Blind to Men (4 page)

As the intense kiss
deepened, satisfaction filled her for she knew the woman desired her. With any
luck, her protector might suck the ever so sensitive place between her thighs
again. But Kylor drew back, breathless, and pulled on her buckskins.

"Sorry, Anya, you
caught me off guard. I'm very attracted to you, and I would gladly prove it,
but we should be going."

Swept away by this
newfound passion igniting her whole body, she agreed with reluctance.

"I know. But before
we leave, tell me who this person is. She saved my life, and I'd like to thank
her."

"… is one of my
relatives, and a close friend to your mother. Earlier on … was the person I was
speaking to."

"Someone from your
family?" Is that why you're my guardian?"

"Not entirely. As a
matter of fact, I've heard about you since I was a child. Your story has always
fascinated me."

Kylor stared into her
eyes and took a deep breath, as if suddenly hooked by fond memories.

"When the time came
to break the curse, I offered my services. I wanted to know and protect you, so
I took a solemn oath."

Holding on to the woman's
strong hand as they got to their feet together, she smiled her gratitude
despite her blurred vision.

"Tomorrow's summer
solstice. Will you break the curse then?"

"I will."

"How?"

Looking somewhat
embarrassed at something she couldn't fathom, her guardian got up briskly,
retrieved her cloak, packed their belongings in the saddlebags, and faced her.

"I'll show you
tomorrow. Shall we go?"

"Yes."

What else could she do
but signify her consent? It didn't matter for she had now many things to work
out.

They stayed off the dusty
paths and kept to the forest for most of the day to avoid the royal guard. Her
companion decided to set up camp for the night when the light began to fade.

With trained, precise
gestures, Kylor built a fire. Flames quickly licked the dry branches while she
watched without seeing. Evening turned to night, a cool wind rustling in the tall
trees.

Soon, the fire blazed,
warming her body. They shared dried meat, cheese, bread, and fruit in
comfortable silence. As the flames lazily twisted and coupled before her eyes,
she reflected on everything she’d learned.

She'd see the legendary
city of Palance before long, meet the queen, and possibly her Amazons. The
curse was to be broken. Her life might take a turn she couldn’t imagine, and if
worse came to worst, she would be sacrificed to fulfill a false prophecy.

Perhaps she should flee
in terror, but the whole adventure was much too appealing. She was dying to
discover the mythical city, court, and people she couldn’t yet see nor hear.

Most of all, she really
wanted to stay with Kylor, to learn more about her, to kiss her and stroke her
cock the way she had done the night before. Giving so much pleasure to someone
involved torrid sensations indeed. The memory of this precious moment
triggering warmth deep down her belly, she moved as close to the fire as she
dared.

"Where do you live,
Kylor?"

"I've lived in
Palance my whole life."

"What was your
childhood like?"

Her whole world had been
about planting fields, harvesting, and taking care of the cattle. She had
trouble envisioning a different kind of life, especially regarding the little
girl Kylor must have been.

"Learning and
training. I was taught to read, write, ride a horse, wield a sword, and fight.
In time, I became a good combatant."

"Did you enjoy
it?"

"I did, although my
instructors were very strict and prone to chastisement. Training with them was
both demanding and gratifying."

"What about the scar
on your cheek?"

Her guardian plunged her
gaze into the flames. At this instant, she looked far away from the woods
surrounding them.

"It was my fault. We
were training with blades, and I didn’t pay enough attention. The scar was my
reward."

Observing the thin slash
across her protector's cheek, she winced, imagining the pain.

"Did it hurt?"

"More than I can
say. Fortunately, I knew a good healer."

There were so many things
she wanted to know about Kylor and Palance that she fired away as quickly as
the questions came to mind.

"Have you ever seen
an Amazon?"

"They used to live
at court, but most have gone now."

Kylor grabbed some twigs and
branches she had stashed beside her, and threw them in the fire.

"The Amazons were
the queen’s personal guard. Though in time, some of them have become healers
and advisors."

"Why?"

"Because peace
doesn’t offer much activity to warriors."

Regardless of the
fighters' fate when the Four Kingdoms enjoyed peace, her mind kept coming back to
the hateful woman.

"What about the
witch who cursed me? Where is she?"

"When my relative
stole the baby girl from her, Melisande disappeared. I guess she must have gone
looking for her. Well, for you, Anya. To this day, nobody's seen her
alive."

"Yet she wants me
dead. What have I done to her?"

"You were a special
child, and you've grown into a unique young woman. I think the witch wanted you
as hers."

Given that she'd never
thought of herself as special, that was an unexpected notion.

"What do you
mean?"

As soon as the words rang
between them, she had the certainty Kylor would ignore her question.

"Look, we’d better
rest now. I want to be prepared and fully rested for tomorrow."

Frustrated but unable to
see a flaw in the woman’s reasoning, she nodded. Laying down on the dry, hard
ground, staying close by the fire, she watched Kylor on the other side. She
didn’t feel tired in spite of another long day’s riding. Sleep eluded her, but
deep down, she knew fatigue had nothing to do with her current emotional state.

Her fierce desire to lie
in her protector’s arms prevented her from falling asleep, and that was new to
her. If she chose to, she could tell Kylor about her affliction, but she
perceived the woman favored being apart.

Was it related to their
kissing? In the sky, stars shone brightly, the moon ruling over them. The fire
died down with the passing of time. Embers smoldered, their faint crackling
sounds getting lost in the wilderness.

The frisk air soon made
her shiver. In an attempt to keep warm, she crossed her arms over her breasts.
Kylor must have heard the unusual tossing for she got up and came to her.

"You're cold."

Her guardian settled on
her back beside her and spread the large cloak over them. As soon as the woman’s
body was against hers, she felt warm and safe. She missed being held in the
strong arms but she was content for the time being. She might even have fallen
asleep, had it not been for Kylor’s obvious restiveness and her hard as stone
body.

"Anya."

"Yes?"

Silence followed their
whispers. In the heart of the forest, surrounded by ancient trees, both stayed
motionless. The waiting lasted until Kylor suddenly banged the palm of her hand
on the hard soil, and rolled over.

"The mighty gods
help me."

Then her famished mouth
was on hers, and she separated her expecting lips with her tongue. Desire
whipping her, she clung to her companion’s neck, dragging her down. Kylor moaned
and ran a hand over her body, soon lifting up the hem of her dress.

Aroused by the woman’s
impulsiveness and eager kissing, she spread her legs, inwardly calling for her
guardian's calloused hand to touch her sensitive place. She sighed in relief as
her protector's palm found it while she murmured in her ear before nibbling her
lobe.

"Do you wish me to
please you, my lady?"

"I do. Dear spirits,
I do."

Kylor caressed her
excited flesh with light yet relentless fingers. Closing her eyes, she forgot
everything but the intoxicating touch on her skin and the pleasure rising in
her.

As she had done once
before, she cried out when the gripping feeling took hold of her, more
forcefully than before. She only opened her eyes when the pounding in her heart
lessened. Above her, Kylor smiled.

"I am happy I can
serve you so, my lady."

She raised a hand to her
protector’s scarred cheek and stroked it while she struggled to find her breath
back.

"I am at a loss for
words. I can't express the way you make me feel, but it’s wonderful. I'd like
to . . . ."

"What would you
like, Anya?"

"To please you
too."

Kylor’s eyes shone in the
moonlight, her features taking on an expression of deep longing.

"I'd like that very
much. My lust for you is hurting me, and I crave for your gentle hand around my
dick."

"Lie down."

She crept closer to rest
on one elbow. Stretched on her back, the woman looked at her while she wriggled
her hips to remove the buckskins and disclose her erect member.

A daring thought entering
her mind, she didn’t touch the stiff rod but kneeled right beside Kylor who expelled
a long breath when her lips came in contact with the hard flesh.

Recalling kittens lapping
milk when she used to feed them, she licked the cock in much the same manner,
running her tongue from the base to the top. She soon realized the tip was the
most sensitive part, for the woman's thighs tensed every time she suckled it.
She focused on that spot, darting gentle sweeps all around until her guardian
started moaning.

"Anya, take me in
your mouth."

She hesitated in spite of
Kylor's voice laden with lust and her hand reaching toward her. What would it
feel like to slide the shaft in her mouth? A single glance at her protector's
excited features told her without a doubt that the experience would feel good.

Slowly bending down, she
took the swollen tip between her lips and held it while circling the pink flesh
at the same time. Kylor groaned, her blatant pleasure inspiring her.

 Firm lips around the
rigid member, she took it farther in her mouth. It felt much more than good, it
felt exhilarating. She sucked the cock deep and hard, in complete harmony with
her protector’s moans. Her head rising and falling, she traced fiery lines on
the quivering shaft with her tongue.

She licked and sucked,
oblivious of their surroundings, feeling only the strong body by her side and
the wet cock in her mouth. She could have carried on endlessly, but her
guardian’s body became harder all of sudden. Muscles strained, Kylor grunted as
passion slurred her words.

"I'm coming. Do you
remember what happened yesterday?"

She remembered. She also
knew that she wanted to feel the liquid explode in her mouth and drench her
throat. She needed to feel the creamy substance pour out of the unbending cock.

She tightened her lips to
increase her motion and hungrily gobbled the engorged shaft into her mouth. Her
body shivering under the pressure, Kylor discharged her fluid as her shout of
deliverance rang in her ears.

The member softened in
her mouth but she held it a while longer, listening with happiness to her
guardian's harsh panting. Then she let go of the retracting flesh, feeling the smooth,
creamy liquid in her mouth.

She swallowed,
acknowledging the peculiar taste for the first time, acquainting herself with
the unfamiliar flavor, relishing the fact that it had come from her protector.

Night embraced them. As a
dark veil enshrouded their bodies and with stars watching over them, they fell
asleep in each other’s arms.

Kylor was battling with
thin air.

They had woken up at
dawn, the sun lazily rising from the east, dew moistening the dense underbrush.
As they had been about to depart, the horse had neighed, shaking its mane
nervously.

Pushing her under the
largest tree, Kylor had raised a finger to her lips and looked over the area.
She must have spotted something odd for she'd unsheathed her long sword in a
soundless gesture.

Now her protector fought
for her life, obviously under attack. Yet all she could see was her and the big
sword furiously fending off invisible opponents. Watching her guardian parry
with all her might, hearing the harsh sounds of her blade colliding, she
huddled under the big tree.

The same way the curse
blinded her to women with cocks, she knew they weren't able to see her either.
She wasn’t anxious for herself but for the warrior protecting her. Each time
she heard a clashing of metal or an aggressive utterance, her heart skipped a
beat.

She feared the loss of
the one person who had become dear to her, who had taken possession of her soul
in a subtle but unequivocal way. Kylor couldn’t die. Not here, not now, not
ever.

Limbs trembling from
anxiety and frustration, she crouched and followed the invisible battle. Had
she been able to see the enemy, she might have helped, but at present she had
no idea how.

Although blind and deaf
to them, surely she could touch those people and hurt them. She watched her
companion struggle, sweat coating her fair hair, eyes as unflinching as ice,
body shifting in every direction, arm riposting and attacking from all sides.

There wasn’t an ounce of
fear in Kylor's gaze, only concentration and resolve. The woman had expressed
her willingness to die protecting her and she was being true to her words.

Under the canopy of trees,
surrounded by foe, her warrior didn’t take after a cornered prey but after a
great predator, poised to strike lethal blows. Kylor suddenly grunted,
redoubling her efforts and parrying wildly.

"You'll never find
her, you rascals!"

Glancing around her, she
espied a fallen branch beneath a nearby tree. It looked like a short log, heavy
and dense. She crawled on her knees, her progress impeded by her long dress. Yet
she grabbed the thick deadwood, wondering if its weight would be bearable.

She pulled the log to her
and reasserted her grip, heedless of any noise she might make as only Kylor
could hear her. The branch was definitely heavy, but she would have enough
strength to wield it, even more so because her protector’s life was endangered.

She perceived a change in
the struggle as she raised her head. Kylor had probably killed one or several
of her adversaries because her movements looked more focused, narrowed to a
smaller area in front of her.

On the other hand, her
breathing was louder and her body slower. She must be tiring from the incredible
strain demanded of her, but her resolve wouldn't dwindle. Still she winced
when, out of nowhere, a slash appeared on her shirt and tore the loose fabric.

Her breath stopped. Eyes
riveted to the cut, blood racing in her veins, she had to act before it was too
late. She seized the log, stood up, and advanced slowly toward the fighting
woman. Her sword clashing, lunging and retreating, Kylor nevertheless seemed to
notice her approach and tilted her head to the left.

Left, she went. She gripped
the log so tightly that she thought the bark was embedded in her skin. Careful
as she tried to be, her foot slipped on the humid earth and she stumbled.

Heart lurching, she managed
to regain her balance. Only then did she exhale freely though time didn't play
in her favor. She stepped forward, closing in on her invisible enemies. Considering
her guardian's position, she judged the distance about right and lifted the
dense log over her head.

She was about to strike
when Kylor fell backward, one hand breaking her fall, her blade high and flat
to deflect blows. Although down, the warrior woman maintained a defensive
position and shouted.

"Now!"

She didn’t falter but
brought the log down with all the force she could muster. The impact jolted her
arms, causing her to drop the heavy piece of wood. Inches from her, the grass
seemed to crumple under a dead weight. Kylor jumped to her feet and resumed her
attack.

She dealt out powerful
strikes with a grin stretching her full lips. Even focused on her opponent, she
found the leisure to comment on the most recent and successful development.

"Well done, Anya. This
one never saw you coming."

Her sword slashed
sideways then she stood still, getting her breath back. Turning to her, she
winked.

"It's over, they're
all dead."

Her terror vanishing,
relief washed over her. She'd been so scared of losing Kylor that the joy of
seeing her alive was overwhelming. Fresh tears coursing down her cheeks, breathing
erratic, she rushed to her protector, slumped against her hard chest and cried
helplessly.

"I thought they were
going to kill you. I didn't know what to do and I was so frightened for you."

Her sobs impairing her
speech, she tugged at the collar of Kylor's shirt with frantic pulls, unable to
stop blabbering.

"I saw the cut on
your shirt. You fell down and . . . Dear creators, I don’t want to lose you.
The ethers as my witness, I love you."

Her guardian dropped the
sword to cup her head, fingers dipping into her hair. Their mouths met. They
kissed like ravenous lovers, warding off death, unearthing profound and
unbridled emotions. When Kylor drew back, she panted from the intensity of
their passion.

"I swear by the
spirits that I could take you right here."

Their legs pressed
against each other’s, she felt the now-familiar bulge stretching the buckskins.
Her thighs trembled although she wasn't sure of the woman's meaning. What did
she want to take from her?

"Why don’t
you?"

"The time isn’t yet
right, but it will be soon."

Her gaze holding
promises, desire darkening her blue eyes, Kylor brushed her mouth before picking
up the discarded blade and leading her toward the waiting horse.

"If the mighty gods
are with us, we'll be in Palance tonight."

"Are we safe?"

"For a while, but
they found me so there’s no point in staying in the forest. It would only slow
us down."

Once more, she had to
rely on her protector to obtain facts she should have been able to perceive.

"Who were
they?"

"I'm not sure. They
didn’t belong to the royal guard so I guess the witch is involved."

"How many were
they?"

"Four."

Considering the queen had
summoned her to court, the royal guard attacking them didn’t make sense. On the
other hand, she wasn’t privy to many facts and could be quite deceived by
clever tactics. She stroked the horse's head while wondering aloud.

"Why would the royal
guard attack us?"

"I can only guess,
Anya. Maybe they wanted to take you prisoner and lock you in a cell until the
ritual, although it doesn’t sound right to me. I'm inclined to think they were
sent by the witch."

"But they can’t even
see me."

"They were under
orders, they'd have tried anyway."

Resolution etched on her
face, Kylor mounted her steed and reached out a hand to help her up.

"Don't be scared. I'll
always defend you and fight for you."

The determined statement
sent her heart knocking as she looked back to stare into the clear, blue eyes.

"I have faith in you,
Kylor."

Strangely, her
protector's features now expressed something akin to pain, and her chest
hardened.

"Anya, don't talk to
me about love."

"Why not?"

"Because you'd be
hurt if anything bad happened to me. The last thing I want is to make you
suffer."

The woman's tone lowered
to a whisper. Gripped by unexpected dread, her voice rose to a higher pitch.

"What are you talking
about? What’s going to happen to you?"

Kylor must have sensed or
seen her overflowing emotion because she tenderly stroked her cheek.

"Nothing. Forget
about that. Sometimes I don't know what I'm saying."

Was she lying? In dire
need of reassurance, she clung to hope although the dismal words had been a
warning. She knew it in her heart. Even cursed, she was neither blind nor deaf
to Kylor. So she hang on to the blue eyes as the question left her lips.

"Don't you love
me?"