An Offering for the Champion Ch. 03

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A big thanks to Cassie69a and Happyyy_ for their huge help in editing!

If you're joining this story now, I highly recommend reaching chapters 1 and 2. Otherwise things won't make much sense.

TW: Reference to Sexual Assault

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 3: Revelations

I gripped the hilt of Raanrealt tightly, warding off every ounce of his charm. The tear that had threatened fell from the corner of my eye. "And you didn't think to tell me you were married?"

My voice oozed pain and anger, but his countenance betrayed no sign of fear at me holding the dagger. "If that's a problem for you, you may rest assured that we're no longer together in any practical sense. We've hated each other for a long time."

"What's wrong? She didn't like your habit of extorting a village for young women?" My tone was venomous, and my knuckles were white on the hilt of my dagger.

From Queran's expression I knew I'd gone too far. He didn't look angry; his expression just went blank. Studiously blank. His face was a bronze mask that hid all emotions. He spoke with no inflection, but there was clearly pain behind the words. "Is that how our agreement is remembered among your people?"

For an instant I wanted to recant what I'd said. He was hurt, and deep down I didn't want to hurt him. I also didn't know how he would react. I recalled once again the bandit's head rolling to the ground and shivered. But he had it right. That is how we- how I- felt. A few nice dresses and orgasms didn't make up for that. I steeled myself and tilted my head in mock curiosity. "Is that not the way of things? You deal with our problem and take a captive in exchange."

It was unnerving how little emotion reflected in his face. Just studious blankness. He stood up suddenly and threw on a light coat with a fur lining. "I'm leaving for a few hours. I need to do some thinking."

He left the house without another word. After a moment, I could hear Nelly huff uncomfortably, clearly distressed. Then silence.

I flung myself into the mattress and yelled into the pillow in frustration and fear. What a mess I'd made of things. Thoughts raced through my head unbidden. Had I jeopardized the whole deal? If the village was threatened again, would he answer? What if when he was done thinking he concluded that he didn't want me here after all?

I tried to push those thoughts out of my head. If he was so angry about calling this extortion, maybe he should take a look at his own behavior.

I swore under my breath. The audacity! He turned my life upside down and then got offended when I called him out on it. And on top of it all, he just up and left! I swore again. I had ignored every warning sign. Everything I knew about Queran told me he was dangerous, yet ten minutes after he came home, I had practically thrown myself at him. I grappled with the feelings of guilt and shame and cringed. I'd been away from my village for a week and was already throwing myself at the first man I saw; a married man at that. I felt sick remembering how I had traded the last gift he owed me to be eaten out of all things. What had I been thinking?

I grunted indignantly and stood up again. I briefly considered putting on one of the dresses. They were nice, but I wasn't particularly in the mood for his gifts. A bath would have been nice after last night's activities, but leaving the house wasn't exactly appealing. After all there was the small issue that the woman who tried to have me murdered had only recently left. I looked through the pile of dresses and came to my book at the bottom. I belatedly realized how high the sun had already gotten in the sky. I swallowed one of the tiny round leaves that would supposedly keep me from getting pregnant no matter what Queran decided to do with me. Maidensfriend, they were called. It seemed an ironic name, given their purpose.

Several hours came and went. It was quiet and might have been pleasant except for the weight of my host's rumination. As it was, it felt claustrophobic in the cabin. I was stuck here, unable leave for fear of a vengeful mistress.

As another hour passed, I started to feel uneasy. It began subtly, just a slight feeling of discomfort. But every moment it seemed to worsen; the walls seemed to close in on me even though I could see them standing still as stone. It didn't feel like a normal fear. This fear was a tangible thing, like I could reach my hand out and grasp it, but I even feared to touch it. I could hardly breathe. Everything felt so cramped. My vision swayed. My heart raced. Images flashed in front of my face. I lost my balance and collapsed from the sudden vertigo, my arms grasping weakly for anything to help myself back up. In a panicked blur I wondered if I was dying. I dragged my body to the door of the cabin. I needed fresh air. I pushed the sturdy door open and gasped at the crisp noontime day, ignoring my lack of clothing.

The source of my fear came into sharp focus as soon as I crossed the precipice. Standing in front of me was the towering form of a woman, skin pale and fair, raven dark hair that cascaded to her back in subtle waves, and full red lips. The color of her lips reminded me of some of the less reputable women of the village. She gave me an appraising look as terror continued to grip my heart.

"So this is my dear husband's latest slut? I suppose I can appreciate his tastes. Redheads are always a delight."

Her words reached me only faintly as the world seemed to spin and reality mixed with horrifying fantasy. I couldn't even open my mouth to respond to her mockery. I was back in the river with the bandits attacking me, but now Queran simply stared at the scene uncaring. I begged him to help, but his face was impassive.

Her voice came to me through the illusion, "He will abandon you, little whore. Just like he abandoned me, and like he abandoned every other girl who came here once he grew bored of them."

The vision faded again, leaving me curled in a naked ball on the doorstep of the cabin. I cried aloud as fear and guilt wracked my body. I opened my eyes hesitantly, scared to be assaulted by more visions. Huge birds gathered all around me, perched on the eves of the house. They were same ones I had seen in wandering around the Godswood for days on end, every hue of the rainbow, ranging from the size of eagles to the size of men. The tall woman stood amongst them; her mouth curved in a wicked smile. I tried to move my legs and found I had regained a semblance of control over my limbs. I bolted as fast as I could, making for the river. There was a cacophony of motion as hundreds of giant birds took to the skies in pursuit, clawing and biting as I ran. I came to my desperate hope- a sheer cliff which dropped into a deeper section of river. I swore I caught a flash of bronze from the corner of my eye as I jumped, plummeting into the frigid current.

Except I never seemed to hit the water. My head spun as I tried to make sense of the sensations, but instead of a hard splash into freezing waters, I was enveloped in a soft, warm embrace. The birds, too, were gone, I realized. I tried to look around wildly, but Queran- for it had to be Queran- held me firm.

"Don't worry. You are safe. It will pass."

I tried to relax, but my nerves burned to escape the danger that had seemed so real just a moment ago. The moment passed and my breathing steadied. Looking around, there were no birds harassing us. I was covered in scratches, but they were from the patch of brambles I had run through in my mad dash.

Queran still held me tenderly, "You're safe. I know what it's like. You're going to be alright."

My heart began to lessen its pace. Fear gave way to exhaustion, and I pulled him closer around me like a calming mantle. Words practically spilled out from him compared to his normally reserved demeanor and I realized he was crying. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have left you there. And I should have been honest from the beginning. I should have known she would try to hurt you again."

I breathed into his muscled chest. I took in the smell of spice that he always had and let it wash over me. Even with all that, I needed to set my mind at ease. "Why is she doing this?"

"Because she hates me and wants to hurt me through you. Because you're a threat to her. Because she's afraid of what you might do." I was taken aback, both at the answer and how quickly it had come from him. There was no trace of the reticence he displayed this morning.

The first answer made sense, but what could I do that would make her so afraid? I was about to ask, but before I could, he continued, "Are you well enough to walk, or would you like me to carry you?"

I took a tentative step, but my legs wobbled unsteadily. I flashed Queran an apologetic look, but he brushed it aside and lifted me effortlessly, one arm beneath my back, the other supporting me beneath my knees. Now my heart started to race for a different reason altogether. He bounded confidently back along a narrow path, his unshod feet silent on the forest floor.

The cabin came back into view in the distance along with his wife who still stood menacingly, but Queran's closeness warded off the renewed onslaught of power from his wife. I shut my eyes and let my consciousness melt into him to the exclusion of all else. Even her venomous tongue sounded like distant whispers. After a bout of muted barbs traded between the two of them, Queran carried me inside the cabin and set me back down.

"Because she is my wife, I don't have any power to expel her from my lands, else I would have done so long ago. That means it's no longer safe here for you. Gather what you need from here and we'll leave tonight. We'll go to Acera's home until something can be done."

My tension eased at the mention of Acera. She had been so kind and comforting when she visited. I threw on my travelling clothes, the first thing I'd worn all day despite the fact that the sun was beginning to set. Next were my things. I reached for food, but Queran cut me off.

"I'll take care of keeping us warm and fed. Bring the things that matter to you."

I gave a silent breath of thanks and grabbed my book and dresses and stuffed them into a bag. Then grabbed Raanrealt and stuck the sheath into the belt of my travel clothes. Queran grabbed his strange bronze leaf-bladed staff and a change of clothes for himself.

As we left the cabin, I looked nervously at Queran's wife, but with my dagger I felt insulated from her power. There were no illusions, no crippling terror, just a bitter woman impotently spitting insults. It seemed quite childish now; I wondered if she'd always behaved like a spoiled princess or if her demeanor was solely from her apparent bad breakup with Queran.

We walked only a short distance to a bank of the river I hadn't seen before. A few wooden boats sat on the beach, proudly jutting towards the water. I had assumed we would walk. I'd never travelled by boat before.

'You get in first, I'll cast us off." He saw my hesitation, "It's the fastest way to Acera's home, we just need to float downstream. Don't worry, I won't let us tip over."

"What if there are bandits on the banks? We can't run if we're in the water."

"The walls are tall enough to duck down and thick enough to stop arrows. And even then, you're forgetting I can fly."

I still wasn't thrilled, but I relented and took a seat on one of the spots inside the huge canoe. It was more stable than I thought. People back home talked about boats like they needed some special athletic ability to use, but we just seemed to float and let the river carry us. Occasionally Queran hoisted the paddle just to guide us and keep us from drifting to shore prematurely, but otherwise we just drifted.

His voice came again from behind me, it sounded almost wistful. "We'll arrive at the border of Acera's lands tomorrow in the late morning."

Curiosity struck me. "How do you two know each other?"

"Most of our kind are familiar with each other. There are few enough of us left. That said, Acera is a good friend who has helped me out quite a lot. She's also considered..." He paused, "You might call it royalty. She has a lot of sway among our people."

I thought back to the grandmotherly woman who had stopped by to look after me, bringing me bread and fruits and company. She hardly seemed like royalty, but then again, Queran's wife had seemed terrifying until her power was stripped away. I wondered what Acera would be like while I had my dagger.

Hours passed in contemplative silence. I belatedly realized that I hadn't eaten anything today as the sun passed its zenith and made for the horizon. My stomach twisted and churned, unaccustomed to the hunger after the past week where there always seemed to be plenty of food in the various stockpiles. As if sensing my discomfort, Queran spoke up.

"We'll make camp nearby. If you set up our sleeping space, I can find us something to eat."

He guided the boat skillfully to shore on the west bank of the river, opposite the road. We worked together to pull the canoe out of the river and set it on its side as a windbreak. He set off to find food while I set to making camp. I had unrolled a pair bedrolls and started a small cooking fire by the time Queran returned bearing an assortment of mushrooms. I held out a stick to him and we both stared into the flickering flames as we warmed our fungi.

"You're certain these are safe to eat, right?"

His eyes were a thousand miles away as he nodded and took a bite of his dinner. I stayed quiet; he didn't seem in a talkative mood.

"She forced herself on me."

The statement caught me completely flat footed. "What?"

"This morning you asked what the matter between my wife and me was. She forced herself on me not long after we were married, then blamed me for the whole thing."

I didn't know what I had expected, but it certainly wasn't that. I suddenly remembered the things I'd said this morning, blaming him- at least partially- for how I had been attacked.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. It was a long time ago."

"No, about what I said this morning. You've been unfailingly kind to me, and it was a terrible thing to say."

He sat in silence again. I wanted to comfort him, to tell him that I didn't regret coming if it meant everyone was safe, that I was glad I'd met him. But words failed me, and I sat silent. I didn't know how to respond to a memory that was clearly so painful that he'd spent all day working up the courage to share. Night crept up and so much remained unsaid as we sank into fitful sleep.

'Slut!'

I'm standing in town square again, surrounded by all the villagers. Calliope! I've been chosen to be our town's tribute. I want to throw up. I want to pound my hands at the unfairness of it. Instead I just stand in shocked silence.

'Slut!'

I see a woman with raven hair and red lips jeering at me. Bad enough I'm being sent away. I don't recognize her, but I instantly hate her. Why do people have to mock the damned?

'Whore!'

Am I a whore? Is there a difference in trading sex for money or sex for protection? I feel sick to my stomach.

'Whore!'

Why isn't anyone saying anything? I haven't done anything!

'Harlot!'

Stop! Please!

Something yanks at my shoulder and the world fades.

I was shaken from my nightmare by Queran. The dream receded and I did my best to shrug it off.

I'm not any of those things she called me, I thought, but the voice in the back of my head won't let me forget that out of anything in the world, I asked an ancient fey to eat me out as my third gift.

"The sun's not far off. We should set out again."

I rolled over, annoyed that I was being woken before the sun again. "You and Nelly both, I swear."

"Come on. I want to get there as soon as possible."

There was something in his voice that convinced me. He was nervous about something. We heaved the boat back into the river, gathered all our supplies, and set off again. The sun crested over the long distant mountains in the east, bathing us in golden light. It was shaping up to be a warm day.

For all that, Queran seemed twitchy. He darted looks back and forth, checking the banks for any hint of trouble. Twice he told me to duck below the gunwale, only to help me back up a minute later. It only seemed to worsen the closer we got to our destination. Was he worried about being ambushed at the last second like before? Surely not. I had watched him deal with the ambushers like they were nothing.

"Are you certain Acera will allow us sanctuary?"

He regarded me curiously, "Not entirely. We've known each other a long time, and we are fond of one another, but in her position, she still has to maintain a level of decorum."

I winced at the reminder of what my role here was. His wife's words in my dream came back to me. Slut. Whore. Harlot. That was my position here, an undignified tagalong.

When I judged the time to be about right, I opened my book and popped off another small circular leaf of Maidensfriend and swallowed it whole. There was another curious glance from Queran. "I'm not familiar with that plant. Are you unwell?"

I snorted. "Not unwell, just a woman."

"The women of your village must consume plant leaves?" His voice turned upwards at the end, making it a question, "Is that a recent tradition? None of the other girls did to my knowledge."

"It stops me from bleeding every month, and it keeps me from having babies."

He nodded, satisfied. "I've learned before about your monthly bleeding. The other guests have made something of a big deal about how dumb I was not for knowing about it."

I was suddenly supremely jealous, thinking of the horrible cramps that had assaulted me for the past ten years. "The fey don't bleed every month?"

He shook his head. "Have you always taken them to ease your bleeding?"

"Only since coming here." My voice softened, recalling Mary "They were a gift from a friend who was worried for me. She didn't know exactly what you intended to do with me, but people generally assume something involving sex."

"So she gave you something so you wouldn't fall pregnant unless you wanted to." He nodded approvingly. "Is it something you've ever thought about?"

"Having children?" He nodded and I hesitated. "I always assumed I would have them eventually."

He looked over my shoulder and pointed. "Those docks there. That's where we'll go on foot. It's not much further."

He steered us confidently towards the western shore and tied the ship to the docks with practiced movements. The packs were unloaded with care, and we began walking on a cobblestone path lined with flowers. The trees on either side of the path got bigger and bigger as we continued, until eventually their leaves made a fine net that blocked out the sun except for ever moving dots of light, like a sea of shifting stars.

Nearly 5 miles we walked until we came to a tall white wall that seemed to shimmer in the dim light beneath the forest canopy. An arch similar to the one at the Godswood marked the entrance and inside stood Acera who again reminded me of Mary. She was attended by several slender figures who appeared to be attendants.

She called to me with a soft smile, "I hadn't thought to see you again so soon."

I smiled without meaning to. She seemed to radiate comfort. Just arriving here soothed all my discomforts. Queran, by contrast, looked stiff, almost rigid. "I must beg your hospitality for me and my friend."

The last word was almost choked out, and Acera raised an eyebrow. Queran flinched at her silent challenge, but did not speak.

Acera considered the request, then sighed. "You may stay for a time, Queran. You understand the position this puts me in, I trust."

He nodded, the tension bleeding out of him. "I do. And I shall not forget this kindness."

Acera gestured to her attendants. "Show our guests to their quarters."

The attendants led Queran and me up a winding staircase that circled around an enormous tree trunk. The stairs were carved in elegant patterns from wood that seemed to glow with its own luminescence. We walked on paths worked into the branches wide enough for wagons to pass each other before we came to the rooms people here lived in. The floors were fashioned in a spiderweb pattern of supporting branches radiating out from a central point, with sturdy and carefully joined planks filling in the space between them.

Queran and I were shown into neighboring rooms, joined by an ornately carved door. I marveled at the beauty of the entire little kingdom. I could understand why Queran had called Acera royalty if this was where she lived. My room was furnished with a soft mattress, an elegant table, and even a whole wardrobe of clothes had been provided for me. They were all of some delicate material I hadn't seen before, halfway between silk and spider threads.

Queran didn't remain in his room long, and I ached to follow him, to explain what I couldn't last night.

I stripped out of my road clothes and into the silk night clothes Acera provided. The fabric flowed freely over my skin, gossamer thin. It didn't conceal much, but I found that strangely I didn't mind. I belted Raanrealt, knowing I would want my touchstone.

As I left my room and moved through the bridges between the trees, I imagined myself as a fairy princess, flitting gently on the breeze as I moved. I walked down the spiraling stairs to where Queran stood leaning against a railing, looking pensively out at the unfamiliar forest, glittering with light.

"I never thanked you for before. You saved my life twice now."

He turned towards me, taking in my new look. "You look stunning tonight. This place suites you."

He held up one of the fallen maple leaves, bright orange like flame. He tucked it in my red hair and smiled. "It matches your fire."

I flushed at that. "I don't feel like I have fire in me. I feel like I haven't done anything but run away."

He put a huge hand to my chin and brushed my cheek with his thumb. His mouth split in a small grin, "I saw your fire first hand yesterday morning."

My flush deepened as I recalled my angry words after learning about his wife. How things had changed in one day. "I'm sorry for what I said. I don't think that of you. I was angry that you didn't tell me about your wife, but I understand why now."

I breathed out shakily and admitted, "I was scared after you left. I thought that you might just end the deal and let the village be destroyed."

"I was angry, but not because your words hurt me. I was angry because you were forced to come here. The girls were always volunteers before."

I leaned into his warm body, filling myself with his cinnamon scent. He lifted my chin with one finger to look me in my eyes. His eyes were green deeper than the needles of the pine trees back home, nearly black. "I thought a long time yesterday and today about how you were forced into my company. On account of how you were sent here, I offer you this. You may return home if you wish or depart my company and go whither you want. I will fulfill my promise and protect your people regardless."

I was too stunned to speak. Guilt dueled with itself in my head. The guilt I felt for leaving my family had been kept down by the knowledge that I didn't leave them by choice. But now it contended with the inevitable guilt that would arise if I abandoned Queran.

My own feelings felt strange to me. I'd spent the last week considering how I ought to feel. I'd wondered how I should feel about giving up my old life, how I should feel about enjoying Queran's company, how I should feel about the revelations about his marriage. But when I considered how I actually felt, the weight of those expectations sloughed off my shoulders.

Would I ever be satisfied going back to being an apothecary's apprentice? Could I ever be happy going back home to another night of mom and dad shouting at each other? Queran offered me freedom, but here with him I was already free. I gripped the hilt of my dagger, but with or without it I knew in my heart this was my choice. I looked back into his swirling green eyes and stood on my toes to reach his lips in a kiss. He kissed back with an intensity that left me breathless, our tongues dancing back and forth.

"I will stay by you, Queran."

I backed up against the trunk of the enormous tree, my mouth locking again with his. I took hold of one hand and guided it into my top to my breast. I moaned into his mouth at the sensation of his hand against the small bumps of sensitive flesh. I loosened the bottoms before I soaked them through, letting them fall to the floor below.

"I need you." My voice was a whisper, but it carried the weight of command.

Queran didn't need to be told twice. Almost before the words left my lips he was stripping out of his own tunic and trousers. I reached down and felt his cock for the first time. It gently pulsed at my touch. I marveled that such a thing would fit inside me. Taking the lead, I began to stroke up and down his enormity, building a gentle rhythm punctuated by my lover's staccato gasps of euphoria. Even as I stroked him, his free hand wandered down to my sex, rubbing in time with my hand on his cock.

"Fuckk" I moaned into his chest at the sharp sensation of his hand on my delicate slit.

His cock was nearly level with my navel, and I wondered amidst the haze of lust how we would go about our activities. Thankfully Queran seemed to have a plan.

"Tell me if you want me to set you down." Came his voice as his huge hands lifted me by my ass against the tree trunk. I threw my arms around his shoulders for support and moaned my affirmation into his ear. He lined his cock up with my virgin pussy. With agonizing slowness he pushed forward into me, filling me to the hilt. Despite his impressive size there was none of the pain that friends had warned me about. I moaned loudly; I had never felt so full in my life. Then slowly he began to withdraw, the moving pressure hitting all the right spots inside me.

I jumped slightly at a prickling sensation on my back and realized that moss covered branches had begun to grow beneath me, forming a surface I could lay back on. I let my arms fall back above my head, soon there were creeping vines that wound tentatively around my wrists, holding them in place. I gave a show of struggling against them but allowed them to hold my arms. The sensation of being bound in place only enhanced the main attraction. Queran's hands roamed all over my defenseless body as he continued his languid pace inside me. One began to tease my clit while the other played with the sensitive nub of one breast. The thousand sensations were too much for my body and my climax came suddenly, leaving me gasping for air.

Queran kept the same slow, perfect pace all through my orgasm, but I could tell now that he was fighting to control himself.

"Queran." I looked him dead in the eyes, my voice burning with desire. "Fuck me."

His eyes went beautifully, terrifyingly dark. His hands left their positions at my breast and clit and grasped me firmly by the waist, giving him the leverage he needed to thrust punishingly into my tight snatch. And I loved every second of it. Not just the staccato thrusts of his huge dick, not just the deliciousness of struggling against my restraints. I loved that I had brought this animal feeling over him. Even as I was bound helplessly, I was the one who set the terms. He could rut into me as if I was a bitch in heat, but only at my call.

I wanted more.

"Faster! Please!" I whined to him.

His pace redoubled, the perfect thrusts dissolving into animalistic bursts of pleasure. He moaned openly. Sweat dripped from his brow onto my taught body. His hands gripped deeper into the soft flesh of my ass.

"I'm close, my sweet." He practically growled the words.

I could feel another climax building. I bent my bowing legs around my lover's waist, drawing his passion into me. He panted from the exertion. His face flushed. My back arched. And our passion hit its height simultaneously. My legs clamped around him, keeping him snug inside me as I felt the warm wetness of his climax mix deliciously with the throbbing pleasure of my own. I laid my head back, blissfully content. My eyes felt heavy after the exertion.

We stayed there for what felt like hours. His ragged breaths slowly returned to normal, and the heat of our passion faded to a pleasant cool. The vines retreated from my wrists, and his slackening cock retreated from my tender hole. I held my hands up to my lover's cheeks, drawing his head in closer to me.

"I will stay by you." I punctuated the statement with another kiss, not deep like before, but no less passionate.

I don't remember being carried to bed, only that I found myself there on my side, with my head against his upright chest.