As I gazed at the five women kneeling before me, white rubbery substances on their faces, mouths, and breasts, I thought, "I'm so damn blessed, aren't I?"
I also gathered a bunch of skills from them too; the system almost making me nuts with the constant, endless notification.
Isn't there an off switch or something? Or maybe a silent button?
Anyway, when it ended, they thanked me with flushed cheeks and soft laughter, helping me dress again. Marina led me out with a knowing smile. "The Queen will be pleased."
…Sigh. I would like it if she opened up to me too.
Not like I want to get under her legs or something. But it'd be too sad if she felt she didn't deserve to be happy too.
Well, I guess I'll just have to wait for her. Don't want to be a burden or nuisance.
She guided me deeper into the royal quarters, to a bright chamber overlooking the canopy. The door was open, and laughter spilled out.
Oh? Those are familiar voices.
Tamar, Heka, Martha, and Lulu—Elara's daughters—were lounging on thick rugs and cushions with Aria, Elowen, and Vesper, Lotus's three daughters who lived close to the palace.
Fruits and wine were scattered between them, with the air relaxed and playful.
What was all the merriment for? Or maybe just girl time?
They all looked up as I entered.
Tamar's silver-gray eyes narrowed in accusation. "Took you long enough, idiot. Or did Marina detain you for…?"
"Nothing of the sort." Marina smiled and waved it off.
Ouch, Marina.
Martha grinned wide, patting the cushion beside her. "come sit with me, Benji. We've been waiting."
I paused mid-step, startled by the nickname. "Benji?"
She laughed, red curls bouncing. "Yeah. Benjamin's too formal. Benji fits better, don't you think?"
The others chuckled. Even Tamar's lips twitched a bit.
I only shook my head, laughing it off as I settled beside Martha. "Fine. Benji it is."
Heka offered me a cup of wine, her smile warm. Lulu beamed at me shyly.
Vesper leaned forward with mischief in her eyes, while Aria and Elowen watched with calm amusement.
We talked easily at first; things like folklore rumors, training stories, and even favorite foods. Then Martha's eyes lit up all of a sudden.
"Hey, Benji, you're from another world, right? Teach us a pastime from there. Something fun."
I thought for a moment and grinned when the mischievous idea popped up. "Truth or Dare. You pick truth where you have to answer a question honestly. Or you pick a dare and do something one of the group chooses."
Tamar crossed her arms. "Hmph. Sounds like trouble."
Lulu clapped excitedly. "I want to play! I want to play!"
What a precious kid… she used to be more silent though.
We started lightly: Truths about embarrassing falls during training, favorite weapons. And dares to mimic bird calls or balance fruit on noses. Funny and amusing.
But soon, the tone shifted when Lulu asked me—after I picked truth—her voice smooth and curious, "What m… makes a kiss the best?"
The room quieted down. A bit awkward.
Though I considered it carefully and said, "When it feels real, I guess. Like both people mean it, and want to show that they love each other. I think."
The girls looked at me, blushing with awe, as if I were the wise Socrates, muttering "love" beneath their breaths.
Martha dared Tamar next. "Kiss Benji! A 'proper' one."
Tamar rolled her eyes, cheeks coloring. "How ridiculous."
But she leaned in swiftly anyway, lips brushing mine timidly at first, her dishonesty clear. But then pressing it deeper when I responded gently.
Her hand went to rest on my shoulder, and for a few heartbeats the pretense melted away, her tongue searching for mine erotically.
She pulled back quickly, looking elsewhere. "A-Acceptable, I suppose.
Ah, I got a boner.
Heka looked at Tamar as she licked her lips. Then she said quietly: "I've wondered what it's like to kiss another woman before."
Vesper's eyes sparkled from the muse.
"Dare time!" She crawled across the cushions and kissed Heka softly and experimental, her tongue licking Heka's lips and nibbling it sensually.
Haha, not exactly how "dare" works, but okay—it's hot, so...
But fuck, I'm so hard. I shouldn't be here right now!
Heka's eyes widened for a moment, then closed as she returned the kiss with tender curiosity. The other women nearly drooling from the scenario unfolding before us.
The game evolved into chaos from then on. Kisses became the theme—playful kisses, innocent kisses, full-of-laughter-and-discovery kisses.
Martha dared Lulu, with a burning and dazed face. And Lulu giggled through a sweet, lingering press of their lips. Martha's hand travelling to cup her petite breast, as Lulu moaned inside her mout—wait, isn't that incest?
Whatever. They're cute, so it doesn't count, I'm sure.
Tamar dared Aria next, who completely accepted with steady grace; their hands ruffling their hairs as they ate each other up.
Elowen canoodled Vesper with sisterly warmth that turned teasing, with Elowen's hand slipping into Vesper's thighs.
Totally not incest. And totally not triggered by my actions, at all.
But of course, I also shared kisses with each of them—deliberate and tender with Heka, enthusiastic and a bit rough with Martha, shy-sweet with Lulu, challenging with Tamar (who was biting me, and it hurt a lot), bold with Vesper, and respectful with Aria and Elowen.
Then the girls kissed each other again, comparing sensations, laughing at their blushes and surprised sighs.
Stretchy saliva everywhere. Lips brushed cheeks, corners of mouths, and necks lightly. Sometimes teasing and going even lower.
It was affectionate chaos, one could say; soft sounds of breath and dazed laughter, hands steadying shoulders with that fissuring echo of lips parting snappishly, the air growing warmer with shared intimacy but staying light and joyful.
Debauchery? No way—Just, you know, warm air with shared intimacy, but totally staying light and joyful…
Okay, yes—absolutely debauched. And also, yes; I'm accidentally corrupting these girls. Wasn't expecting them to kiss each other too.
We were breathless, faces flushed, when the door opened all of a sudden.
Queen Elara stepped in, one hand on her hips, silver-gray eyes taking in the scene with clear amusement. "I leave for one afternoon and my daughters turn the quarters into a kissing circle?"
The group scrambled to sit straighter, and Tamar immediately pointed, "It… it was his game!"
Hey!! That's true, but still. It sure didn't take you much to throw me under the bus!
Martha just grinned unrepentantly.
Elara walked straight to me, pulling me to my feet with effortless strength.
"Let me show you what a real kiss feels like." She then kissed me deeply and commanding, experienced, full of hotness.
And one hand cupped my face while the other slid down to squeeze my ass firmly, pressing me against her.
The kiss left me light-headed, tasting of authority and carnal possibilities. She was making me feel like the girlfriend.
The daughters groaned in exaggerated disgust.
Martha laughed outright. "Mother, so lewd!"
Elara finally released me with a satisfied smile, ignoring the protests.
"Enough play. Benjamin, you're coming with me. The joint-race summit begins at twilight in the Neutral Glade—elves, humans, dwarves, and representatives from other kin."
That summit Marina was talking about? I was part of it? I mean, why I'm I part of it?
I caught my breath. "Uh, why the urgency?"
Her expression turned serious. "The scouts confirmed those tracks once more. The horned ones—the demons are stirring up again. They've surely found something worth attainment at all cost, if they're treading this close to our forests. The other races are at alert too, and we need allies before it's too late."
The playful warmth in the room faded instantly. The daughters exchanged glances, their concern replacing laughter.
Elara took my arm in hers. "Walk with me. There is no much time left."
As we left, the voices behind us rose; planning and questioning. The shift from games to battle readiness tangible in the atmosphere.
The Spire still literally felt like paradise to me, but the shadow on the horizon had grown darker, it seems.
Ugh, can I just enjoy my second life without any of this epic drama stuff?
I guess you can't eat your cake and have it, too… Or was it, "You can't have your cake and eat it, too?"