Heroes of Veritas: Bardic Inspiration (Book 2)

Chapter Nine: Try Again

Astredian leaned forward as if to capture her lips in a kiss, and Elise closed her eyes, waiting for the press of his pillowy lips against her own. When instead rested his forehead against hers, and sighed, her eyes blinked open. She was looking right into his blue eyes, which looked far more tired, and even a little red, now that they were so close.

“As much as I want to, I think I’m too tired…” Astredian muttered, letting her hands free.

Elise brought her hands up to cradle his face, brushing her thumbs gently over his cheeks, which were bristling with stubble since it had been nearly a whole day since he last shaved.

“It’ll be more fun when we’re both well rested.”

Soon, Elise and Astredian settled back into the bed, their breathing slowing to a steady, matched pace as they fell asleep in each other's arms.

Ian knew that they were in a bad spot, but he’d been in bad spots before. Being a firefighter wasn’t a job for people who panicked under pressure, so when they entered this building to search out survivors, he kept his cool. When the floor above them destabilized and collapsed, pinning his partner Kade under a pile of flaming debris, even that didn’t shake him. 

Ian sprayed down the debris before attempting to clear it. He moved with urgency, keeping his breathing under control, while calmly relaying their situation to their crew on the outside. “Part of the second floor just came down on top of Kade. Can you send someone else in for Kade so I can keep searching? Have you gotten a location on where survivors might be?”

“We believe all the survivors have made their way to the roof; we’re going to set up a jump bag. Grab Kade and get out of there.” the answer came  back.

Ian quickly grabbed and tossed lighter pieces away before grabbing the huge section of collapsed beam. He grunted as he levered it up, then shoved the beam off of Kade, who groaned. He wasn’t dead, thank god. Then, the coughing started and Ian realized that the hoses leading to Kade’s air tank had been ripped out - and the tank itself looked damaged as well, though that was nothing compared to the damage that had been done to the man’s leg. It was mangled; twisted, with white bone reflecting the red of the blood and the orange of the flames that were still raging around them.

“My leg’s broken,” Kade managed to growl between coughs.

Ian knelt down, getting ready to pick up his partner in the classic lift that people in his profession were so known for.

“Ian, this place is coming down,” Kade wheezed, his nasally voice rough from the pain he was suppressing. “Tank’s gone...I’m done…you need to get yourself out.”

“We’re both getting out. And then we’re going to go for a run.” Ian said, smiling his faint smile.

He hauled up Kade, who finally screamed as the mangled portion of his lower leg dangled precariously from the sinew and muscle tissue that still held the pieces together. Ian ignored this, and started moving cautiously back the way they had come. After a few tortured moments of piteous screaming, Kade passed out. At least, Ian hoped he’d just passed out from the shock. Maybe it was better that way, because it might be easier to treat the burly bear of a man if he was out cold.

Ian climbed over more debris, and could just barely make out the smoke-darkened exit door when the hallway above them collapsed, snuffing out the hope that had just sprung up in his chest - as well as his vision. Everything swam around him as he fell forward, and his vision faded.

A prompt appeared, strangely clear against the fuzziness that made up the rest of his field of his vision.

“Try again?” the prompt said. It was similar to prompts that he often saw awful failing a game scenario. 

What was that logo in the corner? It looked like a Veritas logo. The prompt grew larger, as if hovering closer to him. He groaned a little. As much as he loved Veritas, that game had started to become a second job. Was it sad that even his dying hallucinatory thoughts had to do with the game?

“Yeah, whatever. Let’s try again.” he muttered.

Then, everything went white.

When Ian woke up, he felt surprisingly good; better rested than he’d felt in ages. He also felt a warm little hand sliding past the waistband of his shorts to fondle his bits, which made his eyes pop open in startlement.

A sleep roughened, but honey sweet voice chuckled in his ear as a pair of soft, bare breasts pressed against his back. “Good morning.”

His memory was hazy, but he didn’t think he’d been drinking - though Kade was always trying to convince him they should go out more. Where was he? The room around him felt strangely familiar. Was this a themed hotel? They were supposed to attend that Veritas fan event at that themed hotel...but that wasn’t for a few weeks yet, he thought. How drunk had he gotten to have lost two weeks worth of time?

“Er, good more-nnnn?!” he gasped as the mystery woman gripped his c**k and gave his half hard length an eager stroke. She slid a smooth leg between his, and he could feel her thigh press against his balls from beneath as she worked him.

“Wanna finish what you started last night, Commander?” the voice purred in his ear, before nipping at the lobe.

Commander…? Well, that was new. He was more accustomed to being called Master, but well...he supposed it fit the theme. It had been a while since he’d shared that particular fetish with someone. He was a little torn; he had no idea who this woman was, but...he was already in bed with her, she sounded hot, and she was clearly into him. What happens at VeriFest stays at VeriFest, right?

He grabbed at the naughty girl’s hands, shifted, then rolled. She yelped as he pinned her hands above her head, but didn’t struggle. Now that he was on top and could get a good look at her, he could see that she was clearly enjoying her current predicament. 

The woman under him was familiar, though he couldn’t quite place where he’d seen her before. Maybe in the guild’s face reveal harmony channel? People had been posting there more frequently in the lead up to VeriFest. She was tan, with dark brown hair that looped in long wild curls, some of which had fallen into her face. Her eyes were green and almond shaped, and sparked brightly at having caused mischief for him so early in the morning. Her bare breasts were plump and round, and though she was not as thin or blonde as most of his previous partners, he found that he didn’t mind. Actually, he wanted to know what it would feel like to grab those wide hips while he pounded her vigorously from behind. She rubbed one of her thighs against the outside of his as he took her in.

“Are you gunna punish me for waking you up so early, Commander? It’s not even fifth bell yet…” the woman teased, then bit her bottom lip a little, a shy blush coloring her freckled cheeks.

“I’d love to, but…” Ian growled, his voice rumbling as his conscience finally caught up to the rest of him. 

It was true, he really would love to punish her...but now that he was feeling more awake, his better sense had come back to him. Despite his throbbing manhood, which he desperately wanted to plunge into her hot, wet cunt, he had to have some rules. He couldn’t just f**k a guildie at a fan event, even if she was unnervingly attractive; it would cause so, so many problems. 

He also hated feeling like he might have, even unwittingly, used his position of authority over a woman in his guild to gain s****l favors. The fact that he might have done so the night before started sinking in, and he sighed deeply at the regret that was now swirling around in the pit of his stomach. Just because she was clearly into it didn’t mean the balance of power between them was in any way fair.

“Look, I’m really sorry about this...but I don’t even know your name.” he muttered, knowing how lame he sounded. It was not a good excuse, and he wasn’t surprised when the woman’s eyes grew wide with shock.