Page 1 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

The sun shined bright in the late spring day. Clouds floated along like they were on unseen layers of glass. The air was clean, warm, and soothing to the soul.

On the Blackwood Estate, a man laid on the grass with closed eyes. He smiled as he basked in the warmth of the sunlight. It soothed his tired muscles and bones. When a cloud blocked out the sun, he opened his eyes to marvel at the beautiful day.

Spring was nearly over. Moments slipped through Asher’s mind, paintings of simple farm life and alchemy. New batches of wine were made from the spring crops of strawberries and blueberries. The work was difficult, but everyone pulled their weight. Even Brynda, the guardian of Blackwood, aided with planting and harvesting the crops.

Asher let out a relaxed exhale, his thoughts filled with joy and wonder. Elara’s shop, The Wine Library, had regular business. The people of Mist Valley enjoyed relaxing in the shop, sipping on their favorite wines, and reading new, or favored novels. Elara talked endlessly about her days in the shop, much to Asher’s happy ears.

When an image of the elf filled Asher’s mind, it was breathtaking. Her beauty devastated his senses. Her scent filled him with purpose. When she talked about her day, no matter how mundane, he was captivated. The pair often spent their time in bed being on their sides and staring into each other’s eyes. Hands touched each other’s bodies as words filled the intimate space between them.

When the lord and lady were not alone, the absurd hijinks continued in, and out of their bed.

There was a mutiny at one point. The goblins, led by Blyss, banded together, and refused to work. It caught everyone, including Asher, off-guard. When the goblins made a demand, the entire household listened.

The goblins wanted to be treated like royalty, just for a day.

Asher remembered how Elara giggled, Amber shook her head, and Nyn blinked. It wasn’t like it was brought to the goblin’s attention before that they worked much too hard and often. The family often told them as much, but it seemed they finally listened and made it their idea.

Asher did what any lord would do, he listened to his people. He knelt to one knee before Blyss. Elara and Nyn were next to kneel. Amber shrugged and knelt as well.

Blyss smiled as Nuha, Keefa, and Paasha nodded in agreement.

One spring day, for the day, the goblins were waited-on like they were regal royalty. Paasha sat in one of the plush chairs, Amber giving her a foot massage. Elara and Nyn tended to serve the goblins anything they wanted, which was a lot of different foods, at different times.

Asher was in the kitchen, cooking for everyone. The lord enjoyed it, trying to make the meals as special as he could. Open cookbooks littered the kitchen area, Asher trying different dishes for the demanding goblins.

When the lord was not in the kitchen, he tended to Blyss’s every whim. The goblin was demanding but Asher saw it as a loving challenge.

That very night, the goblins took their chosen concubines, and the royal day ended in the throes of loving passion.

Asher smiled a little more at the memory. During the night, Blyss confessed that the clan needed a little more attention. The lord kissed the beautiful goblin, telling her she, and their whole household, were precious to him. He remembered her green lip twitch, before she was on him. He didn’t push the matter, knowing she only wanted reassurance at the time.

Asher’s thoughts moved on from the mutiny to the rest of their family.

Nyn and Nadia had become fast friends. When the blue-haired elf was not in her private cottage, writing like a tumultuous storm, she was at Nadia’s book store. The pair were thick as thieves, planning out a series of black books.

Nadia’s first book, The Master Farmer, was a huge success. Nadia received letters daily, readers praising her skills, prose, and wanting more of her books for personal libraries. The book shop owner often brought the letters to Nyn. The often-emotionless elf was filled with shy smiles. Coin began to spill into the coffers from her sales as the pair worked Nadia’s private word press in the basement of the Book Guild shop.

Asher noticed a difference when he saw Nyn. The elf was relaxed and happy. It was like she was living in a dream. The support from the family was always there as she basked in her life as an author.

But the glow didn’t remain. The elf was stalwart, preparing notes for future books. She did mention to Asher there would be new, little plays they must explore, and the lord was ready to aid her in any way he could with her seductive writings.

Moments continued to drift and Asher found himself staring at a mental image of Amber. The faun was always a hard worker, and lover, but she tended to spend a little more of her free time alone. The household respected her need for solitude but everyone, at one time or another, questioned her happiness. The faun still laughed and gossiped, but would rather hear tales from others than speak of her own small adventures. It was something Asher knew, when the time was right, she would speak up. No matter what was said, he, and the household that became a family, would support her in any needed endeavor.

Smaller memories invaded Asher’s relaxed mind. Moments played out of the entire Blackwood household helping Kimi, Alma, and Verda move into the Leaf-Cutter Farm. The three shifters were hesitant at first, but after a few days the farm began to feel like home.

The trio quickly went to work, making the farm their own and planting their first crops. Spring didn’t slow down and Kimi was first to whip the uni-goat and owl-shifter into their new life as farmers. They tilled the farmland before they began planting their first crops. From what was reported to Lord Blackwood, the three were exhausted and didn’t leave the farm. They worked and slept and soon their efforts bore fruit. Vibrant green appeared across their land, and with each passing day it only grew more vibrant. When their crop matured, it was Asher, Brynda, and Nuha, who helped with the harvest.

Lord Blackwood remembered the loving glances from Verda. She whispered to others that her only regret was leaving the Blackwood Estate.

Kimi seemed happier from what Asher remembered. The fox shifter was focused and dedicated to farm duties and little else.

Alma was a little miserable. After such a long time of lounging around the estate, the hard work was difficult for her. It grew easier over time and she knew this was her new home in the valley.

Memories shifted to Dina. The master artisan didn’t visit much, her work often taking precedence, but when she had a small lull, she often came to the house late in the evening, and nearly dragged Asher to the secret room in the library, often to the laughter and giggles of the rest of the household.

Another cleansing sigh floated up from the lord’s lips. He closed his eyes. Everything was well and he felt at peace.

The lord didn’t know how much time had passed before a cool shadow touched his body.

Asher slowly opened his eyes and smiled with a loving gaze.

Blyss stood over the lord of Blackwood. She wore an ankle long black dress. It hugged her voluptuous top. When a breeze washed over the area, the bottom of her dress flowed with it, rippling to the wind. The cloud that had blocked the sun before was long gone. Blyss blocked the radiant light, her shadow covering her lover and clan chief.

The goblin’s emerald skin color nearly glowed. Her yellow oval eyes looked down on Asher with a loving sternness. She lifted a leg and bare foot. She brought it over the laying lord and planted her foot on the ground by his shoulder.

Blyss gave Asher an evil smirk before she gently sat down on his chest.

Asher let out an exaggerated grunt, and grinned.

The goblin returned his grin, and then it faded away.

The lord of Blackwood could see the seriousness in her eyes. Something was on her mind and she was trying to find the words to say it.

Blyss returned her gaze to Asher’s eyes and her eyes took on a gleam of shy courage.

“We made a promise to each other,” she said in a low whisper.

Asher knew what she meant. It was months ago, deep in winter, where they promised each other, they would live in the wilderness like true goblins.

“I hadn’t forgotten our promise,” Asher reassured her as he continued to lay on his back, trapped under her.

Blyss gave him a slow nod, her gaze holding a faint shadow.

Asher knew there was more left unsaid. He curled his arms around her thighs and held the sitting goblin to his strong chest.

“As Clan Chief, you must tell me what’s on your mind,” Asher winked.

Blyss couldn’t fight her own small smile.

“Living in the forests was always hard. Every day was spent looking for food, fighting, and hiding from danger.

“Living here, in our home, has changed many things about my life. I learned to read. I have a family I love with all my heart. I’m happy but there is a piece of me that misses my old life.”

Blyss looked down at Asher with warm, intimate eyes.

“I want us to keep our promise. We can go west and settle in the forest for a few days. When we are finished, we can come home to our family again,” the goblin said with a dreamy whisper.

Asher nodded.

“Sounds good to me,” he said with a dreamy tone.

Feeling the goblin on his chest caused a heat to grow. The lord saw it in Blyss’s eyes, the temptation growing between them.

A bell rang out in the distance.

Asher and Blyss turned their gazes to see by the entrance in the distance, a woman standing there. She turned her head and looked around like she was lost.

“Let’s greet our lost visitor,” Lord Blackwood said with a warm smile.