shall we? I’ll
finger you hard while you hold a backbend, fuck your pussy and your ass from
behind when you’re doing dog kicks. When I’m doing sit-ups, I want that pretty mouth
of yours all over my dick.”
She pumped him fiercely, stroked her clit faster.
“After I’ve made you orgasm on every piece of equipment in
this room, I’ll take you back to the bedroom, tie you up in ribbons and torment
your breasts for hours, until you come from that alone. Then I’m going to
worship every inch of you until my love for you is tattooed on every cell in
your body. Baby, you’re going to limp into that tribunal room tomorrow with a
satisfied smile and the knowledge that you’re fully loved and will be for every
minute of every day for the rest of your life.”
“I love you, Tai.” Her body exploded and it took him with
her. Tai tossed the weights to the side and circled his arms around her after
she collapsed on top of him. After sufficient recovery time and several deep,
toe-curling kisses later, she went to the mat and did a backbend.
Thirteenth Night
Dressed in his battle clothes, Tai took Annie’s hand and
headed to the courtroom in the basement of Neutral Ground. Full warrior regalia
stressed their commitment to their heritage, their conviction that their
actions were about building a better future. A justice nymph led them to a long
table that faced the tribunal bench, set for five judges.
Tai laid his hands flat on the table and sat stone-still as
the tribunal judges entered. His thigh touched Annie’s lightly. A small
comfort, but that Annie allowed it in such a setting spoke volumes of her
courage.
“Andromache,” Annie whispered, as a tall, white-haired
Amazon Elder strode in, her muscles still warrior-honed in the Amazon uniform.
Wrinkles from age and anger radiated from lips clenched tight. Her gaze skated
up and down Annie’s body and settled on her breasts. “Damn. I thought Sylla was
my friend,” Annie said. “Andromache assigned herself as my sexual mentor when I
turned eighteen and still does not understand why I don’t return to her bed
since she trained me. She sent me to retraining and rendered judgment on
Phoebe.” Her voice pitched low to his ears only. “She looks pissed.”
“Strike two,” Tai said, his tone equally hushed, his eyes
following the Elder Gargarean who took the seat next to the Amazon with his
arms crossed and eyes narrowed, his anger displayed for all to see. “Ajax is
known for his zealous traditionalism.” He pressed his leg tighter against her,
taking as well giving comfort.
“Themis.” The Greek goddess of divine order, law and custom
entered, clad in a silk toga. “She’s a true unknown—with a leaning to support
existing law and tradition,” Annie whispered. “This is not looking good.”
“Wait a sec. That’s Wenchang Wang, the Chinese god of
literature and scholarship, the patron of scholars and reputed for compassion
and leniency. One story says he started as a warrior, killed in a rebellion.”
An elderly Chinese gentleman, gray at the temples but resplendent in silk
robes, a pencil-thin moustache over thin lips pressed firm. His eyes shone with
kindness and ruthlessness. He could be mean when crossed.
“Oh my,” Annie breathed, a smile tugged at her lips.
“Ganesh, the Hindu god of intellect and wisdom and remover of obstacles.” His
elephantine features were unique among the pantheons. “I’d always wanted to
meet him, but not like this.”
“This tribunal is not acceptable. Only those from the Greek
pantheon may render judgment on the Greek warrior races,” Andromache’s deep
voice echoed through the walnut-paneled room. A sharp nod from Ajax showed the
Gargarean’s support.
“The decision taken today will reverberate across all the
supernatural races, so the Council of Pantheons deemed others to be included in
the final judgment,” Sylla said.
Tai swallowed hard. He hadn’t really put much value on his
designation as