Page 12 of Blackwood Milk Farm #7

Speaking with the Neighbors

Asher opened his eyes to the glow of morning light. The first thing he saw was Elara lying next to him. The elf was wrapped in peaceful sleep. He reached over and touched her cheek. She didn’t stir, but others in their bed did.

The lord lifted his head a little to find his bed filled with goblins. Blyss was hugging his back, while Keefa was hugging his leg. Paasha was hugging Blyss, while Nuha was hugging Keefa. Body heat made the bedchamber very warm. The goblins stirred by holding onto bodies and limbs tighter.

Elara’s eyes fluttered open. When Asher looked at her again, she smiled with loving warmth.

“I’m trapped. The goblins have me,” Asher whispered with amused eyes.

“Too bad for you,” Elara murmured as she snuggled a little more into her pillow.

“You would abandon me to them? They will do unspeakable things to me,” Asher said playfully.

“Better them than me. I would have you drink from my fountain, collar you, and lead you around as my pet wolf. You would forever serve me, your elf queen of the wilds,” Elara said with a grin.

Asher blinked. “What a life that would be.”

The naked elf partially sat up and looked down on Asher with a warm gaze.

Asher looked at her full breasts, suddenly feeling thirsty.

Elara decided to play into his desires by touching underneath one of her nipples and giving it a gentle squeeze. Creamy drops of milk budded at her erect nipple. When a rivulet began to trace down the curvature of breast and dripped along the bottom, she let out a slow moan.

“They are sooooo full. If only there was a handsome man who would suck on my nipple? They could relieve me in my time of need,” she said theatrically.

Motivation struck like a hammer across Asher’s spirit. He grabbed the bed and pulled himself closer. The goblins held fast, weighing him down. Small waking murmurs filled the air, and a giggle followed.

“So much milk,” Elara sighed as the rivulet thickened more.

Asher crawled closer, dragging four goblins with him.

Blyss lifted her head to see where they were being dragged. She grinned from big ear to big ear as Elara smiled at Asher’s attempts.

Asher didn’t have a far distance to reach Elara’s leaking breast, but it felt like it to him.

“Stop our Clan Father!” Blyss said loudly.

The giggles and laughter rose as the goblins jammed their feet and elbows into the bed.

“You will all pay!” Asher laughed.

Elara watched as Asher’s lips were inches away from her leaking nipple.

“Take it, my lord,” the elf said with a loving smile.

Asher re-doubled his efforts, the goblins now pulling him back. With a giant heave, he took the goblins with him as his lips clamped on her erect nipple.

The goblins let go with their laughter filling the air.

Elara swept her hand around Asher’s head as he drank her mystical milk.

“Well done,” she smiled as sensual pleasure warmed her cheeks.

***

The morning moved quickly into the new day. The household was busy cleaning up after last night’s celebration. The blankets were gathered and the bed rolls were rolled up. The scent of cooking food filled the farmhouse. A feral hunger filled everyone under the roof, needing to replace energy from the previous night's festivities.

The dining room was filled with hungry bodies and plates filled with different foods from flat cakes to salads to chunks of meat. Asher wolfed down his food, as did the goblins at the table. Elara and Nyn watched as they ate their food normally. Elves, especially mature elves, had the ability to control their appetites a little more frequently than the other races. The pair continued to eat, talk, and enjoy the feral feast taking place right next to them.

Amber drank cup after cup of water. Her thirst was unmatched, fauns needing water more than food at times, especially after lengthy celebrations.

Asher wiped the side of his mouth and stood up. He looked at his family with a full heart and sore muscles.

“I have to visit Leaf-Cutter Farm and warn them of our little mage problem,” he announced.

Elara glanced at Amber. The faun was chugging a cup of water when she glanced back at the elf and winked.

Elara gave a subtle nod at the faun and looked at Asher with bright eyes and a warm smile.

“I must go to the Wine Library. I will walk with you part of the way,” the beautiful elf said as she stood up.

Asher’s heart beat a little faster, knowing he was going to enjoy some alone time with her.

“Of course. Let’s get ready and be off,” the lord of Blackwood smiled.

The couple left the dining room. They reached the common room and picked up leather jackets from pegs along the wall by the front door. Asher was sure to pick up his belt with his enchanted dagger. The threat loomed in the back of his mind and he never wished to be caught unprepared. He latched the belt around his waist and moved to Elara’s side. The elf wore a leather jacket with a white furry trim along the collar.

Once they were ready, they stepped through the front door and into the sunny daylight.

Birdsong filled the crisp air. A cool breeze swept through the valley, causing leaves on trees to flutter and wave. The world seemed to sigh in perfect contentment as a man and elf walked with a closed gate behind them. They started walking on a dirt road as sunlight illuminated the world.

For a small moment, the couple said nothing as they walked. Their spirits danced in the blissful memories of last night, and this morning. But soon, their gaze took on hints of shadow. A memory boiled, crawled up their spirits and reached their lips.

“I,” the pair said at the same time, and stopped.

“Please, speak your mind,” Asher said warmly, but his eyes still held a shadow.

Elara let out a small sigh.

“I’m worried,” Elara said plainly.

Asher nodded.

“I fought mages before, and they are difficult to subdue,” Asher said.

Elara tilted her head forward, shadows covering her eyes.

“My love for you brought him here,” Elara said without saying Sontar’s name. “He is obsessed, but I know him, Asher. I don’t want him dead. I just want him to go away.”

Elara kept her gaze low as she continued, “If he dies, the whole empire will investigate his disappearance. He’s well known throughout the province, and even the empire.

“He is also powerful, and will not be caught off guard again.”

Asher looked ahead, Elara words heavy on his heart.

“I understand,” he said with a touch of frost.

Elara shifted her gaze to her lover. Her hands reached for Asher’s shirt and curled her fingers in it. Her body smashed into his as tears welled along her oval eyes.

The lord looked at her with sad eyes.

“Asher Blackwood, you will hear me! You know I have fallen hopelessly in love with you and our family. I will do anything to protect us. If we must slay him, then I will ready our family to fight the empire! But do not think for one speck of time that I care more for anyone else than I do you! You’re my sunshine in the dark. You are the blood moving through my heart. You are the other half of my soul, the one I have searched all my life to find.”

Asher stared at the beautiful mature elf and his heart wilted. A gleam of wetness touched his eyes and even a man who stared death in the eyes countless times couldn’t fight the tremble along his lip.

Asher lifted a hand and cupped her cheek. Elara leaned into his hand, tears streaming down her face.

“Elara Moonwhisper, my heart is bonded to yours, now and forever. You are my dreams made flesh. You are the loving whisper across my soul. You are my heart beat, knowing every moment of every day is more spectacular than the last.

“I will fight the gods to ensure we remain bonded until the stars fall from the very skies.”

The two embraced and became one on the road. Tears slipped down cheeks, a real fear touching their hearts. When they parted, they still had their hands on each other with foreheads touching.

“I still have a few tricks that would cost him a hand, or limb?” Asher said softly.

Elara laughed with tears in her eyes. She closed them, unable to hold back her amusement.

The couple took slow, deep breaths. When they lifted their heads, they looked into each other’s eyes.

“We will find a way to send him away forever,” Asher said with serious, loving eyes. “And maybe he will keep all his limbs, but I can’t promise anything.”

Elara let out another soft laugh. She wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and tried to regain her composure.

“Yes, I believe you,” she said as she stepped back a little.

“If he appears, we cannot show that he may have the upper hand. We treat him as he appears, a nuisance,” Asher said.

“Yes. His ego has always been his weakness but he is an elf of tireless dedication. It is why he has learned almost all the elemental spheres of magic. He is driven by his passions, and it would appear he thinks I am one of them.”

Asher nodded. “I will let the others know about the danger. They may be able to aid us through this dark time.”

Elara nodded and her features softened. A mischievous gleam filled her gaze as she looked at Asher.

“When will you return to the estate?”

“I’m not sure. I could be back in a few hours or tomorrow morning,” Asher said with a small smirk. “Verda has expressed how much she misses the farm and us.”

“Then tomorrow it will be,” Elara smiled. “I know you can’t resist anyone’s pining.”

Asher’s smile faded a little.

“I should come right back. What if he appears?”

Elara held her chin high. “We will be fine. I have a squad of goblins, a mystical elf, an alchemist faun, and a giant at my side. If I know Sontar, he will only make strategic moves when it benefits him the most. I also know his ego. He would want you there to see what designs he unleashes.”

Asher nodded. “I will follow my heart. If I get a sense on the air, I will rush home to defend your heart and our family.”

“I know you will,” Elara said with a sly smile.

Asher put his hand out to town. “Shall we?”

“Yes,” Elara said with regal flair as she curled her arm around Asher’s arm.

The couple walked on toward town, courage in their hearts.

***

Asher saw Elara to her shop. People were gathered around him, eager to get into the Wine Library and continue their reads over glasses of wine.

The elf opened the front door and beckoned her regulars in. She shifted her gaze to Asher and blew him a kiss.

The former adventurer blew her kiss as he kept walking east.

Asher barely made it fifty feet when he heard someone shouting from behind.

“Lord Blackwood! Lord Blackwood!” Nadia said as she ran, her glasses flopping against her face.

Asher turned to her with a smile, and the bookshop owner crashed into his chest. He quickly grabbed her as he stumbled back a step and helped her to stay standing.

“Forgive me for shouting, and crashing,” she said.

“Nothing to forgive. Also, you know you can simply call me Asher.”

Nadia looked him up and down as she regained her composure.

“Lord Blackwood is sexier,” she said as she glanced around shyly.

“Of course,” Asher said with understanding eyes. “How can I help my lovely lady of books?”

Nadia leaned a little close to him, pressing her fingers to his chest and her lips very close to his.

“Keep saying things like that and I may drag you back to my shop for some naughty fun.”

“You know you never need a reason for that,” Asher smirked.

“Lord Blackwood,” Nadia said as she fanned her neck. “As much as I would continue this lovely banter, I wanted to know if you needed any help on the farm? I’m closing my shop for a much-needed rest. The stress tires me out frequently.”

Nadia moved her lips to his ear, “I could use a nice soak in your pond, or maybe a collar around my neck. I’ve had so many wicked thoughts and I think I need to be punished,” the last word coming out like a slow, seductive moan.

Asher knew Nadia didn’t know the circumstances with Sontar. After what happened with the druid and the attack on the farm, she would not be pleased to hear of a new threat. He had to think of a way to keep her busy before she came back the estate.

“Punishment? Yes, I think you do need to be taught several lessons. Unfortunately, I must visit the Leaf-Cutter Farm for the day, and perhaps the night. There are things I must attend to at the estate as well. It has taken up much of my time, and I don’t wish to be distracted when you come over.”

Nadia wilted with sad eyes

Asher stood over Nadia and moved his lips close to her ear.

“I can sense your wickedness like a poison in the air. I will have to be extra strict with you. Perhaps a little humiliation? Or maybe some spankings may be in order? Who knows? I may have to search your entire body and apply my special ointment to cure you of these maladies. It will take us some time but I know how to draw the poison from you, letting it leak from your body as it is cleansed. When I call for you, you will come,” he said with a dark voice.

Nadia’s breathing quickened as her eyes nearly rolled into her head. She reached one hand up and touched his strong chest. She shuddered and took a sharp gasp.

Asher pulled his head back just enough to see a hot pink flooding her pale features.

“Yes,” she moaned before she could correct herself. “I trust your process. I will await your call,” she said with a breathy tone.

“Good girl,” Asher said with a confident smile. “But I must be off. I will see you when I have time to dedicate to your needs, and my own,” he said as he took her hand, lifted it, and kissed the back of it.

Nadia was stunned as she didn’t blink.

Asher bid her farewell, turned, and marched eastward.

Nadia watched him, her heart thudding in her chest as her wild imagination splashed along her soul.

“I’m your good girl,” Nadia whispered to the breeze.