to his peak, she found herself enjoying the feel of him and the look on his face as she pleasured him. When he came, she leaned down and kissed him. Then, she rose and stepped back into the bath to rinse off as Mika lay breathless, sated, and all the more in love with his Mistress.

Cassie sat Arn on the edge of the tub, and kneeled in the water in front of him. She brought his impressive manhood to her mouth, causing his whole body to jump in shock. The others looked on in astonishment and envy as she pleasured him with her mouth. Arn’s body was rigid, but, as she continued, he relaxed and lost himself in the pleasure. Before long, he reached his peak as well.
 

She then rose from the tub, a goddess in their eyes, and allowed them to dry her. Cassie’s mind whirled as she was being dressed. She had just had sex with four men, and she felt nothing akin to shame. In fact, she felt incredible, powerful, and sexy.

As she left the bathing room, she moved across the main room to the spacious balcony and sat on a cushioned chair which looked out over the city. She was relaxed and happy, gloriously fulfilled in a manner she had never known before this night.

The men brought out a table and set it near her chair. They then proceeded to load it with food and drink.

“Come, all of you. Sit and eat with me,” Cassie invited. They joined her, gracefully reclining on the cushions which were scattered about. The men ate and enjoyed the night air as their Lady shared with them her experiences on the training field. They made little fussing noises about her safety, and she reassured them indulgently.

A knock sounded at the door, and Arn rose to answer it. He opened the door to Kara and bowed low.

“I have come to speak with your Mistress,” she said as her eyes swept over his body appreciatively.

“Please enter, Lady Kara,” Arn said as he motioned towards the balcony.

“Kara! What a pleasant surprise!” Cassie exclaimed as she rose to greet her Second.

The rest of her slaves rose and bowed to her respectfully. Mika indicated a cushioned chair next to Cassie, and Kara smiled at him as she sunk into the plush softness while they filled a goblet of fruity wine for her.

“Your slaves are pleasing to the eye. Are they as pleasing in your bed?” she asked mischievously.

“Indeed, I have no complaints,” Cassie answered with a satisfied grin.

Kara took in her relaxed glow and chuckled. “I am sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to go over the training schedule a bit, and I wanted to let you know the women under your command have expressed a desire to purchase you a gift,” Kara said with a smile.

“It’s no bother, and it’s not necessary for them to give me anything other than their loyalty,” Cassie replied.

“It is tradition that the troops give a gift to a new leader when she takes command.”
 

“Oh . . . Well then, I shall be honored by their gift.”
 

Though Cassie strove to hide her feelings from Kara, she was actually a little uncomfortable because she felt she had not yet proven herself to them. Pushing the feeling aside, she returned her attention to Kara.