Back in Itán Saoirse had me leave the doe with her at the range.

  “You did well today,” she said.

  I shrugged. “I didn’t really do anything.”

  “An important aspect of being quiet. Take some rest, we meet at dawn.”

  “Dawn?”

  Her eyes widened ever so slightly and she bowed. “At your command, Master. It will expedite your training to get an early start.”

  “Very well,” I grumbled.

  I returned to The Silver Stallion, wolfed down a pizza, and colpsed on my bed. The st thing I felt were the warm, glowing bodies of Lavendu and Vio at either side.

  Well rested and satisfied, I woke up to warm sunlight shining through the window. I sighed and squeezed my fairies close. My body felt wonderful. Maybe it was the food, the air, or all the sex, but I already felt stronger.

  I lurched upright—I’d overslept. I scrambled out of bed, grabbing my gear while Lavendu and Vio mumbled sleepy compints.

  Would Saoirse be upset? She’s already put up with so much. Should I even be thinking like this? Aren’t I supposed to be the master?

  I found her at the range buffing some leather.

  “Saoirse, I’m sorry,” I said, breathless from running.

  “You do not need to apologize,” she said, handing me a pair of polished leather boots. Intricate symbols matching my arm brace glistened in the sunlight.

  “Did you make these?” I asked, amazed. “Just this morning?”

  “I noticed your boots were worn and full of holes,” she expined.

  “You’re rewarding me for oversleeping?” I teased.

  “It is not my pce to reward or punish,” she said with a bow. “You commanded me to teach you the ways of the hunt. These boots will aid your movement, helping you focus better during our training.”

  “I see. So really I should find a way to reward you for your diligence?”

  “If you see it fit to do so.”

  “Oh I most certainly do, but we’ll get to that ter. We’ve fallen behind due to my negligence. Let’s get back to the training.”

  “Perhaps I should give you a wake up call going forward.”

  “Yes, that would be very helpful,” I said, looking at the range. “What will we start with today? A little target practice?”

  “Since our goal is to save the animals from the shroud rather than simply killing them, it would not help to train you in archery. May I examine one of your javelins?”

  I set the boots down and held out my hands. It took longer to manifest this time, and it didn’t glow as bright. Was it because I didn’t get it on yesterday?

  I handed the spear over once it appeared.

  “It’s truly solid,” Saoirse said as she slid her fingers over the shaft. She pricked her finger with the tip, a deep green bead of blood appeared. “I’m afraid this will also be fatal. How were you able to remove the shroud from Meliss??”

  “I just id my hands on her.”

  “It will be difficult and dangerous to get so close to enshrouded beasts. Can you learn to cast your glow at a distance?”

  “I’ve never tried.” I held out my hands and the glow came a little faster, but still weaker and more strained. I took Saoirse’s hands and she opened her mouth, with a quiet gasp. She closed her eyes and smiled. I let go and stepped away, focusing on projecting the warmth toward her.

  “I can still feel it, but it is greatly diminished as you step away. Perhaps with practice you can strengthen your range.”

  That day we walked to the Lonrach, the creek marking the border between realms. We didn't cross, but soon spotted a fox tangled in wisps of shroud, thrashing frantically as though desperate to escape.

  “It’s newly enshrouded,” Saoirse whispered. “Quickly now, Master.”

  Determined, I extended my hands, urging the glow forward. It fred at my fingertips—but no further. The fox thrashed on, untouched by my effort.

  Saoirse looped a rope around its neck and yanked it toward us. It snarled, cws fshing dangerously close as I leaned in.

  “Wait!” Saoirse snapped, driving precise fingers into the fox’s neck. The fox went limp, now fully engulfed by the shroud. “Now!”

  I id my hands on its fur—and the shroud peeled away, dissolving into the soil. Saoirse scooped the limp fox into her arms with surprising gentleness.

  “Are you hurt?” Her eyes narrowed—was that concern behind her usual calm?

  “No,” I muttered, frustration burning in my chest. “You’re right—we’ve got to fix my range. Fast.”

  We returned to the vilge and practiced all afternoon. I cast my glow on Saoirse and stepped back again and again, trying to push it farther.

  “I have observed no improvement,” she said at st.

  I sighed. “I guess this isn’t working.” A strange fatigue crept in—my body felt fine, but my mind was thick and cloudy, like I’d been trying to read in a foreign nguage. “I don’t feel so great,” I muttered, stumbling a little.

  “Excessive magic use can deplete you,” Saoirse said, taking my hand. “Especially when you’re new—or casting strong spells. It’s impressive you sted this long.”

  “I think I need to sit down,” I said, sinking to the bench.

  “Take some rest.”

  That night I went straight to bed. My body ached and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

  I felt good, a little sore, but something really good was happening. Consciousness returned to my cock first as a warm mouth slid over it, tongue swirling all around. I opened my eyes to the dim, blue morning. Lavendu and Vio snuggled up to me, still half asleep.

  Saoirse’s short dark hair bobbed up and down as she worked me with her mouth.

  I took a deep breath and squeezed the fairies close. Saoirse’s mouth was exquisite and my cock was extra hard after two days without any action. My orgasm came quickly. Considering we had work to do today, I didn’t hold back. Saoirse moaned quietly as I pumped her mouth full of cum. She held on tight, sucking until every st drop was swallowed.

  “Are you ready to get started, Master?” she asked as though this was nothing more than standard routine.

  “Absolutely,” I said. “That was an excellent wake up call. Good work.”

  I could tell Saoirse was pleased despite her impassive expression.

  Since we had a long trek pnned for the day, I tried on my new boots. The inside was lined with fur, soft and snug against my feet. They were flexible and strong. Their grip was incredible and I felt like I had a much better sense of what I was standing on than with my st pair. I even felt more energized; perhaps Saoirse had enchanted them. At the very least they were connected to my arm brace as it pulsed around my forearm when I put them on.

  This time Saoirse showed me the signs to look for when tracking: footprints, broken branches, fur and feathers.

  The next few days followed a rhythm of magic practice one day and long excursions into the wilderness the next. àlfhild and her boys joined us occasionally, adding help and advice of their own.

  As we continued I became more comfortable with Saoirse’s role as my teacher. Seeing her in her element only enhanced her beauty. The way she held her bow, caressed the bark of the trees, and the way her eyes lit up whenever she saw a rabbit or a squirrel, I couldn't get enough of it.

  I found myself drawn to Saoirse differently than the others. She was my thrall, yes—but also my guide, protector, and equal in ways that both excited and unsettled me. With the rest of the harem, the lines were clear, their submission absolute. But Saoirse blurred those lines. She wasn't just mine; she was somehow with me, beside me. I wondered what that meant for us both.

  ***

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