Eye of the Goddess Read online

  Tara watched Ciara lure the man from the stage and try to guide him to an empty table. He whispered something into Ciara’s ear. Then a large man stepped in front of Tara. When he moved, her friend was nowhere to be seen.

  She’s probably gone somewhere for sex, she thought, disgusted. That bastard will probably take what he wants from her body, then steal her purse while she sleeps. It happens every time.

  Thinking of Ciara getting laid, Tara suddenly became horny herself. Once again, she regretted not bringing Lujak along. Thinking of him, of his broad shoulders and massive cock, her throat tightened and she felt such longing. He always tried to please her in bed, while most other men just thought of their own pleasure.

  "I should know better than go out drinking without Lujak," she muttered, feeling heat and a tingle between her legs. Strong drink made her horny. Hell, she was lucky she still had her clothes. Unfortunately, her crazy relationship with Lujak left her confused by her own wants and needs more often than not. Most of the time it was great, but sometimes…

  "I should break it off with him so I don't feel so bad after a night of fun," she muttered. Memories of her nights in Lujak's arms danced through her head. Her body got even more hot and tingly. "I wonder if he'll still sleep with me afterwards?"

  She looked at the men around her. Most looked exceptionally scroungy.

  "I'm going to regret this," she muttered.

  She feared she'd have to drastically lower her standards if she wanted to enjoy a little flirting. So she began moving around between the tables looking for someone that struck her fancy. Tara was pleased that most of the men seemed to be watching her every move. She wasn't too drunk to realize just how dangerous this was, since virtually everyone there probably had a price on their heads somewhere. Most would just as soon slit her throat as sleep with her, but her vanity, as usual in situations like this, completely overrode her common sense.

  Does knowing I'm doing something stupid, and doing it anyway make me more in control? she wondered. Or even dumber than I'm afraid I am?

  As she passed one small table with two particularly rough looking sailors, she overheard part of the conversation. All she could make out was ‘priceless jewel’ and ‘Eye of Varissa.’

  Eye of Varissa, she thought, intrigued.

  "Let’s go," Ciara said angrily from behind and startled her.

  "Why? What happened with your dream lover? I see it didn’t take you too long."

  "He wanted me to pay for the room!" Ciara cried, eyes flashing. "And I could’ve made him feel so good."

  Tara grabbed her arm and dragged her over to a quiet corner. She explained what she had overheard. She wanted them to join the sailors and try to find out more. Ciara studied the two men a second. Both were tall, average built humans. The near one was blonde with a three day growth of stubble and the other looked in even worse shape.

  "They aren’t the best I've ever seen," Ciara replied. "But I could do worse."

  Walking up behind the blonde sailor, Tara wrapped her arms around his neck, "You boys want any company?" and kissed his ear.

  "Always," he said. "I’m Fritz and he’s Gresham."

  "I’m Nicole and she’s Linda," Tara lied, pointing at Ciara who was moving toward his friend.

  Their real identities might have spooked the sailors. Being famous did have its drawbacks. And sailors were particularly wary of pirates.

  Chapter 6

  Tara slid into Fritz’s lap and took the opportunity to steal his mug and drain it. She wagged her brows, a tiny smile playing across her lips.

  "We seem to be dry."

  Fritz laughed and ordered a pitcher and two more mugs. Ciara moved into Gresham’s lap and started nuzzling him. While waiting for their drinks, Fritz took the opportunity to start kissing and nibbling on Tara’s ear. She moaned and groaned, playing up her pleasure, while keeping a close watch on his roaming hands. Soon the ale arrived and all took deep swallows.

  "Gods, you sure know how to treat a woman," Tara said, relishing the taste of the ale as much as the sailor’s touch appalled her. Well, it really was more his stench that bothered her. Some people didn't believe in the need to bathe regularly.

  "And you know how to treat a man," Fritz said, and then buried his face in her neck.

  Tara squealed as he took a tiny bite out of her neck. It felt way too good, so she twisted and wiggled around to thwart him. She felt his hand cup a boob, claiming all of her attention. Then the other hand was on her butt, fingertips dipping into her butt crack, before Fritz ran his hard, callused hands firmly over her thighs.

  "Are you sure your name isn’t Frisky?" Tara asked, voice only slightly tainted with irritation.

  "Whatever turns you on, honey," he said and slid one hand into her shirt and cupped a breast.

  Until that moment, Tara was so distracted by his other hand, she didn’t realize he was unbuttoning her shirt. It was a startling realization, and came too late.

  Up close and personal, Fritz appeared to be in his late thirties, with a little gray streaking his golden hair and beard. So he had far more experience than she first thought. Yet the sailor was almost bursting with pride. The way he kept looking at certain other tables and smirking made Tara think that a good many of his friends were there to witness him enjoying her company.

  "Are you a warrior?" she asked.

  His trade was obvious, but besotted men rarely thought things out. She doubted he'd volunteer anything if she didn't prompt him, play him just right. So when he pulled her shirt open to expose a breast Tara just sighed and let him have his fun. Fritz lifted her boob to his face to kiss, lick, and suck on the nipple.

  "Kinda," he said. "Who cares?"

  Fritz started thumbing her nipple, while his rough, callused hand fondling her tit. Wonderful sensations rippled into her. Tara closed her eyes and savored his touch. Moments later, the sailor palmed the back of her head and pulled Tara into a deep, lingering kiss. She heard Ciara giggle, wondering if it was aimed at her or if the elfmaid's guy tickled her.

  Fritz proved a damned good kisser. Their mouths opened, tongues exploring. She wrapped her arms around his neck, while his free hand played with her boobs. For a while, she forgot the reason they'd joined the two men. It wasn't easy regaining her focus after he got her libido so fired up.

  "Nicole and I are warriors. Adventure turns us on," Tara said, struggling to push away the erotic thoughts of banging him. His hard bulge pressed against her sex, making her insides all fluttery hot. Was he that good, or was she that drunk? "And dangerous men."

  "I thought you were Nicole?"

  "Huh?" she said. She giggled and wiggled, grinding into his groin. "I'm so drunk."

  That had the hoped for effect. Fritz's hands became more urgent as they explored her body. Unfortunately, it was feeling so good, Tara worried she might lose herself in the pleasure.

  "She's right. Nicole and I live for adventure," Ciara said. She kissed Gresham, eyes full of adoration. "You are so big and strong. Have you ever rescued a princess? Or slayed a dragon?"

  "Maybe," Gresham said, though giving Fritz a questioning look.

  Tara caught their silent communication.

  "Oh," Tara said, sounding decidedly disappointed and starting to look around at other men. "Are there any really interesting, or dangerous, men here?"

  "We’re dangerous as any you know," Fritz said, noticing her interest waning. Tara fought to keep her eyes from rolling. Anyone who had to tell you they were dangerous wasn’t a threat to toddlers. Then, in a low voice, he said, "We’re pirates."

  In most cities, that would be terribly dangerous to admit. In Amana, you couldn't throw a stone without hitting four or five.

  "Really?" Ciara said, acting excited by the news. She wiggled on Gresham's lap, while Tara took the opportunity to stare hungrily into Fritz's eyes and grind into his groin. "Have you taken any rich merchants or castles lately?"

  "We’re part of Captain Padraig’s Orcsbane," Fritz said, his chest s
welling in pride. "Orcsbane took a rich merchantman just five days back."

  Tara felt her heart skip a beat. Trying to act casual, she slowly looked around the room. Each and every patron was studied, to ensure her mortal enemy wasn’t in the tavern. She saw no sign of Padraig, or anyone even resembling him, or any other half-elf.

  "Aye, we just returned this afternoon," Gresham said. "We don’t have our cut yet, but it’ll be big."

  Tara wondered if that meant the convent raid was called off or postponed. That could really mess up her plans to save the place and nuns.

  "Really?" Tara said, regaining her composure. With her immediate safety assured, she found her interest in the Eye of Varissa reasserting itself. "Did anything interesting happen? Or did you take anything, or anyone, famous?"

  "Are you kidding? We captured one of Master Tamur’s ships," Fritz said. After glancing around again, he said, "He mans his ships with seasoned fighters instead of galley slaves. It was quite a fight we had."

  Tara had heard of the Merchant Tamur. He wasn’t one to trifle with. If she remembered correctly, his brother was a mage.

  "But how could he afford to do that? What does he trade in?" Ciara asked.

  Looking around to ensure no one else was listening in, Fritz said, "Stolen jewels and antiquities."

  "But officially he’s a salt and rare spice merchant," Gresham said. "But Captain Padraig knew better. We scored big this time."

  "Did he have anything of note in his cargo?" Tara said, forcing herself to become breathless. It worked, for Fritz’s excitement grew with her own feigned excitement. "Maybe even crown jewels, stolen from the very palace of a powerful king?"

  "It’s hard to tell with old Tamur," Fritz said, shrugging. "We only got to see one of his prizes as we moved it aboard Orcsbane."

  "What was it, a crown or maybe a scepter?" Ciara said.

  "It was a black diamond thing with tiny regular diamonds surrounding it," he said, holding his hands together and making a small circle to show its size. "It was shaped like an eye."

  "Black diamond?" Tara sounded skeptical. "I’m not the brightest girl around, but even I know diamonds are clear. True, some can have a little color to them, but not black."

  "No, it’s true. I saw it with my own eyes. It was pitch black and I heard Captain Padraig telling the first mate how it was some ancient relic taken out of some giant statue of Varissa," Gresham said.

  "True, it’s called the Eye of Varissa," Fritz whispered, looking around.

  Tara and Ciara looked at each other, smiling wickedly.

  "Sounds exotic and mysterious," Tara practically purred in the pirate’s ear.

  "Is it a powerful talisman?" Ciara said. "I love magical things."

  The two pirates shrugged. It was apparent from their demeanor that it had never occurred to them and the prospect scared them. Fear of magic and the supernatural was common, despite magic being fairly common and most people had cause to use it during their lives. That mostly involved rather mundane spells, such as birth control. Any witch would put a spell on a woman to keep her from being impregnated for a few copper coins. But it was the more powerful sorcery practiced by mages that most people feared, and for good reason.

  "How come two strong men like you aren’t still standing guard over this treasure?" Ciara said, running her hands over Gresham’s chest. She looked impressed. "Are you the first and second mates?"

  "We’re just common sailing men," Gresham said. "Captain Padraig pays local men to guard the treasure room."

  He was basking in the apparent admiration of the beautiful elven warrior. And elven women had a reputation of being rather wild in the ways of love.

  "So Captain Padraig is here in Amana?" Tara said, nibbling on Fritz’s ear.

  "Sure, why?" Fritz asked, suddenly suspicious.

  In a town like Amana, men tended to be more than a little suspicious of anyone asking questions, especially specific questions about people or ships.

  "Me and Linda are warriors," Tara said, trying to sound miffed. She indicated her sword and knife. "We’ve been looking for work and he sounds like someone who needs good warriors."

  That seemed to satisfy the men.

  "Well? Is he hiring?" Ciara asked, looking back over her shoulder as Gresham was kissing his way down her neck.

  "I don’t know," Fritz said.

  "Did he lose anyone during the fight with Tamur’s ship?" Tara asked.

  "Yes. Why do you ask?"

  Tara rolled her eyes as if his question was stupid, "Because he’ll need to replace his losses."

  "I suppose so," he said.

  Tara returned to making out with him, to quell any fears he might harbor. His ardor grew quickly, and hers did as well. It became hard to concentrate on her task again, especially when he kissed her so passionately. And the feel of his rough hands all over her breasts messed up her head, as well.

  "So, where can we find Captain Padraig?" she asked and started kissing his ear again.

  The two sailors explained the directions to them. Tara asked specific questions until she was confident they could find it. Though Ciara had served under Padraig many years, and knew the house well, Tara had never been there. Then she relaxed, happy at completing her task so well.

  "I tire of talking. We’ve been giving you all you wanted all night, now it’s time for you to return the favor," Fritz said and gave Tara’s boob a squeeze.

  All night? she thought, rolling her eyes. Men. Still…

  Tara's body was aching. Fritz and too much ale had her primed for loving. Her mind filled with all of the wicked things she could do for him, and what she hoped he'd do to her. Those sexy thoughts made her sex tingle and throb with achy need.

  "That’s fair, what do you want to know?" Tara said and drained her mug again, pretending to misunderstand him. He gave her such a look, that she couldn't stop the giggles. She held his eyes, and their gaze sizzled. "Do what you gotta do, baby."

  "Yes," he said and pulled her lips in to his.

  His kiss was hard and long. Tara’s relaxed and let him have his way. After all the questions she and Ciara had asked, it would be very suspicious if they tried to leave right away. And Fritz hadn’t really liked answering the questions. Besides, he might be bug ugly and smell like fish and ale, but the boy could kiss.

  Both couples indulged in several minutes of heavy kissing and petting. The men might not have looked like much, but they definitely knew what to do. Both women soon found themselves getting worked up. Finally, Tara pulled her lips away and looked around.

  "Why is everyone staring at us?" she asked, and giggled.

  She could hear Ciara’s giggles and moans behind her, which only served to excite her more. That and she had drunk a lot of ale that night, which always got her horny for some reason. Tara was not a woman who denied her own wants or needs. Indeed, she was a devout hedonist and rather proud of it.

  Damned Lujak. Why did I…, Tara thought, her body aching. She understood she'd allowed Fritz and the excitement of the moment get to her. Time to end it. Ciara is going to be so pissed at me.

  "Can we rent a room here?" she asked with a husky voice.

  "No rooms here," Fritz’s muffled voice came from her bosom as he smothered her boobs with kisses.

  She didn't think there would be, so it was a safe request. It also gave her a reason to put an end to their escapade. Most women would refuse to go all the way in public like that. Nothing unusual there.

  "Shit," she said with feeling.

  Fritz buried his face in her deep cleavage, rubbing it back and forth. She gasped and clutched his head between her hands. His whiskers were bad enough on her chin, but across the satiny smoothness of her breasts it was pure torture. A very erotic, loved sort of torture.

  "Oooooh, Umara be praised," she whispered, head rolling back. The sweetest sensations flowed through her body, intensified with every touch, squeeze, and whisker scrap. "Oooooh."

  Tara could hear Ciara’s soft moans behind
her, which also stoked the fire of her own libido. Glancing back, she saw that Gresham had pulled the elfmaid's shirt open and was attacking her breasts with relish. And to her great pleasure, Fritz was sending waves of pleasure shooting through her as well as he worked his way up to kiss and nibble her neck and ear. His whispers felt even better dragged across her shoulders and neck. At the same time he was fondling her boobs with a deft touch, both thumbs rubbing her nipples into hardness.

  "There has to be somewhere we can go. I don’t want to put on a show," Tara said, looking around at all the men watching. She felt her need to escape fading, and knew if she didn't get away quickly there would be hell to pay with Lujak. "I don't want to… Oooooh."

  He pulled her into another deep, passionate kiss. Tara struggled, feeling her resolve faltering. Then he opened her mouth and thrust in his tongue.

  "Mmmmmmgh," she groaned, grinding against his growing bulge. Tara lost track of time. That kiss went on forever, all the while his hands roamed her body. Driving her crazy with need and desire. "Gods, Fritz, I can't take it. We have to go somewhere now."

  "There’s just the table and the floor," he said.

  He took her nipple into his mouth and began sucking. Her head rolled back as she moaned loudly. She looked back to see Ciara lying on the table giggling as Gresham fumbled with the buttons on her pants.

  "It’ll have to be the floor," Tara said, pulling his shirt open. "The table’s taken."

  "Who says," Fritz said and picked her up. He sat her on the edge of the table and pushed Ciara over a ways. He then laid a giggling Tara beside her. "I want everybody to see me taking you."

  He buried his face in her bosom again. Tara moaned softly as his hands, lips, and tongue worked her breasts expertly. She ran long delicate fingers though his hair as she wrapped her legs around him. Tara didn’t care if everyone watched. She needed him. Then he bit down hard on her tender nipple.